Facing the Crowd with Confidence

by Jennifer Crosby

I’m sure I must have been nervous, but looking back I don’t remember that part. The first time I stood in front of a crowd to deliver a speech—one I’d researched and written myself—felt completely natural. I had something to say and here was a group willing to listen. I was nine years old.

Decades later I realize just how lucky I am, even though I’m no longer brave all the time. The thought of speaking in front of a group strikes fear into the hearts of many adults. Yet it is a skill increasingly demanded of today’s children. Solid public speaking abilities lead to enhanced communication and interpersonal skills—be it for a class presentation, job interview, or wedding toast.

My speech as a nine-year-old was part of the 4H Youth Development Program. Today I’m a volunteer 4H leader, conducting workshops for young speakers of all abilities. As a news anchor for CHEK News, I use public speaking skills every day. The following are some guidelines I’ve found useful. Children may need more or less guidance depending on skill and comfort level.

What will I talk about?
Whenever possible, let kids choose their own topic. Younger children may want to speak about a “favorite”—be it holiday, pet, or hobby—or about a past experience. They are more likely to be familiar with and interested in these topics. Encourage older speakers to go one step further and consider the audience. What is appropriate for this situation? What is the goal of the speech: to entertain, educate, inspire, challenge?

Some topics may be too narrow or too broad. Brainstorming can help determine if there’s sufficient material for an entire speech. If it’s for a school assignment or a competition there is sometimes a predetermined time allotment. Practice will show if there is enough material—or too much.

What will I say?
This is a great time for creativity. The brainstorming and initial writing stages are about generating volume. Encourage kids to become as familiar as possible with the topic. Research can go beyond the library and internet. Interview others connected to the subject. Think like a journalist and cover the five Ws: who, what, where, when, why (and how). If ideas run dry, ask, “Why are you interested in this topic? What personal connection do you have?” Once lots of ideas are on paper, subsections and patterns often start to appear. It can be helpful to write everything down, and then toss out what doesn’t fit.

More advanced speakers may want to acknowledge their sources, and any disagreement among them. If there are two dissenting viewpoints on the subject, why not present both and let the listener decide? Deciding which viewpoints to include helps develop critical thinking skills.

How will I say it?
Once the facts, arguments, anecdotes and ideas are assembled, it’s time to decide how to present the material. Information can be presented chronologically, by order of importance, or in any other way that keeps the audience engaged. There’s not necessarily one correct way for each topic. For more complicated topics, suggest your child experiment with occasionally repeating main points.

Any presentation has a beginning, middle and end. The introduction is the chance to “hook” the audience. It sets the tone. If the intent is to entertain, perhaps open with a riddle or a joke. If it’s to inspire, try a dramatic statement, statistic, or thought-provoking question. Next comes the “body” of the speech. This is where the speaker proves he or she is the expert. The closing moments are the chance to leave a lasting impression. If appropriate, this section can mirror the tone of the introduction, whether funny or poignant. The summary may remind listeners of the most important message, or add a personal note.

It’s often our instinct to finish speaking and then get out of the limelight as soon as possible. You can practice polished introductions and endings, suggesting kids hold still until they are completely finished, ending with a “thank you” and a smile.

Will they listen?
These days, our attention spans are shorter than ever. Advance preparation helps calm pre-speech jitters and builds confidence for next time. To give the impression of poise, try slowly pacing back and forth while speaking. It can appear self-assured while giving shaking knees something to do.

Speakers can command attention by moving vocally as well, varying volume and speed. Louder volume works well when asking the audience to feel surprised or angry. Soft voices are appropriate for serious subjects. Not too soft though: if the audience can’t hear they can’t enjoy the presentation. Slower speeds help listeners absorb statistics or complicated information. Speaking quickly adds a sense of urgency.

Experts debate just how many words there are in the English language. Whatever the number, there is no shortage of adjectives and adverbs. They can bring sentences to life. A thesaurus is handy, as are questions such as, “What did it sound like? What size was it?” When structuring sentences think back to the audience, considering how familiar they will be with the topic. If it’s a hobby—equestrian, for example—listeners may not be familiar with specialized vocabulary. These topics can make for effective speeches, as long as there is adequate explanation to bring the audience on the journey.

Nervous? Try this:
•Do some simple stretching beforehand.
•Avoid sugary food and drink.
•Breathe slowly and deeply.
•Push or squeeze your hands together.
•Walk around—even when presenting.

Some coaches advise speakers to use point form notes instead of writing out a full presentation. I’ve always found writing helps me organize and commit my content to memory. Either way, the goal is to become as comfortable as possible with the subject matter. Recommend your child smile and keep going if he or she strays from the original script; no one hearing the presentation for the first time will know the difference.

Positive feedback is key, especially for first-timers. For some kids, getting up in front of even a small audience is a huge victory. Encourage them to be themselves, and remind them “You are the expert.” The goal is to move from fearing the presentation to cheering their successes.

Jennifer Crosby anchors CHEK News weekdays at 5 and 6 pm. She’s constantly inspired by talented young speakers.