| How to Be an Effective Public Speaker Posted: 06 Aug 2018 01:00 AM PDT Even accomplished public speakers worry about whether or not their presentation is effective. Fortunately, improving your effectiveness as a public speaker is very simple! To be an effective public speaker, prepare a well-developed speech that fits your audience. Then, practice your delivery prior to giving the speech. Finally, connect with the audience, articulate your words, and use gestures as you give your speech. EditPreparing Your Speech - Know your audience. This includes the expected size of the audience, as well as their age, gender, educational background, and socioeconomic status. It's also important to know their level of knowledge about the topic you're presenting. Finally, consider how the audience views you and what they will likely expect to gain from your presentation.[1]
- For example, will you be presenting to people who are relatively new to the topic, or are you speaking at a professional event where people will have some familiarity? You'll need to adjust your material to fit their needs. You want to avoid talking over people's heads, but you also want to avoid giving them a lot of information they already know.
- Similarly, your presentation will differ depending on how the audience views you. If they see you as an expert on the topic, your speech should convey that knowledge and authority.
- Determine the appropriate tone for your speech. You can think about the tone of your speech as the mood of the speech. It will be determined by the audience, occasion, topic, and purpose of your speech. You'll also want to consider your personality, as you'll want to use a tone that's natural for you.[2]
- If your topic is serious in nature, you may use a grave tone. Alternatively, you might choose a humorous tone for a speech delivered at a celebratory dinner.
- Generally you can use a conversational tone for any speech, regardless of the topic or size of the audience. Most important is to be authentic!
- Keep in mind that you don't need to use the same tone for your entire speech. For example, your presentation may start out serious but end with a fun, interactive segment. In this case, you'd want to adjust your tone as the presentation progressed.
- Conduct research, if necessary. If you're already an expert on your topic, then you may be able to compose your speech from memory or from your own notes. However, it's important to do research if there are any gaps in your knowledge. Keep in mind that the audience may notice those gaps and ask questions. Also, audience members may appreciate statistics and facts that back up your points.[3]
- If you know a lot about your topic, you might want to start writing your speech before doing research. This way you won't waste time reviewing information you already know. For example, a biologist may be able to give a speech about cell division without doing additional research. Similarly, you'd likely be able to write a speech for your parents' anniversary without conducting research.
- If you don't know much about your topic, do a little research, and then start outlining your speech. For example, if you were giving a speech to celebrate a local landmark, you might want to look up the history of the landmark and important details before you start writing.
- Outline your speech if desired. Many people find that outlining helps them organize their thoughts and create a well-crafted speech. First, write your thesis, purpose, or controlling thought at the top of the page. Then, write out your main supporting points. Finally, write the conclusion that you want the audience to draw.
- Stick to 3-5 main points in a single speech. Avoid providing so much information that the reader can't retain it.
- After you have a basic outline, you can make notes about what you want to say under each bullet point.
- You don't need to write full sentences. Just write down enough words for you to remember what you want to say.
- An example thesis for a speech might look like this: "In this new exhibit, the artist's personal history and passion for color come together to recreate a world that the viewer can almost touch."
- Create a "hook" to engage your audience. A hook is a sentence or phrase that captures the audience's attention. In many cases, it gives them a personal stake in what you have to say. Alternatively, it may set up a question that you will answer in your speech. What's important is that you give the audience a reason to want to listen.[4]
- Ideally, your hook should come within the first 30 seconds of your speech.[5]
- For example, "Like you, I once struggled to organize my time. Now, I get more done in a day than I did in an entire week," or "When I started my research, I asked myself one question: How can we achieve the impossible?"
- Add anecdotes or jokes. Although the audience wants to hear your speech, people lose attention quickly. Stories, particularly personal ones, and jokes help hold their attention and make your speech more enjoyable. Additionally, they help people relate to you. Just be sure not to say anything offensive or inappropriate.
- Audiences love to hear personal stories! They are one of the best ways to make your speech engaging and to pull the audience in.[6]
- For example, you might start a speech about your scientific research by telling a story about a mishap from your first day in the lab.
- You might open a training presentation at work with a joke about work meetings.
- Anticipate audience questions. If you have an idea about what the audience might ask, you can provide those answers in your speech. This ensures that your audience gets what they want from your presentation. Additionally, it'll prevent you from getting caught off-guard if there's a question-and-answer session.
