The previous section should have made it clear that competence in public speaking is important. If your job doesn't focus on presentations and speeches there will still be opportunities to speak.

1. Explaining why you are the best candidate for the job.
2. Telling a client why they should hire your firm.
3. Defending a thesis or dissertation.
4. Selling an idea to your boss or your coworkers.
5. Presenting scholarly research at a conference.
6. Speaking out at a town hall meeting.
7. Introducing yourself to potential clients.
8. Pitching a business idea.

In addition to knowing how to articulate your arguments and ideas, you have understand how to use body language and your voice to communicate.

Communication is a mix of verbal and nonverbal signals. You may have read that communication is 95% nonverbal or something like that. The real percentage is irrelevant anyway. What matters is realizing that how you present yourself carries much more weight that the actual words you use.

With that fact in mind, you can see the value of treating a speech as much more than a technical process of sharing information. Being an effective communicator requires attention to the words you use, your body language (including facial expressions), and your voice. .