University of Salford Students’ Union

Public speaking & Assertiveness

Rhiannon CruseStudent Engagement Manager

University of Salford Students’ Union

What we are going to cover

• What makes a good public speaker?• Top tips• Confidence and Assertiveness• Campaigning situations

University of Salford Students’ Union

Good public speaking

Look for examples:• Who is the best speaker you have ever

heard?• Why were they effective?

University of Salford Students’ Union

How to be presidential:

http://youtu.be/HfHbw3n0EIM Make some notes while you watch

University of Salford Students’ Union

Top tipsPitchPace

PowerRepetition

Use of pronounsInflection

Practice, practice, and more practice!

University of Salford Students’ Union

Body language:• Stand up straight• Don’t forget to breathe• Look your audience in the eye• Smile

Top tips

University of Salford Students’ Union

Know your stuff

University of Salford Students’ Union

Be Assertive• Express your wishes, thoughts and feelings

and encourage others to do likewise• Listen to the views of others and respond

appropriately, whether in agreement with those views or not

• Accept responsibilities and admit to mistakes when necessary

• Maintain self-control

University of Salford Students’ Union

Task: You have 10 minutes to:• Write a 2 minute speech about a topic of your

choice• Remember to think about the content and

delivery of your speech• Present your speech to the person sitting next

to you, and vice versa• Give constructive feedback to your partner

University of Salford Students’ Union

Use your skills as a Candidate

• Prepare before campaigning and canvassing• Think about what you want to say, and then

practice how you are going to say it• Be assertive but never aggressive• If people are not interested, it is ok!