On November 22, Matt Standridge talked to Mr. Perry’s Advance Speech and Communication class. Matt Standridge is a Meteorologist from WTHR Channel 13 news station. Since graduating college, Matt has had the opportunity to work as an Aviation Meteorologist for the government and news stations in Arkansas, Ohio, and Indiana. Matt Standridge presented to the class the six tips he has learned from his experiences speaking to an audience. Matt expressed, “Your public speaking skills will put you above your future Colleagues.”
Here are Matt’s Six Tips for Public Speaking:
1. Don’t just read from your presentation
Matt Standridge encourages the class not to read directly from your slide presentation. Having the ability to explain and teach your topic to an audience will add value to your presentation.
2. Know what you’re talking about
- Be able to explain it
When presenting, you should be able to explain the topic. Know specific facts and statistics related to your topic.
- Highlight photos and graphics.
Add photos and graphics to your presentation as a visual image for your audience.
- If you have to memorize…
One of the most strenuous factors in public speaking is memorizing your information. Matt gave methods that helped him when delivering his speeches. How do you know all the lyrics to a song? Repetition. Practice your speech in front of your family or mirror. Another helpful method, record yourself giving your speech and listen to it repeatedly.
3. Storytelling/Memories
One of the most engaging methods is to tell a personal story or memory. For example, Matt shared a memory with his friends in college. Matt attended Valparaiso University in northern Indiana. This particular area of Indiana experiences a record amount of snowfall. At Valparaiso University, students host a snow-building competition. That year, Matt and his friends built a life-size Mini Cooper, including yellow and red colors for the lights. It’s safe to say that his team won that year!
4. Pauses
Taking the appropriate pauses at the ideal time allows your audience to understand you. If you speed through it, how much will the audience be able to recollect your points? Remember to slow down and breathe at the right moments.
5. Changing your pace
Matt highlights the importance of changing pace and volume throughout your presentation. Changing pace and volume will emphasize particular points and allow your audience to understand crucial points.
6. Smiling and Body language
The way you present yourself to your audience gives them an image. Remember to have good posture, face your audience, smile with your eyes, and keep movements slow. Keep your body calm, and welcome them with a smile.
Matt also highlighted the importance of not relying on AI. Being yourself gives more value to your speech. Your thoughts, ideas, and research will impact the audience more than a generated presentation.
Matt Standgridge’s visit was incredibly insightful, providing students with tips and tricks to successfully deliver any speech. Matt guarantees with these six tips everyone can become extraordinary speakers.
Thank you, Matt Standridge, for your visit to Seymour High School! Thank you, Mr.Perry, for inviting an incredible guest speaker!