- Consider your audience again. What do they expect to get out of your speech? What is their knowledge level? Use this information to consider what kinds of questions they may ask.
- Make presentation materials, such as note cards. Although you don't want to simply read your speech, having notes can keep you on track and ensure that nothing gets skipped. It's a good idea to write out your major points so that you can glance down for a reminder, if you need it.[7]
- You may also want to jot down a few words to remind yourself of important concepts that you don't want to forget.
- Don't write out full sentences, as this is more likely to trip you up. Just write the key words.
- Note cards work well, but some people may prefer to print out an outline on paper.
- Be flexible. Planning is a big help, but it's impossible to foresee everything. Don't let last-minute changes throw you off. You don't have to follow your prepared speech exactly.
- For example, you may plan your speech for a group of experts but realize on the night of your presentation that the audience has less background knowledge than you expected. In this case, you could present less of the material you'd planned to share but provide more explanation so that a beginner will understand.
EditPracticing Your Delivery - Practice your speech in the mirror. It's normal to be nervous before speaking in public, even if you're used to it. You can alleviate your nervousness by practicing the speech beforehand. Give your speech out loud, preferably in front of a mirror. This will allow you to watch yourself so that you can practice how you're going to stand, what gestures you'll make, and any movements you'll make.[8]
- Film yourself giving your speech. Filming yourself is even more helpful than practicing in the mirror because you can experience what the audience will see! As you watch the video, pretend that you are an audience member. Make notes about what you like about your presentation, as well as what you might like to change.[9]
- You may want to film yourself more than once if you have things you want to work on.
- Alternatively, you could have your friend watch you practice the speech and then give a critique.[10]
- Time your speech. Your speech likely has a time limit, so you want to make sure that you fit within that window. Similarly, you don't want to end your speech too early. Luckily, practice can ensure that your speech fits into your time slot. Use the timer on your phone, a clock, or a handheld timer to time your speech. Make adjustments as necessary.
- It's best to practice your speech a few times before you start timing it, so that your delivery is smooth. At first, you might spend a few extra seconds here and there trying to remember what it is you wanted to say.
- Memorize your main points. This will make it easier for you to deliver your speech. Additionally, it'll ensure that you cover all of your material.[11]
- Don't try to memorize your whole speech. Not only is this difficult, but it can make your delivery a bit robotic. Knowing just the main points will keep your flow natural.
- Practice using your visual aids, if you have them. Visual aids like PowerPoint, posters, or video presentations can support your speech, but they can also detract from your presentation if you experience a glitch. Incorporate them into your practice sessions so that you get used to transitioning through them without issue.
- Get used to presenting alongside your visual aids without reading directly from them, as people don't like being read to.
- Keep in mind that there may be technical issues and you may not be able to access a powerpoint or prezi. Make sure you can deliver your speech without these things, if necessary.
EditGiving Your Presentation - Mingle with the audience members before you give your speech. This gives you an opportunity to gauge their potential response so that you make adjustments in your delivery, such as omitting a joke. You can also get a better idea about what they hope to get from your speech. Finally, this allows the audience to see you as a person, making them more likely to relate positively to you.[12]
- Stand by the door and greet people.
- Introduce yourself to people as they find their seats.
- If you're sitting in the audience before your speech, talk to the people around you.
- Review your notes before your speech. Glance over them once or twice on the day of your presentation. This will refresh your memory so that you are less likely to forget information.
- Don't stress! Trust yourself to remember what you need to say.
- Articulate your words. Speak in a slow, clear voice, taking the time to enunciate each word. At times, it can feel like you're talking too slowly, but it actually makes it easier for the audience to follow your speech.
- It helps to breathe deeply as you're giving your speech so that you're less likely to talk too fast.
