Like all public speaking, class presentations can be daunting and scary. Take a deep breath, and check out these tips from Ahmert Liman


The difference between a good speech and a great speech may have less to do with what you say than how you say it.
As a four-year high school speech and debate competitor, I spent countless hours writing, memorising, and practising persuasive speeches. I delivered hundreds of presentations in my teens, and since then I’ve performed and spoken in dozens of public settings.

In writing, it’s common to think about things like grammar, punctuation, paragraphs, and transitions. These are the tools that a writer can use to convey a point clearly and to help readers follow along.

In an oral presentation, however, a presenter conveys clarity and persuasiveness through nonverbal communication like body language and inflection.
When speaking, physical cues can do a lot: indicate transitions, help the audience grasp poignant or affecting moments, set a tone, establish your credibility, and add dynamism and variety to your message.

Below are seven characteristics that can transform a flat piece of writing into a compelling presentation.

1. Movement
Movement is especially helpful for marking transitions as you speak. Walking across the stage, for instance, communicates to the audience that you are switching gears to address a new point. You can even take a step or two to indicate small transitions.

Movement can also break your speech into manageable pieces. Moving throughout your presentation, as long as you keep your movements controlled and confident, will help to keep your audience interested.

2. Speed
Using sentences of varying lengths and diversifying your punctuation can add a lot of depth and flavor to your writing. As a presenter, you can mimic these effects by paying close attention to your rate of speech.

If you speak rapidly for the duration of a presentation, you will make it difficult for an audience to absorb your message — but a few well-placed, snappy phrases can add urgency or emphasize the overwhelming nature of your topic.

Although speeding up can be effective when used sparingly, it’s best to err on the side of speaking slowly for the majority of your presentation. People almost always talk faster than they expect (we all get a little nervous in front of an audience), and inexperienced speakers stand the greatest risk of rushing through material to get things over with.

3. Pauses
In the same way that you would use punctuation, paragraph breaks, or a section header, you can take short pauses in a presentation for dramatic effect.

A two- or three-second rest — which is longer than it sounds — after a gripping story or example lets the audience absorb what you’ve just said. Remember, people listening to your presentation don’t have copies of your speech in front of them to read. Don’t be afraid to take the time you need to make sure your message is abundantly clear.

Taking short breaks is also crucial if you’re planning on making any jokes or funny quips during your speech. Talking through or over laughter can kill the energy of a presentation. It signals to your audience that you’re not reacting to their responses in the moment and makes them think that by drowning out your voice they’re missing your next point. Plus, they’re laughing, so they’re probably enjoying your presentation. Why would you want to cut that short?

4. Confidence
Credibility in writing comes through your tone, and it’s much easier to feign authority in writing than it is in person. Confidence is the intangible quality that lets you command a room and gives you the ability to persuade your listeners that what you’re saying is worth their time.

But how do you show confidence?

Eye Contact
Look your listeners in the eyes and scan the room. Don't stare too long at one person, but yes, you do need to make eye contact.

Posture
This is another key to persuading your listeners: Hold your shoulders back and your head up.

Appearance
So when you’re presenting, make an effort to look composed. Even if they’re not fancy or dressy, make sure your clothes are neat. And take a few minutes to run a comb through your hair.

5. Gestures
Gestures don’t have a place in writing in the way that they do in presentations. Judicious hand and arm movements can serve several strategic purposes, and enable you to:

6. Intonation
In speech, you have your voice to help with this, but intonation can be tricky. Some vocal dynamics are natural, such as ending (what will be perceived as) a question by raising the pitch of your voice, but some are counter intuitive. You may think, for example, that speaking loudly is more dramatic than speaking quietly, but the opposite is often true.

7. Practice
For most people, giving a speech is terrifying. Trying to nail the perfect amount of eye contact, the right number of hand gestures, and an effective mix of vocal inflection can be overwhelming. With practice, however, you will get better at each of these things until they all become second nature. If this is the first time you’re delivering a particular presentation aloud, your audience will be able to tell. The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll be.

Rehearse your speech while standing up, walking around, doing dishes, or taking a shower. The more you repeat it in a variety of contexts, the more it will stick in your memory. You may find points in the presentation where you naturally pause, or where your voice rises or falls. Pay attention to these spots, and remember them. If you’ve naturally started reading sections in different ways, it’s probably because it just sounds right to you. While it’s a good idea to bounce ideas off someone else, you should also trust your gut. After all, you’re the one delivering the speech.

If you want more formal instruction, check out the Eduplus.com.ng, where you can find options for dramatic and public-speaking instruction. You’ll be able to look for online or in-person classes and filter your results by location, provider, and cost.

Source: @ https://www.eduplus.com.ng/2018/02/class-presnter.html

great piece

Very nice group. Have you heard about The High Profile Speakers Network?

It's a facebook group for professional speakers.

Stephen Michael is the founder of the forum.

Click this link to join: https://www./thespeakerscircle/?ref=bookmarks

Or visit www.smanigeria.com for more