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- Giving a speech or presentation
Giving a speech or presentation
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Speaking in front of others is a skill you can learn, just like writing. A good talk has a clear structure, keeps to the point and is delivered with confidence.
Plan the content
Know your audience and purpose: classmates? parents? to inform or persuade?
Hook: a surprising fact, a question or a short story.
Three main points: easy for listeners to follow and remember.
Signposting: 'My first point is...', 'Finally...'.
Strong ending: a summary and a memorable last line.
Hook: a surprising fact, a question or a short story.
Three main points: easy for listeners to follow and remember.
Signposting: 'My first point is...', 'Finally...'.
Strong ending: a summary and a memorable last line.
Notes, not a script to read
Write a polished script to practise, then turn it into cue cards with key words.
Reading every word aloud makes you look down and sound flat. Notes let you look up and speak naturally.
Reading every word aloud makes you look down and sound flat. Notes let you look up and speak naturally.
Delivery
Eye contact: look around the room.
Volume and pace: loud enough for the back row, slow enough to follow.
Pause: stop briefly after an important point.
Tone: sound interested in your own topic.
Standard English: use it for formal talks.
Volume and pace: loud enough for the back row, slow enough to follow.
Pause: stop briefly after an important point.
Tone: sound interested in your own topic.
Standard English: use it for formal talks.
Plan the opening of a two-minute talk about why everyone should learn to swim.
- Hook: a surprising question or fact.
- State your view clearly.
- Signpost the three points.
Answer: 'Could you save yourself if you fell into a river today? I believe everyone should learn to swim, for three reasons: safety, fitness and fun.'
Know your audience, hook them, make three clear signposted points and end strongly. Use cue cards, not a script, and speak loudly, slowly and with eye contact.
Check you have got it
Answer 6 quick questions with instant marking. If you get one wrong, GCSE-ready shows you why and gives you another go. It is free, and you do not need an account.