- Use gestures to emphasize your points. This can include intentional hand movements and your movements on the stage. For example, you might want to use your fingers to indicate the point you're on, or drive your hand down to emphasis a point. Use gestures that are natural for you, as forcing them will look fake.[13]
- However, you should avoid nervous gestures. Make sure your movements are intentional, not a result of fidgeting.[14]
- Adjust to follow the audience's reaction. Sometimes audiences react differently than you expected, and that's okay. For example, they may not enjoy your humorous elements. If this happens, adjust your tone and delivery slightly to meet their reactions.[15]
- For example, if your audience is laughing at your jokes, let the room quiet down before continuing. If they aren't laughing, but are smiling or nodding, you don't need to cut out your jokes. Recognize that larger audiences may provide more intense reactions than smaller ones, as people feel less self-conscious in large groups.
- If your audience seems to be lost, you might lighten your tone and give more explanations.
- Use audio-visual aids only as needed. Unnecessary audio-visual aids can be distracting to audience members. This detracts from your speech.[16]
- Don't read from slides, as people don't enjoy being read to.[17]
- You can use audio-visual aids in fun ways to add to your presentation. For example, you might include a short video about the latest discoveries in your field.[18]
- Involve the audience. This is one of the best ways to keep your audience engaged. It can also help them remember more from your speech. You can do this by asking them to respond to you or allowing them to ask you questions.[19]
- Ask the audience to repeat your key phrases.
- You could also get the audience to make a particular sound or gesture at certain points in the speech.
- Ask the audience to offer examples or suggestions.
- Take audience questions.
- Be yourself. Although it might be tempting to adopt a persona, don't try to be someone you aren't. The audience is there to see you! Have the confidence to put a bit of yourself into your speech. Remember, it's possible to give a professional speech and still be yourself.[20]
- For example, if you are boisterous and lively in life, then be like that when you speak. However, don't try to force yourself to act that way if it isn't natural.
- Calm yourself if you start to feel nervous. Feeling nervous before speaking in public is totally normal, so don't give yourself a hard time. If you start to feel nervous, you can try a few techniques for calming yourself down:[21]
- Imagine your presentation going well.
- Focus on the purpose of your speech rather than your nervous feelings.
- Breathe deeply to calm yourself.
- Jog in place or wave your arms above your head to burn off nervous energy.
- Limit your caffeine consumption before you're scheduled to present.
- Stand up straight to boost your confidence.
- Don't let being anxious or nervous lower your confidence. Embrace it by expressing it as excitement and enthusiasm.
- Remember that no one knows your speech but you.
- The audience have attended to hear you speak, so they are interested in what you have to say. Enjoy the experience of being the center of attention!
- With every speech, speaking will become easier. Don't give up if you mess up the first few times you give a speech.
- Instead of thinking of public speaking as a chore, think of it as an excellent opportunity to share a part of yourself with the world.
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Register a Child for School Posted: 05 Aug 2018 05:00 PM PDT Whether you're enrolling your child in school for the first time or switching schools after a recent move, the registration process is simple. Head down to the central registration office for your school district and complete the necessary registration forms. You'll need to bring a few important documents along with you, including proof of your child's age, residence, immunization status, and education records. Once the school system has copies of these documents on file, your child will be officially admitted and will be able to attend school within 5 business days. EditIdentifying Your Enrollment Options - Figure out which school district your child is zoned for. Children attending public school are assigned to different school districts depending on where they live. To find out which district your child is zoned for, put in a call to your city's Student Assignment Office.
- You can also take a look at a district boundaries map or use a school zone locator tool online to find out where to enroll your child.[1]
- By law, your child is required to go to the school designated by their district.
- Visit the central registration office for your school district. This is where all matters involving student enrollment and documentation are handled. You'll need to return to your district's central registration office if you're re-enrolling your child following a transfer or expulsion.[2]
- It's not necessary for your child to be present during registration.
- Register your child for school online. These days, most school districts have websites set up to simplify the registration process for busy parents. After determining which school your child is zoned for, visit the home page of the school's website to look for a link to the registration site. There, you'll be able to enter your child's information, upload documents, and read up on important school policies and deadlines, all from one convenient hub.[3]
- If you're enrolling your child in a school for the first time, it might be necessary to scan and upload digital copies of each of the required registration documents, such as proof of residence and immunization forms.[4]
- Some school systems may only allow returning students to register online. Review the site's enrollment guidelines to see whether your child is eligible for online registration.
EditGetting the Necessary Paperwork in Order - Fill out a student registration form for your child. You'll be asked for a few basic pieces of information about your child, including his or her full name, date of birth, current address, and previous schools they've attended. The form may also ask you to specify your child's first language.[5]
- Make sure the information you provide is complete and accurate to the best of your ability.
