Title: Public Speaking Body Language And Story Structure — LearnCoachAssist

Q: Open a talk in the first 30 seconds — what works?
A: Story, surprising stat, provocative question, or a quick demo. Avoid 'Today I'll talk about X' openings.

Q: Three-part story structure for talks?
A: Setup → Conflict → Resolution. Audience cares about the conflict; the resolution is your point.

Q: Rule of three?
A: Group ideas in threes — easier to remember and rhetorically pleasing (Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness).

Q: Slide rule of thumb?
A: One idea per slide. Big text. Few words. Image > bullets. If audience is reading the slide they aren't listening.

Q: Eye contact pattern?
A: Hold contact with one person for one full sentence, then move to another. Avoid 'lighthouse' sweeping or staring at the back wall.

Q: How to handle nerves before going on stage?
A: Box breathing (4-4-4-4), power pose for 2 minutes, walk briskly, sip water. Nerves are normal; reframe as excitement.

Q: Posture rules?
A: Feet shoulder-width, weight balanced, shoulders down and back, hands visible (gesturing or relaxed at sides). Avoid arms crossed or pockets.

Q: Vocal variety — what to vary?
A: Pace (slow for emphasis), pitch (higher for energy, lower for authority), pauses (silence is a tool).

Q: Why pauses matter?
A: Give the audience time to process and you time to breathe. 1-2 seconds feels long to you, normal to them.

Q: How to deal with a tough question?
A: Pause. Repeat to confirm. Answer concisely. If you don't know: 'I don't know — but here's how I'd find out.'

Q: Reduce filler words (um, like, you know)?
A: Record yourself and count. Practice replacing fillers with a beat of silence. Slow down overall pace.

Q: How to structure a 10-minute talk?
A: Hook (1m) → One main point (6m) → Call to action / takeaway (1m) → Q&A buffer (2m).

Q: Story arc for personal stories?
A: Specific moment → tension → discovery → universal lesson. Avoid 'I learned a lot' generalities.

Q: How long to rehearse?
A: Roughly 1 hour of practice per minute of talk for high-stakes presentations. Less for routine.

Q: Body language for confidence?
A: Open stance, deliberate gestures (no fidgeting), planted feet, hands above waist when gesturing.

Q: How to use the stage?
A: Move with purpose between sections — anchors transitions visually. Avoid pacing nervously.

Q: What to do if you forget your place?
A: Pause. Take a breath. Reference your last point. Don't apologize. The audience won't notice unless you announce it.

Q: Tips for virtual presentations?
A: Camera at eye level, light source in front, plain background, look at camera (not your own face), stand if possible.

Q: Reading audience disengagement signs?
A: Phone use, side talk, glazed eyes. Re-engage with a question, a story, or by changing format (poll, exercise).

Q: Handling a hostile question?
A: Acknowledge the emotion ('I hear this is frustrating'), restate to make sure you understand, give a brief honest answer, move on.

Q: Use of slides as speaker notes?
A: Don't. Slides are for the audience; notes are for you. Use confidence monitor or printed notes if needed.

Q: Best length for a presentation?
A: As long as needed, no longer. TED talks are 18 minutes for a reason — attention drops sharply after 20.

Q: Quick technique to land a closer?
A: Echo your opening (callback). Or end on a single sentence so memorable you stop and don't add anything.

Q: How to introduce a slide before clicking?
A: Tell the audience what they're about to see in one sentence; then advance. Their attention will follow your voice, not the screen.

Q: Why memorize the first 60 seconds?
A: Nerves spike at the start. Knowing your opener cold lets you ride out the spike and find rhythm.

Q: Drink water — why?
A: Dry mouth = strained voice. Room-temperature water; avoid cold (constricts vocal folds) and dairy (mucus).

Q: Q&A: handling 'this is more of a comment than a question'?
A: Let them speak briefly, then offer a polite redirect: 'Thanks for that perspective. Other questions?'

Q: Story rule for executive audiences?
A: Conclusion first, then supporting evidence. Be ready to defend with details if they probe.

Q: Common signal of nervousness?
A: Hands clasped behind back or in pockets. Bring them forward and use them deliberately.

