Public Speaking Glen Whitman Dept. of Economics CSUN

The Traditional Rules (or, what they told me in high school speech class) “Tell ’em what you’re gonna tell ’em; then tell ’em; then tell ’em what ya told ’em.” “Tell ’em what you’re gonna tell ’em; then tell ’em; then tell ’em what ya told ’em.” Use three-point structure, and signpost. Use three-point structure, and signpost. Establish base position, then use body paragraphing. Establish base position, then use body paragraphing. Have regular eye contact with audience. Have regular eye contact with audience. Eliminate filler words (um, uh, y’know). Eliminate filler words (um, uh, y’know).

Breaking the Rules The traditional rules are only guidelines. Good public speakers will break them. The traditional rules are only guidelines. Good public speakers will break them. The learning process: The learning process: Adhere strictly to the traditional rules. Selectively break rules to avoid rigidity. Start making the classic errors again. Develop your own speaking style.

Dealing with Nervousness Practice… but not too much. Practice… but not too much. Be on time. Be on time. Perform stress-release rituals before speaking. Perform stress-release rituals before speaking. Always have water on hand. Always have water on hand. Learn your own tics and be ready to deal with them. Learn your own tics and be ready to deal with them.

Pleasing the Audience Don’t go overtime. Don’t go overtime. Better to make a few points well than a dozen points poorly. Better to make a few points well than a dozen points poorly. Plan which sections to leave out if necessary. Plan which sections to leave out if necessary. Be friendly and respectful. Be friendly and respectful. Use examples and anecdotes. Use examples and anecdotes. Feel free to use humor, but don’t force it. Feel free to use humor, but don’t force it.

Using Notes Do not write your whole speech on cards! Do not write your whole speech on cards! Use cards for the general outline. Use cards for the general outline. Use cards for quotations, as well as specific sentences that must be stated a certain way. Use cards for quotations, as well as specific sentences that must be stated a certain way. If you’re relying too much on your notes, you probably have too many of them. If you’re relying too much on your notes, you probably have too many of them.

Using Slides and PowerPoint Use a simple, non-flashy design. Use a simple, non-flashy design. Use a large, readable font. Use a large, readable font. Avoid screen-reading. Avoid screen-reading. Avoid walking between projector and screen. Avoid walking between projector and screen.

Keeping the Attention on You Have very few points per slide. Have very few points per slide. Write less on your slides than you intend to say aloud. Write less on your slides than you intend to say aloud. Use fly-outs to ration information. Use fly-outs to ration information.

Handling Q&A Don’t be defensive. Don’t be defensive. Be prepared to concede points and admit error. Be prepared to concede points and admit error. Be prepared to admit your ignorance. Be prepared to admit your ignorance. Take notes for long questions. Take notes for long questions. Answer the specific question, but return to the big picture (if you have time). Answer the specific question, but return to the big picture (if you have time).