Public Speaking Skills Workshop

This past Thursday, October 16th, the MUN Club had its first Public Speaking Workshop. We went over some tips, and discussed ways to be a better public speaker. These skills were the following:

• Prepare what you are going to talk about before giving your speech.
• Practice and rehearse your speech (in front of a teacher, parent, friend), and get constructive feedback rather than criticism. 
• Consider who your audience is, and make your speech appropriate
• Eliminate "filler" words such as "umm", "well", "like", etc...
• Use meaningful pauses. Leaving a moment of silence between sentences is powerful
• Breathe while you speak
• Pace yourself and don't talk too fast or too slow.
• Posture IS IMPORTANT. Stand up straight, relax your shoulders, plant your feet firmly, and show confidence
• Project your voice, and make sure you are speaking loud enough to be easily heard.
• Gestures are also powerful! Use your hands, face, body, and arms to help you communicate, but make sure not to distract the audience from your speech
• Make eye contact with your audience
• Get to the point, and do not lose your main argument on less-important details. GO STRAIGHT TO YOUR MOST IMPORTANT POINT.
• Be positive, believe in what you are saying, and don't criticize another point of view. 

If you want to see more important skills visit: http://www.unausa.org/global-classrooms-model-un/how-to-participate/model-un-preparation/public-speaking#sthash.qjVxif7w.dpuf


Seventeen girls delivered outstanding speeches, with topics ranging from sex trade, maternity leave, co-educational setting dress code, diversity in high schools, commercial whale laws, foreign aid, and many more! They were passionate about what they were talking about, they paced themselves, and overall delivered incredible speeches! 

I am very excited to see how we can continue to reinforce our public speaking skills and get them to a whole new different level!

Until next time...