Is public speaking like acting?

Acting is entertaining. Speaking is informing. They are similar. Actors pretend to be some else. Speakers are themselves. If speakers pretend to believe what they are saying they become actors. Speakers can learn from actors but need to be authentic and remain themselves. They may need to be a more animated version of themselves to keep an audience’s attention.

So there is some overlap. The challenge is to present your message authentically and with conviction without becoming an actor.