How to Write a Talk and Feel Confident in it
I learned a lot about public speaking in the two years of debate I took from my high school. But I have learned that everything about that method of speaking doesn't work in a church setting. I am giving my tips for speaking I learned in debate, and from attending church.
Here are the tips from debate that work for talks:
Use an Attention Grabbing Device
Try not to start your talk the way everyone else does. Don't make the jokes about how nervous you are, or how you avoided the bishop. Start with an attention grabbing story, quotation or startling fact- then get to your main point.
Posture/ Fidgeting
Practice holding yourself tall as you speak, this helps you to not only look confident and comfortable, but makes you feel more comfortable.
Watch for your nervous habits. For example, when I get nervous I will chip my nail polish off and shift my weight.
Some people lock their hands in front of them.
Tip: Don't wear accessories you know you will fidget with (like rings for example), and don't chew gum.
Ask someone to watch you practice, and tell you mistakes.
Filler Words
"Like, ya know?, then they walked to, ya know? "
most likely you have noticed someone else using filler words in a speech or talk. But which words do you use when you are lost for words?
You could use: and, like, ya know, uh, so, errr
the best way to stop this habit is to ask someone to listen to you improvise a story, they will be able to pick out your word of choice. Then after you realize your filler word, pay attention to it. The best way to avoid this is to have a talk memorized and prepared beforehand.
What I've learned in church:
Pray & Prepare
Praying for inspiration to write, then speak what Heavenly Father wants you to say is imperative. If you are not preparing with the spirit, the spirit will not teach those you are speaking to.
Use Scripture & the Words of Modern Prophets
These bring the spirit into a talk so much, but mostly when they are memorized.
Memorize/make bullet points
are you bad at memorizing talks? welcome, I am also. But I've found that memorizing adds so much to a talk, it shows the people listening that you are aware of the time you are taking out of their life. I heard a quote once that said to look out at the audience you are talking to, how much time are you taking up? now multiply how much time you are taking by how many people are there. You are taking that much time out of each of their days, so you should at least take the time to memorize what you are saying.
The best way to memorize is to write everything down in the way you would say them, practice. Then make a list of bulletin points on your whole talk. Now only bring the bulletin points when you speak, this way you do not have the crutch of the whole talk there and you must rely on memory.
Testify
always bear testimony of what you say and believe.
Why shouldn't you be nervous?
How many talks do you remember that you have listened to that were amazing? How many talks do you remember that were terrible? most likely you will remember more talks that helped you for the better. Don't worry about how you do, as long as you follow the spirit Heavenly father will put the words in your mouth.
