Public speaking is a craft. It is the oral communication by which the speaker conveys his thoughts to the target audience. Public speaking is regarded as an essential quality of good leadership. It paves the way to expand one’s own personality .Thus, everyone should try to master the art of public speaking because it has several advantages. In order to become an effective public speaker, one should possess the following:
• Command on  language.
• Knowledge of the subject.
• Bright voice.
• Fluency of expression.
• Good body language.
 
Command on language is the first requirement to become a good public speaker. A public speaker should posses a good stock of vocabulary. Words are the vehicles of thoughts. Communication does not happen in isolation. Oral expression cannot take place without words. Words can arouse kind feelings, kindle emotions, cause insult, please, instruct, hurt, inspire or motivate. Style may be defined as the right word in the right place. So, the choice of words is very important in public speaking.

Good knowledge of subject matter is quite necessary for a public speaker to make an impact. Poor subject knowledge often fails to attract the attention of the audience. Before making a public speech, prepare well in advance on the topic that you are going to speak. Outline a simple plan of procedure with three or four main ideas. Do some research on the topic beforehand to avoid embarrassment. Your success largely depends on how you present your point of view.
A bright voice is a mark of good personality. A clear  voice has to have flexibility and strength. Proper breathing enhances these two aspects of one’s tone .Deep breathing exercises help in developing a resonant voice which is clear and vibrant. Just as singers and actors constantly practice to enrich the quality of their tone, so also a public speaker should continuously strive to enhance his voice culture. A powerful and sonorous tone adds life and colour to a speech.
 
Fluency of expression is a prerequisite to a public speaker. Though some people are born fluent, fluency can be learned by practice. Fluency can be acquired by reading good books and by listening to prominent speakers. Listening to English news and watching English programmes on TV channels will be of great help to improve one’s fluency. In the initial stages, we can imitate the other speakers and later on develop our own style. As the saying goes, ‘Style is the man’ one can develop one’s own style by a concerted effort.

Body language is to be taken care of by a public speaker. Pay close attention to your body language. Look straight at the audience. Eye behaviour plays a crucial role in public speaking. Eye contact is a non-verbal technique that helps the speaker establish communication with the audience. If the speaker looks constantly at only one person, the other people feel neglected. Mannerisms like heavy breathing raising the eyebrows and awkward use of the hands should be strictly avoided. Fidgeting with things like chalk pieces, keys, buttons and pens should be avoided. Uttering sounds such as ‘mmm…’, ‘err..’, ‘I mean..’, etc show diffidence. Be confident and bold. These bad habits distract the attention of the listeners. Be well groomed and dress according to the occasion.
By studying the speeches of the world’s greatest personalities like Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King, Swami Vivekananda, Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr.Radhakrishnan, one can surely improve one’s presentation skills. Their speeches are meticulously planned and are neatly organized. The language is characterized by simplicity and lucidity and lends a lyrical charm. Especially, Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, Swami Vivekananda’s address to the World Parliament of Religions at Chicago, Martin Luther King’s memorable speech ‘I Have a Dream’ and Jawaharlal Nehru’s ‘Tryst with Destiny’ must be read by everyone, who wishes to become a powerful public speaker. Though these speeches were delivered long ago, they are still relevant and are considered as masterpieces.

Careful preparation is required in a presentation. Rehearse well, however, do not memorize or read out your speech. Relax and try to be natural. Be resourceful and make your speech look spontaneous. The audience will get bored if the speech is dull and uninteresting. Add a generous touch of humour to pep up the talk. Finally, be yourself.