Oral Reports Cornwall ON

Steps

1. Go to Wikipedia and search for your topic. Despite it's academic reputation, Wikipedia is definitely a great starting point; just make sure to write down the related footnotes instead of Wikipedia as a source.
2. Read the article through, scanning for related and interesting facts on the topic.
3. As you find the points you'd like to make in your report, paraphrase them in bullet format in a word processor, such as Microsoft Word or Open Office. The reason you should use bullet format is that if you don't have complete sentences to read off a page, you look more human to your audience. You will also have to make sure you know what each bullet point means, forcing you to practice.
4. Open all the external links that the article hyperlinks to, and read them thoroughly. Again, if you find facts you'd like to reference, write them down in bullet format in your word processor. At this step make sure to write down the URLs for any external links you use.
5. If you don't have enough material, search Google for some more sources and information. Answers.com is also a great reference. Otherwise, go to the next step.
6. Compile all your sources into a list, in the format your teacher or professor prefers.
7. Streamline your bullet points as much as possible. Write down the basic point you'd like to make(summarized in one key word, if possible), and any necessary statistics or facts. The bullet point method requires that you know what you are talking about, and that you are able to improvise vocally from sentence to sentence. If you are afraid you won't be great at this, practice before adding more to your bullets.
8. Re-read your outline; when you are confident it is the best possible, print it out.
9. Practice, practice, practice! Get to the point where you are making a speech - and not just reading your paper. If it helps, have a friend critique you.

Tips

• The best way to learn a speech is to practice it several times over.
• Remember that you will usually speak faster in front of an audience. Keep this in mind if you have a time limit to aim for.
• Make eye contact while making your points, and use hand gestures at key points. If you overuse hand gestures, it minimizes the impact you make when you use a hand gesture on the most important point, but a nice median will successfully compliment your voice and eyes.

Warnings

• Do not panic; that will do nothing to help you. Just start, and get as much as done possible.
• Make sure to allot the right amount of time to each project; if it is only worth a small amount in relation to your final grade, don't overdo the report.

Things You'll Need

• Internet access
• Printer or a pen/pencil and paper

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