ShmoopTube

00:05

[Dino and Coop singing]

00:13

As technology advances, we humans are required to do less and less talking with one another. [Guy sits down in front of a computer]

00:19

Instead of going to the store, we can order everything online.

00:21

Instead of calling to say hello, most people just text.

00:24

We can even order our burger with fries with the touch of a screen. [Huge burger on an iPad screen]

00:27

But there's one thing that a touch screen will never replace…

00:30

….and that's, dun dun duuuun….oral reports. [Teacher pointing to oral reports on the blackboard]

00:35

That's right, there's no way around it. [The screen is smashed]

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You'll have to talk to people.

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Real people. [Girl looking annoyed holding a hammer]

00:39

But don't despair – with a few easy tips, the oral report will be over in no time, and

00:44

you can go back to your life of texting, tweeting, snapping and instagramming.

00:47

Tip number one, speak loudly and clearly.

00:50

It might sound obvious, but when you're up there and the nerves start to kick in, it [Girl has xray and there are butterflies in her stomach]

00:54

can be easy to start mumbling, stuttering and rushing through your speech.

00:58

It may go faster, but no one will know what you're saying, so what good is that? [Boy looks confused]

01:02

You probably put a lot of hard work into preparing your oral report, so don't let it go to waste. [Girl next to a pile of books]

01:06

Be loud, be proud!

01:08

Be clear, be... leap-year?

01:10

Headgear?

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Northern hemisphere?

01:13

Maybe just be loud, proud and clear.

01:15

That works.

01:16

Another tip?

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Stand still.

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Again, seems pretty obvious, right? [Girl running about at the front of class]

01:20

Who's going to skip rope, jog around in circles, or perform a gymnastics routine while delivering [Girl doing flips]

01:25

an oral report on the Founding Fathers? [Girl slips and hurts herself]

01:27

…On second thought, that could be a great way to keep the audience's attention.

01:30

But what we're really talking about is the little movements you might not be aware of.

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Fidgeting hands.

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Shifting weight back and forth.

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Maybe even a little bit of dancing on the spot. [Girl with her fists up]

01:40

It's all distracting to your audience, so plant those feet like roots of a sturdy

01:43

tree and don't budge.

01:45

…Well, that is until you're done your report.

01:47

Then feel free to walk back to your seat. [Girl smiling still stood there]

01:49

It'd probably be pretty weird if you didn't. [Teacher looks confused]

01:52

And when you're speaking, be sure to pause at the end of each sentence.

01:55

Run-on sentences in your essay are a big no-no. [Huge sentence on a piece of paper]

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But run-on sentences in an oral presentation?

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That's just downright confusing.

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So pace yourself.

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Last, but certainly not least, use expression in your voice.

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Everyone's had that really boring and monotone teacher, librarian or instructor.

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The one that speaks in the same... slow... and.... emotionless.... tone... the entire time. [Teacher talking to a class]

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While that kind of speaking is great for putting people to sleep, it's not exactly good for [Students asleep in class]

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delivering an engaging oral report.

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So get passionate!

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Excited!

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Interested!

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When you sound enthusiastic, your audience can't help but feel it, too. [Teacher riding a horse]

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By speaking loudly and clearly, standing still, pausing when appropriate, and using expression, [Coop pointing at a blackboard]

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you'll be able to impress during your next oral presentation.

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And if you're still worried your audience won't love you, just bring in a box of donuts

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for everyone to enjoy.

02:47

Nothing like pastry-based bribery to get an audience to warm up to you. [Guy holding up a box of donuts]

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