Public speaking has long haunted those who loathe and like it. In every stage of life, from high school, college, and even up until reaching the corporate world, no one is free from its clutches. Public speaking skills are necessary for your waking life, whether for the show and tell or pitching to a client.
There is a way to make public speaking easier and less stressful. Breaking down the process into steps helps anyone have a clear mindset on what one should talk about, how, why, and more.
First, you should be able to know or at least decide on your goals and aims for bringing up that topic for public speaking. If you are comfortable with your reasons and understand them wholeheartedly, chances are your audience will too.
In public speaking, the aim of the introduction is for you, as the speaker, to connect with the audience. At this point, they should be able to understand why you are in front of them. They should also have a basic idea of the point you are trying to make.
This is also the part where you could mention your thesis statement and give them a run-down of the topics you will cover throughout your presentation.
The body is the center of your presentation. This is the part where you get to support the thesis statement you presented during your introduction. Sometimes, the use of visual aids such as a computer program like PowerPoint or transparencies, and more., help lend support to your presentation and catch your audience's attention.
The conclusion is one of the essential parts of a presentation. This part should be able to supply a summary of your ideas in a clear, simple, and straightforward manner. This is also the best time to address any questions the audience may have, and you, as a speaker, should be able to answer them appropriately. At this point, the audience must know what they should do or what you want them to understand, realize, or think based on your presentation.
However, this breakdown will be ineffective if you do not prepare. You should know your audience. Respect your audience, and they will respect you. It is unethical to talk down to them and talk them up. Your presentation should be compatible with the knowledge they are given about the topic. Talking about filing taxes to an audience of literary writers will best be appreciated by providing them first with the basic technical jargon.