public speaking experience essay example

My Public Speaking Experience

How it works

The purpose of this autobiographical statement is to outline my interest in the field of social work and why this is without a doubt my chosen career field. I was raised on a farm in rural Colorado. My mother was a Human Services Caseworker for the first half of her career and a Juvenile Parole Officer for the remainder of her career. She retired after 35 years of service. My father was a computer programmer. I also have a twin sister.

My grandparents and great parents lived nearby and cared for my sister and I while our parents worked.

Growing up on a farm, I was exposed to the continual life and death process through the many animals that we raised. It helped me develop a deep connection to land and animals. There is a compassion that is developed when you care for animals and know that you are responsible for their livelihood. I was surrounded by a sense of community and knew the value of hard work. Strong work ethics and Christian values were the foundation of my upbringing.

Although I was raised in a rural area, my parents drove us to school in a nearby city to attend a program that offered dual language education. I was in a bilingual (Spanish/English) immersion program from kindergarten through sixth grade. It was a school of need for monolingual Spanish speaking children and a school of choice for English speaking children. This school program emphasized acceptance, education and inclusion of many different cultures and belief systems. There was a pervasive theme of acceptance that was ingrained in the students due to the language and cultural differences among the students in this school. I developed friendships with children from various cultures, backgrounds and socioeconomic levels.

By the end of sixth grade I was fluently bilingual and biliterate and have continued language classes from that point forward. While attending high school, I simultaneously attended a local community college and earned my veterinary medicine technician assistant certification before I graduated from high school. I worked in the veterinary field while pursuing my Associates Degree to pursue my social work career. The veterinary experience helped me develop an understanding of how animals can become an important part of a support system to people, especially people with special needs.

I have a very close relationships with my parents, sibling and extended family members. I came to understand the importance of a strong support system and how so many people are challenged with not having this support. My definition of family became very broad. It did not just encompass my nuclear and extended family members, but my neighbors, community, and in essence all of God’s children. Due to my mother’s role in the criminal justice and social work systems, my sister and I had the opportunity to volunteer in many different settings with a variety of populations that included but were not limited to people in the criminal justice system, abused children, homeless people, hospice patients and victims of violence.

Through these volunteer opportunities and work through my church, I was able to identify challenges and strengths in a variety of individuals and identify how to broker services from various support programs. I also learned that it was imperative that individuals be empowered to participate in all processes that affect their lives and not just the recipient of services. I am trained in Motivational Interviewing, which has significantly impacted the way I communicate with people as well as my view of empowering people. Some of the principles of this doctrine involve expressing empathy, supporting self-efficacy/autonomy of the client and rolling with resistance.

I started college immediately following high school. During my first two summers of college, I went from Colorado to New York by myself to work at Camp Ramapo, which is a camp that serves children affected by social, emotional and learning challenges as well as children on the autism spectrum. This is where I found my passion for social work and specifically for working with this population. The position required extensive training in learning to work with children with special challenges, violent tendencies and behavioral issues.

I was a camp counselor the first year and was promoted to a supervisory position the second year. The supportive relationships that our team developed with these children were key to their success. It was also at this camp, where I met my current husband from England. Camp Ramapo is the only camp of its kind in the world, therefore, people come from all over the world apply to work at this camp. I met people from Israel, Europe, Africa and the United States. These have been long lasting friendships and have expanded my knowledge of various cultures. The job was emotionally and mentally challenging as it required the staff to live and work with the children. It was also physically challenging as it required the counselors to swim the entire length of a lake each morning and continually perform practice rescue techniques. This unique experience is where I found my true calling for Social Work as I watched these incredible children reach their potentials and grow as individuals.

Upon returning to my studies in Colorado, I immediately became employed at Foothills Gateway, while attending college. Foothills is an agency that serves individuals challenged with intellectual and emotional disabilities including those affected by autism spectrum disorder. It is an adult pre-vocational employment program. I was one of the youngest employees and was able to learn a tremendous amount from the staff who had worked in this program for their entire careers. I was part of developing individualized functional and behavioral assessments. I was also a part of continually strategizing to address group work dynamics and build positive relationships between the individuals. As part of my employment preparation, I participated in extensive training involving medication management, behavior modification programming, functional communication and resource networking. My philosophy is to embrace the differences possessed by these individuals and to celebrate their special contributions to this world.

I have worked with individuals from a variety of backgrounds with significant challenges as evidenced by my work in a portion of the Foothills Gateway Program which involved working with sex offenders. Working with juveniles who have committed sex offences as well as adult sex offenders is a unique challenge especially when these individuals have developmental and intellectual disabilities. This is an area where I have been able to apply the social work principal of social justice, as this is a population that are vulnerable to abuse and oppression due to their intellectual challenges. I am devoted to educating people about this population and creating situations where they can enjoy community activities and access resources. My role was not limited to teaching the individuals but also to educating the community at large about the acceptance of these individuals as contributing members of our society. These individuals perceive the world through a different lens. It is my passion to assure that these individuals are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. I plan to accomplish this through community outreach and education focusing on acceptance and inclusion.

Micah 6:8 states, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8, ESV). This scripture applies to the practice of social work in many ways. This is such a great reminder that everyone is put on this earth by God. No matter who you are or what challenges you might face, you were put here by God for a reason. Therefore, we must not judge anyone who is walking this earth and show grace to all people who cross our paths.

