Top tips for pupils

"All the great speakers were bad speakers at first."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson, U.S. writer

Famous faces such as actress Scarlet Johansen (He's Just Not That Into You) and even actor Daniel Radcliff (Harry Potter) have said they get really nervous when speaking or performing in public. So you're not alone if just the thought of getting up and talking to an audience makes those butterflies appear. We've got some top tips for overcoming your nerves.

• Know what you're talking about

  It only takes a little time to read up on it but will make your arguments a lot stronger and you'll feel miles more confident. We've provided some starting points in the 'for and against' arguments section.

• If you know your subject you won't need so much written down

  Audiences love eye-contact, but it's okay to have some notes to prompt you - just don't bring the whole speech pre-written.

• Body language is really important

  Remember you're talking to the audience, not to your notes - practice your speech in advance and be confident in your delivery of the argument. Also, be careful not to seem like you are reading from a script and let your argument flow as naturally as possible without appearing like you have over-practiced.

• Remember you're in a team, so make the most of it

  Get together and brainstorm to get the best ideas - don't work on your own all the time. You'll all look, act and feel more confident on the big day.

• The rule of three

  One trick that speakers use is called the 'rule of three'. It basically means that anything you say sounds stronger if you emphasise it three times. For example, "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly", "I came, I saw, I conquered" or even "Location, Location, Location".  If you really want a point to hit home, contrast it with its opposite. For example, "would you rather have a few wind turbines or a nuclear power station in your back garden?"

• Don't be scared to use humour

  People enjoy it. The famous lawyer John Mortimer once said: "If the jury laughs during my final address then a favourable verdict is 90% likely". But don't overdo it - remember there's a serious point behind your arguments.

• Take your time when you're speaking

  Time what you're going to say when you practice. People need to be able to hear you, and they need time to digest your arguments. Check out our debate format page to see how much time each speaker gets.