Noting that fear of public speaking is the most common fear shared by people of all types, this book offers practical, easy-to-follow strategies for confident and effective public speaking. The book discusses the following aspects of public speaking: (1) what to talk about; (2) how to research a topic; (3) how to organize a speech; (4) how to keep an audience interested; (5) when and how to use humor; (6) how to control nerves; (7) how to deal with unexpected disasters; and (8) how to use props and gestures. An appendix adds "Five Surefire Starter Ideas." (NKA)