Talk Like a Magician
Bronson K. Chadwick
This passage is written by Bronson Chadwick and is designed to teach students how to deliver better book reports, show-and-tell presentations, speeches, science project presentations, and the like.
Are you giving a book report or other presentation in front of your classmates? Lots of kids think speaking in front of a crowd is scary—but guess what? It can also be super fun and rewarding!
At Magic in the Library, we love helping students become confident speakers. Whether you're giving a book report, a science presentation, or just sharing a cool idea, these tips will help you shine on stage.
Smile Big
Smiling is like turning on your speaker superpower! It helps you feel calm and shows your audience you're excited to share.
Stand Tall
Walk up with your shoulders back and your head held high. You’ll look confident—and feel it too!
Practice Makes You Powerful
Try saying your speech out loud three times in front of a mirror. The more you practice, the easier it gets.
Warm Up Your Words
Before you speak, stretch your mouth and tongue by talking big and silly for a minute. It helps your voice sound clear!
Speak from Your Belly
Use your diaphragm (a muscle under your ribs) to push out your voice. Pretend you’re talking to someone in the very back of the room. If they can hear you, everyone can!
Drink Water Early
Stay hydrated a few hours before your speech. Water or hot tea keeps your voice smooth and your mouth from getting dry. Skip soda and sugary drinks—they can make your voice squeaky and scratchy!
Dress to Impress
Wear something that makes you feel awesome. When you look good, you feel good—and that helps you sound great too.
Mess-Ups Are Okay!
If you say something wrong or forget a word, don’t panic. Just smile, laugh it off, and keep going. Everyone makes mistakes!
Skip the Script
You don’t need to memorize every word. Use bullet points or index cards to remember your main ideas. It’s way easier—and more natural!
Don’t Read off Your Presentation
Avoid reading your report or speech word-for-word off a piece of paper. Your audience wants to hear from you, not what you can read off.
Take Your Time
Speak slowly and clearly. Pause to breathe. Rushing makes you nervous, and your audience might miss your message.
Look Around the Room
Make eye contact with different people. It helps them feel connected to you—and makes your speech more exciting!
Have Fun!
Unless your speech is supposed to be serious, enjoy yourself! When you’re having fun, your audience will too.
Use Cool Visuals
Props, pictures, charts, and slides can help your audience understand your ideas. At Magic in the Library, we even use magic tricks!
Want to make your next speech unforgettable? Try one or two of these tips and see what happens. You’ve got this—and we’re cheering you on every step of the way!