Public speaking

A Skilled public speaker should be able to do the following:

• Design and create a presentation to last the time specified.
• Engage an audience.
• Communicate your material clearly.
• Create visuals that help you communicate your material.

An Expert public speaker should additionally be able to do the following:

• Inspire your audience to learn more about the material.

If you are speaking online, here are tips for looking and sounding your best on camera:

• Put your camera at eye level. Prop up your device with books (or use a tripod) so the camera is level with your eyes. 
• Look at the camera when presenting. Perhaps affix something next to it to help draw your attention.
• Avoid overhead lightning when possible. 
• Try to have your largest light source in front of you--so no bright lights or windows behind you or anywhere in the background.
• Set your camera in front of a window so light hits your face straight-on. If you don’t have natural light, try a lamp behind your camera.
• Be aware that your screen can be a large source of light, so adjust your screen brightness, especially if you are in a space without natural light.
• Keep the focus on yourself, rather than what’s in your background, by sitting with your back to a plain wall when possible.
• Wear clothing with solid colors near to your face.
• Wear a headset with a microphone. The earbud and microphone headset that came with your mobile phone is just fine.
• Always mute when not speaking.
• Check your desktop background. Close all browser tabs and apps that you want to keep private. Speakers will choose which area or window is shared, but this is helpful to do as a precaution.
• Snooze your notifications. This will help minimize your distractions, but also ensure that private messages aren’t accidentally shared on screen.