Tips on talking in public

Successful public speaking depends on careful preparation and proper delivery. The preparation involves understanding your audience (by asking certain questions and jotting down single-sentence answers) and knowing the physical setting for your talk (time, place, mood, and atmosphere). Writing the material calls for putting yourself in the position of the audience and asking, “What would I like to hear?” Other suggestions include (1) writing the conclusion first; (2) being graphic, current, and specific; and (3) using suspense, novelty, and humor.