The skill of public speaking can serve you in a variety of situations outside of the classroom. Developing competent speech performance skills is essential for a range of events both formally and informally. Throughout your life, whether it be an organized event or a casual gathering you will be expected to entertain or persuade your audience by giving a speech.
You may be feeling anxious or unsure of how to navigate speeches in settings outside of the classroom. While this can seem daunting, there are steps you can take to ensure that you deliver a solid, and effective speech in the real world, whether it involves giving a toast for a birthday or wedding ceremony, presenting an award, or offering an introduction for an act or performer. Just as you would for any speech in an academic setting, you must follow basic speech guidelines such as being well prepared and developing a well-structured speech to relay your message. However, there are also specific elements of non-academic speeches which you should be aware of in order to successfully deliver a speech regardless of the occasion.
Some Basic Tips:
1. Read the room
One of the most important factors in delivering a successful speech is to understand your audience and to tailor your message to their expectations. This will allow you to avoid using language that your audience may not understand or may find inappropriate.
2. Use humor and anecdotes
To keep the tone of your speech light-hearted and conversational it can be beneficial to incorporate jokes or humorous experiences. This will not only make your speech more entertaining, but it will also all you to be more relaxed and less rigid. When doing so just remember to incorporate step one by ensuring your material is appropriate for the audience and the occasion.
3. Be prepared
You may feel less inclined to properly prepare your speech in a non-academic setting especially if it is for an informal event, however it is equally as important to ensure you have a well-organized speech so that you deliver an effective speech in a timely manner. Even if you are expected to give an impromptu speech you must take some time to jot down a few notes to determine what your main points are going to be.
4. Relax and enjoy yourself
Being relaxed and in good spirits will make it easier for you to connect with your audience and maintain a conversational tone. Depending on the event you may be delivering your speech to a large audience or a small audience. Regardless of the size of the audience, it will be more of an enjoyable experience if you are speaking to your audience as if you are having a conversation with someone, one on one.
By following these simple tips and considering these steps, you can work towards becoming a more well-rounded, receptive speaker, which will help you develop a habit of delivering compelling speeches.
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