Resources · Quick references
Delivery Checklist
Good delivery is a set of small habits, and almost all of them are easy to fix once you notice them. Print this checklist and run through it before a speech, or hand it to a friend and ask them to tick what they see while you practice.
Delivery Checklist
atlantic-speech.comTick each habit as you practice. Aim to improve one group at a time.
Voice
Loud enough for the back of the room, without shouting
Clear words, not mumbled or swallowed at the ends
Some variety in tone, not one flat note the whole way through
Pace and pauses
Started slower than felt natural
Paused after the opening line and after each big point
Did not rush the ending
Silence instead of um, uh, and like
Eyes and face
Looked at people in different parts of the room, not the floor or ceiling
Held a face on each person for a full thought, not darting around
Expression matched the words (a smile on the light bits)
Body and hands
Stood balanced on both feet, not swaying or rocking
Hands gestured on the points, rested at the sides in between
No gripping the desk, hiding hands, or fiddling with notes
Before you start
Took a slow breath before the first word
Knew the opening line without looking
Notes were keywords, not a full script
Delivery improves fastest with a second pair of eyes.
A checklist tells you what to watch for. A coach watching you speak every week tells you the one habit to fix next. That is what our classes do.