The Art of Public Speaking

By Prisha Ajmani

Right before you speak in front of an audience, there’s this moment when everything feels still. Nothing in the room shifts, but you do. Your heart pounds, your hands quiver, and for a split second, you wonder if your voice will even come out. It’s in this moment that people ask themselves, “What if no one cares about what I have to say?”

Public speaking has been turned into something we either fear or admire from a distance. It has become a skill that people often assume you’re born with – something only meant for actors, leaders, or extroverts. But public speaking is not about being the loudest person in the room. It’s not about being perfect, having a booming voice, or memorizing the exact right words. It’s about being honest, intentional, and more importantly, human.

Everyone has something to say. The reality is, most of us are just waiting for someone to listen. The art lies in how you say it, and even more so, why. A meaningful speech does not begin with a rehearsed gesture or a catchy line. It starts with purpose. Ask yourself: Why am I saying this? Who needs to hear it? What do I want them to remember when they walk away? The best speeches come from people who not only care about their topic but also about the people they are speaking to.

In a world overflowing with noise, the ability to speak so that others truly listen is not only rare, it is powerful. Yet it has nothing to do with being “naturally talented.” Some of the strongest public speakers were once the quietest in the room. They didn’t start with confidence; they forged it. They built it slowly. One unsteady word after another.

What most people often don’t realize about public speaking is that fear does not mean you’re bad at it. It means you care. It means you’re aware that your words do carry weight. Nerves are not the enemy, though trying to bury your nerves is what holds you back. When you allow yourself to be seen as you are, your voice cracks, and every imperfection makes you relatable. And relatability is one of the most powerful tools a speaker can possess.

What makes someone memorable isn’t just how calm they seem, or what words they have to say. It’s how connected they are. To their message. To their audience. To their voice. Speaking is about presence. It’s how you compose yourself, how you look up instead of down, how you pause to let something sink in, and how you shift your tone not to impress, but to express.

When the silence of a room meets your presence on stage, take a second to recognize that moment as an invitation instead of fear, to take up space, to be heard, and to make someone feel a little less alone. That stillness before you speak isn’t a warning; it’s a beginning. And in that beginning, you have the chance to touch others with truth. So, speak. Speak because your voice, exactly as it is, might be the one someone else has been aching a lifetime to hear.

Author’s Note:

My name is Prisha Ajmani, a high school student from Austin, Texas. My journey began with countless public speaking opportunities – practicing, competing, and learning to face the nerves that come before every speech. Debating came later, building on that foundation and teaching me how to think quickly and connect ideas with intention. Through years of challenging debate competitions and founding and leading a Speech & Debate club, I’ve realized that fear and doubt don’t disappear; they become a part of the story we tell when we choose to speak up. This piece reflects my ongoing journey of learning to embrace my voice fully and the belief that every voice, no matter how unsure, has the power to connect and inspire those whose stories have yet to be told. I share more from this journey, including tips on public speaking, debate, and building confidence, on my Instagram page, @speakupwithprisha, in hopes of helping others find their voice too.