If you want to keep your audience members engaged, look at them! That may require breaking yourself of the habit of reading from your presentation slides. Reading your slides makes it look as if you aren’t familiar with your own content (and people can read for themselves). If you must rely on slides, says David Murray in his podcast, place your laptop in front of you for reference. That way, you face the audience and maintain eye contact.
Do You Speak Correctly?
There are rules we probably learned all the way back in elementary school about how to construct sentences. However, it turns out that what we learned may no longer be true today. Can you start (or end) a sentence with a preposition? Read this Accidental Communicator post for guidance on this and other grammar misconceptions.
Also of interest: AI, Authenticity, and…Stand-Up Comedy?
In this Toastmasters International podcast episode, Aman Chopra shares inspirational stories and deep insights into the role of learning in supportive communities, and what it means to be authentic. Chopra is a public speaking coach, standup-comedian, and a recent graduate from the NYU Tandon School of Engineering where he explored the intersection of emerging media technologies and live performance.