Capturing Audience Interest

Becoming a good presenter takes practice and hard work. One important skill is keeping your presentation fresh. Another is to know how to always present with energy. No two audiences are alike, so having an audience participate in a presentation will always be a little different and fun. When planning a presentation, you will need to design effective, interactive ways to capture audience interest. Keeping your voice natural but varied in tone is sometimes a challenge; even trained speakers find it hard to maintain freshness and enthusiasm when repeating a presentation or speaking in front of an audience for an extended period of time.

One way to keep a performance fresh is to revisit your objectives before every presentation, making sure that they match the needs of your audience. If you regard a repeat performance as just the same old job, then that's exactly how your audience will see it. Each time you deliver a presentation, tell yourself that this is an entirely new audience—with entirely new reactions and questions. One thing is for sure, though—if you present with energy, your audience will respond positively.

Building Public Speaking Skills

If you're new to public speaking, strongly consider enrolling in a communications course at your high school, at a community college, or with an independent group such as Toastmasters International^®, the American Institute of Parliamentarians, or a similar organization. High school or college debate coaches and speech teachers may also be able to give you pointers or provide a list of community resources relating to public speaking. In addition, read books on public speaking, contact the National Forensic League listed in the "Resources" section, or check online for sites such as the National Catholic Forensic League's Web site (www.ncfl.org).

When working on your public speaking skills, understand that your audience's failure to pay attention may be a sign that your presentation needs work. Examine its organization and delivery. Get feedback and reactions from adults and youth who are willing to be candid and who can offer constructive criticism. The best public speakers learn from such audience feedback and can even adjust plans midpresentation when things aren't going well. An ability to shift gears quickly, however, comes only through trial and error and hard-won experience.

Youth in Action Bulletin

March 2000     Number 15