Q: How to handle technical failure?
A: Stay calm. Have a backup (printed slides, offline copy). The audience usually finds it more relatable when you handle it with humor.

Q: Power phrase for emphasis?
A: 'And here's why that matters.' Forces audience to refocus on the takeaway.

Q: What is the 'curse of knowledge'?
A: Forgetting that beginners don't share your vocabulary or context. Counter: explain the obvious; show, don't name; use analogies.

Q: Speaker's curse of knowledge — practical fix?
A: Before talks, test the explanation on a non-expert. If they glaze over, simplify further.

Q: Why specific beats abstract?
A: Brain remembers concrete images (a red Toyota, not 'a vehicle'). Use specific names, numbers, and sensory details in stories.

Q: SUCCESs framework for sticky messages (Heath brothers)?
A: Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotional, Stories.

Q: What is signposting?
A: Verbal cues that show structure: 'First… Second… Finally…' or 'Here's the surprise.' Helps audience follow.

Q: What is chunking in delivery?
A: Breaking content into 3-5 word phrases with micro-pauses between. Replaces filler-heavy rambling.

Q: Pacing in words per minute?
A: Conversational: ~150 wpm. Stage speech: ~125 wpm. Slow down further for technical content or non-native audiences.

Q: How to project without straining?
A: Breathe from the diaphragm; aim voice toward the back wall; open jaw and mouth more than feels natural. Avoid throat shouting.

Q: Vocal warmup checklist?
A: Hum scales, tongue trills (brrr), lip buzzes, articulate tongue twisters, sip warm water. 5 minutes before going on.

Q: Why diaphragmatic breathing?
A: Engages the strong muscle for breath support. Test: hand on belly, breath should push it out (not chest rising).

Q: Mehrabian myth — what's overstated?
A: The '7%-38%-55%' rule comes from a narrow study on emotion congruence — it doesn't mean 93% of communication is non-verbal. Content still matters most.

Q: Charisma in plain terms?
A: Presence + power + warmth (Olivia Fox Cabane). Cultivated, not innate.

Q: Practicing presence?
A: Single-task while listening. Eyes on the speaker; phone away. Audience feels seen.

Q: What is a 'callback'?
A: Re-referencing an earlier story or phrase later in the talk. Creates a sense of cohesion and 'aha' moments.

Q: Power of a single word title?
A: A talk titled 'Vulnerability' (Brown) outperforms 'Embracing Imperfection through Authentic Connection'. Sharp titles travel.

Q: Confidence vs arrogance signals?
A: Confidence: warm eye contact, open posture, others-focused humor.
Arrogance: cutting others off, looking past listeners, self-glorifying anecdotes.

Q: Q&A — admit you don't know?
A: Yes. 'Great question — I don't know, but I'd point you to X.' Builds credibility; pretending erodes it.

Q: The 'last impression' effect?
A: People remember the start and end most (primacy + recency). Plan both deliberately.

Q: Hook types — what works?
A: Provocative claim, vivid story, surprising stat, rhetorical question, brief demo. Pick one — don't stack them.

Q: Avoid the 'thank you for having me' opening?
A: It costs your first 10 seconds on nothing. Save thanks for the end, or skip them.

Q: Storytelling — show vs tell?
A: Show: 'I stared at the email for 90 seconds.' Tell: 'I was nervous.' Sensory details beat adjectives.

Q: What is a 'pivot' in story structure?
A: The moment the story changes — the decision, the realization, the news. Land it clearly and pause.

Q: 'Show me, don't tell me' principle?
A: Trust the audience to infer the emotion or lesson from the details. Don't pre-chew the meaning.

Q: Why too many slides hurt?
A: More slides = more transitions = more fragmentation. Aim for one slide per minute or fewer.

Q: Slide design — text rule?
A: No font smaller than 28pt. If you can't see it from the back row, no one can.

Q: 6 × 6 rule (or kill it)?
A: Older rule: max 6 bullets, 6 words each. Modern: ditch bullets, use 1 image + a few words.

Q: Why bullet lists put audiences to sleep?
A: They read silently in a third of the time you speak them, then drift. Replace with images, diagrams, or single statements.

Q: Effective use of stats in slides?
A: Show one big number with context. '94% of users completed the task — up from 31%.' Comparison frames the meaning.