In total there are twelve main social work roles and in the following paragraph I will be addressing ten of these roles as well as explaining how each role relates directly to me. The social work roles include public speaker, advocate, empowerer, counselor, facilitator, educator, enabler, mediator, initiator, and broker. Through my experience as well as my life outlook, I can see myself in all of them. However, the most prominent roles include speaker, advocate, educator, enabler, initiator, and broker.

I have taken numerous public speaking courses and love public speaking engagements in front of large groups. I plan to use my love of public speaking to inform people about available resources and to unite people. I think the role of public speaking and advocate go hand in hand. There are many great resources available to clients, however, depending on the need and area, there are also many deficits. Through my role as a public speaker, I can advocate for changes in the system. As an educator, I would use my communication skills and bilingual skills to educate clients, professionals and community organizations about the benefits of working collaboratively to develop resource networks among agencies and in communities. Next, I see myself in an enabler position, using the definition of a person who makes something possible. I feel very strongly about empowering individuals to speak up and advocate for themselves if they are able. By supporting clients, we can help them articulate their needs and become solution focused vs becoming system dependent. Being a positive enabler is about helping clients advocate for themselves and their needs. It is also about respecting their autonomy.

Finally, I see myself as an initiator and a broker. I chose initiator because I am respectfully assertive and not afraid to speak up. As an initiator, I plan to be the spark that causes a positive chain reaction. I consider it my duty to speak up regarding social injustice. For example, I once had to speak out against a co-worker once I discovered they were perpetrating abuse against another employee. I also chose broker because I intend to collaborate and partner with my clients to access available resources to assure that their needs are met. This means taking a comprehensive approach to assure that the mental health, educational, physical, emotional and spiritual needs are being addressed. A challenge will be assuring that people who need resources are aware of them and able to access them.

Finally, I will be discussing the six social work values. The core social work values include service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. As I was familiarizing myself with the true meaning of each value, I came to recognize that all of them are very similar to my own. As a child of a social worker, I began to develop a worldview that contained these values at an early age. I have always wanted to contribute to society by being of service to people and I started this at an early age by volunteering at various organizations. Social work is not just a job to me, but a way of life. When I worked at Camp Ramapo, I developed an understanding of social justice. I have strived to challenge the system regarding the disabled population. Regardless of a person’s past choices or current abilities, everyone deserves a fair opportunity in life. I plan to help people who need support in achieving their full potential.

Regarding dignity and worth, I believe most individuals want the same thing: to feel valued, to learn and to experience success. That is what we as social workers are charged with, to help people achieve their goals and to feel valued. However, it is imperative that we work with people in a respectful and inclusive manner. Never making a person feel demeaned because they need assistance. It is our job to strengthen individuals and communities and this can be accomplished through relationships. Human relationships are imperative to field of social work. Our world rises and falls based on relationships; whether between individuals, communities or entire countries.

As social workers it is essential that we help clients build strong social networks and circles of support. By building healthy professional relationships with clients, we are role modeling how to support each other while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. Next, I will address integrity. Integrity is at the forefront of everything I do: sports, school, work, and life in general. To me it is the very foundation of a social work career. By modeling integrity, you are setting an example for all people. For me, the ten commandments are the definition of and guide to integrity.

Finally, competence. The technology of the world changes rapidly. It is our responsibility as social workers to stay abreast of the latest research and continually advance our skills. After earning my BSW, I plan to pursue an MSW and LCSW. We owe it to the people we serve to not only help them set goals but to set and achieve goals for our career development. To continually define ourselves not just as teachers, but as learners. In conclusion, social work is my passion and my calling. I love to help people and will work diligently to help individuals overcome barriers in order to achieve success. I have been extremely blessed to find my passion early in life. I have an amazing support system and know the importance of creating a work/life balance.

My life goal is to help those who God has placed in my path. I truly believe that I have the skills, patience and perseverance to rise to the challenges of this profession and to make a meaningful contribution to the field of Social Work.

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How to answer "What is your experience with public speaking and presenting?" (with sample answers)

Why Employers Ask This

Employers often ask about public speaking and presenting skills because these are important for a variety of roles. For instance, if you're interviewing for a sales or marketing job, you may be required to give presentations to clients or pitch ideas to a team. Public speaking skills are also important for leadership roles since leaders need to communicate effectively with their teams.

So, employers ask this to assess your communication skills, confidence level, and the ability to articulate your ideas effectively. They want to know if you can represent the company professionally in front of various audiences and handle challenging situations like giving presentations to large groups or addressing stakeholders.

How to Answer the Question

Start by talking about your experience. List any relevant public speaking or presenting experience, including any presentations, speeches, or workshops you've given. Discuss the number of people that were present during the event, who the audience was, and what the purpose of the presentation was.

You can also mention any initiatives you undertook to improve your public speaking and presenting skills, such as attending a public speaking course or analyzing videos of other experienced speakers. This shows that you're proactive and interested in personal development.

It's also important to talk about the outcomes of these experiences. If the presentation resulted in increased sales or enthusiastic feedback, mention it.

Remember to highlight the skills you gained from your public speaking and presenting experience. Employers want to hear about the skills that make you an exceptional candidate. For example, you could say, "I developed strong analytical skills while creating the content for my presentation, and my communication skills were put to the test when I had to present to the C-suite leadership team."

Finally, don't forget to exhibit confidence in your answer, speak clearly and concisely. Employers want to see a candidate who can represent the company professionally and capably in front of various audiences.

Sample answers

Good answer:.

