Preparing and delivering your public speech can be a hard task. You may find it difficult deciding what you want to say, how to say it, or perhaps the thought of speaking before an audience scares you. It's true that some people are naturally talented at public speaking, but the good news is that, with some helpful guidance, anyone can write and deliver a successful speech that will be remembered for all the right reasons.

Step 1: Preparing your speech

Your first instinct (本能) may be to sit down with a pen and paper for the first line of your speech. Don't. You will save yourself a lot of time and effort if you begin instead by devoting some time to carefully planning your speech. Through effective preparation, you will answer all the questions and doubts about your speech before they arise. The contents of your speech, and how you deliver it, are based on two important factors:

The occasion

The occasion will decide not only the content of your speech, but also the duration (持续时间), the tone (语调), and the expectations of your audience. For example, humor may be inappropriate during a business presentation, while it may be welcome during a sports event.

The audience

Whatever the occasion, your speech must always be targeted at your audience.

If you are familiar with your audience, then your speech should build upon your existing intimacy (亲密) with your audience. The use of names and personal details of members of your audience can help engage (使参与) your listeners.

If the speech is to an unfamiliar audience then an early goal of your speech must be to build a degree of trust with the listeners. You must know who the members of your audience are in order to best decide how to get your message through to them.

Step 2: Writing your speech

Most good writing, as we are told over and over again, must have structure. A good speech is no exception (例外). By providing your speech with a beginning, middle, and an end, you will have laid the foundations for a successful speech.

The beginning

The first 30 seconds of your speech are probably the most important. In that period of time you must grab the attention of the audience and engage their interest in what you have to say in your speech.

This can be achieved in several ways. For example, you could raise a thought-provoking (引人深思的) question, make an interesting or controversial (有争议的) statement, recite a relevant quotation (引用语) or even recount a joke.

The body

The body of your speech will always be the largest part of the address. At this point your audience will have been introduced to you and the subject of your speech and will hopefully be ready to hear your arguments.

The best way to set out the body of your speech is by formulating a series of points that you would like to raise. In the context of your speech, a "point" could be a statement about a product, a joke or a fond memory about an audience member.

The points should be organized so that related points follow one another and each point builds upon the previous one. This will also give your speech a more logical progression, and make the job of the listener a far easier one.

Don't try to overwhelm (淹没) your audience with countless points. It is better to have fewer points that you make well than to have too many points, none of which are made satisfactorily.

The closing

The closing of your speech must contain some of your strongest material. You should view the closing of your speech as an opportunity. It is an opportunity to:

-- Summarize the main points of your speech

-- Provide some further food for thought for your listeners

-- Leave your audience with positive memories of your speech

Step 3: Delivering your speech

Scripts, notes or memory?

It's now time to prepare to deliver your speech. If you are nervous or inexperienced, you will probably want to choose to read your speech from a script or from notes.

Reading from a script

Reading your entire speech from a script may give you confidence and ensure that nothing is forgotten or omitted, however it is the least desirable option (选择) for delivering your speech. You will find it more difficult to see your audience, and make it harder for them to get involved.

Using notes

If you are not confident enough to recite your speech from memory, then the use of notes is a much more desirable option than using a complete script. Your notes should consist of the keywords or points of your speech -- a skeleton (纲要) of thoughts or words around which you can build your speech. You may refer to your notes occasionally to maintain the thread of your speech while, for the most part, you will be able to speak directly to your audience.

Reciting from memory

You may prefer to recite from memory. However you should only do this if you are comfortable speaking publicly and are not prone to loss of concentration or memory. As with reading from a script, you should be careful not to lapse into (陷入) a dull recitation of your speech.

Speech delivery tips

-- Make sure that your appearance is well presented

-- Speak clearly, and adjust your voice so that everyone can hear you. Don't shout for the sake of being loud

-- It is common to speak rapidly when nervous, try to take your time speaking

-- Effectively used, a pause in your speech can be used to emphasize a point, or to allow the audience to react to a fact, anecdote 奇闻 or joke

-- Make eye contact with your audience. This helps build trust and a relationship between the speaker and the listeners

-- Do not make nervous gestures (姿势) with your hands

-- Do not keep your hands in your pockets. Do use hand gestures effectively

-- Be yourself, allow your own personality (个性) to come across in your speech