At one time or another, we all have presented before an audience. With personal project presentations scheduled for next week, many students are hastily preparing for their often stressful demonstrations. For some, presentation skills are instinctive and do not require as much preparation as others, who see public speaking as a source of anxiety. However, there are several ways you can alleviate your nerves and improve the quality of your speeches and presentations.

 Predominantly, it is critical to know your audience. Prior to your presentation, conduct research about your audience in order to get a feel for what it is they want to hear. Understand why the topic you are speaking about is important to them, and brainstorm ways for you to connect with them, like sharing personal experiences that might resonate with them or telling a story they may find helpful. Overall, target the demographics you are speaking to by gearing your presentation towards their interests, beliefs, and experiences.

 Next, be sure to plan ahead. You will only be guaranteed plenty of time to practice by compiling your plan several weeks before the date of your presentation. Furthermore, structure the material in your presentation. Ensure that each topic you cover is cohesive to the rest and that audiences will not be confused while watching you present.

 Now that you have thoroughly planned your content, you have more time to rehearse. Set aside as much time as you need to become as familiar as possible with your presentation. Run through it until you feel completely comfortable presenting it, make minimal mistakes, and have your key points memorized. You may also find it helpful to practice in front of a friend or family member or film yourself presenting it in order to receive feedback.

 During the delivery of your speech, it is important to maintain proper posture. Although it may seem irrelevant and unimportant, poor posture can create a careless ambiance. It is also necessary to stay aware of your pace; speaking too quickly or slowly can make it difficult for the audience to understand what you are saying. On top of that, mistakes should not be followed by an apology. Depending on the fault, either correct yourself or continue with the remainder of the presentation, as apologies will dull the effect of the speech. You should also practice connectivity with your audience by making frequent eye contact. This causes the audience to be more inclined to listen. Voice clarity is another essential aspect. Enunciate your words and speak at a loud enough volume for your audience to hear. It also helps to incorporate your personality into your presentation by adding a sense of humor or an enthusiastic tone. Integrating emotion into your words will aid your audience in building a further connection with you as a speaker. Sophomore Autumn Hlina said, “I think everyone has to present in front of an audience at some point. The most important thing, to me, is the emotion you put into it. Presenting something without expression and enthusiasm doesn’t make your audience want to listen.”

 Using your meticulous planning and practice, as well as your inclusion of proper posture, speed, volume, emotion, and recovery from errors, your presentation will be more likely to gain active listeners and have a more significant impact on your audience.