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Top Tips for a Flawless Speech
Don't panic! A little careful planning will help you deliver a speech to be proud of…
- Keep to the point – 5 to 10 minutes at most.
- Look up, smile and look around the guests. If you look happy and confident, you’ll sound it too.
- If you’re not naturally witty, don’t try too hard. Be sincere and speak from the heart.
- Prepare well in advance – not the night before.
- Practise your speech out loud a few times and time it to make sure it doesn’t overrun. If possible, read it to someone who’s opinion you trust.
- If you’re an inexperienced speaker, write the speech out in full rather than in note form.
- Be funny if you can but avoid sexual innuendos or anything risqué. Elderly relatives will be listening as well as your friends, so it must be suitable for all.
- Keep your sentences short and you language conversational and informal.
- If you’re not used to speaking in public, use a microphone if there is one. If not, lift your head and project your voice – don’t talk into your notes. You’ll need to speak up to be heard at the back of the room.
- Don’t rush or you’ll fall over your words. Take a deep breath and take your time.
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