A wedding toast can be a scary thing, especially if you aren’t used to standing up and talking in front of large groups of people.

To make matters worse, you will probably be delivering your wedding toast when you are tired and you might have had a little too much to drink.

Add this to the fact that the video camera is going to be zoomed in to catch every facial expression and every syllable you say and you’ve got one tough situation to deal with.

So how...

You have found the speech, you have practiced it diligently, and now comes the moment where you show everyone what it is you have been working on late into the night.  The Declamation rounds are where your dedication to detail will be seen.  That is, if you can calm your heartbeat and capture those butterflies wispily lofting about in your stomach.  Too often panic bests us and tampers with all the precision we have planed for our version of a perfect performance. ...

Public Speaking is one of the fears that most people have. However, some people actually have raw talent when it comes to public speaking. If you have talked or has given a speech in your best friend’s or a relative's wedding and enjoyed the experience, then you might have the skill to become a motivational speaker. If you want to pursue this kind of career, here are some steps on how to start being a motivational speaker:

1. Find something that you can speak about. The best...

Have you ever wondered; what it would be like if you had a better and sexier voice than what you have right now? You can make your voice deeper and sound really attractive to listen to. Most women say they would rather hang out with a guy with a strong, deepen, and masculine voice rather than someone with a normal or worst still a squeaky disgusting voice.

There are so many people in the world today who are suffering with squeaky voices and would like to do something about...

How to make people listen to you?

Do you want people to listen and pay attention to what you say? Do you get frustrated when you talk and no one is interested in what you say?

You probably spend a lot of time interacting and talking with your colleagues, friends, and family every day. Yet, it happens so often that you will be saying something and the people you are having a conversation with are not listening to what you are trying to say, which usually frustrates you as...

So you "have" to do a eulogy speech . . . or maybe you "want" to get a chance to express in public all the deep feelings you have for your loved one who has passed away.

Yes, I know it's a tough time to write a eulogy speech or anything else for that matter. Yes, I know you're probably distraught and having a hard time focusing. That's OK. I'm going to give you an easy tip to get going. Where do you start?

One of the best elements to include in a eulogy...

Extemporaneous Speaking is a hard event.  Practice entails not only scheduled practice runs but also regular updating of files for the box, keeping current with National and World affairs from research, improvements to public speaking, enhancing outlining/speech writing skills, and analysis work.  It is an event that, when done properly, will push you due to the sheer amount of skills you need.  But all of these abilities can be taught and honed.  However, it is with...

This past April when Susan Boyle walked onto the stage and approached the microphone onBritian’s Got Talent, the Irish singer was judged entirely on her appearance.  Her audience assumed that her performance would be a disaster and responded to her entrance most negatively and with laughter.  Even after she opened her mouth in answer to Simon Cowell's questions, those in the crowd were expecting this woman to make a fool of herself.  Little did they know.

When...

One of the most pervasive principles in the construction of humorous situations is the Rule of Three. You will see it used over and over because it is simple. It is powerful and it works (see I just used it there in a non-funny situation). Most of the time in humor the Rule of Three is used in the following fashion: The first comment names the topic, the second sets a pattern, and the third unexpectedly switches the pattern which is funny. Here's a few examples from brochures...

Toasting is not nearly as common as it once was. However, the polished public speaker should have a few short toasts ready to go if and when the occasion arises. Here are a few fun toasts and a few touching ones too:

Birthdays:

To your birthday, glass held high. Glad it's you that's older not I.

Heres to you. No matter how old you are, you don't look it.

Christmas:

'Twas the month after Christmas, and Santa had flit; Came there tidings in the mail, which...