Apply It: Effective Public Speaking

  • Understand why public speaking is important and its main features
  • Understand what different audiences might need from a speech
  • Understand the five steps to create an effective speech

Using Humor

Humor is an effective tool in public speaking because it helps to engage the audience, create a relaxed atmosphere, and make the speaker more relatable. When a speaker uses humor, it captures the audience’s attention and keeps them interested, making it easier to convey key messages. Humor can also humanize the speaker, breaking down barriers and establishing a connection with the audience.

You can view the transcript for “Class Takeaways — Humor: Serious Business” here (opens in new window).

What is your humor style and how could you incorporate it into public speaking?