Reading aloud
can improve your public speaking skills.
Public speaking can be daunting for many people, especially those who do not have to do it often or who are very shy. Reading aloud is an activity can help improve your public speaking skills and make you more comfortable speaking written words aloud. Whether you have a single speaking engagement or are a frequent public speaker, reading aloud can help your speech become more fluid and enjoyable for your audience, as well as make you more confident.
Instructions
1. Read aloud as often as possible. Whether you are reading a novel or a recipe, reading aloud can help your pronunciation and diction. It will also allow you to become better at reading ahead a few words before speaking them, which is important if you will be reading a speech. Additionally, reading aloud will get you used to hearing your own voice and help you become more comfortable with delivering written material orally. It can also help you build your vocabulary so that you will stumble less frequently when speaking unfamiliar words.
2. Read children's books aloud. Children's books have little narration and multiple characters, which can help you gain experience with inflections and volume changes. These characteristics help you practice expression in your voice, prevent you from developing a monotone and lend interest to oral presentations.
3. Listen to yourself. Creating a video or audio tape of your reading will help you understand how you sound. For example, many people speak too quickly when giving a public presentation. While listening to yourself, ensure that you are speaking clearly, enunciating correctly and speaking deliberately. Record yourself reading a passage from a book or magazine, listen to it, then try again and note your improvement.
4. Obtain feedback on your performance. Ask those around you to listen to you read aloud and give you feedback. Others can tell you whether you are speaking too quickly or unclearly.
