INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Now that you have everything you want to say figured out (and hopefully on paper), write down your main points. Take this notecard and see if you can cover everything just from looking at it. How does it flow? What parts are you less convinced by yourself on? Get to the point where you're comfortable delivering it just with the notecard. The more comfortable you are with the speech, the more it'll show when you're delivering it. Alright, so this isn't super necessary, but it's definitely a good idea. If you have it memorized, you can make eye contact with your audience and worry about the icing on the cake, like gestures and inflection. Don't stress if you don't have enough time -- but if you do, take advantage of it.  Be sure to memorize the most important aspects, such as a funny story, quote, or memorable turn of phrase so you can deliver them exactly as you imagined. This doesn't mean that you have to go out there unarmed. No, you'll be taking your notecard with you! If your mind blanks, you can take a look-see at it and go right where you need to. You ran over it with the notecard 10 times for this reason. This is a grand idea for a couple of reasons:  Delivering it to someone helps you get used to someone looking at you while you're talking. Public speaking can be pretty terrifying, so having a practice audience will help calm your nerves. Have them actually pay attention. At the end of your speech, ask them what questions popped up in their mind. Were there any holes in your argument? Or did anything confuse them? Really, you should be practicing wherever you can. But these two spots will be particularly useful:  Practice in front of the mirror so you can see your body language. What gestures work where? How do you feel about the pauses and what do you do during them? Practice in the shower because it's probably one of the few times during the day where you can mindlessly go over it. Does your mind blank on any part? If so, review it. Practice while you’re doing other things as well, like driving, walking your dog, or mowing the lawn. You probably have some idea of how long your speech should be -- either you were given a specific time slot or you were given a length requirement for the speech. Try to get it comfortably above the minimum and comfortably below the maximum -- that way if you accidentally speed up or slow down, you're still golden.

SUMMARY: Write down your main points. Memorize it. Deliver it to someone. Practice in front of the mirror and in the shower. Time it.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Controlling your noise level is the biggest part of behaving. If you are having trouble maintaining an appropriate volume, stop and take a deep breath when you feel yourself getting louder. Collect your thoughts and convey what you want to say in a respectful and reserved manner. Pay attention to your noise level and you can better control it.  Try to limit what you're saying to who you're saying it to. You rarely have to say something to an entire group. Know who you're talking to, and speak with a voice loud enough that they can hear you. Ask yourself if you really have to say something before you say it. If it's not necessary to the conversation, don't say it. Practice this technique regularly. Listen to how loud the people around you are. Match their sound level. If people are staring at you or reacting negatively, adjust your behavior. You should aim to fit in with whatever room you're in. Don't draw unnecessary attention to yourself. If you try to dominate a room, you'll usually end up rubbing people the wrong way. Make your goals specific and long-term. Psychology studies have shown that abstract, big-picture thinking leads to self-control. Instead of focusing on the moment, look toward bigger goals like success in school or sports. Focusing on the future will help you behave in the present.  Being goal-oriented will teach you the art of self-denial. If you get the desire for a soda or to slack off and play video games, deny yourself. Start with small goals like denying yourself ice cream on weekdays. Move up to harder goals like making the starting basketball team. Stick with your goals and soon enough you'll be in total control of your thoughts and actions. Write down you goals and hang them up where you can see them regularly. Remind yourself of your goals regularly. Make behavioral goals too. Commit to behaving yourself in public and not having any unintended outbursts. Keep your goals positive. Get straight A's, keep practicing guitar until you're comfortable enough to play a gig, or exercise four times a week. Stick to your goals religiously. Make sure your goals are specific. Vague goals are much easier to forget about. When you are tempted to break a promise or a goal, take a deep breath and think about why you set the goal in the first place. That long term commitment is more important than your momentary impulse. Try setting up a punishment and reward system for yourself. If you go a week sticking to a strict diet, give yourself a "cheat day." Likewise, if you decide to skip a workout, make up for it by working out twice as long the next day. Practices like these will lead to control over your desires and actions. Make specific long-term goals with specific short-term ways to achieve them. Part 2 has more specific information on this, but generally speaking, be conscious of the rules in any social situation. Keep them in the back of your head. Whenever you start to break one, practice self control. Take a deep breath and remember that you have the strength and self-control to stop yourself.  Make a mental list of the rules of any social situation. Take note of all the rules before you even say anything. If the rules are unclear, be passive and see how other people are acting. Aim to mimic their behavior. If the atmosphere is appropriate for lewd humor and loud talking, you would not be misbehaving by joining in. If the atmosphere is more professional, conduct yourself formally. If the atmosphere is relaxed, let go more but still watch your noise level. Calming techniques like deep breathing usually work best for self-control, but find what works best for you. Maybe if you're about to break a rule, you can snap your fingers or pinch yourself. Whatever it is, have a method to stop yourself when you get the urge to break a rule. Suit your words to the situation, and choose those words carefully. In most situations, cursing and loud bickering is inappropriate. Avoid pointless arguments and critical statements. Generally speaking, if you don't have something nice to say, don't say it. If you find yourself starting to say something mean or inappropriate, stop yourself before it's too late. If you can't stop yourself, be sure to apologize after.  More relaxed or even crude language is sometimes appropriate if you're with close friends. Be sure you know the situation before you start talking though. Around coworkers, teachers, or bosses, be very careful with your language. Be humble and understanding, and never curse or start fights. Compliments and kind words are always appreciated. If you find yourself wanting to say something mean, write it down instead. Just don't let anybody see what you write! Don't interrupt people. Let them finish what they're saying before you speak. Think before you speak. Thoughtless words can get you into trouble. Get in the habit of asking yourself if you're sure you want to say something before you say it.

SUMMARY:
Be mindful of your noise level at all times. Practice self-control in all aspects of your life by setting goals and sticking to them. Pay careful attention to rules and social norms, and restrain yourself when you get the urge to break them. Be careful with your language.