My first speech today- It was beyond terrible! Help! Please!?

Question

Oh goodness. Where do i start?

So today i gave my first presentation in my Competitive speech class (first of many, and this wasn't even a tournament!)...if i said it was terrible, I'd be saying it gently I'm so embarrassed, i never want to step foot inside that classroom again!

I thought i would handle it finely... Not the case! some feedback i received back from my classmates consisted of:

-You sound like a robot

-You talk too quiet

-You talk too quiet

-Make more eye contact

-You need to work in your nervous habits

And so on. The problem is that to myself, i talk slowly! I talk loudly, and i don't sound like a robot!

PLEASE PLEASE help me!

What do i do, i don't want to do this badly again! please give my tips/ advice. I'm absolutely desperate!

Thanks so much!

Answer 1

Set up a tape recorder and stand in front of a mirror when you are preparing your next speech - watch and record yourself.

It is great that you got honest feedback, as brutal as it was, because you would have learned nothing and changed nothing if everyone had said 'Great speech!" (especially if it wasn't)

Answer 2

the person above said it perfectly. record yourself and practice in front of a mirror. try to memorize the speech as much as you can and it will come easy to you when u have to do your presentation  

Answer 3

Calm down, everybody is very nervous giving there first speach.  It would be very benieficial for you to rehearse your next speech, with some friends and family members before you give it.  It always sounds good in our head, but in deliverance, well that takes practice.

Answer 4

1) Use a mirror.

2) KNOW that the person in the back row can't hear you. Imagine a preacher and how they project their voice.

3) Use your diaphragm.

4) Look at everyone in the room. Accentuate a point you are trying to get across by looking at one person as if they NEED to hear what you have to say.

5) Use your hands to illustrate what you are saying. Use fast pointing motions to mark important statements. Be visual with your eyes, hands, arms.

6) If you can, use a prop. A pencil, a ruler, a notebook. At some point where you have a MAJOR point to make, slam it down on the podium or a nearby table.

7) Move around! Randomly go from the left to the right sides of the room. Stop at random spots to make points and to look individuals in the eye.

8) Enjoy those butterflies. Remember the others are just as afraid to get up there as you are. If you have the opportunity to warm up , jump up and down a few times. Get your blood pumping. Remember that no matter what you are talking about, the people listening WANT to hear what you have to say!

9) Join Toastmasters!

10) Have FUN!

Answer 5

I sometimes have trouble with speeches too. :]

But first of all, try doing your speech in front of a mirror. That way you'll know what you look like while you're talking. Maybe you could even try recording your voice to see how you sound like.

Second, memorize what you are going to say. The best way to know that you've memorized something is when you can do things with your hands and say your speech at the same time, like washing the dishes, moving furniture, etc. If there are times when you pause right in the middle of your speech while doing these things, then those are the places where you should work on memorizing. (well, that's if you want a really good speech. It's very impressive when someone can stand in front of people and talk without having index cards in front of them. And also, if you've memorized your speech completely, it takes away the nervousness you have before presentations, because you are completely ready and you know what you're doing!)

Lastly, ask yourself what you want to see when other people present, and then apply it to what you're going to do. Personally, I like people who say their speeches like they're just plain old talking. It's much easier to pay attention to them and understand what they're saying.

I hope that helps! And by the way, don't worry too much on your first presentation and how embarrassing it is. Sooner or later everyone's going to forget about your speech. Most people really care about how they themselves are presenting rather than others. Plus, if you get better, no one would really care about how bad your first speech was anyway. :] Good luck on your next presentation!