I have a lot of experience with public speaking and presenting. In my last job, I regularly gave presentations to clients and at industry conferences. I was even asked to lead a workshop on presentation skills for new hires in my department. I always prepare thoroughly, practice beforehand, and use visual aids like slides to enhance my presentations. I've also received positive feedback from colleagues and clients on my clear communication skills and engaging delivery.

This answer is good because it gives specific examples of the candidate's experience and skills, and shows that they have a track record of success in public speaking. They also mention concrete strategies they use to prepare and deliver effective presentations.

Bad answer:

Um, I don't really have much experience with public speaking. I mean, I've had to give a few presentations in school, but I don't really like talking in front of people. It makes me pretty nervous.

This answer is bad because it doesn't inspire confidence in the candidate's ability to perform a key aspect of the job. They admit to being nervous and not having much experience, which suggests that they may struggle in this area.

I have experience with public speaking in a variety of contexts. In my previous job, I gave presentations to internal teams and external stakeholders on a regular basis. I also volunteered as a mentor for a local youth organization, where I led workshops on public speaking for teens. In addition, I've taken courses on presentation skills and public speaking to continuously improve my abilities. I'm always looking for chances to build my expertise and confidence in this area.

This answer is good because it demonstrates a diverse range of experience that the candidate has sought out, rather than simply relying on past job requirements. They also express a willingness to keep improving and learning, which is a positive trait in any candidate.

Public speaking? No, I've never really done that before. I prefer to work behind the scenes and let someone else handle that kind of stuff.

This answer is bad because the candidate outright rejects the idea of public speaking and presenting as something they're willing or able to do. It also suggests that they may not be as proactive or engaged in their work as an employer would like to see.

Public Speaking as an Effective Skill Essay

Public speaking is a highly important and useful skill that carries multiple advantages for personal life and professional career. Public speaking skills are required for specialists of various kinds. In this regard, mastering public speaking is going to serve as great enforcement for anyone. The purpose of this essay is to demonstrate different situations where public speaking skills play an important role to show the reasons why public speaking is considered an effective skill.

First of all, the knowledge of theoretical and practical sides of public speaking provides one with multiple benefits such as understanding the ways people think and process the information, communicating thoughtfully and with higher efficiency, using the critical thinking, knowing how to organise and prepare presentations, researching the unfamiliar audiences and using appropriate communication strategies (Coopman, Lull 2014, p. 12). It is a well-known fact that most people experience certain difficulties in adjusting to a new society. For example, in a situation when a person starts working at a new place, they would feel the need to fit into the group of new co-workers, find a common language and establish friendly atmosphere at the workplace.

Public speaking skills provide a person with an ability to evaluate the audience, analyse their needs, learn their potentials, and successfully build contact with them. Proper application of public speaking knowledge will allow the new member of a group to move through the stage of getting to know the colleagues and feel comfortable talking with new people in unfamiliar situations (Coopman & Lull 2014, p. 12). In this case, public speaking skills will allow avoiding the discomfort at the workplace, which may lead to disruption of the work process and create problems for the whole company.

The most obvious situation where public speaking skills are always very useful is an actual performance in front of a group of people such as a public address, presentation of a new project at work, or a motivational speech. In such situations, the speaker can represent a group of fellows or the ideas important for many people. Due to this, a successful performance and efficient delivery of information are highly valuable and important (Keith & Lundberg 2013, p. 4). When one person is chosen to speak on behalf of many, it creates a certain pressure and responsibility for the speaker. In the case of the successful performance of one, the whole group will benefit. The good public speaker has to be able to present the information, keep the audience interested in the delivered ideas, and defend the point of view in case of criticism or counter argumentation.

The skills of public speaking provide one with courage, confidence, and the ability to fluently express themselves. One more situation that demonstrates the importance of public speaking skills is a casual conversation with a stranger. People are social creatures, interpersonal relationships of different kinds are highly important for us. Starting and maintaining friendships, being close to family members, having romantic relationships makes our lives easier and fuller. A skillful speaker will be able to represent themselves in the best and most appropriate way. This can be quite a challenging occupation. Performing in front of just one person is another variation of public speaking (Goldwasser 2006, p. 42). Successful personal representation in any situation, will it be a first date or a job interview, is extremely meaningful for anyone. This is why the development of public speaking skills is considered highly beneficial.

To conclude, almost every day, people face situations where speaking in front of an audience is required. The size of the audience may vary from one to hundreds or thousands of people, but the importance of professional and efficient delivery of information is always high. Knowledge of theoretical and practical sides of public speaking will enable the speaker to feel confident and comfortable and to present themselves and the necessary information in the best ways.

Coopman, S. & Lull, J. 2014, Public Speaking: The Evolving Art. Cengage Learning United States, Boston.

Goldwasser, I. 2006, Interactive Communication: A Guide to Effective Communication. Pearson Education Australia, Sydney.

Keith, W. & Lundberg, C. 2013, Public Speaking: Choice and Responsibility. Cengage Learning United States, Boston.

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IvyPanda. (2023, October 31). Public Speaking as an Effective Skill. https://ivypanda.com/essays/public-speaking-skills/

"Public Speaking as an Effective Skill." IvyPanda , 31 Oct. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/public-speaking-skills/.

IvyPanda . (2023) 'Public Speaking as an Effective Skill'. 31 October.

IvyPanda . 2023. "Public Speaking as an Effective Skill." October 31, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/public-speaking-skills/.

1. IvyPanda . "Public Speaking as an Effective Skill." October 31, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/public-speaking-skills/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Public Speaking as an Effective Skill." October 31, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/public-speaking-skills/.

