Getting Ready to Read to an Audience

Rehearse, look up, and project so listeners can follow and enjoy.

Reading to an audience, such as a class or a younger buddy, takes extra preparation. First, rehearse the passage at least twice so no words surprise you. Second, project your voice: speak from your chest so the back row can hear, without shouting. Third, look up. Fluent readers glance at the audience at the end of a sentence, then find their place again.

Keeping a finger lightly beside the line can help. Fourth, hold the book or paper low enough that it doesn't hide your face. Imagine reading 'The moon rose slowly over the quiet lake' to first graders. You'd read it gently, pause, look up to share the picture, then continue. If you make a mistake, simply fix it calmly and keep going; audiences rarely mind.

• 1Rehearse so no words surprise you.
• 2Project your voice without shouting.
• 3Look up at the end of sentences, then find your place.