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Public Speaking 101
By: Ruth Sanchez
Have you ever been required to speak in public? Maybe it’s for a project, maybe it’s for an election campaign, or maybe it’s simply for class recitation and give your insights about a question your teacher asked. Public speaking is a way to express your own thoughts and opinions to others in a more professional and organized manner, meaning public speaking is a necessary skill that you need to acquire especially in your adult life. Whatever it may be, speaking publicly can sure rack someone’s nerves, especially if they’re not used to doing so. Would you like to go from shy and hesitant to confident and eloquent. Here are a few public speaking tips from someone who does public speaking in her spare time.
1. Know who you’re talking to Knowing your audience is the number one way to know how to approach your crowd. By knowing your crowd you know what stance to take, what tone or volume to modulate your voice in, or simply what clothes you should wear on the day of your speech. Speaking at a comedy club and speaking in front of judges are two different audiences that require two different tones, mannerism, and way of speaking. In front of a comedy club or bar you can take a more relaxed stance, in that way you are telling the audience that they can sit back and relax when listening to you. Speaking in an informal manner is also appropriate as most listeners in a comedy club are looking for a hearty laugh. But speaking in front of judges is different, you are speaking with a purpose, meaning your tone must be assertive and your stance must be rigid but not too rigid that they will think that you are nervous, rigid enough that as you walk across the stage, every step you take is coordinated with what you are speaking about. Knowing your audience is essential, while talking pay attention to their mood and be attentive to their reactions.