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Public speaking fundamentals. Preparation: Tips that lead to a solid, engaging presentation

OBG Management. 2016 July;28(7):31, 32,34-37
July 1, 2016|ObGyn
Mickey M. Karram, MD;Neil H. Baum, MD
Author and Disclosure Information

 

Mickey M. Karram, MD, and Neil H. Baum, MD

Dr. Karram is Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Urology, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, and Director, Urogynecology, The Christ Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Dr. Baum practices urology in New Orleans, Louisiana, and is Associate Clinical Professor of Urology, Tulane Medical School and Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans. Dr. Baum is an OBG Management Contributing Editor. 

The authors report no financial relationships relevant to this article.

Although you may not be a seasoned public speaker—and may even feel some trepidation at the idea of speaking—several simple preparatory steps can bolster your confidence and help ensure a seamless, memorable talk

In this Article

  • Preparing a presentation
  • Your speech opening
  • AV equipment and support

Warming up. A public speaker, like an athlete, needs to warm up physically before the event. If the facility has an anteroom available, use it for the following exercises suggested by public speaking coach Patricia Fripp1:

  • Stand on one leg and shake the other (remove high heels first). When you place your raised foot back on the floor, it will feel lighter than the other one. Repeat the exercise using the other leg. Imagine your energy going down through the floor and up out of your head. While this sounds quite comical, it is not. It is a practical technique used by actors.
  • Shake your hands vigorously. Hold them above your head, bending your wrists and elbows, then return your arms to your sides. This will make your hand movements more natural.
  • Warm up your facial muscles by chewing in a highly exaggerated way. Do shoulder and neck rolls. Imagine you are at eye level with a clock. As you look at 12 o’clock, pull as much of your face up to the 12 as you can; move your eyes to 3 and repeat, then down to 6, and finally over to 9.

Not only do these exercises warm you up but they also relax you. The exaggerated movements help your movements to flow more naturally.1

This is just the start
Thorough preparation is key to making a solid presentation. But other factors are important too. Your goal is for the audience to take action or to implement suggestions from your presentation. In part 2 of this series, we will share tips on elements of the presentation itself that will encourage audience engagement and message retention. We will discuss how to make your message “stick” and how to make a dynamic, effective presentation that holds your audience’s attention for your entire talk.

Share your thoughts! Send your Letter to the Editor to rbarbieri@frontlinemedcom.com. Please include your name and the city and state in which you practice.

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