Q: Best slide aspect ratio for modern projectors?
A: 16:9. 4:3 looks dated and wastes screen real estate.

Q: Why include a 'why now' slide?
A: Audiences disengage if the topic feels evergreen. Connect it to current events or a recent shift.

Q: Storytelling rule for data talks?
A: Lead with the narrative, support with the data. Don't read the chart; tell the story it supports.

Q: The Pixar story spine?
A: 'Once upon a time… Every day… One day… Because of that… Until finally…' Reusable arc for any change-driven story.

Q: Why a personal anecdote belongs in technical talks?
A: Builds trust before logic. Hearts open before minds. 90-second story can carry 45 minutes of content.

Q: Show vulnerability — how much?
A: Calibrate to the audience. Internal team meetings: more. Stage at a conference: enough to be relatable, not overwhelming.

Q: TED commandment 1?
A: 'Thou shalt not steal the topic of another speaker.' Talks are unique to the speaker.

Q: TED commandment 2?
A: 'Thou shalt dream a great dream, or show forth a wondrous new thing, or share something thou hast never shared before.'

Q: TED commandment 4?
A: 'Thou shalt cite thy sources.' Credit the data and the thinkers.

Q: TED commandment 5?
A: 'Thou shalt not flaunt thine ego. Be thou vulnerable. Speak of thy failure as well as thy success.'

Q: TED commandment — favorite (10)?
A: 'Thou shalt not steal the time of those who listen.' Respect the clock; rehearse to time.

Q: Open with a question — best type?
A: A question that the audience can silently answer 'yes' to (or hasn't thought about). Builds rapport before content.

Q: Why not open with a joke?
A: Cold rooms don't laugh. Tepid response kills your confidence. Save humor for after the first hook lands.

Q: Self-deprecating humor — when to use?
A: Sparingly, never about your competence on the talk's topic. 'I broke the projector last time' is fine; 'I'm not really qualified' undermines.

Q: Three-part 'rule of three' examples?
A: 'I came, I saw, I conquered.' / 'Stop, drop, and roll.' / 'Government of the people, by the people, for the people.'

Q: Anaphora — what is it?
A: Repeating the same word/phrase at the start of consecutive sentences ('We will fight on the beaches…'). Builds rhythm and emphasis.

Q: Antithesis?
A: Setting opposite ideas in parallel structure ('Ask not what your country can do for you…'). Creates memorable contrast.

Q: The 'magic three' in opening hooks?
A: Three short sentences that pull the audience in: a fact, a question, a payoff. Quick to deliver; high engagement.

Q: What is a 'lapel mic' tip?
A: Mount 6-8 inches below the chin, off-center. Test before going live. Don't touch.

Q: Handheld mic technique?
A: 2-4 inches from mouth, slight tilt. Don't drop it when gesturing.

Q: Pacing slow vs fast — when to choose?
A: Slow for emphasis, important data, complex idea. Fast for excitement, anecdote, building energy.

Q: Why not memorize verbatim?
A: Verbatim memorization breaks under nerves and feels robotic. Memorize the outline + key phrases.

Q: What is the 'speaker's triangle'?
A: The arc on stage between three positions — center, left, right. Move to each for major sections; anchors transitions.

Q: How to handle a heckler?
A: Don't engage on their terms. Acknowledge briefly, offer to discuss after, return to your point. Audiences side with composure.

Q: Stage fright — physiological tactic?
A: Place feet flat, exhale longer than inhale (e.g., 4-in, 6-out). Calms the vagus nerve and slows heart rate.

Q: 'Power posing' — current evidence?
A: Original effect-size claims didn't replicate, but body posture does affect mood and confidence subjectively. Use it for self-priming, not for hormone hacks.

Q: Walking onto stage — what to do in first 5 seconds?
A: Pause. Make eye contact with 2-3 people. Plant feet. Smile. Begin with your hook.

Q: What's a 'safety word' for getting back on track?
A: A scripted sentence you can drop in to re-center if you get lost ('Let's bring this back to the original question…').

Q: Open with a brief silence — why?
A: Pause before speaking. Forces audience to look up. Sets you as the authority in the room.

