Public Speaking for Absolute Beginners

Learn to Address an Audience with Confidence

We all need to master and practise public speaking.

The ability to speak in front of an audience is life-enhancing. It creates confidence at work, play and in relationships.

This book will give you that confidence and help you to speak on special occasions, in the workplace and when you are unexpectedly asked ‘to say a few words’.

Learn to craft an attention grabbing speech, banish self-consciousness, use gestures, inject humour and finish speaking with a persuasive call to action.

Sally Jenkins is an author and speaker. In 2018 she reached the national finals of the Association of Speakers’ Clubs Speech Competition.

Public Speaking for Absolute Beginners covers the following topics:

Why Learn to Speak in Public? The benefits are many

Banish the Demons Get rid of your negative thoughts

Limbering Up Prepare your voice to be heard

Speech Content and Construction Understand how to construct a speech

Brilliant Beginnings Open your speech with a bang

Magnificent Middles Make the body of your speech memorable

Exciting Endings Go out on a high

Gripping Gestures Let your hands do the talking

Audience Rapport Make friends with the audience

Perfect Pauses Silence is golden

Avoiding Monotony Variety in a speech is essential

Memorising versus Using Notes Learn to use bullet points

Reading Aloud This is not an easy option!

To Joke or not to Joke Appropriate use of humour

Impromptu Speaking Speaking off the cuff

PowerPoint Use it wisely

Speaking Engagements Get paid for speaking

The Vote of Thanks Say ‘thank you’ concisely

Panel Events The popular format for conferences

1 Minute Networking Introduction Essential for small businesses

Wedding Speeches Don’t let fear spoil the big day

Parties And Celebrations Toast the guest of honour

The Eulogy A difficult speech at an emotional time

When it Goes Wrong Be prepared!

Resources Where to find further help