264 / SPEAKING AND WRITING
Improving your confidence
It’s one thing to know your material. It’s another matter entirely to
believe that you can get up on stage and speak with confidence to a group
of strangers. Understanding your message and having a well-organized
speech are important to your success, but so is self-confidence.
KEEP NOTES SIMPLE
Losing your place in
lengthy notes can give your
confidence a serious knock,
so make sure your notes are
quick and easy to use, giving
you the information you need
at a glance.
Tip
Improving your delivery
Rehearsal will help improve your speech
and raise your level of self-confidence.
Simply knowing that you’ve been through
the contents of your speech more than
once builds familiarity and is reassuring.
It will also ensure you talk for the correct
amount of time. A run-through or two will
show whether you have too much, too
little, or just enough to say. Rehearsal
will also help you improve your
transitions. By practicing your speech,
you‘ll be able to identify the rough spots
and work on smoothing the transition
from one point to another and from
one part of the speech to another.
Using notes
The best speakers seem to
confidently deliver their speeches
extemporaneously, or “from the heart,”
without notes. Such speeches aren’t
really memorized word-for-word, but
rather are thoroughly researched, well
rehearsed, and professionally supported.
Many extemporaneous speakers will use
their visual support—usually PowerPoint
slides—to prompt their memories.
Others prefer to work from bullet points
on notecards, or use the full manuscript.
Whichever you choose, make sure that
your notes are simple, easy to follow,
and allow you to maintain eye contact
with the audience.
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IMPROVING YOUR CONFIDENCE / 265
CHECKLIST...
YES NO
Being prepared
1 Have you double-checked the time and location
for your speech? ...............................................................................
2 Are you sure about the length of time allotted to the speech?.......
3 Have you decided how to arrange the room? .................................
4 Have you found out whether you are using a lectern
or are free to walk around the room during the speech? ..............
5 Have you tested the microphone and sound system? ....................
6 Are you familiar with the arrangements and systems
for visuals? .......................................................................................
7 Do you know what lighting is available, and have you
determined whether it needs to change for screen visuals
or handouts during your talk? ..........................................................
8 If you are using a computer during the presentation,
are the relevant files backed up on a second hard drive
to use if necessary? .........................................................................
Gaining confidence
The better prepared you are, the more
confident you will feel at the podium.
Make sure you have thought about all
aspects of your presentation, from
the layout of the room to the type of
microphone you will use. The knowledge
that you have personally arranged every
detail, and have meticulously planned
and rehearsed your talk, will help build
your confidence. If you get cold feet,
remember that you’ve been asked to
speak because the audience is interested
in your expertise and viewpoint. Trust in
your ability, intelligence, and confidence
to deliver an effective speech.
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