How to Master the Art of Public Speaking?

Have you ever noticed that arts and sciences seem to be polar opposites, and yet if you walk onto just about any college campus, you will see a department called Arts and Sciences? Why don't they just call it "everything?" I mean, there isn't much that can't be classified as either an art or a science, right? One of the things in his world that is scary to a lot of folks but is definitely an art, is the art of public speaking. If your palms start to sweat and your lunch feels like it is going to come back up on you every time you have to get up in front of people and talk, you may just need a bit of help with the art of public speaking.

There is nothing quite as extraordinary and powerful as being able to speak well in public; just ask Obama or McCain, who was not quite so good at it as his opponent was. Sometimes it is more about how you say something than what you actually say; scary but true.

If your profession or civic duties require you to take up residence behind a podium or explain charts and figures on a set of PowerPoint slides or sell the world's best (or worst) product, it will behoove you to brush up on - or actually start learning - the art of public speaking.

Whether you decide to take a traditional class on a school campus, attend some private group classes, read some books, hire a professional for one-on-one assistance, or find some other means to improve your speech-making skills, it will be well worth your time, effort, and expense. When you gaze out into the faces of those listening to your every word and nodding their heads in agreement or laughing at your joke or wiping a tear after your inspiring anecdote, you too will realize that improving your public speaking skills was one of the best things you ever did.