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Public Speaking and Presentations

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Public Speaking and Presentations: Tips for Success

This resource includes tips and suggestions for improving your public speaking skills.

Even if you’ve never spoken in front of a large group before, chances are you will encounter public speaking sometime during your life. Whether you’re giving a presentation for your classmates or addressing local politicians at a city council meeting, public speaking allows you to convey your thoughts and feelings in clear ways. Having the right tools can prepare you for successful public speaking and equip you with high-quality communication skills.

Know Your Audience

Different audiences require different modes of public speaking. How you address a room full of preschoolers will vary from how you address a group of professors at an academic conference. Not only will your vocabulary change, but you might alter your pacing and tone as well.

Knowing your audience also helps you decide the content of your speech. For example, if you’re presenting research to a group of scientists, you might not need to define all your scientific language. However, if you present that same research to a group of individuals who are unfamiliar with your scientific field, you may need to define your terms or use simpler language.

Recognizing the extent to which your audience is familiar with your topic helps you center your presentation around the most important elements and avoid wasting time on information your audience either 1) already knows or 2) does not need to know for the purpose of your speech.

Knowing your audience also means tailoring your information to them. Try to keep things straight and to the point; leave out extraneous anecdotes and irrelevant statistics.

Establish Your Ethos and Feel Confident in Your Subject

It’s important to let your audience know what authority you have over your subject matter. If it’s clear you are familiar with your subject and have expertise, your audience is more likely to trust what you say.

Feeling confident in your subject matter will help establish your ethos. Rather than simply memorizing the content on your PowerPoint slides or your note cards, consider yourself a “mini expert” on your topic. Read up on information related to your topic and anticipate questions from the audience. You might want to prepare a few additional examples to use if people ask follow-up questions. Being able to elaborate on your talking points will help you stay calm during a Q & A section of your presentation.

Stick to a Few Main Points

Organizing your information in a logical way not only helps you keep track of what you’re saying, but it helps your audience follow along as well. Try to emphasize a few main points in your presentation and return to them before you conclude. Summarizing your information at the end of your presentation allows your audience to walk away with a clear sense of the most important facts.

For example, if you gave a presentation on the pros and cons of wind energy in Indiana, you would first want to define wind energy to make sure you and your audience are on the same page. You might also want to give a brief history of wind energy to give context before you go into the pros and cons. From there, you could list a few pros and a few cons. Finally, you could speculate on the future of wind energy and whether Indiana could provide adequate land and infrastructure to sustain wind turbines. To conclude, restate a few of the main points (most likely the pros and cons) and end with the most important takeaway you want the audience to remember about wind energy in Indiana.

Don't be Afraid to Show Your Personality

Delivering information without any sort of flourish or style can be boring. Allowing your personality to show through your speaking keeps you feeling relaxed and natural. Even if you’re speaking about something very scientific or serious, look for ways to let your personality come through your speech.

For example, when Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek announced in March of 2019 that he had stage 4 pancreatic cancer, he still let his trademark dignity and professionalism set the tone for his address. He began his announcement by saying “it’s in keeping with my long-time policy of being open and transparent with our Jeopardy! fan base.” Later, he joked that he would need to overcome his illness in order to fulfill his contract, whose terms required him to host the show for three more years. Though the nature of Trebek's announcement could easily have justified a grim, serious tone, the host instead opted to display the charm that has made him a household name for almost thirty-five years. In doing so, he reminded his audience precisely why he is so well-loved.

Use Humor (When Appropriate)

Using humor at appropriate moments can keep your audience engaged and entertained. While not all occasions are appropriate for humor, look for moments where you can lighten the mood and add some humor.

For example, just two months after the assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan, Reagan was in the middle of giving a speech when a balloon loudly popped while he was speaking. Reagan paused his speech to say “missed me,” then immediately continued speaking. This off-the-cuff humor worked because it was appropriate, spontaneous, and did not really distract from his message.

Similarly, at the end of his final White House Correspondents Dinner, Barack Obama concluded his speech by saying “Obama out” and dropping the mic. Once again, the humor did not distract from his message, but it did provide a light-hearted shift in his tone.  

Don't Let Visual Aids Distract From Your Presentation

Visual aids, such as PowerPoints or handouts, often go alongside presentations. When designing visual aids, be sure they do not distract from the content of your speech. Having too many pictures or animations can cause audience members to pay more attention to the visuals rather than what you’re saying.

However, if you present research that relies on tables or figures, having many images may help your audience better visualize the research you discuss. Be aware of the ways different types of presentations demand different types of visual aids.

Be Aware of Your Body Language

When it comes to giving a presentation, nonverbal communication is equally as important as what you’re saying. Having the appropriate posture, gestures, and movement complement the spoken element of your presentation. Below are a few simple strategies to make you appear more confident and professional.

Having confident posture can make or break a presentation. Stand up straight with your shoulders back and your arms at your sides. Slouching or crossing your arms over your chest makes you appear smaller and more insecure. However, be sure you’re not too rigid. Just because you’re standing up tall does not mean you cannot move around.

Eye contact

Making eye contact with your audience not only makes them feel connected to you but it also lets you gauge their response to you. Try to look around the room and connect with different audience members so you’re not staring at the same people the whole time. If you notice your audience starting to nod off, it might be a good time to change your tone or up your energy. 

Avoid distracting or compulsive gestures

While hand gestures can help point out information in a slide or on a poster, large or quick gestures can be distracting. When using gestures, try to make them feel like a normal part of your presentation.

