Stage 3 · Lesson 4 of 7
Rehearse out loud, more than once
Reading your slides silently is not rehearsal. Practise out loud, standing up, at the speed you will really speak, at least three times. Time it; most people run long.
The first run is usually awkward and that is normal. Practise the first minute until you know it well, because nerves are worst at the start and a strong opening carries you. Do one rehearsal in front of a friend or record yourself on your phone.
Do not memorise a script word for word; if you forget one word you lose the thread. Learn the order of points instead.
Common trappreparing slides until midnight and never saying the talk aloud.
A question to check yourself and an AI practice session come when you add the roadmap to your account. Add it
Resources for this stage
Start with· follow one of these
- CourseFreeIntroduction to Public Speaking (University of Washington, Coursera)
University of Washington on Coursera · Beginner
A free-to-audit University of Washington course on preparing and giving talks
- VideoFreeHow to Speak So That People Want to Listen (Julian Treasure, TEDGlobal 2013)
Julian Treasure (TEDGlobal 2013)
Short, practical talk on voice, pace and habits that make people stop listening
Practise
Keep handy
Struggling right now? If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, contact local emergency services or a crisis line: Find a helpline (any country), Umang (Pakistan), Tele-MANAS, 14416 (India).