Q: Avoid disclaimers at the start?
A: 'I'm not the best speaker' or 'I prepared this on the plane' signals low confidence. Skip them.

Q: Reading the room — what to look for?
A: Posture, phones, eye contact, laughter, nods. Adjust pace and energy on the fly.

Q: A 30-second story structure?
A: One sentence setup, one sentence problem, one sentence resolution, one sentence takeaway. 4 lines max.

Q: Why 'pause for laugh' works?
A: Lets the laugh build instead of stepping on it. Counts 'one Mississippi' after the punchline before continuing.

Q: What is the 'hot moment'?
A: When a comment or question creates strong emotion. Slow down, acknowledge, then continue — don't ignore it.

Q: Audience size and energy — what changes?
A: Bigger room needs bigger gestures, slower pace, louder voice. Small room: conversational, looser, faster.

Q: Lectern use — when?
A: When you need notes for a complex talk (technical, ceremonial). Avoid for inspirational or persuasive talks — it creates a barrier.

Q: Use a clicker — best practice?
A: Hold loosely, click without looking, don't wave it. Spare battery in pocket.

Q: Slide builds — when to use?
A: When showing process or revealing a list bit-by-bit so the audience focuses on each item. Don't auto-animate every line.

Q: Black slide / 'B' key?
A: Press B on the keyboard to black out the slide and force attention back to you. Useful for stories or Q&A.

Q: Audience attention curve?
A: Highest at start, drops in the middle, rises again at the end. Plan your weakest content (logistics, footnotes) for the trough.

Q: Re-engage at the 7-minute mark?
A: Drop a story, change tone, ask a question, or run a quick exercise. The 7-15 minute slump is the most common.

Q: Power of names — using audience members'?
A: If you can use a name (from a question), it personalizes. Don't fake — ask if you didn't catch it.

Q: First-person vs second-person?
A: 'I' builds credibility (your story). 'You' builds connection (their experience). Mix deliberately.

Q: Sentence length variation?
A: Short. Then longer for context and detail. Then short. Rhythm holds attention.

Q: Three biggest delivery sins?
A: Reading slides. Speaking to the screen. Not pausing.

Q: What is 'stagecraft'?
A: Total presence: voice, body, pacing, slides, room awareness. Each speaker's recipe differs but practice is constant.

Q: Imposter syndrome on stage — quick reframe?
A: You're not there because you're the best — you're there because your unique perspective is useful. Lead with that.

Q: Practice with audio recording — why?
A: You catch filler words, monotone, racing, run-on sentences that you can't hear in the moment.

Q: Practice on video — why?
A: Catches body habits: fidgeting, weight shifts, looking down, hands in pockets, weak gestures.

Q: Self-critique trap?
A: After watching yourself, write 1 thing to keep and 1 thing to change — not 10. Focus beats overwhelm.

Q: Coach feedback — how to ask?
A: Specific: 'How was my pacing during the data section?' Open: 'What's one thing to change?' Both at once works.

Q: What is 'plan B'?
A: Always have a no-projector version of the talk. Story-driven content carries when slides don't.

Q: Why timed practice?
A: Rehearse aloud with a stopwatch. Reveals real length, weak transitions, and where you trail off.

Q: Cue cards format?
A: Index cards, one idea per card, large type, no full sentences. Number them. Lay them on the lectern.

Q: Why no full sentences in notes?
A: Reading kills delivery. Outlines force you to speak, not read.

Q: 'Anchor' phrase — what is it?
A: A short phrase or word you repeat to ground a section ('And that's the lever'). Helps memory and emphasis.

Q: Use of metaphor — best practice?
A: One central metaphor per talk, sustained throughout. 'The bridge' or 'the engine' beats five competing analogies.

Q: Why bother with rehearsal?
A: The difference between OK and great talks is rehearsal. Most speakers under-rehearse and over-prepare slides.

Q: Pre-talk rituals — example?
A: 5 min vocal warmup, walk to the venue early, scout the room, drink water, breathing exercise, opening line in head.

Q: Mic check protocol?
A: Sound check 30 min before. Confirm clicker, slide deck position, monitor visibility, water on lectern.

Q: Confidence monitor — what is it?
A: A monitor at the foot of the stage showing your next slide / notes. Lets you face the audience while keeping pace.

