Graduation: Introducing the Speaker?

Question

I'm introducing the speaker at my graudation (Tommorow). I do not have the introduction, but how can I prepare? Any general advice or tips.

Answer 1

A few words of advice:

REHEARSE - Go into the bathroom and practice your introduction in front of the mirror. If you get to the point where you can do your introduction without looking at your notes, then do it a little longer.

BREATHE - Take a big breath before you step up to the microphone (you don't want to breathe deeply AT the microphone, as everyone will hear you).

SLOW DOWN - Your nerves will probably cause you to want to speak 1,000 miles per hour. So be sensitive to that and slowly give your introduction.

LOOK FOR A FRIEND. It's always easier to speak to a friend. So if you have a few friends in the crowd, look at them when you speak. It will help you establish eye contact, and it will boost your confidence to have a smiling face looking back at you.

Good luck - and congratulations.