Speaking Tips
Practical, technique-driven guides for becoming a clearer, more confident speaker, from beginner basics to advanced craft.
20 articles
How to Practice a Speech: A 7-Day Rehearsal Plan
A day-by-day plan to practice a speech out loud: time it, cut it to length, record yourself, fix one habit, then rehearse standing up and for an audience.
How to Answer "Tell Me About Yourself" (With Examples)
A simple 3-part answer to "Tell me about yourself," how long it should be (60 to 90 seconds), five sample answers with word counts, and mistakes to avoid.
STAR Method: How to Answer Behavioral Interview Questions (With Examples)
The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral interview questions: how to use it, five example answers with word counts, and mistakes.
Public Speaking Classes, Courses and Training: How to Choose
Public speaking classes, online courses, workshops, clubs and coaches compared: what each is good for, what to look for, and how to practice in between.
Toastmasters Ah-Counter: Role, Script and Report
What the Toastmasters Ah-Counter does, a script to introduce the role, what to count, a sample report you can adapt, and how to practice between meetings.
10 Free Ways to Practice Public Speaking (and When an App Is Worth It)
Ten free ways to practice public speaking, from your phone's voice recorder to a Toastmasters guest visit, plus when a paid practice app is worth it.
How to Memorize a Speech Fast (Without Sounding Robotic)
How to memorize a speech fast: learn the structure first, use cue words and a memory palace, practice out loud in chunks, and still sound natural.
Interview Practice: How to Rehearse Answers Out Loud
Run a mock interview alone: the questions to practice, the STAR method, how long answers should be, and how to cut filler words before the real thing.
Speech Practice at Home: Exercises for Clarity and Fluency
Yes, you can practice speech at home. Simple exercises for clarity and fluency, honest guidance on stuttering, and when to see a licensed SLP.
Filler Words: List, Examples and How to Stop Using Them
Filler words (also called filled pauses, verbal fillers or discourse markers) are sounds like um and uh. See 43 examples and how to cut them.
How to Speak in Public: 15 Public Speaking Tips for Beginners and Beyond
15 public speaking tips to sound calmer and clearer, from slowing down and pausing to practicing out loud, plus a starting plan for beginners.
Public Speaking for Kids: How to Help Your Child Speak Confidently
Help your child speak with confidence: age-by-age tips, games and activities for show-and-tell, class presentations and everyday speaking.
How to Speak Confidently and Clearly: 12 Techniques
How to speak confidently and clearly in meetings, interviews and presentations: 12 techniques for a steadier voice, a calmer pace and fewer fillers.
How Many Words Is a 5-Minute Speech? Chart for 1 to 20 Minutes
A 5-minute speech is about 650 words at 130 words per minute (600 to 750 for most speakers). See the chart for 1 to 20 minutes and how to time yours.
How to Stop Saying Um, Uh and Like: 7 Techniques and 5 Exercises
Why you say um, uh and like, 7 techniques to try (start with the pause), 5 practice exercises, and a realistic timeline for cutting filler words.
How to Overcome Stage Fright and Fear of Public Speaking
What causes stage fright, what each symptom means, and 8 ways to overcome fear of public speaking, from slow breathing to practicing out loud.
200 Presentation Topics for Students: Ideas for Every Subject
200 presentation topic ideas for school and college, sorted by subject, plus how to pick a topic that fits your time limit and your audience.
What is Vocal Fry? Is it Hurting Your Speaking (And Should You Fix It)?
What vocal fry is, why people use it, what a 2014 study found about how it is perceived, and how to reduce it if you decide to.
How to Give a TED Talk-Level Presentation: Techniques from the Best Speakers
Learn the techniques that make TED talks so engaging. Practical tips for structuring your presentation, telling stories, and delivering with impact.
Words Per Minute: Average Speaking Rate and the Best Pace for a Speech
The average speaking rate in American English is about 150 words per minute. See rates by situation, a good pace for a speech, and how to measure yours.
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