Learning how to speak in public comes down to four things you can practice: one clear message, a simple structure, rehearsal out loud and a calm delivery. You do not need a gift for talking, and you do not need to memorize a script. Below you will find six steps, a ready-made plan for a five-minute talk, a checklist for the last 48 hours and honest advice on where our book in Spanish by Mateo Nevarez fits in.
In brief:
- Build the talk around one message you can say in a sentence.
- Use three parts: an opening, two or three points and a close.
- Speak from keywords, not a script, and rehearse out loud.
- Pause on purpose and look at a few friendly faces.
- Test the room and the equipment before you start.
In this article · 9 min read
What speaking in public really asks of you
A talk is not a text read aloud. It is a conversation in which you do most of the talking, and the audience decides in the first seconds whether it is worth following. The writing center of the University of North Carolina puts it simply: before you write anything, decide what you want your listeners to learn, think or do, and think about who they are, what they already know and why they are listening (UNC Writing Center).
That is good news, because it means most of the work happens before you stand up. A speaker who knows the one thing the audience should remember has already solved half of the problem. The rest is a matter of shape (structure), sound (voice and pauses) and practice.
Whether your talk is a presentation at work, a class exposé, a toast or a short speech at a meeting, the same method applies. Only the length and the formality change.
How to speak in public: 6 steps
- Start with the audience and one message. Write one sentence that finishes "After my talk, they will…". The UNC Writing Center asks you to think about what the audience shares, how much they already know and what level of detail works for them. If you cannot say your message in one sentence, the talk is not ready yet.
- Build three parts. Toastmasters International suggests an outline with an introduction, a body with supporting points and a conclusion, and recommends that the conclusion includes a call to action (Toastmasters International). Two or three points are enough for a short talk. Tell people early where you are going, then say "first", "second" and "third" so they can follow.
- Open strong, in your own way. The UNC Writing Center lists four ways to hook an audience: a short anecdote, a surprising statistic, a direct question or an invitation to take part. Toastmasters says you have about 30 seconds to hold attention. Pick the one that sounds like you and write the first sentence word for word, because that is the sentence you will be most nervous about.
- Speak from keywords, not from a script. Toastmasters advises against memorizing word for word: know your main point and how each section leads to the next, and use simple bullet points if you need a prompt. A guide from MIT says the same thing more bluntly: do not write out a full text to memorize (MIT, 21.guide). Five or six keywords on a card are usually enough.
- Keep your slides light. A slide is there to show something your voice cannot, such as an image or a chart. Toastmasters suggests testing your talk without slides first, to check that the point lands. If a slide has to be read, it probably has too much on it. Never turn your back on the audience to read the screen: the MIT guide notes that you will seem distracted and will be harder to hear.
- Rehearse out loud, with a timer. Toastmasters is clear that silent rehearsal is not enough: say the talk aloud, time a full run-through and expect to go a little slower on the day. Record yourself once to notice filler words and pace, and ask a friend specific questions such as "Where did I lose you?" instead of "What did you think?".
A ready-made plan for a five-minute talk
Most guides tell you to "structure your talk" without showing what that looks like. Here is a plan you can copy and adapt. Toastmasters estimates that three pages of double-spaced text take about five minutes to say aloud, so five minutes is also a realistic first length.
| Part | Time | What you do | A sentence you can adapt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hook | 0:00–0:30 | One question, short story or surprising fact | "Who here has ever lost an hour in a meeting that could have been an email?" |
| Message | 0:30–1:00 | Say your main point in one sentence and what is coming | "Today I want to show you three changes that save us time." |
| Point 1 | 1:00–2:00 | One idea, one example | "First, we shorten the weekly meeting. Here is what happened last month." |
| Point 2 | 2:00–3:00 | One idea, one example | "Second, we write decisions down. This is how it looks." |
| Point 3 | 3:00–4:00 | One idea, one example | "Third, we ask for questions in advance." |
| Close | 4:00–5:00 | Restate the message in fresh words, then one clear next step | "If you remember one thing: shorter meetings, written decisions. Start this week." |
Two details make a difference. First, leave room for pauses: Toastmasters notes that a five-second pause can feel very long to you but gives the audience time to absorb an important point, and that pauses add to your total time. Second, plan one or two moments to involve people, such as a raised-hand question. The same guide suggests one to three of them, and says not to force it.
