Speech advice?? {**November 26, 2012~~^}

Soon, in a few months, I have to start writing a 3-5 minute speech. If I don't my grade will lower for religion, reading, writing, and I think social studies by 30% I think. It must be memorized, so I can't read anything.

It is my first speech /ever/ spoken by me, I never read in class, but I want to keep my grades high. I know 3-5 minutes isn't long but I'm really scared. ;-;
Has anyone ever read a speech before and had to have it memorized and everything? I need advice.

I've never had to present a speech without anything to read off of.
My best advice is to make everything short, but still make it long enough to be 3-5 minutes long. And maybe divide your speech up so you can memorize them seperately, making the memorization easier.
I hope this helped (;

Speeches? I used to be terrified! Sometimes I still am but after
the number of speeches I was required to do this summer in public speaking class, it got easier and I promise you it will too.
Here are my tips I learned last summer:

- Practice, practice, practice. Everyday, even a few weeks before it will get
you prepared. The more you do the more confident you'll feel, this is the most
important I'll stress.
- Memorize on what works best for you. I'm more of a visual/doing learner
so if it helps, I usually try writing my speech then memorize it.
- Mistakes. Stuttering, pausing longer then you're supposed to, fumbling a word, "uhs", that's okay. If you want a successful speech you'll want to make sure you keep going despite
those mistakes. No one pays attention to them, and even if you do, the audience will
give a kudos for determination.
- Editing. Always check your speech for mistakes, errors, etc.
- When going up, keep a straight and relaxed posture.
- When you read, (and there's a podium) firmly place your hands on the side.
- During your speech, don't jiggle your legs or shift your weight, it'll distract the
audience.
- Eye contact, the most important. Always look up at medium eye level and turn your head
to look at the people in the audience, its important they feel connected to what you're saying.
- Volume. Make sure you're volume is loud enough. Sometimes it seems like you're talking loud enough but always make sure its loud.
- Timing. 3-5 minutes may seem short but whenever you read a speech it'll always seem
slower. Try to time yourself reading the speech so that you don't go over time and it isn't too short.
- Pace. When you read your speech out loud, it'll seem like you're going a normal pace, but the truth is, not all the time. Read in front of family, friends, or even a teacher for feedback on pace. Recording yourself reading works just as well.
- Confidence. I remember I was sacred to death when I had to do a speech everyday in public speaking class. It got easier after then because of all the practice. Mostly, it was because I knew I was going to do better. I promise that speeches will get better after your first because all you need is confidence in yourself, if you know you can do it, nothing is stopping you and all your work towards it will pay off, I promise. I wish you the best of luck!

Thank you for those tips. I'll sure take them.