Isn't the old chestnut, just imagine the audience in the nude or underwear, then go from there???...

Seriously, the best advice is to just be yourself.....If you have been asked to do it, then somebody at least believes you can do it....I doubt you would have been asked if they thought you would make a cock of yourself.

Indeed.

Another thing to watch is not to let the ends of sentences drop in volume – many people let this happen in ordinary speech without realising it.

So the key thing, as mentioned, is practice and practice and practice.

Rehe. Don't try to memorise the whole thing, you're not a trained actor, but work on the important parts so that they'll come to mind when needed, and you can fill around them.
Speak slowly.
Speak clearly.
I always start by staring at a point on the far wall just above the highest head and then slowly bring my gaze down. If you're making a speech asking for funding or similar, make sure that at least once in the speech that you look at the dignaties, and look them in the eye.

Believe in what you're saying...


Good luck, public speaking isn't difficult, it just needs a little confidence.

Prepare some good soundbites, say young people want a hand up, not a hand out, along with rights come responsibilities, bridge the gap between government and the governed, today the hand of history is on our shoulders, this is the time not to falter but to lead.

..but paraphrase them, otherwise it'll sound like management bollux

Totally agree with the deliberate/slowed down advice, if you can think of the people there as your friends without being overly friendly in what you say that will help to relax you a little.
So don't think too much about who they are, just that they are ordinary folk same as you and I, two arms, two legs etc.

Think about your syntax, don't make yourself look silly by making grammatical errors or make a simple sentence over complex and/or ambiguous or repetitive. Concise and to the point can sometimes be the best way rather than over elaborating, however too concise and it sounds like a mandate, it can be hard to strike the balance and it often comes with practise but some people can just do it easily.
Write/type your speech in big bold letters with wide paragraphs (this is what politicians and heads of state do), underline a sub heading if you like, so if you do forget where you are it should be easy for you to find where you're up to. If you have 5+ sheets of A4, it doesn't matter.

You could practise in front of people you know, then if you want maybe even down your local.
No-one is expecting you to be the next great orator or Martin Luther King, however your belief in what you say if said with passion & empathy for the cause will have an emotive effect on the people regarding the message you are giving or at least make them think much more as opposed to just delivering a monotone speech.

I've always been a natural chatterbox, I loved debating at school and in my career doing staff training, presenting contracts and other guff to all & sundry but there's always an element of nerves so don't worry if you get the jitters a little.

Suck on a throat lozenge and if poss maybe even have a glass of water to hand (It's surprising how dry your throat can get at the wrong time when you're a little nervous.
Lastly, smile and try to look around at the people when you speak, it has just that little bit more personal meaning if you look into people's eyes when you say stuff but don't hold their gaze too long.
Sorry that's a shed load to take in.
Hope it goes well

Absolutely agree, too many soundbites or 'in' phrases/words and it makes you look like you nicked the local MPs speech brochure...not good.

I think sally cinnamon was joking about the soundbites...

I can never tell with SC...

Good call on the glass of water too, apart from anything else it's a great time waster - if you forget your place, take a sip and regroup. If you get nervous, take a sip and a deep breath. And take a sip when you've made an important point, it gives your audience a moment to absorb it, especially if you're making multiple complex or technical points.

Just don't get carried away with that, the same manager I mentioned on the management b'llox thread, looked like he was dehydrating, every little point he made was accompanied by a sip of water. Make it look natural.

There is film footage of one J Stalin doing that during a speech.

Very effective way of slowing down – and raising tension if you use it very deliberately too.

Preferred Hitler's more manic (and, arguably, Scargillesque) style myself.

Scargill was 7 when Hitler died, he must have been some child.

Make it up as you go along. That's what I usually do, especially if it's only for 10 minutes.

Remember that the vast majority of the audience want you to come across well - they are silently supportive. Very few people enjoy the embarrassment associated with watching someone stumble and stutter over a speech. I'd also question very much trying to be funny - if it doesn't come naturally don't go there.