Mastering the art of public speaking

Public speaking and presentation, or communication skills, are indispensable tools in today's dynamic world, where effective communication can open doors to opportunities and success. Whether you're addressing a small group or a large audience, the ability to articulate your thoughts with confidence and conviction is a skill that can be developed over time. The ability to present well and communicate effectively is essential in education and professional contexts, and public speaking ability is becoming a core competency required in many careers (Busà, 2010; Schneider, Börner, van Rosmalen & Specht, 2016; Zulhermindra & Hadiarni, 2020). As such, it is crucial to understand what underlies the ability to communicate effectively and to develop the skills and abilities needed to speak confidently to various audiences.

Improving public speaking and presentation skills

Much of the research around public speaking and the ability to present effectively suggests that practice and feedback are two key factors in developing and improving these abilities (Schneider, Börner, van Rosmalen & Specht, 2016). Many of the other factors suggested to improve public speaking, such as reducing anxiety or nervousness and improving self-confidence or self-efficacy, are also connected to feedback and practice (Jean-Pierre, Hassan & Sturge, 2023; McNatt, 2019). Other important aspects of good public speaking skills include effective non-verbal communication (and the ability to read non-verbal cues from the audience) and specific aspects of the presentation (Grubaugh, 1990).

Practice is everything

If you want to speak with confidence, it’s essential to practice or rehearse your presentation multiple times (Jean-Pierre, Hassan & Sturge, 2023). This not only makes you more familiar with your material, but also enhances your delivery, helping you find a natural rhythm. Practicing in front of family and friends can also help you gain valuable feedback from them (Jean-Pierre, Hassan & Sturge, 2023).l

Technology can also help build presentation skills (Mahdi, 2022; Zulhermindra & Hadiarni, 2020). Record your practice sessions and review them critically. Video feedback provides insights into body language, tone, and pacing, allowing you to identify areas for improvement. Your video recordings can also be reviewed  peers or teachers who can provide you with useful feedback on areas for improvement (Mahdi, 2022; Zulhermindra & Hadiarni, 2020).

Building self-confidence

Self-confidence or self-efficacy is essential for compelling public speaking. Without it, even the most well-prepared presentation can fall flat (McNatt, 2019). One of the most important factors in building self-confidence is practice (Jean-Pierre, Hassan & Sturge, 2023; McNatt, 2019). It is important to attempt to overcome anxiety around presenting and the temptation to avoid public speaking and to practice as much as possible to build self-confidence (McNatt, 2019).

Positive visualisation can also help to build self-confidence (Grubaugh, 1990; McNatt, 2019). Take a moment to visualise yourself succeeding in your presentation. Also, picture the audience responding positively, and imagine the satisfaction of delivering your message effectively.

Anxiety reduction

Public speaking anxiety is a common challenge and is closely related to low self-confidence,  but there are practical strategies to manage and mitigate it. As with building self-confidence, practice is especially important in reducing anxiety (Jean-Pierre, Hassan & Sturge, 2023; McNatt, 2019). Gradually expose yourself to speaking situations to help desensitise yourself. Start with smaller groups or informal settings to build tolerance and reduce anxiety over time.

Practice deep breathing exercises to calm nerves and reduce anxiety before speaking (Grubaugh, 1990). Controlled breathing can help centre your mind and relax your body. Positive visualisation can also be used to reduce anxiety. Imagine a successful presentation and positive reactions from the audience (Grubaugh, 1990). Finally, talking about your anxiety around presenting with friends, peers or family can help to manage the anxiety around public speaking by realising that others share the same fears (Grubaugh, 1990).

Non-verbal communication

Pay attention to both your body language and the body language and non-verbal gestures displayed by your audience. Convey confidence through open and purposeful body language. Stand tall, make deliberate gestures, and avoid distracting mannerisms that can detract from your message.

Establish a connection with your audience through consistent and genuine eye contact. It not only shows confidence but also fosters a sense of engagement and connection. Eye contact with audience members and nods of approval or smiles received from them can help to improve self-confidence (Grubaugh, 1990).

Preparation and presentation skills

Another important factor for a successful presentation is to

Clear and visually appealing slides can enhance your message, but be mindful not to overwhelm your audience with information. Visual aids should complement, not overshadow, your spoken words.

Seven aspects of a good presentation

Here are seven crucial elements of a good presentation:

1. Clear purpose/objective:

   - Define the purpose of your presentation clearly. Whether it's to inform, persuade, entertain, or inspire, your audience should understand the main goal from the start.

2. Audience awareness:

   - Include compelling or engaging content. The presentation should be as attractive as possible to your audience in order to maintain their attention (Al Baqi & Wathoni, 2020).

- Use examples and relatable content to capture your audience's attention and make your message memorable.

3. Structured content:

   - Organise your content in a logical and coherent manner. A well-structured presentation typically includes an introduction, body, and conclusion. Use clear transitions between ideas to guide your audience through the flow of information.

4. Engaging delivery:

   - Maintain eye contact, use expressive body language, and vary your tone of voice. A dynamic and confident delivery captures and retains the audience's attention. Avoid reading directly from slides or notes excessively.

- Avoid reading as far as possible (Al Baqi & Wathoni, 2020). Memorise key points and speak naturally. Reading directly from notes or slides can make you appear less connected to your audience and less confident in your delivery.

5. Visual aids:

   - Use visual aids such as slides, charts, graphs, or props to enhance your message.

- Keep visuals simple, relevant, and visually appealing. They should complement your spoken words rather than distract from them.

6. Interactivity and engagement:

   - Encourage audience interaction through questions, polls, or discussions. Engaging your audience makes the presentation more memorable and creates a connection. Consider incorporating activities that involve the audience directly.

7. Effective use of time:

   - Respect your allotted time and prioritise key messages. Avoid unnecessary details that may detract from your main points. Practice your timing to ensure a smooth and well-paced presentation.

Remember that practice is crucial for refining your presentation skills. Rehearse your content multiple times, ideally in front of a test audience if possible, to build confidence and identify areas for improvement. Additionally, being receptive to feedback and continuously honing your public speaking skills will contribute to ongoing improvement.

References

Al Baqi, S., & Wathoni, K. (2020). Interpersonal Skills and PowerPoint Training to Improve Presentation Skills Among the First-Year Student at Islamic University. Istawa: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 5(1), 102-113.

Busà, M. G. (2010). Sounding natural: Improving oral presentation skills. Language value, 2, 51-67.

Grubaugh, S. (1990). Public speaking: Reducing student apprehension and improving oral skills. The Clearing House, 63(6), 255-258.

Jean-Pierre, J., Hassan, S., & Sturge, A. (2023). Enhancing the learning and teaching of public speaking skills. College Teaching, 71(4), 219-226.

Mahdi, D. A. (2022). Improving speaking and presentation skills through interactive multimedia environment for non-native speakers of English. SAGE Open, 12(1), 21582440221079811.

McNatt, D. B. (2019). Enhancing public speaking confidence, skills, and performance: An experiment of service-learning. The international journal of management education, 17(2), 276-285.

Schneider, J., Börner, D., Van Rosmalen, P., & Specht, M. (2016). Enhancing public speaking skills-an evaluation of the Presentation Trainer in the wild. In Adaptive and Adaptable Learning: 11th European Conference on Technology Enhanced Learning, EC-TEL 2016, Lyon, France, September 13-16, 2016, Proceedings 11 (pp. 263-276). Springer International Publishing.

Zulhermindra, Z., & Hadiarni, H. (2020). IMPROVING STUDENTS’PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS THROUGH THE USE OF VIDEOTAPED FEEDBACK. Ta'dib, 23(1), 75-86.