Public Speaking Tips: Delivering a Great Speech

Series Summary

People have been making speeches in front of groups since humankind has been able to communicate. Public speaking refers to giving speeches with the intention of informing audiences about certain topics or persuading listeners to succumb to various opinions. From U.S. presidents to members of the local Junior League, speakers utilize public speaking skills when addressing crowds. Though public speaking styles have changed over centuries, the basic elements remain the same. In learning to speak in public, we obtain relevant skills that enrich our ability to communicate clearly. In this free video series, a communications specialist will provide tips for giving a great speech. Everything from preparation to the physical use of the voice will be covered. Specific examples include how to breathe and use proper body language, how to make eye contact, how to use voice inflection and what not to do the night before a speech. No matter who the audience may be, these tips will prepare any public speaker to give a great speech.

Video Transcript

"Hey, I'm Tracy Goodwin, and I'm the red sweater lady. And today we're going to talk about delivering a great speech. There's actually a lot of things that go into delivering a great speech. First, we've got to talk about your audience. Formality, informality. How are you going to present yourself. Then we want to talk about voice. There's lots of different components to your voice, to giving a great speech. Inflexion, rate, tone, volume, and then of course we have to talk about what you're going to do with your body. The body is the nonverbal statement, and you've got to do something with it that gets your message across. And then, of course, I have to save the best for last. What are you going to wear? And we're going to talk about all these things as we discover how to deliver a great speech."