Q: Why arrive early?
A: Meet the AV crew, find your light, walk the stage, time your entry, meet a few audience members. Removes surprises.

Q: What is a 'sound bite'?
A: A short, repeatable phrase that captures your message. Plant one per major section. Audiences quote and share them.

Q: Examples of good sound bites?
A: 'Move fast and break things.' / 'Be water, my friend.' / 'If you're not embarrassed by V1, you launched too late.'

Q: Avoid trademarked phrases — why?
A: They lose impact through overuse. Coin your own phrase tied to your point.

Q: Story length on stage?
A: 2-3 minutes is sweet spot. Longer needs strong tension. Cut every detail that doesn't drive to the point.

Q: Beginning of a story — what to include?
A: Setting + emotion + stakes. 'It was 11pm in Seattle, and the demo started at 9am.' Already a clock and pressure.

Q: Why end a story before the lesson?
A: Trust the audience. Tell the moment, then pause. Let them feel it before naming the takeaway.

Q: What is the 'one thing' rule?
A: If the audience remembers one thing, what is it? Decide first. Build the talk around it.

Q: Logo / spec page in slides — when?
A: End of talk. Don't open with a 'who we are' slide; you've lost first-impression budget on logistics.

Q: Why not over-credit on the title slide?
A: Long titles signal academic stiffness. Make the title pull people in.

Q: What is the 'TED arc'?
A: Pose problem → Build tension → Aha moment → Bigger picture / call to action.

Q: Closing options — list?
A: Call to action. Quote. Story callback. Stunning image. Question. Pick one.

Q: Why a hard ending matters?
A: Audiences applaud what they recognize as 'the end'. Don't drift off — land it.

Q: 'Thank you' as the closing word?
A: Avoid. End on your message, then pause. The applause cues 'thank you', not your delivery.

Q: Q&A — when to take it?
A: After the closing, not during. Mid-talk Q&A breaks momentum unless the format is workshop-style.

Q: Q&A — handling no questions?
A: Have a 'seed' question ready: 'A common question I get is…' Then the room often joins in.

Q: Q&A — repeat the question — why?
A: Helps the back rows hear, gives you 2 seconds to think, confirms understanding.

Q: Q&A — long-winded asker?
A: Politely interrupt at a comma: 'I think I have the question — let me take a stab.' Move on.

Q: Avoid being baited in Q&A?
A: Don't engage in a debate during your time. 'That's worth a longer chat — let's grab a coffee.'

Q: Q&A — handle disagreement?
A: Acknowledge the perspective, restate respectfully, give your answer, move on. Don't repeat the disagreement.

Q: Body language — open vs closed?
A: Open: hands visible, palms toward audience.
Closed: crossed arms, hands in pockets, hands behind back. Open is warmer, more credible.

Q: Hand gesture range — 'box'?
A: Between shoulders and waist, in front of body. Above shoulders feels frantic; below waist disappears.

Q: Why mirror neurons matter?
A: The audience subconsciously mirrors your physiology. Smile = they relax. Tense = they tense. Set the tone.

Q: Why high status doesn't equal stiffness?
A: High-status speakers move freely, breathe deeply, take their time. Stiffness reads as nervous, not respected.

Q: 'Power pause' — definition?
A: A 2-3 second deliberate pause after a key point. Lets it land; signals importance.

Q: What is 'turtle posture'?
A: Head juts forward, shoulders rounded. Looks defeated. Counter: chin parallel to floor, shoulders back gently.

Q: Eye contact pattern in a circle?
A: Sweep the room in segments — left, center, right, back. Don't track in order; vary so people feel singled out.

Q: What is 'face-time'?
A: Holding eye contact for 1-3 seconds per person. Long enough to connect, short enough to keep moving.

Q: Why don't read your slides?
A: The audience reads faster than you speak. By the time you finish reading aloud, they're bored and behind.

Q: Visual metaphors that travel?
A: Iceberg (visible vs hidden), bridge, journey, key, ladder, scaffolding. Use them sparingly.

Q: What is the 'one slide test'?
A: If you only had one slide, what would it say? Your talk should orbit that slide.

