Simple Public Speaking Tips To Help Boost Your Grades

Public speaking is a crucial life skill to have. Being able to communicate effectively is essential in every job- from sharing scientific discoveries to teaching a classroom. It also greatly helps in the earlier stages of life. I learned this first hand after I joined my middle school debate club and found that my presentation grades had skyrocketed. Here are a few simple tricks that turned my B+ in English into an A.

1. Be authoritative
Speak loudly and clearly. Show the audience that you are comfortable, and they’ll take you more seriously.

2. Gesticulate
Even if you aren't one to naturally use hand gestures a lot, pointing to your slides or motioning to provide emphasis on certain words will take your presentation to the next level.

3. Throw in a joke
It’ll help keep your audience from falling asleep, and might even have the same effect on your teacher. Don't worry, so long as your joke is family friendly and relevant to the topic, you wont get penalized for it. Try not to shoehorn it in, though. If no jokes are applicable, don't make one.

4. Know your audience
How much do they know about the topic? Do they look like they know what I’m talking about right now? Keep those questions in mind whilst you are presenting and adapt your presentation accordingly. Remember, you don't always have to stick to what's written on the slides.

5. Remember that making mistakes are OK
Take a deep breath and try your best. Stuttering or messing up some parts is totally normal- I still do it and I’ve been public speaking after school every week for around two years now. Just laugh it off and keep going.