The Secret to Public Speaking Isn't Speaking

Lucas Yencho | Writer

Credit: freestocks-photos via Pixabay

Public speaking is one of those things that most students tend to try and avoid. Trust me, I used to be the same way– overthinking every small presentation and assignment, hoping I don’t fall apart in front of everyone.

Like a lot of people, I would get nervous, forget my lines, and ultimately end up reading off of whatever slides were behind me. Presenting never felt natural; in fact, it ended up hurting my academics throughout early education.

What changed for me was not speaking more or practicing over and over again. It was through writing that I found my stride. 

As I started writing more, I was able to be creative and organized with how I communicated. Organizing my thoughts on paper instead of just “winging it” helped me know what I wanted to say, and exactly how I wanted to say it. This approach helped me think more clearly and structure ideas in a way that made sense to me. 

Once I had that down, speaking became a lot easier. 

I was scrambling for words less, felt more in control, and most importantly, everything felt natural and fluid. 

The nerves did not disappear; they just were not in control anymore. 

If there is one thing I would tell students, it would be to write before you speak. Even a quick outline could make a huge difference. It is your presentation, your story. So, tell it your way. I like to say, reading is how you write, and writing is how you speak.