Q: Cold open — what is it?
A: Start mid-action, mid-story, or mid-statement. No setup, no welcome. 'It was Tuesday, and I had ten minutes to fix it.'

Q: Why open with vulnerability?
A: Bypasses defenses. 'I almost canceled this talk last night' invites the room in. Use carefully and authentically.

Q: Avoid 'next slide please'?
A: Run your own slides if possible. The break ruins flow. If you must, agree on cue with the operator.

Q: Microphone feedback — quick fix?
A: Step away from the speaker, lower the mic gain, move the mic. Stay calm — the AV team usually fixes it in seconds.

Q: Dress code rule of thumb?
A: One notch above the audience. If they're casual, business casual. If they're formal, dressy formal.

Q: Color of clothing on camera?
A: Solid mid-tones (blue, burgundy, gray) read well. Avoid white, black, narrow stripes, busy patterns, logos.

Q: Jewelry on stage?
A: Avoid clinking pieces and bouncing pendants. Stud earrings and a simple watch are safe.

Q: Hair / glasses — small details?
A: Hair off the face (especially with stage lights). Anti-glare lenses if you wear glasses. Avoid playing with hair.

Q: What is the 'narrator's distance'?
A: How emotionally close you stand to a story. Closer = first-person, more immersive. Further = analytical observer. Choose deliberately.

Q: What is 'audience inoculation'?
A: Acknowledging a counter-argument before it arises ('You might be thinking…'). Builds credibility and disarms skepticism.

Q: Use of analogy for complex ideas?
A: 'Think of it as X.' Borrows the audience's existing mental model. Pick analogies they actually share.

Q: What is the 'because' effect?
A: People comply more when given any reason after 'because' — even a thin one (Langer's copier study). Use it in calls to action.

Q: Energy management on multi-day events?
A: Hydrate, walk between sessions, nap if possible, avoid alcohol before stage. Energy on day 3 separates the pros.

Q: Pre-stage food rule?
A: Light meal 2-3 hours before. Avoid heavy carbs (sluggish), dairy (mucus), and unfamiliar dishes (stomach).

Q: Cough or throat tickle — quick fix?
A: Sip warm water. Press tongue against roof of mouth. Don't apologize — just pause and recover.

Q: Sneeze on stage — recover?
A: 'Bless me.' Smile. Continue. The audience laughs with you; it humanizes.

Q: Audience exercise — when?
A: Sparingly. Use when the energy dips mid-talk or to anchor a key idea ('Turn to someone and share one thing…').

Q: Why partner exercises work?
A: Active participation > passive listening. People remember 2x what they discuss vs. what they hear.

Q: Polling the room — best technique?
A: 'Raise your hand if…' multiple times. Lets the audience see themselves in your data.

Q: What is 'storytelling cadence'?
A: Slow for emotion, faster for action, pause for impact. Match cadence to the moment in the story.

Q: The 'pause and look' technique?
A: After a key statement, stop, look around the room. Punctuates the line. Signals 'this is the important bit.'

Q: Why fewer slides per minute is better?
A: More space per slide = more time spent talking, not transitioning. 1 slide per 2-3 min for narrative talks.

Q: What is the 'gravity rule' of presence?
A: Move like you have weight. No skittering. No bouncing. Heel-toe walking, planted stops.

Q: Three things to do before any talk?
A: 1) Walk the stage.
2) Test mic + slides.
3) Find 2-3 friendly faces in the audience.

Q: Three things to do after?
A: 1) Drink water.
2) Write down what worked / what didn't.
3) Thank the AV crew and organizer.

Q: What is the 'rehearsal ladder'?
A: 1) Outline aloud.
2) Full run alone.
3) Run with slides.
4) Run for a friend.
5) Run for a tough critic. Each rep tightens delivery.

Q: Memorize segment by segment?
A: Yes — the first 60 seconds, transitions between sections, and the closing. Improvise the rest from outline.

Q: What is the 'minute 11 rule'?
A: Attention sags around the 10-11 minute mark in long talks. Plant a story, exercise, or change of medium right there.

Q: Speaking when sick?
A: Hydrate, lower pitch slightly, sip honey-water, avoid menthol cough drops (numbs vocal folds). Push through unless lost voice.

