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Public speaking is something everyone should be practiced at. You don’t know when you will be speaking in front of a group for work, large family gatherings or even friend get-togethers. There are a few basic public speaking techniques that will help you to properly present yourself. 
Organize your speech. Avoid confusing your audience by following a general sequence in your speech. Begin with an introduction, follow by a few main points, and conclude with an ending summary. Within the body of the speech you should use as many examples as possible to illuminate your main points. Do not jump from one topic to another; say everything you need to say about a particular point all together. It helps to have an outline of what you are going to say in front of you to keep you on task.
Make eye contact. Keeping eye contact with your audience while you are speaking is important because it engages your listeners. Don’t look at the back of the room, as this can be distracting to both you and others. Scan the people in the room as you talk. This will make the audience feel connected with you and it will actually help you to calm you down if you are nervous.
Stand with good posture. Don’t sway back and forth or lean against the podium. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and your knees relaxed and slightly bend. You can also slowly pace from side to side as you maintain eye contact with the audience which helps release nervous energy.
Express yourself with gestures. Another way to engage your listeners is to use gestures as you speak. Use your hands to explain your points and express your examples. Sometimes it may even be appropriate to act out what you are explaining. Gestures engage the audience and also help you to relax and express your points.
Use visual aids. Having an aid that further demonstrates your main points helps communicate the ideas of your speech and keeps people interested in what you are saying. Pictures, video, sound, posters, hand outs and projected slides are just a few examples of possible visual aids to use while speaking in public.
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