How to improve public speaking?
440590
The best way to improve is to practice.  I second the person who said to join Toastmasters (www.toastmasters.org).  I was in it for six years and it helped me immensely.  I miss it.\n\nWhen I was in grad school I put together a silly little site with some specific tips.  They are the same things I would tell you here, so you may want to take a look at it.  I promise it will not try to sell you anything, except for the normal Lycos ads.\n\nThe address is: http://stevefournier01.tripod.com/tips/tips-index.html\n\ngood luck.
656523
The best thing you can do is PRACTICE.  Write an outline on a couple notecards -- that are the major points of your speech.  Remember those points - and you will be able to talk freely on the topic.  But really, just practice what you need to say - and it will go smooth.
987452
Make eye contact.\n\nHave the appropriate facial expression.\n\nIf you have a speech you read from, make sure to look up from it occasionally.\n\nSpeak clearly and enunciate.  Don't speak to fast, don't mumble, and speak with confidence.\n\nHope I've helped!
233782
Your question is an example of how important good communication skills are. Sometimes what we are saying is very clear to us, but very fuzzy to the listener.  Assuming your question is "What is the best way to improve my communication skills?" - \n\nToastmasters - http://www.toastmasters.org/\n\nI heard about them for years, and often would people reccommend them to me. I had lots of excuses:\n"I'm an instructor! I talk in front of people all day!"\n"I am too tired when I get off work to add something else"\n"I took Speech class in school"\n\nWhen I finally got around to going I was amazed - it worked! A few tips -\n* Try different clubs as a visitor until you find one that fits. Each club is run by the members - which means that each club is a little different.\n* Once you join, make a committment to stay at least long enough to finish the first book. It will help you work through the rough spots. Because Toasmasters is ongoing, there is no "end" like there would be with a class.\n* Toastmasters really helps you work through your specific issues whatever they are. The variety in my club is not unusual: IT guys, non-native speakers, trainer/instructors, retired, unemployed, FT employed, student...etc. Everyone starts from thier own place.
49772
reading improves vocabulary and spelling. do a lot of reading. also, practice is the biggest isue in terms of confidence. talking in front of crowds  helps you gain confidence and makes it easier each time you speak.
943930
To give a truly great speech, you should pick a topic that you are really passionate about. When I taught, I always enjoyed the speeches that began with a question. They caught my attention and got me thinking about the topic immediately.\nRemember to do your research and present both facts and opinions. It's also good to sometimes argue both sides of the topic.\n~ Good Luck ~
176192
Simple things to think about..\n\n1) Biggest mistake I have seen is people just talking and talking. Use pauses for effect. How many times do you notice someone take a few moments of silence and not look stupid?\n\nSo you can use a few moments every once in a while just to collect your thoughts and think about what to say next\n\n2) Dont read word-for-word a prepared speech. We write differently as we speak and it sounds artificial. The best speeches always seem to feel like the speaker is talking to you normally and if you spoke to them afterwards they would talk exactly the same way. Be yourself.\n\n3) Think about it as a performance. Dont overly dart about a stage or anything. Just keep your feet planted, relax and just talk. Focus on one person you know and trust in the audience and speak to them. BELIEVE in what ur saying and passion just shines through.\n\nIt's not everything you need to know but if you can nail those 3 things, you could be talking a heap of poo but you'll still sound good! Trust me, I know! He he
659830
I feel for you. My very first public speaking was in front of a 1000 people and my legs were like wobbling jelly.\n\nI just believe in three things when I do this. The first is I want to improve myself, the second is what I communicate is essential and the final is the more you do it the easier it gets.\n\nOne important thing to do is to write notes on your speech so that if you go blank then the notes can get you going. Always as your talk take a second or two to keep your notes up to where your speaking and take a small break as standing out front riffling through notes is not a good sight.\n\nWhen speaking to a large group, speak up and look at your audience. As you talk always move your eyesight around the people in the audience to make everyone feel part of your talk.\n\nFinally work out your talk/speech in advance and give it in front of a mirror to see your looking up and out and make the speech second nature.\n\nKeep going, it will get better and believe what I said in the first paragraph.
