Public speaking is not always required for student advocacy, though it may be what comes to mind when we hear the word. A public speaker tries to persuade, motivate, or engage an audience by arguing for a specific message in a certain situation. Public speaking allows you to educate and advocate for yourself and others who may not have access to do so.
Public speaking requires a great deal of mental preparation. To emotionally prepare, focus your attention on the audience and the message. Successful public speaking requires relaxation and complete focus on the task at hand.
Proper sleep and rest are the important steps in physical preparedness. Lack of sleep will influence your energy level and capacity to remain awake during your speech. Also, remember that food is fuel, so eating a nutritious meal is helpful. A third recommendation is to plan your outfit ahead of time for the day you speak so you don’t have to worry about it on the big day. Finally, some stretching or relaxation exercises to loosen your limbs or throat are recommended for physical preparation.
Additionally, practice is the best way to prepare. You will feel confident, clear, and in command of the words you say the more you repeat them. You can ensure that your speech meets the length requirements by practicing and timing yourself continuously. If possible, practice aloud, standing up with your shoes on with your PowerPoint presentation. Have someone to listen to you (other than your dog or cat.) You can also record and watch yourself, taking note of things to improve on the next time you say your speech.
Public speaking has become a crucial platform for advocating for issues for your community and is a great way to get involved in politics. You will have an excellent opportunity to learn about global human rights concerns and discover your voice when fighting for those causes.
You can apply public speaking when testing, lobbying, calling your representatives, and more. You could be invited to represent a student organization, for example. You would be in charge of lobbying on behalf of that organization, which can be both exciting and important.
To be a good advocate, you should be passionate about the organization’s goals, values, and members, so you can appropriately spread their message. To be the most effective, aim to balance your interests along with the goals of the wider community or group when advocating.
Remember that it’s a tremendous honor to be allowed to speak to a larger audience, and it’s not something that everyone gets. It’s critical to take seriously the role of presenting ideas that will affect people when you’re asked to speak. At the end of the day, remember that you were chosen for a reason and be confident!
Article by Kayla Thomas of Seneca Valley High School
Photo courtesy of Unsplash