Do you have a speech coming up? Make it a great speech and not just a speech. Here’s how to do it.

How To Give A Great Speech

There are many famous speeches that are remembered over time and some of these are even included in school curriculums. For example, Abraham Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg Address is very well known speech and has made history. While you might not be able to give a speech that makes history, you can give a great speech that will be remembered by your audience for a long time to come. The mark of a good speaker is not just to do all the right things all the time. Remember that a good speaker is more than a good talker. You should be open to taking risks and get into a routine of daily action to make your speech come out great. Move toward your goal with a willingness to make adjustment along the way. A great speech is the product of hard work and creativity. Read on to know the tips for giving a great speech. 
 
Tips For Giving A Great Speech 
  • Choose a subject for which you have a passion. You can do a good job of your topic only if you care about it. 
  • Be persistent. Persistence is what defines whether you are going to be perceived as a person with expertise in speaking. When speaking, ensure that depending on the topic and situation, you use your life experiences and research to customize your material.
  • Patience and persistence go hand in hand. Get as much support as possible so that you can succeed. Remember that you will not become a great speaker overnight.
  • Speak from your heart and be completely authentic. Share your mishaps and foibles. Only then, you will be perceived as a real speaker and not just another stereotype.
  • Be truthful. If you try to sound bombastic, your audience will not trust what you are saying.
  • Practice your speech. Overconfidence never helped anyone make a great speech. Practice, practice, practice. Record your speech and play it back. If you find yourself dropping off to sleep listening to your own voice, then it’s time to make some changes.
  • When you are making a speech, you have just 30 seconds to connect with your audience. Pay attention to your opening statements. Avoid using jokes. You could go with a good, short quotation or a funny story that is relevant to your speech. Ensure that your introduction arouses interest.
  • Use visual aids when speaking. You can also include auditory and kinesthetic aids which will keep your audience’s attention riveted to you and which will get the message across.
  • Know your audience. This is what, will help you present the material in a way that will appeal to your audience.
  • Modulate your voice when speaking and speak with warmth and enthusiasm. Your speech should not be a rhetorical address.
  • Include illustrations in your speech. People learn best from these and tend to respond and retain information better.
  • Add in a bit of humor, but don’t include sarcasm.
  • View your opportunity to give a speech as a privilege. Speaking is an art and your idea can best be propounded when you are creative, wholesome, and innovative.

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