899672
My speech teacher had us look just over the top of the audience heads. He had up proactice at home in front of a mirror. I would practice my speeches with a tape recorder. I would have my husband or a friend listen to me. I found practice helped build confidence. Then the more you do, the easier it gets. Just practice...practice ...practice
183424
practice is always a good thing.. i have an immense fear of public speaking but find it helpful if i practice on some people first.. as time goes on you'll figure out that u remember more of what ur speach contains and it will all start to flow more smoothly.. if all else fails, think of them nude...lol...
119030
One way is by practicing by talking to your pretend audience in the mirror, you watch your demeanor while you talk, then try it without a mirror. Also try to speak with pauses and intersting carrage of your voice. Don't do monotone, whatever you do. Speak with confidence as if you know the subject matter and believe in yourself.
1126823
There are some great books to read... go to borders or amazon and search for motivational books... or books on public speaking... also classes are great too - b/c they give you experience speaking in front of others.\n\nAlso, you can work with a speaker, as an assistant... or attend speaker's sessions to see how they do it...
207314
you should talk about something you like and you are good at (for example a hobby) or about an issue that really interests you. this way you won't run out of ideas and won't make embarrassing pauses.and try imagining the audience in underwear,it works :)good luck
632518
To give an effective presentation is to make sure you leave an impact with the audience. You can have all the information in your hand but if you dont present it correctly its going to end up dull and boring, right?\n\nthat was me before.. reading off pieces of paper and shaking.. then one I decided to think 'oh f*ck it im going to go out there and make a killer presentation' because really, nobody really cares what kind of speech you made 10 years later. \n\nThis is what you should do:\n- Use powerpoint if you can. When making the slides, do not put more than 3-4 dot points. Each dot point is a very short line or sentence. During your presentation you will expand on each point. Keep animations to a minimum as they are annoying. the focus is on you, not the powerpoint. \n\n- Practise Practise Practise. This helped me a lot in my preparation. Me and a friend both had presentations on the same day. So on the day before it was due, we booked a lecture room and presented each others speeches until we both memorized them without using hand notes. We probably spent 3 hours in that room criticizing each others speeches until they were perfect without mumbling or forgetting things. This was for a 7 minute presentation. \n\n- Project your voice. You will get used to it with practise\n\n- Dress appropriately. if you are a serious presenter, dress serious. If its a more casual approach, dress as such. \n\n- Audience participation - this is a tough one. people say do it, people say don't. Have the participation question ready. If people seem active then use it. If you feel the audience doesnt want to participate, then don't do it. It really depends if is a requirement or not. The best time to do this is at the beginning of a presentation where the audience is most active and engaged in your speech. you want to let them think about what you are going to talk about about - this will help them listen more into your speech. I would recommend just yes/no type questions where people put their hands up. its a little more difficult to solicit verbal responses but if you can do it, even better
528377
become knowledgeable about a lot of subjects. I read on the bus on the way home. Always listen activley more than you speak. Being a good listener helps you inject more data into a conversation and be perceived as interesting. Smile lots. Learn to see when a person loses interest and move conversation.
465451
Writing or Oral?\n\nRegardless, set goals.  If writing, take the extra time to do it right.\n\nPractice- if you want better speaking skills, volunteer to do the next office presentation.  Take the time to toast at family gatherings and prepare.\n\nYou should see your change and be able to benchmark it based on your goals. Good luck!
351321
If you've been in the class for any amount of time, you should know at least SOME of the people in it.  Therefore, I suggest a combination of two previous suggestions (plus a couple extras):\n1) rehearse with a small group of people that you know watching you.\n2) before the speech, don't drink too much coffee (increases the shaking and the sweaty palms)\n3) take note of where the people you know are seated, and move your eyes from one to the next for the length of your presentation.