It’s also easy to slip into nervous gestures while presenting. Things like twirling your hair or wringing your hands can be distracting to your audience. If you know you do something like this, try to think hard about not doing it while you’re presenting.

Travel (if possible)

If you are presenting on a stage, walking back and forth can help you stay relaxed and look natural. However, be sure you’re walking slowly and confidently and you’re using an appropriate posture (described above). Try to avoid pacing, which can make you appear nervous or compulsive.

Rehearse (if Possible)

The difference between knowing your subject and rehearsing comes down to how you ultimately present your information. The more you rehearse, the more likely you are to eliminate filler words such as like and um . If possible, try practicing with a friend and have them use count the filler words you use. You can also record yourself and play back the video. The more you rehearse, the more confident you will feel when it comes time to actually speak in front of an audience.

Finally, Relax!

Although public speaking takes time and preparation, perhaps one of the most important points is to relax while you’re speaking. Delivering your information in a stiff way prevents you from appearing natural and letting your personality come through. The more relaxed you feel, the more confident your information will come across.

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10 Tips to Improve Your Public Speaking Skills

Public speaking is a skill that many people want to improve. Here's some tips to help you feel confident when presenting ideas to a group of people.

Public speaking has to be one of the most important professional skills because it is used in nearly every industry. But it is also one that people commonly fear. The good news is, speaking confidently and effectively in front of a group is a skill that anybody can master.

Whether you're presenting findings to your team or explaining complex ideas to potential investors, you can improve your public speaking skills with a little practice. Here are 10 ways you can start practicing today.

10 tips to improve your public speaking

We'll present you 10 tips you can use to start improving your public speaking skills.

1. Know your audience. 

You're more likely to feel comfortable presenting to an audience if you know who they are. That way, you can craft your message in a tone that resonates with them, perhaps using humor to ease the tension.

Start by assessing your audience's level of understanding of the topic you plan to discuss. This will determine the amount of background to give and whether you should aim to be more professional or casual.

As you’re speaking, stay aware of the group's reactions. Adjust accordingly so you can connect with them throughout your presentation.

2. Practice, practice, practice. 

Even the most seasoned public speaker needs practice to be effective. Give a mock presentation of your speech in advance, so you can determine if you’ve organized the information cohesively and clearly. 

It may help to talk out loud to an imaginary audience or in front of a mirror, but it’s even more effective to practice with the help of a supportive co-worker, friend, or family member as an audience. 

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3. Use feedback to your advantage.

Whether you’re practicing or giving a presentation, ask for feedback. This constructive criticism could include specific examples that you can use to improve for future presentations.

If your friends point out that you say "umm" or "you know" too much, make sure that you're not taking the feedback personally. Integrate their comments into future presentations and thank your friend or team for giving you invaluable feedback.

4. Make it your own. 

Connecting with an audience can be easier when you add your own personality or flair. Let your personality shine through as you convey your message, whether you are a naturally funny or empathetic person. Be authentic and appropriate—use humor when it can enhance your work, rather than detract from it.

If you use a PowerPoint presentation while speaking, make sure you're not reading from it word for word but using images or videos to bring your presentation to life. You may want to add your contact information at the end of the presentation so people can follow up with you afterward.

5. Connect with a personal story.

Personal stories or anecdotes can enhance your presentation. When TED Talk Speakers take the stage, they often begin with a short anecdote about their childhood or personal experience. This structure helps them connect with the audience, share their passion for what they're about to discuss or explain their expertise. 

To add this kind of personal touch to your presentation, make sure what you share has a direct connection with the topic at hand.

Learn more about storytelling and influencing with this course from Macquarie University.

6. Make eye contact.

Making eye contact with your audience can actually help you feel more at ease because you'll get a sense of whether they understand what you're saying or need to clarify further. Practicing your speech or presentation beforehand can help you feel more comfortable making eye contact.

As they say, much of effective communication relies on body language. Moving your gaze around the room can help your audience feel more engaged, which in turn will make you feel more confident.

7. Use the stage to your advantage.

Before the presentation, know where you'll be speaking. Check that your PowerPoint presentation works with the provided equipment. Make sure you know how the room will be set up. Ask about time constraints, whether people will be eating during your talk, and what kind of microphone you’ll be using.

When you’re on stage, own the space. Walk to different areas to make eye contact with other people in the audience. Be aware of your body language. Let your arms hang loosely. Stand with excellent posture, with your back straight. Smile.

8. Calm your nerves.

It’s normal to still find yourself overcome with nerves at some point in your presentation, despite your preparation. When this happens, take a deep breath. No one’s expecting you to be perfect.

Instead of thrusting your hands in your pockets or playing with your hair, think of ways to cope with your nerves beforehand. You might make sure to exercise that morning or meditate for five minutes before speaking.

9. Record yourself speaking. 

Co-workers and friends can help provide feedback, but you can also evaluate yourself while speaking. When you speak in front of a group, set up your phone to record yourself and watch it later. You may be surprised by your nervous habits or awkward phrasing. You might find new ways to improve the readability of your PowerPoint slides.

If you're giving a presentation on Zoom, ask your audience if you can record the meeting. Use this technology to improve your skills to be even more effective next time and avoid ruminating on mistakes. Stay positive.