Q: Why not chew gum or mint on stage?
A: Distracting. Dry mouth often results. Have it before — not during.

Q: Anti-fidget tactic?
A: Plant feet. Hands together at waist or open at sides. Notice when you start swaying and stop.

Q: Why slow down at the end?
A: Final words land harder when paced slowly. The audience's brain holds the last sentence longest.

Q: What is 'speaker's voice'?
A: Slightly lower pitch, slightly slower, slightly more deliberate than conversation. Practice until it's natural.

Q: Vocal fry — should you avoid it?
A: Persistent vocal fry signals fatigue or boredom. Project from the diaphragm and end sentences with energy.

Q: Up-talk / high rising terminal — what is it?
A: Statements ending with a rising pitch (sounds like a question). Erodes authority. Drop pitch on declaratives.

Q: What is 'speak-singing'?
A: Varying pitch as if singing. Helps eliminate monotone. Practice by reading children's books aloud.

Q: What is the 'one breath' test?
A: Read each sentence in one breath. If you can't, the sentence is too long for spoken delivery. Shorten it.

Q: Why read your script aloud?
A: Catches sentences that read fine but don't speak well — typos in cadence. Edit for the ear.

Q: Where does your hook come from?
A: A surprising stat, a contrarian statement, a personal story, a vivid image, or a provocative question.

Q: What is the 'unmet expectation' hook?
A: Start with a setup the audience expects, then subvert it. 'Most people think X. Actually, Y.'

Q: Audience trust budget?
A: Earned in seconds, lost in moments. Avoid arrogance, vague claims, weasel words. Cite sources.

Q: Practice tongue twisters?
A: Strengthens articulation. 'Red leather, yellow leather.' 'Unique New York.' 5 minutes pre-talk.

Q: Articulate clearly — what habit helps?
A: Open the jaw more than feels natural. Close consonants ('t', 'd', 'p') fully.

Q: Avoid 'so' as an opener?
A: 'So…' is a verbal warm-up. Start sentences with the actual subject for cleaner delivery.

Q: Use of silence — extreme case?
A: A 5-second silence before a key line is uncomfortable to deliver but riveting to receive. Practice it.

Q: Why memorize the closing?
A: Nerves at the end can sabotage the landing. Knowing the close cold ensures a strong finish.

Q: What is the 'rule of one' for slides?
A: One idea per slide. One image. One headline. One emotion. The rest is voice-over.

Q: Avoid 'in conclusion'?
A: Telegraphs the end and triggers mental shutoff. Just end. The audience knows when you've stopped.

Q: Common talk-ending mistake?
A: 'Any questions?' immediately after the closing. Pause, let it land, accept applause, then take Q&A.

Q: Use of props — when?
A: When the prop is the point. A water bottle for 'invisible plastic'; a coin for 'either-or thinking'. One per talk, max.

Q: Demo on stage — risks?
A: WiFi fails. App crashes. Have a video backup. Run the demo small enough to manage from the stage.

Q: 'Show, don't tell' for stats?
A: 'Twice the size' → show the image. '60 million users' → show the population of a small country. Visualize the scale.

Q: What is 'priming'?
A: Plant a key concept early; reference it later. 'We'll come back to this.' Audience holds it; payoff lands harder.

Q: What is 'foreshadowing' on stage?
A: A subtle hint early about a major reveal later. 'I'll tell you the story of how this nearly killed the project — but first…'

Q: What is the 'aha bridge'?
A: The line that connects the data and the meaning. 'Which means…' or 'And that's why…' or 'Here's the implication.'

Q: What is 'audience math'?
A: Doing per-person or per-day translations of big numbers so they're felt. '$50B/year' = 'about $170 per American per year.'

Q: Avoid 'literally' if not literal?
A: Erodes precision. Use 'practically', 'almost', 'in effect' if not literally true.

Q: What is a 'glass of water' moment?
A: A scripted pause built around drinking water — buys recovery time without looking like a stall.

Q: Audience sightlines — check what?
A: No pillars between you and the back. Front row close enough to feel you. AV cables not in your path.

Q: Avoid the 'two-minute trap' at the start?
A: You promise '2 minutes to set up'. Audience starts checking phones at 90 seconds. Skip preambles; jump in.