Delivery: voice, pauses, eyes and body
The talk you prepared reaches people through your voice and your presence. A few habits help most.
- Vary your pace. Toastmasters suggests raising your energy at key points and slowing down and lowering your voice at others. A steady monotone is harder to follow than a speaker who changes tempo.
- Pause after the important sentence. Pauses also replace the "um" and "okay" that speakers tend to put between sentences, as the MIT guide points out.
- Look at people, not at your notes. Choose a few individuals in different parts of the room and speak a full thought to each of them. Toastmasters recommends practicing this in rehearsal so it feels natural. If eye contact makes you nervous, many speakers look just above the heads of the audience, which looks much the same from the back of the room.
- Let your hands help. Gestures that show size, shape or emotion feel natural and support your words. Gestures made out of nervousness do not, according to the MIT guide. Move with a purpose, for example to another part of the stage when you start a new point, instead of pacing.
- Breathe before you begin. Take one slow breath, look at the room and start with your first sentence. If you lose your thread, pause, breathe and go back to your last keyword.
The last 48 hours: a short checklist
- Say the talk out loud once more, standing up, from the opening to the final sentence.
- Check the length against your time slot and cut what is not essential.
- Prepare cards with five or six keywords and the first sentence in full.
- Arrive early, test the equipment and have a plan B (for example, a version of your slides saved on a drive).
- Prepare answers to two or three questions you are likely to be asked.
- Drink water, sleep and eat something light: the best preparation is a rested speaker.
Where our book fits
Books Go publishes a broad handbook on everyday communication by Mateo Nevarez. It does not exist in English: the edition shown below is the Spanish one, Lenguaje Corporal, Comunicación Persuasiva y Retórica, so it is useful if you read Spanish comfortably. The same book is also published in French and German under other titles.
One chapter is devoted to public speaking and oratory. It gathers sixteen tips, among them opening in an original way, speaking naturally from keywords, interacting with the audience, adapting to who is listening, keeping slides sparse and mostly visual, practicing at home, breathing, pausing, moving a little, using humor and looking at the second-to-last row of the room. Other chapters cover body language, active listening and assertiveness, which support the same skills.
It is a general handbook, not a course on public speaking and not a book about anxiety or therapy. If you want one place to go from everyday conversation to a talk at work, it gives you a clear framework and exercises you can do alone. A Spanish audiobook exists too.
If nerves are your main obstacle, start with our article on the fear of public speaking. To build the conversational side, see active listening and how to read body language. You will find our other titles on the Books Go Publications home page and more ideas on the Books Go blog.
When to ask a professional
Nervousness before a talk is normal. Talk to a doctor or a psychologist if the fear lasts for months, makes you avoid meetings, classes or opportunities that matter to you, or comes with very intense symptoms such as a pounding heart, trouble breathing or feeling faint. A speech coach or a practice group can help with technique; a professional can help when the fear itself is the problem. If you are in distress, you can find a helpline in the international directory Find a Helpline.
Frequently asked questions about speaking in public
How do I start a speech?
Open with one of four things: a short story, a surprising fact, a direct question or a moment of participation. Write the first sentence in full and say it with a pause before it. A clear opening also tells the audience what the talk is about.
How long should a talk be?
As long as your time slot allows, and often a little shorter. As a rule of thumb from Toastmasters, three double-spaced pages take about five minutes, and pauses add time. Rehearse with a timer and cut rather than speak faster.
Should I memorize my speech?
Usually not. A memorized text can fall apart at the first gap in memory, and it tends to sound flat. Keywords and a well-rehearsed first and last sentence give you structure and still let you sound natural.
What do I do with my hands?
Let them describe what you say: size, shape, a direction or an emotion. When you are not gesturing, let them rest naturally at your sides. Avoid crossing your arms or holding something that you may fiddle with.
How can I avoid saying "um"?
Replace the filler with a short pause. Recording one rehearsal helps you see how often you use it. You will rarely remove it completely, and a few fillers do not harm a good talk.
How many slides should I use?
As few as it takes to show what your voice cannot. Start by preparing the talk without slides, then add only those that carry an image, a chart or a key figure. The text of a slide should be readable at a glance, from the back of the room.
What if I forget what to say?
Stop, take a breath and look at your next keyword or repeat your last sentence. A few seconds of silence feel long to you and barely register with the audience. Then carry on.
