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By: Yvonne Perry

Sometime in your career you will be asked to give a talk. It may be in a small meeting of peers and coworkers or it may be in front of a large audience of strangers.


Here are seven things to be aware of when making a presentation or giving a speech.


1. Grammar - Use correct grammar. Duh! Of course we need to use correct grammar but you would be surprised at how many times I've heard people use verb tenses that don't agree with the subject of the sentence. Write out your speech beforehand and read it aloud a few times. This will help you catch most of the mistakes privately. Ask a roommate or friend to listen to the speech and give you feedback or note any grammatical errors.


2. Filler Words - Unnecessary words that do not help convey your point can be distracting. Avoid the use of "uh, ah, you know, like, and I mean." In order to avoid run-on sentences, insert a one-second pause between sentences instead of using "and" or "so" to connect two or more sentences. Take a short breath between longer sentences, and allow your audience to take in what you have said. Articulate clearly and pronounce words correctly. Before you take the stage practice saying any difficult words you plan to use.


3. Body Language - By this, I am referring to unintentional cues you give such as looking at your notes, not making eye contact, slumped shoulders, hands in pockets jingling money, or slouching on the lectern. Practicing in front of a mirror will help you discover your own quirky movements.


4. Gestures - These are intentional movements you use to make a point or illustrate the importance of a word. Make your gestures large enough to be seen by the person sitting in the back of the room. Step away from the lectern when using the lower part of your body; otherwise your movement will not be seen.

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