10. Make a lasting impression with a strong conclusion. 

Just as experts encourage speakers to grab their audience’s attention within the first 30 seconds of their presentations, it’s also wise to create a solid ending to any presentation. This closing can include things like: 

A call to action that encourages listeners to take the next step

A memorable quote that inspires or illustrates a point from your presentation

A personal story that demonstrates why this issue is so important to you

A summary of the most important takeaways 

Remember to thank the audience for their time once you conclude your presentation. If there is time, you can invite questions and answer them from the stage, or prompt them to follow up with you afterward.

The importance of developing your public speaking skills.

Public speaking skills are helpful for growth in your career but also in everyday life. Here's some ways developing strong public speaking skills can benefit you:

Strengthen team-building and collaboration 

Share your ideas and offer solutions to work-related problems

Earn esteem with employers and co-workers alike

Create connections that can lead to new professional opportunities

The benefits of these skills transfer easily to other areas of your life. You can improve your relationships along with your professional success by developing clear and effective communication . 

It can take time to improve public speaking skills. The key to confidence is a willingness to embrace the temporary feeling of discomfort that comes with developing any new skill.

Next steps for success 

Apply these public speaking tips to improve your ability to confidently execute a presentation. Further refine your skills by practicing and learning from those who can demonstrate their success in public speaking . 

Join a public speaking support group.

Toastmasters International , a nonprofit organization with chapters throughout the world, empowers people to develop their public speaking and leadership skills in a supportive group setting. Members practice giving speeches and overcoming shyness and anxiety with regular online and in-person meetings.

Attend public speaking events.

If your town or city offers events with speakers on various topics, consider these opportunities to learn. When watching others give presentations, use a critical eye to learn what works and what doesn’t. Ask yourself why you enjoyed or didn’t enjoy the lecture, based on their tone, expressions, and body language. 

Watch videos of effective public speaking.

Finally, you can enjoy the same learning experience of in-person lectures by watching videos of influential public speakers. TED Talks is an online collection of presentations on a wide range of topics, including science, entertainment, and business. Watch as many as you can and use the best speakers as mentors to improve your confidence and success in public speaking.

Take public speaking classes. 

Online public speaking courses provide opportunities to learn ways to improve communication skills from the comfort of your home or office. Take the Introduction to Public Speaking course or Dynamic Public Speaking Specialization offered by the University of Washington to gain confidence as you learn presentation and public speaking skills.

Give your team access to a catalog of 8,000+ engaging courses and hands-on Guided Projects to help them develop impactful skills. Learn more about Coursera for Business .

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Home — Essay Samples — Education — Class Reflection — What I Learned on Public Speaking Class: a Reflection

What I Learned on Public Speaking Class: a Reflection

• Categories: Class Reflection Communication Skills Speak

About this sample

Words: 861 |

Published: Mar 18, 2021

Words: 861 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

Works Cited

• DeVito, J. A. (2020). The essentials of public speaking (6th ed.). Pearson.
• Hamilton, C. (2014). TED Talks: The official TED guide to public speaking. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
• Lucas, S. E. (2014). The art of public speaking (12th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
• O'Hair, D., Stewart, R., & Rubenstein, H. (2019). A pocket guide to public speaking (6th ed.). Bedford/St. Martin's.
• Pearson, J. C., & Nelson, P. E. (2000). An introduction to human communication : Understanding and sharing (5th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
• Petersen, C., & Gallagher, K. (2017). Public speaking: Strategies for success (9th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Pride, W. M., Hughes, R. J., & Kapoor, J. R. (2020). Business communication (9th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Quintanilla, K., & Wahl, S. (2016). Business and professional communication: KEYS for workplace excellence (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
• Verderber, R. F., Verderber, K. S., & Sellnow, D. D. (2020). Communicate! (16th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Zarefsky, D. (2017). Public speaking: Strategies for success (9th ed.). Cengage Learning.

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Tell me about your experiences giving presentations in front of large groups.

How to answer, answer example.

Community Answers

Public speaking can be intimidating! Did you know that the fear of public speaking is the #1 phobia? It comes ahead of the fear of death and the fear of spiders! It is okay to find public speaking a bit intimidating but do assure the interviewer that you are capable of communicating well in front of large groups. Have you taken any courses or training in public speaking? Perhaps you have so much experience that it comes second nature. Assure the interviewer that you are capable of giving presentations. If you have given presentations, you can also mention the topic, what the setting was, and to how many people you presented.

"In my last two roles I have been responsible for regularly presenting to my team of 43 staff as well as to our entire warehouse team of over 200. I have taken a couple of Toastmasters sessions which helped a great deal. I am a confident public speaker."

"I do not have a lot of experience in presenting to large groups. Perhaps, 4-6 people at most. I am a confident public speaker and am sure that I could present in front of many people."

"Presenting to large groups is a big part of successfully rolling out important communications to teams organization-wide. I have experience preparing the deck to be presented to ensure it is simple and thorough. I utilize different communication techniques to make a presentation fun, interesting, and engaging."

"As a marketing professional, I present to clients large and small on a weekly basis. The groups to which I present range from 5-20 depending on the client."

"Although I do not have experience presenting to large groups, I do have a great deal of commissioned sales experience which requires me to be 'on' and a subject matter expert when I am on the floor. Every potential client is an opportunity to shine!"

"I love having a microphone and a captive audience. Perhaps its the sales person blood running through me. I am very comfortable creating and giving presentations."

"As a teacher, I present to groups every day! My classes range from 14-26 students, depending on the class. I am more than comfortable in a presentation setting."

