Public speaking is a skill that will take you far in life. From presentations in your future career, to defending theses in graduate school, and even to panel interviews, the experience of giving a presentation will equip you with important skills for long-term success. However, not everyone feels like a “natural” when it comes to public speaking. Here’s a list of tips to improve your presentation skills in your college classes.
Practice, practice, PRACTICE!
The most obvious tip is to practice, and good practice requires detailed pre-planning. When starting a public speaking project, make sure to plan out when you want a finished draft so you can start doing run-throughs. Many people underestimate how many times they should rehearse their presentation or speech. You should do it a few times. Your first few rehearsals should be alone, but once you feel comfortable with the material, try giving your presentation to another person or a group of people. By slowly acclimating yourself to the environment, you will be prepared to give your presentation to a class or a crowd.
Do Not Make a Script
While a script may seem like the best way to remember everything, it can significantly hinder your ability to deliver the speech confidently. When you rely on a script, it is easier to get lost on the page, causing you to take a few awkward moments to find where you are in your presentation. Instead, outline or “bullet” the main points you wanted to communicate. With practice, this approach will make you more comfortable with the material and more confident with presenting.
Make Eye-Contact with the Audience
Instead of burying your head in your notes, look up at your audience. Every time you glance down, look back up at a new person in the crowd. If you repeat this for the entire presentation, your audience will be more invested, regardless of the subject matter. Eye-contact shows that you are comfortable with the material you are presenting, and it keeps your audience engaged.
Keep an Eye on the Time
For most presentations, there is a specific time restraint. If your professor allows, bring up your phone or a timer so that you have easy access. To keep your audience engaged, it’s best not to look at the time often. Best practice is to find the halfway mark of your presentation and mark it down on the outline. For longer presentations, you can do the same thing with thirds or quarters.
You’re Not Nervous, You’re Excited!
Before a presentation, it is very common to get hit with a wave of nervousness. If you have a moment to yourself, repeat “I am so excited to share what I know!” Since nervousness and excitement have similar physiological symptoms, it is easier to shift your nerves to excitement and from there, you can build a positive relationship with public speaking.
The best thing you can do for your presentation is to go in prepared and with a positive attitude. And if you ever need a practice audience, come visit us at the Writing and Communications Center.
Public Speaking Resources
“How to Give a Speech without a Script” Think podcast from January 9, 2024