Public speaking 101: Tips on how to become a better public speaker

I once saw a comedian tell a joke about the fear of public speaking. He said that public speaking is the most common fear, and death is the fourth, meaning that some people would rather die than get on a stage and give a speech.

Statistically, the fear of public speaking, otherwise known as glossophobia, is indeed very common. Around 15 million people deal with glossophobia daily. Additionally, 75% of the population (about 200 million people) report feeling nervous about speaking to others, and 90% experience at least some level of “shyness” when speaking publicly. So, if you’re one of the people who get nervous when you think of making a speech or presentation, you’re definitely not alone. The good news is that public speaking is a skill and like any research or technical skill, it improves with practice.

Strong communication skills are essential for success in STEM careers. At ORISE, participants gain hands-on research experience from mentors at federal agencies, national laboratories, and scientific facilities. Along the way, developing scientific communication and public speaking skills becomes critical to professional growth.

Whether you are explaining your research to a peer, presenting it at a conference, or sharing findings with a broader audience, clear communication builds confidence, credibility, and career readiness.

Why public speaking matters in STEM

For undergraduate researchers, graduate fellows, and postdoctoral scientists alike, effective presentation skills support:

  • Career advancement in STEM positions
  • Grant and fellowship competitiveness
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration
  • Scientific leadership opportunities
  • Science communication beyond academic audiences

Your research only has impact if others understand it. The ability to translate complex ideas clearly is a skill that sets strong candidates apart.

If you want to grow as a STEM professional, public speaking is essential.

The rules

  1. Keep your visual aids simple, clear, and focused: If you’re using a poster or PowerPoint, remember the role that these tools play in your presentation. They are aids, and should enhance, but not distract from your speech. It’s best to stick to a light-colored background, simple fonts, and short sentences. That way, your audience can skim the text while still listening to your talk. The best public speakers are conversational: Remember, it’s ok to be nervous! But don’t let that nervousness translate into your presentation. Avoid drinking coffee before your presentation, as caffeine and adrenaline can make you speak too quickly or shake onstage. And remember that your audience isn’t hoping that you’ll mess up; they’re excited to learn from you! So, if you are confident in your own knowledge, your audience will be as well. Always speak to the back of the room,  projecting your voice so those in the last row can hear you. While you can glance at your notes, don’t stare at them throughout your entire presentation. You should make eye contact with your audience, looking at different people throughout your time onstage. And finally, you must not go past your allotted time limit, as this impacts any other speakers who are presenting after you.
  2. Work from an outline, not a script: It’s difficult to read from a script without sounding over-rehearsed. That’s why actors get paid so much. Writing out an entire script for a speech can weaken interpersonal connection and make your presentation fall flat, forcing you to read rather than making eye contact. It’s recommended to write out a general outline for your presentation to go along with any visual aids, including any notes for yourself. This can help you stay on track and adapt to interruptions much more fluidly.
  3. Know your audience and adapt to them: Imagine the difference between presenting to your fellowship mentor, and to an audience of high schoolers. Obviously, you would need to prepare much different material beforehand. Or imagine that those high schoolers are much more curious than you were prepared for and spend your entire presentation asking questions. You may have to adjust the presentation you planned in order to adapt to their knowledge level. If an audience isn’t responding to your jokes, don’t force it and try to make them land.

    And remember to adjust your language accordingly. Define acronyms, limit jargon when necessary, and focus on the “why it matters” behind your work. One strong career-readiness test: Can you explain your research clearly to both an expert and a non-expert?
  4. Image is everything: Nonverbal communication influences how your message is received. Make eye contact, speak clearly, and pace yourself. Avoid any nervous tics while you’re speaking, such as playing with your hair, biting your nails, or putting your hands in your pockets. Don’t worry, you’re still allowed (and even encouraged!) to drink water throughout your presentation. Additionally, the type of presentation will make an impact on how you’ll dress. If you’re speaking at a conference, now is the time to elevate your wardrobe: business casual is generally accepted attire, which means no blue jeans or tee shirts, but trousers or a dress/skirt. Blazers will also help you look prepared to do business. If you’re presenting on-site, then you’ll most likely want to dress as you normally would but taking it up a level can boost your confidence  and reinforce professionalism.

How to improve yourself

Now that you know the rules of public speaking, you may still be unsure of yourself. Public speaking takes practice, so keep reading for further tips.

  1. Observe: The first step to finding what type of public speaker you are is to find other public speakers. In the age of the internet, this should be an easy task. A great place to start is the ORISE Ignite Off! Competition. This annual competition gives ORISE participants the chance to share their research in short presentations. Due to the constraints of the competition, the presentations must be extremely tight and concise. After checking out these videos, search for STEM presentations, such as TED Talks or documentaries featuring an on-camera presenter. Think back to the professors you’ve had throughout your academic career. Attend conferences and watch what the presenters are doing.

    Throughout all of this, you should be taking notes and analyzing the presentations. Is the speaker engaging? What makes that person connect with the audience? What do you like about them? What can you emulate in their presentation style? Maybe they started their presentation with a personal joke or story. Perhaps they began by quoting a statistic that resonated with you, then circled back to that statistic at the end.
  2. Practice with purpose: Once you’ve written your speech, practice. If you’re nervous about practicing in front of people, record it on your phone or in front of a webcam, then watch it back yourself. Once you’re happy with your own performance, see what others think of it. Ask a trusted friend or family member to watch you give your presentation. It’s important to get feedback from someone outside your field to ensure your message is clear in laymen’s terms. And be sure to get feedback from your mentor or others in your field. 
  3. Improve: Slowly but surely, you’ll become more comfortable in this space. As you take in the feedback that your peers give you, public speaking will become second nature to you.
  4. Build Your skills: Take advantage of professional development opportunities available through ORISE or your future employer, such as presentation competitions, webinars, lab meetings, and research symposia. Each experience helps strengthen scientific communication skills and builds confidence.
Public speaking may feel uncomfortable at first, but it is a learnable skill. By developing strong research presentation skills now, you prepare for long-term success in federal STEM careers, academia, and industry.

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This article was developed with editorial assistance from Simple Chat, an AI writing tool, and reviewed by ORISE staff.