Talking in front of large audiences

Shicky

Shicky

Shicky

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13 Jan 2007
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Belfast,Northern Ireland
Was just wondering if anyone had tips for such an occasion? Basically I have to speak to a bunch of kids and parents in upper sixth considering going to my university and more specifically courses in my faculty (Comp Science etc.) Details have been pretty scarce but I think I'm expected to talk for a solid 6-7mins.

I've never been great with formal presentations but I don't feel worried about this one as it seems quite informal and im not going to be struggling to remember numerous facts and figures I have to sound off. Though I think it perhaps hasn't sunk in yet.

Current plan is basically to say:
- A-Levels I did
- Course I chose and why
- Why I picked the uni
- What its like to actually do the course
- What I did in my placement year
- Where I expect/want to be when I graduate
- Q/A

I was just going to write that on my hand or something so I know the phases to go through but not actually write a whole speech or anything, I will just do it off the cuff around those points....I mean it is my life so it shouldn't be too much of a struggle?
 
Give yourself a list of bullet-points. It might be your life, but nerves or just plain old forgetfulness may cause you to veer off track and you may miss stuff out.
 
Speak.

Slowly.

The greatest failing I've seen with people speaking in front of audiences is rushing their speech.
 
Practice infront of a mirror, you will feel a right twitt but it helps. Since its kids do not imagine them naked!
 
Lysander said:
Speak.

Slowly.

The greatest failing I've seen with people speaking in front of audiences is rushing their speech.
Click to expand...

+1

I know I do it all the time but I can't help it. I also find that as long as I talk something I am passionate about, making notes is pointless as it all ends up flowing out naturally, but too fast.
 
Write your plan (bullet points) on a card or piece of paper, speak slowly and look around at the audience. Have a dry run and get someone to time it for you as you don’t want to make it too long or short. Maybe have a glass of water and take a sip before you start.

Don’t worry about the nerves beforehand we all get them. You’ll be fine. Good luck. :)
 
As mentioned, Clear bullet points, because you'll forget stuff otherwise, and relax, because you've got nothing to worry about really.

Whether its 2, 10, 30 or 100 people, its just talking after all.
 
if you know what you're talking about it's a lot easier as it'll flow naturally, you'll know what to say next and what you'd like to have heard when in the same position years ago. as people have said have a good think now so you're confident before you start that you're someone they should be listening to.
 
A mentor of mine in a previous job advised me to imagine everyone in the room naked. I shouldn't have taken his advice, though, because he was a colossal pervert.
 
Thanks for the advice guys, will try my best to talk slowly and with clarity, probably do a bit of work into what I want to talk about, moreso than I was planning anyway.

On the off chance this applies to someone..

Are there any first years in a computer science degree or closely related pathway at the moment, is there anything you wish you knew before coming to uni? More specifically related to your course than anything else
 
Lysander said:
Speak.

Slowly.

The greatest failing I've seen with people speaking in front of audiences is rushing their speech.
Click to expand...

+1


At end end of each sentence, count to 3 under your breath.


I did comp sci. Before I went I wanted to know

1) How many hours of lectures I had per week
2) We all know students are skint - but just how skint? (Ideally I wish someone had told me in pounds, after rent, about how much money I'd have to live on per week)
3) Course specific -- what the the amount of pre-knowledge of computers I needed.
 
Worst thing you can do is read from a card. I'd be inclined just to make a list of bullet points as a prompt to make sure you cover and just talk about the subject as if you were speaking to friends/family.

It's very easy to put yourself under immense pressure with things like this, just go with the flow and it will be delivered naturally.
 
Lysander said:
Speak.

Slowly.

The greatest failing I've seen with people speaking in front of audiences is rushing their speech.
Click to expand...
ABSOLUTELY - 100%

My sister did a presentation skills course some years ago - she told me that far and away the most useful thing was that on each of her practice presentations, she was filmed. She then had a one-on-one session with a psychologist who played back her presentation at a fast speed - this highlighted her repetitive movements (in her case, waving her hands around too much). She still has the video and still uses it to remind herself what not to do.

Remember the old adage
  • tell them what you are going to tell them
  • tell them it
  • remind them what you told them

No matter how hard you try, you will almost certainly speak too fast - often far too fast - pauses are good :)


ps - Good luck!
 
I made a Powerpoint presentation with the bare minimum of information on (key points etc) and then just ellaborated in my own way. I was told it sounded much more genuine and personal doing it this way, and it stopped me from having to learn (and probably forget) whole swathes of information.

This was for a CS seminar, in front of ~70 odd people. Once you get up there and do it, its surprisingly easy.
 
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