Guidelines and Tips to a Good Speech

Communication is the combination of both words and actions.

Studies have shown that only 7 percent of the total effect of our speaking actually comes from the words we use.

The remaining 93 percent of our message is conveyed by our facial expressions, posture, tone of voice, voice inflection and gestures.

Your speech begins when you before you get out of your seat and does not end until the next speaker begins!

Approaching and leaving the platform:

Do’s
1. Walk with good posture and adequate poise
2. Walk at a controlled rate.
3. Move with purpose.
4. Pause before leaving the platform to let your final words sink in.
5. Sustain your poise.
6. Maintain eye contact as you return to your seat.

Don’ts
1. Don’t turn your back to your audience.
2. Don’t dash, tiptoe, plod, or stomp to or from your seat.
3. Don’t speak while moving to or from your seat.
4. Don’t wear squeaky, tapped, or otherwise “noisy” shoes

During the speech:

1. Watch facial expression (often speakers sound and look like robots—can come from stage fright. To overcome monotonous presentation, decrease rate of speaking and concentrate on message).

2. Use appropriate gestures (match actions to what you are saying and to the size of the room—effective gestures are well timed, large enough to be seen, and harmonious with the idea being expressed.)

3. Establish and keep eye contact (When speaking, do not look over their heads, out the window, at the ceiling, or down at the floor; instead, look directly at them.) Be sure to look at your audience on the left and right side and center of the room.

4. Speak clearly and expressively—appropriate volume so all can hear you (even over the air conditioner!)

5. Do not read your speech—you must have it memorized—and present it in a logical manner.