Q: Self-introduction — keep it short?
A: 1-2 sentences max. Why you're qualified for this talk, not your full bio. Skip if introduced by host.

Q: Why include a moment of doubt?
A: Audiences trust speakers who admit uncertainty in their journey. 'I almost gave up here.' Builds emotional credit.

Q: What is 'showbiz time'?
A: The talk is for the audience, not your résumé. Edit ruthlessly toward their interest, not yours.

Q: What is the 'so what' filter?
A: Every slide, every line answers 'so what?' If you can't say why it matters, cut it.

Q: What is 'tension and release'?
A: Build tension (problem, conflict, stakes), then release (solution, lesson, payoff). Story engine for any topic.

Q: Avoid 'spray and pray'?
A: Don't try to fit every great idea you have on the topic. One main message + 2-3 supports. Cut the rest.

Q: What is the 'red thread'?
A: A single throughline that connects every section. Audience can feel it; you can name it; cuts irrelevance.

Q: What is 'physical anchoring'?
A: Standing in different parts of the stage for different parts of the talk. Helps you and the audience remember structure.

Q: Why end with a single sentence?
A: A single sentence ending is sharper than a paragraph. Practice it. Pause for 2 seconds. Done.

Q: What is the 'rule of payoff'?
A: If you set up a story, deliver the payoff. Don't leave loops open. The audience tracks them subconsciously.

Q: Why audiences applaud (or don't)?
A: Cue clarity. They applaud when they're sure it's the end. Strong closure + 2-second pause = applause.

Q: Why preparation is the antidote to nerves?
A: Mastery breeds calm. Nerves come from uncertainty. Reduce uncertainty through rehearsal, room scouting, and known closers.

Q: What is 'speaker fatigue'?
A: Talking 60+ min/day dries vocal folds. Hydrate, rest between sessions, herbal tea (no caffeine, no dairy).

Q: What is 'fight, flight, freeze' on stage?
A: Adrenaline response when overwhelmed. Counter: breathe, plant feet, look at one friendly face, deliver one sentence at a time.

Q: Hidden body language giveaways?
A: Touching neck (anxiety), pen click (focus loss), hair tuck (distraction). Catch on rehearsal video.

Q: What is 'video deconstruction'?
A: Watch your talk on video twice — once with sound, once muted. Twice reveals different problems.

Q: Two-minute speech — how to prepare?
A: Open with hook (10s), single point (90s), call to action (20s). Cut everything else. Rehearse 10×.

Q: Audience type: SMEs vs general?
A: SMEs (subject-matter experts) want depth, specifics, data. General audiences want story, stakes, takeaway. Adjust.

Q: Talking to executives?
A: Lead with conclusion. Stakes in money or risk. Brief. Be ready for skeptical drilling.

Q: Audience size impact on energy?
A: Small (10): conversational. Medium (100): structured. Large (1000+): theatrical. Scale gestures and pacing.

Q: What is 'speaking the room'?
A: Translating jargon to your audience's vocabulary. 'API' to a non-technical room → 'a way for software to talk to other software.'

Q: Translation rule — when in doubt?
A: If you're not sure a word lands, define it briefly the first time. Once defined, you can use it.

Q: Why end on the audience, not yourself?
A: The takeaway should be theirs to do. End with 'Here's what you can try this week' not 'I'm so excited to share this with you.'

Q: What is 'speaker's gratitude'?
A: Genuinely thanking the audience for their attention at the right moment (end, not middle). Brief; one sentence.

Q: Stage = lab — what mindset helps?
A: Treat each talk as a chance to test one new thing (open, story, close, gesture). Iterates fast.

Q: Practice a difficult section in slow-mo?
A: Speak 30% slower than normal during rehearsal of hard parts. Trains accuracy under pressure.

Q: Why physical warm-up matters?
A: Increases blood flow, reduces tremor, primes voice. 30 jumping jacks + stretch + lip trills = ready.

Q: What is 'speaker's checklist'?
A: Outline ✓ Slides ✓ Mic ✓ Water ✓ Clicker ✓ Backup deck ✓ Clothes ✓ Notes ✓ Bathroom ✓ Phone silenced.