{"id":112417,"date":"2023-08-29T14:09:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-29T18:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=112417"},"modified":"2023-09-05T16:01:55","modified_gmt":"2023-09-05T20:01:55","slug":"how-to-prepare-a-speech","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-prepare-a-speech\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Prepare a Speech &#038; Deliver It in 4 Simple Steps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Have you been asked to speak in front of a group? Where should you start?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you&#8217;re in school or on the job, you&#8217;re likely to be called upon to make a presentation. You might be asked to make a toast at a wedding or a eulogy at a memorial service. Opportunities for public speaking abound, and having the skills to prepare and deliver a talk can set you apart and put you ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep reading to learn <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-write-a-prepared-speech\/\">how to prepare a speech<\/a> and deliver it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-prepare-a-speech-deliver-it\">How to Prepare a Speech &amp; Deliver It<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Williams argues that being able to effectively deliver public speeches or presentations is a crucial skill because it can expand your career options and professional network and help you share your ideas. (Shortform note: Public speaking is important not only for expanding career options and sharing ideas\u2014experts note that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/advice\/3\/how-can-public-speaking-boost-your-confidence-credibility#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20main%20benefits,to%20attract%20and%20influence%20others.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">it can also boost your confidence and help you overcome anxiety<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are four tips on how to prepare a speech and execute an effective presentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tip-1-choose-a-relevant-helpful-topic\">Tip #1: Choose a Relevant, Helpful Topic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/engaging-content\/\">engage your audience<\/a>, Williams says you must understand them so you can select a topic that they\u2019re interested in. The best way to interest them is by providing them with something they need\u2014solutions, advice, or information. For example, imagine that you\u2019re a guest speaker at a library event for kids who are bored at home for the summer. They probably want to learn about something fun they can do to pass the time. The topic of your speech can be about how to build a model volcano at home\u2014something that will solve their problem of boredom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(Shortform note: Other experts reiterate the importance of understanding your audience so you can pick an effective topic. They elaborate that <a href=\"https:\/\/publicspeakingforlife.com.au\/2017\/04\/12\/7-steps-pick-perfect-speech-topic\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">you should specifically seek out information like the audience\u2019s age, gender, beliefs, seniority, education, hobbies, experience, ethnicity, and employment<\/a>. This will help you better determine what they\u2019re interested in and what service you can provide that they might need.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tip-2-write-your-speech\">Tip #2: Write Your Speech<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Williams says that the first step of writing your speech is researching all angles of your topic so you\u2019re knowledgeable and can answer any questions you\u2019re asked. (Shortform note: Researching thoroughly also allows you to <a href=\"https:\/\/pac.org\/content\/speechwriting-101-writing-effective-speech\/#:~:text=Research%20and%20Organize,like%20a%20puzzle.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">develop unique insights that will make your speech stand out<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you have this background knowledge, it\u2019s time to write your speech. One possible <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/how-to-structure-a-speech\/\">speech structure<\/a> is to start by catching the audience\u2019s attention by introducing a problem they have that you can solve. Then, explain why they&#8217;re struggling to solve that problem and provide your solution. Next, provide facts supporting your solution, explain why it works, and show the audience how it\u2019ll solve the problem. Conclude by calling your audience to take action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(Shortform note: While Williams provides an effective structure for speeches that have a clear problem and solution, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.indeed.com\/career-advice\/career-development\/types-of-speeches\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">for other types of speeches<\/a>, alternative formats may be more effective\u2014for example, for speeches meant to entertain or inform. To write an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/effective-speech\/\">effective speech<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/bizfluent.com\/info-8540323-five-organizational-patterns-public-speaking.html#google_vignette\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">you must choose a structure that\u2019s appropriate for your topic<\/a>. For example, a problem-solution format won\u2019t be effective for an informative speech about the history of AI. Instead, a chronological format may work best.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tip-3-prepare-for-your-presentation\">Tip #3: Prepare for Your Presentation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Williams recommends practicing reciting your speech mostly from memory in the days before your performance\u2014you don\u2019t want to read your entire speech from a sheet of paper during your presentation. Instead, create notecards with refreshers of your main points that can help spark your memory during your speech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(Shortform note: Consider <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gvsu.edu\/speechlab\/practicing-presentations-33.htm#:~:text=Audience%3A%20Practicing%20in%20front%20of,and%20practice%20presenting%20to%20them.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">practicing your speech in front of an audience<\/a>\u2014even if it\u2019s just a few friends. This will help you get used to being in front of people so you\u2019ll feel more confident during your presentation. Further, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.write-out-loud.com\/cue-cards.html#google_vignette\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">make your cue cards more user-friendly<\/a> by including only one main idea per card, using a heading to indicate which part of the speech the card pertains to, and including plenty of blank space on the card so it\u2019s easy to read from.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tip-4-execute-your-speech\">Tip #4: Execute Your Speech<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Williams says you must <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/stand-up-straight-with-your-shoulders-back-jordan-peterson-rule-1\/\">stand up straight<\/a> and exude confidence while presenting\u2014this will make people more inclined to listen to you. Further, be enthusiastic to get your audience excited, and speak to them in a conversational manner. If you come off as overly professional, the audience may struggle to relate to you and lose interest in your message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(Shortform note: Chris Anderson, curator of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ted.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TED<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/hbr.org\/2013\/06\/how-to-give-a-killer-presentation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">adds a few tips to help you effectively execute your speech<\/a>. To exude confidence through your posture, keep your lower body grounded\u2014swaying or shuffling your feet portrays nervousness. Instead, move your upper body\u2014specifically, use hand gestures for emphasis and to portray enthusiasm. Further, Anderson warns not to be <em>too<\/em> enthusiastic or passionate, as this can disrupt your ability to be conversational with your audience\u2014you must strike a balance.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Have you been asked to speak in front of a group? Where should you start? Whether you&#8217;re in school or on the job, you&#8217;re likely to be called upon to make a presentation. You might be asked to make a toast at a wedding or a eulogy at a memorial service. Opportunities for public speaking abound, and having the skills to prepare and deliver a talk can set you apart and put you ahead. Keep reading to learn how to prepare a speech and deliver it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":88738,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[29,34,30],"tags":[1254],"class_list":["post-112417","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-career","category-communication","category-work","tag-communication-skills-training","","tg-column-two"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.3 (Yoast SEO v24.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to Prepare a Speech &amp; Deliver It in 4 Simple Steps - Shortform Books<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Opportunities for public speaking abound, and having the right skills can set you apart and put you ahead. 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