Words are the building blocks of a memorable speech. They should be chosen carefully to give shape to your ideas. Select words that create a visual impact.

word	instead of saying	say
verb	is went came	emanates vanished in a whirlwind, oozed out of the room cascaded, trickled (in), arose
noun	house river	palace, mansion, cottage, hovel raging torrent, tranquil brook
adjective	size colour weight	enormous, minuscule flamboyant crimson, sultry blue, subtle grey hefty, ponderous, light as a feather
adverb	when how where	right on the dot, like molasses dreamily, wearily, with gusto in a peaceful bower, under a harsh glare

Bridge words like “um,” “ah,” “and,” “but” and “so” detract from your presentation. They are empty words conveying nothing. Better to pause and say nothing instead. Learn to recognize when you are most likely to use them before you say them aloud. Rather than thinking about each word in your speech individually, learn to think in short phrases of three to six words. This will help you develop a natural rhythm to your speaking.

Speak slowly and distinctly. Enunciate your words well. Avoid common mispronunciations like “gonna” for “going to.” Clear thinking will also help you avoid grammatical errors such as subjects and verbs that don’t agree or incorrect verb tenses such as “have went.”

Be prepared to deliver your speech. There is no need to apologize for inadequate preparation if you have done your homework. Number the pages or cards of your speaking notes in case they get out of order. Minimize the notes you need by using point form only. The less clutter, the better you can stay on track in your presentation.