Free speaking guides
How to speak better, in any situation
Practical structures, common mistakes, practice drills and what the research actually says — for every kind of speech you'll give.
Guides by type of speaking
Persuasive speech
Learn to persuade with evidence, not pressure: Monroe's Motivated Sequence, ethos–pathos–logos, handling objections, and research on what actually changes minds.
9 min readRead guide
Impromptu speaking
Speak well with no preparation: the PREP and Past–Present–Future frameworks, how to buy thinking time, and drills that make impromptu answers sound planned.
8 min readRead guide
Storytelling
Tell stories that stick: the Story Spine, how to open in the middle of the action, using detail and dialogue, and what neuroscience says about why stories work.
8 min readRead guide
Presentation skills
Plan, structure and deliver presentations people follow: the one-message rule, signposting, slide design backed by learning research, and handling Q&A.
9 min readRead guide
Debate
Build arguments that hold up: claim–warrant–impact, four-step refutation, steelmanning, and staying calm and credible under pressure — with research on persuasion.
8 min readRead guide
Elevator pitch
Craft a 30–60 second elevator pitch that opens doors: a simple formula, examples for job seekers and founders, and why first impressions form so quickly.
7 min readRead guide
Job interview answers
Answer interview questions with confidence: the STAR method with examples, how to handle common and tricky questions, and what research says interviewers value.
9 min readRead guide
Eight principles that work for every speech
Whatever you're saying, these habits make you clearer, calmer and more memorable.
- 1
Know your one message
Before anything else, write the one sentence you want people to remember. Everything you say should support it.
- 2
Structure is kindness
Listeners can't re-read. Signposts (“three reasons… first…”) help them follow and remember.
- 3
Pause instead of filling
A silent pause sounds confident. Frequent “um”s and “like”s make you sound unsure.
- 4
Vary your pace and pitch
Slow down and lower your voice for key points. A monotone makes everything sound equally unimportant.
- 5
Be concrete
Specific examples, names and numbers are easier to picture and remember than abstractions.
- 6
Open and close deliberately
People remember beginnings and endings best. Plan your first and last sentences word for word.
- 7
Reframe nerves as excitement
Nervousness and excitement feel similar in the body. Telling yourself “I'm excited” can improve performance.
- 8
Practise out loud, often
Short, frequent spoken practice beats silent reading or one long rehearsal. Record yourself and listen back.
What the research says
Reappraising anxiety as excitement before a public speech improved speakers' performance ratings and made them feel more excited.
Brooks, A. W. (2014). Journal of Experimental Psychology: General.
When communication succeeds, the listener's brain activity couples with the speaker's; stronger coupling predicted better understanding.
Stephens, Silbert & Hasson (2010). PNAS.
Spreading practice over time produces better long-term retention than cramming the same amount into one session.
Cepeda, N. J. et al. (2006). Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis. Psychological Bulletin.
Working memory holds only about four chunks at once — keep spoken points few and clearly grouped.
Cowan, N. (2001). Behavioral and Brain Sciences.
Myth: “93% of communication is non-verbal.” The 7-38-55 figures come from narrow studies of single words expressing feelings and don't apply to speeches or interviews.
Mehrabian, A. (1971). Silent Messages, and later clarifications by the author.
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