We all know that feeling when your teacher says, "You will be presenting this in front of the class." Then the class sighs in unison. It is even worse if you have social anxiety. It doesn't have to be as bad as you think. A few tips and tricks can take your speech from awkward to amazing.
1. When it is your turn to give your speech, make sure everyone is quiet when you start. Starting your speech when people are talking can make you look eager and nervous.
2. Don't say um or so. We all do it, and it can make us look unprepared. Instead, take a deep breath when you find yourself about to say one. You can then continue on like nothing happened. It will also make you look more professional.
3. Talk with your hands. It will give them something to do besides fidget. It will make you less nervous and feel more prepared.
4. Practice your speech ahead of time! It might be something everyone tells you, but it really helps. Try practicing in front of a mirror, your friends, or your parents. They can also give you tips on what to do or not do next time.
5. If you have something on the screen behind you, don't look at it. Type up a line out of what you want to say in your speech. If you forget something, just look at it instead of the screen.
6. Move around. Have you ever noticed that when your teacher is talking, they walk around a lot? They don't just stand in one place and neither should you. It will occupy your body so that you don't stand in the same spot and look awkward.
7. Add pictures to your presentation. Adding pictures will engage your audience more. We all know how boring presentations are that don't have pictures.
8. If you have a power point or prezi, limit the amount of words on your slides. Try to say what you need to say in under 15 words. Put some key words on your slides, and put the details on some note cards to use during your speech. It will help your classmates pay attention.
9. Look at a familiar face. If you look at one person while you are giving your speech, it will make giving your speech less intimidating. It also helps if you practice giving it to the friend you plan on looking at.
10. Vary your voice. Monotonous speeches are boring and hard to pay attention to. Try making your voice a little lower when you finish a sentence and higher when you ask a question or say a sentence that ends with an exclamation point. This makes your speech less boring to listen to.