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Sample Essay On Public Speaking

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Speech , Rhetoric , Family , Audience , Public Relations , Message , Time , Speaker

Words: 1900

Published: 11/19/2021

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First Assignment

The type of event that I attended that was of great importance was the orientation I had to go to when I first started at Indiana State University, the setting of the event took place inside of the Indiana State University auditorium, the event took place on the second day of my arrival at college. There were at least 300+ people and a huge place with a lot of chairs, there were, what I assumed at the time, college professors and staff from different departments. The audience consisted of myself and several students who were first time attendants like me. The main goal of the message was to provide insight on what awaited myself and my fellow colleagues. The speaker was the president of Indiana State University, Lloyd Benjamin III, the information that was being delivered was a practical layout of events and upcoming activities that will take place around the campus. The receivers or listeners of the message being delivered was my colleagues and I as well as other new students, the feedback on the message being delivered was a little long-winded and boring but informative. The channel used to communicate the message was a microphone, the occasion was the welcoming of all new students in the auditorium; there was no noise that distracted anyone or the president. What made the communication so successful was that the president used the microphone to convey his message so everyone heard him.

Second Assignment

The cartoon speech that consisted of several communication techniques at once was speech cartoon #3, one specific communication type that was demonstrated was mass communication. The mass communication type was being used for the comic strip because it showed one person talking and conveying their message to a large number of people, mass communication is focused mainly on speaking to large groups of people. Another communication type that was evident in the comic strip was group communication, the comic strip clearly illustrates the group of men coming together for a common goal or common interest such as a pursue of something or a rally for a justified cause.

Third Assignment The broad topic that my speech will address is how to be not just a good dad, but a great dad. A particular reason for my topic is because there are men I know who are on the brink of becoming new fathers and some of them have confided in me that they do not know what to expect or what to do or what it takes to be a good dad to their child or children. The time limit that I have set for my speech is 7 minutes and 5 seconds, I figured that would give me a good amount of time to convey my speech. Also, it will give me time to answer any questions that might come up or some of the men might have that I did not cover in my speech. My interest in the topic is the aspects of fatherhood such as helping with certain chores and taking care of the child singlehandedly if the mother is not around, my interest lies in educating the men on what to do if they are in a situation that might arise. My knowledge on the topic lies in my experience, I have dealt with and succumbed to different aspects of fatherhood which means that I’m qualified to administer my advice on any situation that the guys might end up in. My other reason for conveying my message and perspective to the new dads is because I want them to have an easier time than I did learning about the “trigonometry” of fatherhood and what not to do. I have two specific goals in mind for delivering my message, making sure that the men have all of the knowledge they need to make their transition to fatherhood a good one. My second, to make sure that the new dads understand that it does get easier after a while and to make sure that they have everything they need such as confidence and levelheadedness. The value of my speech lies in advising the new dads on how they can get sleep and make time for themselves, the goal; be patient.

Fourth Assignment

Speech: The subject matter was of great relevance to the speaker, she was extremely passionate about getting her point across. Appropriateness for Audience and Occasion: The topic was very important and was very useful to the audience. Clear Purpose: The goals of the speaker was to relay the importance of respecting and getting to know the elderly not to mention keeping the audience’s full attention Fresh Point of View: The speech did challenge the audience to think about something in a new way because I feel most people do not value the elderly or their wisdom. Ethics: I feel the speaker was telling the truth about the experience and telling it for the sole purpose of keeping the audience’s attention which was important.

Substance: The speech did lack substance in that there was no statistics or facts, just the speaker’s experience.

Structure: I felt the flow of information helped the speaker’s speech flow nicely and made the transition from one subject to the next easy to keep up with. My critique of the video was that it was very informative, the speaker was very clear in giving her message as well as showing eye contact and enthusiasm about the speech that she was giving. It cannot be argued that the topic was one that was very dear to the speaker and her goal of being able to help the audience understand the importance of getting to know the elderly, she achieved that goal. Despite the fact that there was not any statistical facts or knowledge that was expressed during her speech, the speaker clearly expressed herself and conveyed her message.

Fifth Assignment

Before 1). The survey that I found had the most promise with the corresponding results is the survey question, “do you live more than 10 miles from your workplace?” Most of the audience live a good 10 miles or better from their workplace, the fact that they would get one day a week to do their work from home is a welcome change; hearing my speech would definitely be an eye opening 30 minutes for everyone in that room. 2). The survey question that might pose a possible dilemma for achieving my goal through my speech is, does the majority of the type of work that you do involve working on tasks that could be done from virtually any location? The reason why the question might cause a potential problem is some people in the audience are fine with the way it is at the office and there are those who do want that change, it could put both parties in a deadlock in which case all one person would have to do is change their mind which will decide the fate of my goal. 3). I would outline the benefits of doing their work from home and personal reference to the aspect of those who have children that they can be home with for that one day even if it is a work day.

1). The audience behaviors that I noticed when giving my speech on my suggestion was that of a lot of smiles, a good amount of the audience love the idea of doing their work from home one day a week where they do not have to wait in traffic or worry about being late because of traffic. What I would do during my speech is to capitalize and emphasize the idea that working at home means that there is no time clock to punch or any supervisor telling them that they are late, they are on their own time. 2). The part of the audience that did not like my idea or the idea of my speech gave me a lot of unsettling and worried looks that displayed their behaviors such as the CEO is not going to pay them if they are not there or the change is not good for the company because my speech would be the downfall of the company, I would tell them that they can give my idea a trial run to see how they would feel about the change and reassure them that I got the CEOs approval so no one will get penalized. 3). So far, no one else in the audience is displaying any kind of behavior contrary to the two I have personally witnessed.

