How to Study

Don’t overuse statistics. While they’re very important for
lending credibility to your position, too many will only weigh
down your speech and bore your audience.
■
Anecdotes add color and life to your talk. But use them
sparingly, because they can slow down your speech. Get to
the punch line before the yawns start. 
■
Be careful with quotes. Unlike a term paper, a speech
allows you to establish yourself as an authority with less fear
of being accused of plagiarism. So you can present a lot more
facts without attribution. (But you’d better have the sources 
in case you’re asked about your facts.) You can use quotes,
though, when they contain distinctive language or elicit an
emotion. Be sure to attribute the source. 
I’ve found that trying to shuffle a bunch of papers in front of a class is
difficult. Note cards that fit in the palm of your hand are a lot easier
to use, but only if the notes on them are very short and to the point.
Then they act as “triggers” rather than verbatim cue cards. The
shorter the notes— and the more often you practice your report so
each note triggers the right information—the more effective your
report will be. (And the less you will have to look at them, making eye
contact with your class and teacher easier.)
Chapter 7 
■
How to Write Terrific Papers
169

---

Here are ways to make oral reports more effective:
■
Pick out one person to talk to—preferably a friend, but any
animated and/or interested person will do—and direct your
talk at him or her. 
■
Practice, practice, practice your presentation. Jangled nerves
are often the result of a lack of confidence. The more confident
you are that you know your material, the less nervous you will
be, and the better and more spontaneous your presentation
will be. 
■
If you are like me and suffer from involuntary “shakes” at the
mere thought of standing in front of a roomful of people, make
sure you can use a lectern, desk, or something to cling to.
Take a deep breath before you go to the front of the class. And don’t
worry about pausing, even taking another deep breath or two, if you
lose your place or find your confidence slipping away. 
If every trick in the world still doesn’t calm you down, consider taking
a public speaking course (Dale Carnegie, et al), joining the Toastmasters
Club, or seeking out similar extracurricular help. 
How to Study
170

---

T
hroughout your educational life—and, more than likely, the
rest of your life—testing will be an inevitable if sometimes
frightening and distressing reality. The sooner you learn 
the techniques of preparing for, taking, and mastering tests, the bet-
ter off you’ll be.