- Complete an emergency contact form. Your child's new school will need to know who to get in touch with in the event of a medical emergency. As a parent, it's a good idea to list yourself as a contact, along with a one or two other responsible individuals who often look after your child, such as a grandparent or older sibling.[6]
- Don't forget to make a note of any medications your child is currently taking, as well as existing medical conditions the school might need to know about.
- Coaches, caseworkers, and trusted family friends might also be good candidates for emergency contacts.
- Provide proof of residence. Most school systems ask the registering parent or guardian to present a couple different documents to show that their child will be attending school in the correct district. The first is a piece of personal ID, like a driver's license, bank statement, or vehicle registration. The second is an up-to-date mortgage statement, property tax form, or utilities bill displaying your current address.[7]
- You'll usually have quite a few different options for confirming your residence, so there's no need to worry if you're new to the area and haven't updated your driver's license or other personal ID yet.
- For a complete list of forms that can serve as proof of residence, look through the student registration resources found on your local school district's website.
- Show proof of the child's age. Next, you'll need to produce any one of the following documents—original birth certificate, passport, baptism or religious certificate, or past education records. In some states, the parent or guardian can also present a notarized affidavit signed by a public health official stating his or her age.[8]
- The school district is not legally allowed to ask for your child's social security card or number, mental health records, or immigration status.[9]
- It's important for the school to know your child's exact age so that they can confirm their grade level placement.
- Bring along a copy of your child's immunization records. You can obtain immunization records from the past year by contacting your city's health department. These documents verify that your child has been vaccinated within the last 12 months. They must be signed by a state-licensed physician or public health official in order to be considered valid.[10]
- If you're not sure what vaccinations are required for your child to attend public school, the answer may be found in the immunization guidelines published by your local health department.
- Your child may be able to attend school without having their immunization records on file if they qualify for an exemption on religious or medical grounds.[11]
- Submit the results of your child's recent medical exams. Some states or provinces also require evidence of a full medical markup or physical for students being enrolled for the first time. As with immunization, the medical exam must have been performed sometime within the last 12 months.[12]
- Students who will be attending a new school for middle or high school may also have to undergo a medical exam.
- Check the registration requirements for your child's school district to see if it's necessary to turn over a copy of their medical records.
EditFinalizing Your Child's Enrollment - Request a copy of your transferring child's transcripts. If your child is coming over from a different school, don't forget to ask that his or her grades be sent over ahead of them. That way, they'll receive credit for the work they've already done. The secretary at the central registration office will see that the transcripts find their way into the right hands.
- Be prepared to fill out a transcript request form for your child if they're under the age of 18.[13]
- It's your responsibility to make sure your child's transcripts get passed along every time they switch school districts.
- Ask about special programs. If your child is in need of an individualized education program (IEP), second language course, or outside tutoring, see if it's possible to sign them up while you're already at the registration office. You might be able to save yourself a separate trip or series of forms later on.[14]
- The school district will need a copy of your child's old IEP so that they can give them the attention they need.
- Information on extracurricular activities like TAG programs and special interest clubs is often available during enrollment.
- Pay any attendant fees. Some public school systems charge a small fee whenever you're registering your child for a new school year. This money goes toward making sure students have access to meals, textbooks, educational software and other resources instrumental to their education. You can pay your child's school fees in person at the central registration office.[15]
- Registration fees typically add up to around $50-100 per student.
- For the sake of convenience, ask the secretary for a link where you can go to pay your child's fees online.
- Check your child's registration status after 5 days. Make a followup call to the central registration office and ask them to confirm that everything is in the proper order. The attending secretary will be able to alert you of any errors, missing documents, or other issues that could be causing a delay.[16]
- Your child's name should be added to their new school's register no more than 5 business days after completing the necessary registration paperwork.
- If for any reason your child is not allowed to start school after being enrolled, file a formal complaint with the Department of Education for your state, province, or territory.
- Take care of the registration process at your earliest convenience to make sure your child will be able to attend school as soon as it starts.