1). The steps I would take to improve on my next speech delivering the same message would be to first introduce the idea then tell them about the benefits then emphasize on those benefits. 2). I would go around to the people who were still in the room after the speech, shake their hand and ask them what they thought about my speech. It is important to get that closure so you know what to improve on and what areas of your speech could use some improvement.

Sixth Assignment

Informative Speech General Purpose: Customer loyalty Specific Purpose: Appreciating kids Thesis: Toys ‘R’ us should do this one day every year Inform: Customer service representative Persuade Audience: CEOs Entertain/Celebrate: Children Developing Purpose and Thesis Statement Toys ‘R’ us should give each child one free toy and make it a store event one day out of the year every year.

Question: Why should Toys ‘R’ us do this?

Main Points: Kids are the biggest reason why Toys ‘R’ us is successful Customer Loyalty is all about thanking the customer for their loyal service Appreciation is all about expressing your gratitude to the customers Seventh Assignment How to be a great dad General Purpose: To give new fathers some perspective on what it takes to be a great dad to their children. Specific Purpose: Ensuring that the new dads have the knowledge and power they need to survive the trials that await them on their journey through fatherhood. Thesis Statement: Fatherhood is not always easy, sometimes it can be harder than getting a mechanical drill out of pool of Jell-O.

Question about Thesis Statement: What is the importance of discussing the thesis with new fathers?

Main Points New dads need help Experience vs. trial and error Getting involved Three supporting materials Videos: I would use videos because there might be something or a particular question that I might not be able to answer even though I have experience. Hands-on: I chose hands on because some people have to be shown something before they get the general idea of how to do it or what to do, it is all about teaching and learning. Statistical studies: I can use that to further back up my speech and support my research.

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My Experience Speaking in Public

Updated 18 October 2023

Subject Emotions ,  Experience ,  Communication

Downloads 57

Category Life ,  Sociology

Topic Fear ,  Public Speaking

It is normal for many people for most of the people to have performance anxiety when performing speeches or talking in front of small or large audiences. Public speaking is a common fear among the human race, and 75 percent of the population has this fear. We have ways of overcoming the fear of public speaking like taking deep breaths or practising more, but many people prefer to face the challenge of speaking in public (Antony, 2017).

For me and Kevin, our first experience speaking in public was very tormenting. We had just lost in the first round of our debate national qualifying tournament. Only the top three teams in the competition after completing the rounds. We had lost one round, and we had six more shots to go.

Since my childhood, speaking in public has been one of my significant weaknesses. It did not matter if I was talking during my class presentation or in front of a large audience, it would always have my heart thumping on my chest, and I would stammer and start worrying about everything.it was very tormenting, and I felt like running away from any large crowd. When I was in my first grade, I cringed making my presentation about the Mayan culture.it was such a disaster, I failed to utter a single word, and the teacher had to send me back to my seat. It was very frustrating and embarrassing, and I couldn't obstruct tears from flowing down my cheeks once I had got to my position.

Another bad experience with my great fear came in my third grade.my stress and anxiety of speaking in public was slowly creeping and growing in me. I was a big admirer of other people who seemed calm and had a free flow of words during their speeches, but it just seemed too hard for me to master their natural skill. I remember a vividly a day in my third grade when I stood in front of a class, and I was holding a wooden cane and wearing a thick overcoat generally my dressing resembles Louis Braille. Hung on the board were aluminium words in braille. As I was about to present my masterpiece on Braille’s lifetime achievements, I became very nervous breakdown and every simple thought I had prepared for the presentation just disappeared into thin air. What was happening to me? Was I this bad? My soul crushed, and over time I have tried to motivate myself from this fear, but I always end up failing.

My redemption came in 2012 when I was in my sixth grade. The presidential debates gave me a life-changing inspiration. I could not fathom the thoughts that went through my brain or the feelings I had seen these great champions face each other in a heated debate. My inspiration to join the debate club in my freshman year was the 2012 presidential debate. I partnered with my friend Sanjay and started our journey to join the freshman debate club.

I was still afraid of crowds, and I mumbled and quivered through my first few tournaments despite mimicking my political inspirations. The first season we experienced zero wins which prompted Sanjay to decide to quit the debate club. His decision to leave gave me a resounding motivation, and I decided to move to a school with one of the best debate teams in our state.

I was very focused on improving my speaking skills; I enrolled in the summer debate club where we had great speakers and debaters all over. I would do impromptu presentations and did countless drills regularly. I believe practising results in perfection, and I found myself enrolled in different activities where I got to practice my speaking and argument skills. I was able to understand and control my crowd phobia. At times I found myself telling jokes to the crowd and I was thrilled and proud about my growth.

My new found confidence found me my partner Kevin who we spent countless hours practising and improving our skills by discussing arguing and brainstorming. Although we made it to the national qualifiers, our chances of proceeding were very slim, but I was happy and motivated by what I had achieved so far.

Overcoming my stage fear has shaped me from a timid adult to a responsible adult who is expressive enough and confident in facing his challenges. I have learned more than just confidence and relating with a crowd. I have mastered the art of persevering in overcoming one's weaknesses rather than living with them. I have also learned the importance of teamwork and how fulfilling it is to build other people up until they find their voice.

Works cited

Antony, Martin M., and Richard P. Swinson. The shyness and social anxiety workbook: Proven, step-by-step techniques for overcoming your fear. New Harbinger Publications, 2017.

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