Speak up!

Table of Contents

1. About this section
2. Language change
3. Standard Australian English
4. The language of evaluation
5. Public speaking
6. The structure and features of a speech
7. A recipe for great public speaking
8. Evaluating a speech
9. Making a speech
10. Research
11. Preparing a speech
    1. Being in the audience
12. Speak up!
13. Storytelling
14. Speak up! activity
15. Copyright/Disclaimer

Preparing a speech

Being prepared means that you have done everything you can to engage, interest and inform your audience, and have made sure that you have everything you need to achieve your purpose.

Editing

Editing your speech is essential: you should check that all your information is relevant to your purpose, and that you have expressed your position as clearly as possible.

Editing

Preparing

Being prepared also means having everything you need to make your speech a success.

Preparation

Practising

Being prepared also means practising your speech. Practise in front of a mirror or ask family and/or friends to listen to your speech and give you feedback. (Don't just ask if your speech was any good, ask open questions: What did I do well? What could I improve? Were there any gaps in the information? Did I make my position/point of view clear?)

Practising builds your confidence and allows you to:

• become familiar with the content of your speech so you can speak fluently from notes, rather than read a written report
• check that your information flows logically
• focus on your language and presentation techniques, for example, using emphasis, pauses, gestures, posture and/or eye contact
• check your pace and time your speech.