Q:   How do I slow down my speech? I speak much too quickly.

A:   One way is to record your voice on a digital recorder and play it back. That may make you more aware of your speed. By using your lips more to enunciate, you will also slow down a bit. Lastly, remember to pause between sentences. Think of each period as a giant stop sign.

Q:   Sometimes when I get nervous, I go blank. Do you have any suggestions?

A:   Being well-prepared will help reduce a major portion of the anxiety, which leads to blanking out. Rehearse the presentation several times with your aids. Bring note cards, so you can briefly refer to them in case you do forget your next point.

Q:   I tend to stutter when giving a presentation, and am not able to get the words out without being tentatative and broken. What can I do?

A:   If you don 't usually stutter when you speak, then work on strategies to reduce the nervousness, such as focusing on the importance of the audience and your message, as well as being well prepared. If you think you will stutter, you will---it 's a self-fulfilling prophecy. Focus on succeeding. Rehearse many times and record your voice into a digital recorder. Listen to it over and over and visualize your success. If you do stutter, don 't apologize or draw attention to it.

Q:   What do I do if the audience appears bored with my presentation?

A:   When you plan the presentation, think of it from the audience’s perspective. During the presentation, involve the audience by asking questions, getting them to picture a better future and telling stories to make points. In addition, work on your vocal variety and use of gestures to become a more confident and dynamic speaker.