INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Many times, the speaker will have an introduction prepared for you. Even if they don’t, they can provide information you can use. When the guest speaker isn’t available, talk to people who know them, such as mutual acquaintances or their coworkers. When the speaker provides an introduction for you, use it. Read it over a few times and be prepared to say it with energy and enthusiasm. Ask around to find out the focus of the speech. The speaker or the event organizers may be able to tell you. This way, you’ll be able to hone your speech so it introduces the speaker's topic. Your introduction needs to relay exactly what the audience can expect to hear. For example, you find out the speech will be about encouraging young girls to learn computer programming. You shouldn’t spend time explaining how the speaker can teach these skills to adults. Search online for the speaker’s credentials. News articles, interviews, and websites associated with the speaker offer this information. Type their name into a search engine and pick out the details that relate to the speech. Often, you’ll find unique facts that fit into your introduction.  For instance, a professor’s biography on their school website might inform you that, “Jane Doe used her scientific research to identify ten new species of birds.” Try to find information relevant to the topic they will be speaking about. News articles and interviews will also have useful basic facts, such as “Jane Doe spent the last summer building schools in Africa.” Remember that your introduction is meant to promote the speaker. Issues like legal troubles, health issues, or family issues are complicated. They take up time and create a negative image. It’s not appropriate to bring up public criticisms or arguments others have made about the speaker. It’s also not a good idea to talk about their family. Always get the speaker’s permission before using these details. Make sure you can explain why it’s important to your introduction. When you find a speech, pay close attention to the introduction. Search it for any details on the speaker you can use. Read the speech aloud and figure out what parts are well-written. Adapt these parts to improve your own introduction.  Don’t use your guest’s speech to write your introduction. They may be giving a different speech this time, so you’ll create false expectations in the audience. Be careful if you’re using pieces from another speech since it is copyrighted material and can’t be used without the speaker’s permission. You may come across a detail that defines the speaker’s character but isn’t well known. The detail may also be something shared between you and the speaker. A good surprise detail does not detract from the focus of the speech. Many times, it can be used to get the audience to laugh or appreciate the speaker’s humanity. For example, you met the speaker when working in a dog adoption center. Introduce this connection when beginning the speech. Finish by stating, “I know Jane Doe will inspire you to work better with your female students - and your dog.” Make sure you find out the proper pronunciation. You may be able to find it online. If you can’t, contact the speaker, anyone they know, or the event planner. Improper pronunciation makes your introduction seem unprofessional. It is embarrassing and harms the credibility of both yourself and the speaker. Addressing the speaker by their proper title is professional and gives the speaker more credibility. Refer to a doctor as Dr. Jane Doe. Refer to a judge as Judge Jane Doe. The speaker may have titles you don’t recognize, such as Sir or Dame for someone knighted by the British monarch. Again, the speaker can tell you how you should address them. This information may also be found online or gotten from other people.

SUMMARY: Ask the speaker what they’d like you to say. Find out what subject the speaker will cover. Look up biographical information on the speaker. Avoid using sensitive or embarrassing information without approval. Find other speeches the speaker has given. Include a surprising detail if it fits in your intro. Master pronouncing the speaker’s name. Check for any special titles the speaker has.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Starting a conversation with an unknown person will seem less risky and more acceptable to everyone there. Some situations seem easier than others, especially when initiating social interaction. Supermarkets or banks are more often than not among the worst places to initiate a conversation with a total stranger (people just want to get their groceries and be done with it). Coffee shops, sporting events, and community centers can be great places to start talking to great new people.  To meet new people, try joining a group such as an amateur sports club or a book club. A fitness class is often a great place to start a conversation. You can also look for groups online to find meetings of people interested in the same things as you. Websites like MeetUp.com are great for that. Ask your barista how their day is going. Thank the mailman as he passes by, or ask a co-worker how their weekend went. You don't have to dive into deep, invasive, and consuming conversations immediately. Start small. Remember, there is no downside to saying 'hey' to someone. You will most likely not see them again, and these low-key conversations are the best to practice with. Approach your subject with open body language and appear to be interested in getting to know them better. This often is a good opportunity to have a meaningful conversation.  Be confident when approaching a person. If you are too nervous you may make the other person nervous too! Remember to put away your cell phone. Checking your phone all the time during a conversation annoys people, and makes them think you're more interested in your phone than you are in talking to them! If the encounter went on well, take note what you did right and do try to repeat this in the future. If things went poorly, mentally assess the situation to determine what exactly you did that wasn't all that impressive.  Did you approach someone who appeared to be busy with something or who was displaying closed body language? Was your own body language open and inviting? Did you start the conversation with an appropriate topic? Your social skills will improve with practice. The more you communicate and interact with people, you will get better at it. Try not to let negative social interactions get you down. Oftentimes such encounters are not your fault. Remember that there will often be setbacks as you work toward improvement. Learn from the situation, and go forward armed with new knowledge. This is usually a safe, comfortable environment where learning to speak to people can be easier. You are not the only one there who wants to work on their speaking skills. Why not practice with others who are in the same boat? The very fact that you want to improve your social skills shows that you are an open, kind person who is willing to work on themselves. Surround yourself with people with similar goals to help you grow. If you suspect social anxiety is interfering with your everyday life, seek help from a certified therapist who specializes in Social Anxiety Disorder.

SUMMARY:
Find a place where people seem easy going. Start small, chatting with service people that helped you out to get started. Pick someone who doesn’t appear busy or uninterested. Reflect on how it went. Talk to more people. Join a support group.