How to Read Aloud to Adults

Reading aloud to adults makes anyone nervous. Whether you're presenting a paper, reading a poem or sharing an excerpt from a book, preparation makes reading a pleasure. Practice by recording yourself and employ the following suggestions to deliver a superb reading.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Know your material and practice reading it aloud several times before your presentation. Note difficult passages or places where you stumble. Being prepared increases confidence and ease.

2. Familiarize yourself with your audience. Reading to executives, physicians or moms from the pre-school? Know your audience, you can anticipate reaction and questions afterward.

3. Get comfortable and calm. Before the reading, pause, focus on the material and take several slow, deep breaths. Anxiety affects how you sound. Breathe normally so that your voice is clear and steady.

4. Read with authority and share your passion. Control your breathing, read slowly and project your voice from the diaphragm, not your throat. Enunciate words clearly.

5. Vary vocal inflections to avoid a monotone. Make subtle variations in the speed of your reading to add color or emphasize a point.

6. Make eye contact from time to time. Engage the audience. Unable to make eye contact, pick a few neutral points in the room to focus on briefly when you glance up.

7. Listen to recorded readings of material similar to yours. Note the tone, inflection and pauses and the reader's rate of speaking.

Tips & Warnings

• If you make a mistake, smile, take a breath and correct the error. Shake it off and continue.
• Let your listeners know that you enjoy what you're doing and you will increase their appreciation of your reading.