From this Monday, June 19 and for the third consecutive year, the 530,000 candidates for the general and technological baccalaureate pass the final baccalaureate test, the grand oral, which runs until June 30. This event is being held for the second time under normal conditions, after being lightened in 2021 due to the Covid-19 epidemic. Afraid of speaking in public? You are not alone. Oral fluency is rarely innate, so here are some tips to captivate your audience.
Do not reproduce the text by heart. “You have to know the key points”, begins Vanessa Marcié, teacher-researcher, founder of the consulting firm Leading With Humor, and leadership expert. Thus, the idea is to structure in his head the important elements of his speech without giving the impression of spitting out his text by heart. To succeed in this tour de force, we must imagine that we are telling a story, while having a precise plan in mind. If necessary, work on the first and last presentation sentence and bet on a natural speech between the two.
Not learning your text word for word avoids memory lapses. “There is a risk of stumbling over a word instead of unfolding your thought. I often tell my clients that no one knows what they know. You are the only one who knows that you have forgotten something, so do not hesitate to bounce back”, continues the author of the book The power of humor (Eyrolles editions).
And if you have a blank? The specialist advises to be honest. “Public speaking is a very difficult and dreaded thing, people generally show empathy.”
Illustrate and embody to argue. When you unfold your argument, illustrating your remarks with concrete and sometimes personal examples helps to show that you understand what you are talking about. “For a teacher, this means that the student has assimilated the concepts taught well and has appropriated them. It is therefore not a question of copying and pasting on Google”, continues Vanessa Marcié. Thus, the real reflection goes through the illustration. If we have to talk about a philosophical subject, do not hesitate to draw a parallel with your current situation.
In addition, the examples make it possible to image a speech, but also to retain the attention of its audience which is likely to drop out if the speech remains too flat. “For example, if you make a presentation with PowerPoints, you can include quotes, images or even memes,” advises the leadership expert.
Register. The last days before an oral or an interview can be devoted to recording. Indeed, once you have the necessary knowledge, it will be relevant to take an interest in the form. This exercise aims to identify language tics and correct them if necessary. For an extra challenge, feel free to put a time constraint on yourself.
“Repetitive pressing of a pen should be avoided”
The importance of gesture. The appearance and the way of standing are two important parameters. “You have to show that you remain in control of yourself. It is strongly recommended not to have anything in your hands. If you are nervous, it is a question of avoiding pressing repeatedly on a pen and trying to hold your hands”, explains Vanessa Marcié, specifying that the most important thing is to feel comfortable. Above all, do not refrain from making gestures while speaking, this risks destabilizing you. Another advice: you have to occupy the space. “It’s about looking at the people in front of you one after another and moving in a limited square.”
Wear comfortable clothes. To feel as comfortable as possible, wear comfortable clothes in which you will feel confident. “I can’t give a lecture if I’m not in my heels. A bit of height gives me the feeling that I’m in better control of the situation. When you give a lecture, ultimately what matters is the energy that we share with our audience”, confides Vanessa Marcié.
Focus. Beyond the work provided before the oral exam, there is one thing that students struggle to control: their stress. To overcome it, you have to learn to focus, which can mean taking a moment to breathe and isolate yourself. “My tip? Before going on stage, I devote a few minutes to anxiety and fear and then I leave it aside. Fear never goes away, but you learn to control it”, says Vanessa Marcié. It is by demonstrating self-confidence that the public will end up being captivated.
Finally, humor can be a good way to hold the attention of your audience, provided you use it sparingly. “We can use personal anecdotes related to the subject to make people smile. On the other hand, if you see that a joke does not work, do not insist”, concludes the specialist.