53 Top Tips for Public Speaking

Here are my top 53 tips for public speakers and those giving presentations.

1. Start by practicing your speech in front of a mirror.

2. Record yourself giving the speech and watch it back to identify areas for improvement.

3. Use gestures and facial expressions to add emphasis and convey emotion.

4. Vary your tone and pitch to keep the audience engaged.

5. Maintain good posture and confident body language.

6. Make eye contact with members of the audience to establish a connection.

7. Use visual aids, such as slides or props, to support your points.

8. Use transitions to move smoothly from one point to the next.

9. Rehearse your speech so that you can deliver it confidently and smoothly.

10. Use anecdotes or stories to illustrate your points and make them more memorable.

11. Practice deep breathing techniques to calm your nerves.

12. Use humor to lighten the mood and engage the audience.

13. Use rhetorical questions to get the audience thinking.

14. Emphasize key points by repeating them or using rhetorical devices such as alliteration.

15. Use quotes to add credibility to your points.

16. Keep the language simple and avoid using jargon or technical terms that the audience may not understand.

17. Use a clear, strong voice and speak at a natural pace.

18. Use pause for effect and to allow the audience time to absorb your points.

19. Vary your delivery by speaking more slowly or quickly, depending on the content and tone of your speech.

20. Use rhetorical devices such as repetition, parallelism, and rhetorical questions to add emphasis and structure to your speech.

21. Use positive language and avoid negative words and phrases.

22. Use vivid, descriptive language to paint a picture for the audience.

23. Use rhetorical devices such as imagery and figurative language to add depth and interest to your speech.

24. Use powerful, action-oriented verbs to add energy to your speech.

25. Use concrete examples and statistics to support your points.

26. Use rhetorical devices such as hyperbole and satire to make a point or add humor to your speech.

27. Use emotional appeals to connect with the audience and inspire them to action.

28. Use storytelling techniques to engage the audience and illustrate your points.

29. Use rhetorical devices such as allusion and metaphor to add depth and interest to your speech.

30. Use rhetorical devices such as rhetorical questions and repetition to add emphasis and structure to your speech.

31. Use rhetorical devices such as irony and paradox to make a point or add humor to your speech.

32. Use rhetorical devices such as rhetorical questions and repetition to add emphasis and structure to your speech.

33. Use a rhetorical device such as antistrophe or epistrophe to add emphasis and structure to your speech.

34. Use rhetorical devices such as symploce and antanagoge to add emphasis and structure to your speech.

35. Use rhetorical devices such as anaphora and epiphora to create a sense of unity and repetition in your speech.

36. Use rhetorical devices such as asyndeton and polysyndeton to create a sense of momentum and flow in your speech.

37. Use rhetorical devices such as chiasmus and antimetabole to create a sense of balance and symmetry in your speech.

38. Use rhetorical devices such as anadiplosis and epanalepsis to create a sense of continuity and coherence in your speech.

39. Use rhetorical devices such as zeugma and syllepsis to create a sense of cohesion and coherence in your speech.

40. Use rhetorical devices such as antistrophe and epistrophe to create a sense of climax and resolution in your speech.

41. Use rhetorical devices such as symploce and antanagoge to create a sense of emphasis and contrast in your speech.

42. Use rhetorical devices such as anaphora and epiphora to create a sense of rhythm and flow in your speech.

43. Use rhetorical devices such as asyndeton and polysyndeton to create a sense of pace and tempo in your speech.

44. Use rhetorical devices such as chiasmus and antimetabole to create a sense of balance and symmetry in your speech.

45. Use rhetorical devices such as anadiplosis and epanalepsis to create a sense of continuity and coherence in your speech.

46. Use rhetorical devices such as zeugma and syllepsis to create a sense of cohesion and coherence in your speech.

47. Use rhetorical devices such as antistrophe and epistrophe to create a sense of climax and resolution in your speech.

48. Engage with the audience by asking them questions and encouraging them to participate.

49. Use props or demonstrations to make your speech more interactive and engaging.

50. Use multimedia elements, such as videos or music, to add interest and variety to your speech.

51. Use powerful, attention-grabbing opening and closing statements to bookend your speech.

52. Use quotes from influential or respected figures to add credibility and authority to your points.

53. Use personal anecdotes or experiences to connect with the audience on a personal level.

Looking for a course of coaching to help you improve your presentation skills or public speaking?

Mark Westbrook

Speaking Coach Scotland