- Your child cannot automatically be placed in an alternative education program at their new school, even if they were in one at their old school—enrolling them in a new school district essentially guarantees them a clean slate. The only exception is if they are currently expelled for a weapons offense. [17]
EditSources and Citations
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Care for an American Toad Posted: 05 Aug 2018 09:00 AM PDT American toads are not typical pets, but they can be kept that way if you know how to care for them. Set up an aquarium for it with materials that mimic nature so that your toad will be comfortable in your home. You can show love for your toad by maintaining its habitat, feeding it live insects, and looking out for its health. EditHousing an American Toad - Buy a aquarium for your toad. House your American toad in an aquarium that is at least long, tall, and wide. These are the measurements for most standard aquariums. Purchase an aquarium at a pet store or online.[1]
- Be sure to buy an aquarium with a lid that closes securely.
- Never place the tank in direct sunlight because it will overheat the toad.
- Line the tank with of substrate material. A substrate is a material placed at the bottom of a cage or tank that that absorbs your pet's waste and allows it to burrow. Fill the bottom of the aquarium with an organic material such as potting soil, moss, or shredded leaves. You can also purchase special substrates such as ground coconut fiber or forest bark bedding at pet stores.[2].
- Avoid using gravel or sand as a substrate as they can be harmful if swallowed by your toad.
- Add hiding spots to the aquarium. Toads like having places to hide in their habitat. Find or purchase items that will mimic nature, such as pieces of driftwood, large dried leaves, or pieces of tree bark. You can also add items like flower pots for large, sturdy hiding spots.[3]
- Add a large water dish that is no deeper than the height of the toad. Most toads will soak in an available water source at night, including their water dish. Choose a water dish that is wide enough to accommodate your toad, but not taller than it. This water should be changed each morning, or whenever it looks cloudy.[4]
- Amphibians are sensitive to chlorine so avoid using chlorinated municipal tap water.
- Use bottled water or filtered water.
EditFeeding the Toad - Feed your toad live insects that can fit into its mouth. American toads are carnivorous and eat insects as their sole source of nourishment. They prefer them live and might not consume them if they are not moving. As a general rule, you can feed your toad any live insect that is small enough to fit into its mouth.[5]
- Worms and crickets, which can be purchased from pet stores, should form the bulk of your toad's diet.
- Avoid feeding your toad flying insects, which it may not be adept enough to catch.
- You can feed your toad insects that you find in nature, such as spiders or ants.
- Feed your toad 3-6 insects every 2-3 days. Be sure to give your toad at least 3-6 live insects a day to eat to maintain its weight. If the insects are particularly small, such as ants, feed your toad twice as many for the same results. Space out feedings to keep your toad satisfied.[6]
- Add a calcium supplement powder to the bugs every 4th feeding. Your toad's nutrition should be enhanced with help from a calcium supplement. Simply sprinkle a bit of the powder over the insects you are feeding your toad before putting them in the aquarium. Do this once every 4 times you feed it, which is enough to boost your toad's diet.[7]
- Purchase calcium supplement powder from pet stores or online.
EditMaintaining Hygiene and Health - Replace the substrate every 2 months, or as soon as needed. As a general rule, the substrate material should be removed and replaced every 2 months. If you see that the substrate is visibly soiled before that point, replace it early. While the aquarium is empty, clean it with a 5% bleach solution and rinse it thoroughly.[8]
- Buy a small plastic tank from a pet store to hold your toad while you clean its aquarium.
- Find a vet who treats "exotic pets" for your toad. Many veterinarians will not treat toads as they do not have enough experience with their physiology and illnesses. If you suspect that your toad is sick, look for "exotic pet" veterinarians and inquire about their experience with amphibians. An inexperienced vet may inadvertently do harm to your toad while trying to treat it.[9]
- Handle your toad as little as possible. Limit touching your toad to when you need to move it and avoid picking it up for fun. Toads prefer not to be handled and get frightened easily by human contact. Their skin may also cause irritation to human skin after prolonged contact, so keep this kind of touching brief. [10]
- Always wash your hands immediately before and after handling your toad. Any lotions, perfumes, or other substances on your hands may irritate your toad.
- Toads can thrive in room temperature. If they get overheated, they will simply burrow into the substrate.
- Toads may urinate or defecate when they are frightened. This is normal and not a cause for concern.
- Keep pets and small children away from your toad.
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário