ABSTRACT
The recommendation for a great delivery is practice, practice, practice; this comes from countless books on public speaking and Toastmasters International, the leading organization in the United States that teaches and promotes good public speaking. Very few people can hold an audience’s attention very long without a slide show to illustrate their points and make their arguments. The ability to speak to groups is a critical skill for behavior analysts. Giving presentations to civic or professional groups is probably the best way to spread the word about behavior analysis. In addition to meeting our ethical responsibility, there are many jobs for professional behavior analysts that will require professional behavior analysts to have public speaking skills. Practice in front of a mirror, practice with a friend, and finally, if possible, practice in the room where professional behavior analysts will be speaking.
