Showtime - How To Prepare For The Big Day?
The strength of your speech lies not just in what you say, but in how you say it. Your audience can’t see your outline or notes, they only experience your words and the way you deliver them.
Well-crafted ideas matter, but their impact depends on your ability to express them clearly, confidently, and with purpose.
Well-crafted ideas matter, but their impact depends on your ability to express them clearly, confidently, and with purpose.
Be truly original
Oratory is about you - your voice, your pacing, your gestures, your perspective and your solution. Don’t just rely on clever writing; make sure your delivery feels personal and authentic. You can use characters or accents if they serve your message, but your performance should feel like something only you could give.
Oratory is about you - your voice, your pacing, your gestures, your perspective and your solution. Don’t just rely on clever writing; make sure your delivery feels personal and authentic. You can use characters or accents if they serve your message, but your performance should feel like something only you could give.
Different isn't always better
Uniqueness is great, but not if it distracts from your argument. Every choice (movement, tone, volume) should strengthen your message, not pull attention away from it. If something feels flashy but doesn’t serve your purpose, edit it out.
Uniqueness is great, but not if it distracts from your argument. Every choice (movement, tone, volume) should strengthen your message, not pull attention away from it. If something feels flashy but doesn’t serve your purpose, edit it out.
Adapt to the space
You will perform in different kinds of rooms; from big auditoriums to tiny classrooms, so be flexible. A booming voice or big movements might thrill in one setting but overwhelm in another. Learn to adjust your volume, pacing, and presence to fit the venue. Know how to project without overpowering and move with confidence, not chaos.
You will perform in different kinds of rooms; from big auditoriums to tiny classrooms, so be flexible. A booming voice or big movements might thrill in one setting but overwhelm in another. Learn to adjust your volume, pacing, and presence to fit the venue. Know how to project without overpowering and move with confidence, not chaos.
Master emotion, don't shout it
Passion isn’t the same as loudness. Many speakers mistake volume for emotion, and that can come across as preachy. Instead, practice expressing feeling through your tone, facial expression, and pacing. Try rehearsing your speech silently, then add sound gradually until you find the volume that feels powerful and genuine.
Passion isn’t the same as loudness. Many speakers mistake volume for emotion, and that can come across as preachy. Instead, practice expressing feeling through your tone, facial expression, and pacing. Try rehearsing your speech silently, then add sound gradually until you find the volume that feels powerful and genuine.
Practise smart, not just hard
Refine every part of your performance to serve your message. Rehearse in different rooms, get feedback from varied audiences, and remember that the best performances are those that connect, not just impress. Practice, practice, practice.
Refine every part of your performance to serve your message. Rehearse in different rooms, get feedback from varied audiences, and remember that the best performances are those that connect, not just impress. Practice, practice, practice.
Delivery feeling off?
Here's how to get it back in control.
Even the best speeches can hit a bump if you’re “faking it” instead of owning it. Smiling through a tragic story? Overthinking every word? We’ve all been there.
Let’s break down the usual culprits and how to handle them:
Here's how to get it back in control.
Even the best speeches can hit a bump if you’re “faking it” instead of owning it. Smiling through a tragic story? Overthinking every word? We’ve all been there.
Let’s break down the usual culprits and how to handle them:
Psychological barriers
- Emotions: Stress, personal issues, or high-pressure situations can make it hard to express intended emotions authentically. Trick yourself into calm and confidence - you’ve got this!
- Overconfidence: Feeling invincible? Excess confidence may reduce focus and attentiveness during a presentation. Stay alert, stay sharp, and keep that focus on your audience.
- Perfectionism: Focusing too much on avoiding mistakes can interfere with natural delivery. Handling errors gracefully is more important than avoiding them entirely. Own them with poise and move on - your audience probably won’t even notice.
Physiological barriers
Your body might stage a little rebellion when under pressure: shaking knees, racing heart, dry mouth, or tunnel vision. It’s all part of the classic fight-or-flight show
Turn nerves into energy instead of letting them derail you. Here's how:
Turn nerves into energy instead of letting them derail you. Here's how:
- Meditate or breathe slowly before you speak.
- Stand tall, breathe from your diaphragm, and slow your pace.
- Channel those jitters into a confident, energised performance.
Remember: A few butterflies in your stomach just mean your body is cheering you on!