Tips for Surviving Public Speaking
Some would have you believe that all law students are born with the gift of the gab. If only! Although many baby lawyers are already amazing orators, the rest of us get a bit anxious when it comes to class presentations, mooting competitions and practice bail applications. Here are some tips to ease the pain.
1. Practice makes perfect. If you know the material, you’ll feel more confident about what you’re saying. If you can, find some friends or family to be your practice audience. Rehearse your timing and practice pausing and breathing. If you’re using any visual aids, such as PowerPoint slides, be sure to incorporate these into your practice presentation.
Good organisation is essential in this regard. You need to finish researching and writing your speech far enough in advance to allow yourself the time to practice. On one occasion I finished writing my speech on the day of the presentation and barely had time to re-read what I’d written, let alone practice saying it aloud. All I can say is that it was a less than stellar presentation.
2. Dress to impress. Find out what’s expected of you. Some tutors require students to wear corporate dress for presentations and practice court applications. Be sure to dress comfortably (or as comfortably as a suit and tie allows) and avoid accessories that may distract you.
3. Be organised. Get there early and have everything for your speech ready to go. If you run into the classroom late and flustered, it will be hard to get over these nerves in time for your presentation.
4. Delivery of a speech is just as important as the content. If your presentation is uninteresting or difficult to understand, your audience will get very little out of it. Vary your tone (monotone = boring), keep to a good pace and speak up so the people at the back of the room can hear you.
Body language is also important. Don’t slouch (standing tall makes it easier to breathe), and avoid leaning on the podium or swaying. Pay attention to your hands. Gestures are helpful, but hands in pockets or playing with your necklace are a bad look.
5. Make eye contact. It shows confidence and helps to engage your audience. It also shows that you know the material.
6. Relax. Slow down, pause, breathe and smile (if you can). Doing this will make for a better presentation and will ensure that in your nervousness you don’t fall short of the time limit. Pausing at important points will help your audience to take in the more crucial pieces of information.
7. If you make a mistake, don’t freak out. If it’s minor, the audience probably hasn’t noticed. If the error is obvious, calmly correct it and then move on.
If you hate public speaking, don’t stress that you’ll never be a great courtroom lawyer. Many law students who were average speakers at uni have gone on to become fantastic advocates. Be patient. Give it time and practice. Chances are you won’t feel like Dennis Denuto forever.