Creating a Captivating Speech IV: Practice

In previous posts we've stressed the importance of rehearsal. This process amounts to more than flipping through slides and speaking under your breath. In the words of Judith Rhodes, "Your goal is to achieve the comfortable, confident, conversational style considered good form in scientific circles without running overtime." Fluid movement through your presentation should be your end, not your presumed starting point, and it requires practice in a setting that resembles your ultimate presentation location...with an audience!.

You are not limited to scientific conferences when trying to hone your public speaking skills. Storytelling events are currently riding a wave of popularity, fueled in part by the wildly successful  story slams and podcasts curated by The Moth. Story slams and similar events are available in nearly every major city in the U.S. And if these very public events are too big of a leap, here are a few other groups and events where you can regularly practice speaking. Consider joining or one of them or initiating a meeting at your own university:

• PechaKucha 20x20 - Twenty slides, twenty seconds per slide. Make them count.
• Toastmasters - Toastmasters has a well-defined sequence of formats that will guide you through the process of becoming a better, more confident public speaker. Check the website to see if an organization meets near you. 
• 3 Minute Thesis - Events have taken place on a number of different campuses around the globe. Can you deliver your Ph.D. thesis on one slide in 180 seconds?

You can read more about storytelling in some of our past posts as well (part 1 and part 2).  Also, guest blogger Janine Castro also posted this previous entry on storytelling.