Fear of Speaking

Rehearsal Techniques (Fear of Speaking - Rehearsal)

2008-08-11T21:24:00.005+08:00

It is absolutely, positively essential that you practice and rehearse a speech before you present it. Can you imagine how a football team would perform if they tried to play a game without practice? What if an ensemble attempted to stage a play, but didn’t bother to rehearse? Obviously, both situations would be complete disasters.

Here are some tips on how you can practice effectively:

Engage in both mental and physical rehearsal:
By mental rehearsal, it is suggested that you visual yourself mentally presenting a strong, poised and coherent presentation. Physical rehearsal is the more common type of practice where a speaker presents his speech to a friend, coworker, or simply to the wall. It is this type of rehearsal with which the remainder of the suggestions for practice will be concerned. Rehearse the speech as a whole: It is better to not practice sections of a speech individually. After all, you don’t present your speech in sections. It is often beneficial to go as far as to practice your speech just as it will be performed, from the moment you get out of your seat to speak until the time you have returned to your seat.

Simulate the speaking situation as closely as possible:
The ideal situation is to practice your speech in the very room in which it will be performed. If this is not possible, try tofind a room or environment as close to the performance environment as possible. If a lectern will be used, use on in a practice. Just do anything you can to make your practice approximate the actual performance.

Watch yourself perform:
Often, we do not realize that we make a certain mistake until we see ourselves do it. Videotaping is the best way to watch yourself speak, but if a camera is not available, speaking into a full-length mirror or even audio-taping your speech can also be useful.

Make notes on your speech:
Write suggestion to yourself on your script or delivery notes. If you have the tendency to speak too quickly, write “Slow down!” in the margin of your script. If you want to emphasize a certain word or phrase, underline it. If you intend to move at a certain point in your speech, indicate this on your notes.

Time yourself:
Chances are, no matter the situation in which you will be speaking, there will be a time limit on your presentation. You cannot know how closely your speech comes to that limit until you time yourself in practice.

Rehearse often:
The more you practice, the stronger your delivery becomes. Also the more you rehearse a speech successfully, the more confidence you will have, making you less likely to become nervous.

Rehearse anywhere:
Take any opportunity to practice your speech. Rehearse in the shower, while driving, etc. The important thing is to practice as much as you can.

The Outline (Fear of Speaking - Speech)

2008-08-11T21:18:00.005+08:00

[+] Introduction

i) Attention-getter
ii) Statement of Thesis
iii) Preview of Main Points

[+] Body

i) Point A
1. Transition to point
2. Statement of the point
3. Explanation of the point being made
4. Evidence and support
5. Explanation of relation of evidence and point

ii) Point B
(repeat 1-5)

iii) Point C
(repeat 1-5)

[+] Conclusion

i) Restatement of Thesis
ii) Summary of Points
iii) Signal of the end of the Speech

The Conclusion (Fear of Speaking - Speech)

2008-08-11T21:15:00.005+08:00

People like to have a sense of completion. When you are speaking, your audience needs to feel as if you’ve brought your speech to an adequate conclusion. Conclusion brings together all the thoughts, emotions, discussions, arguments and feelings that the speaker has tried to communicate to the audience.

Like the introduction, the conclusion should accomplish 3 purposes: it should restate the thesis, summarize the main points, and signal the speech’s end.

Restate the thesis:
Since the thesis is your main idea, the one thing you want your audience to believe, you need to use every opportunity to reinforce this idea in their minds.

Summarize main points:
Now that you’ve come to the end of the ‘journey’, tell the audience where they have been. Paraphrase the ideas you have stated earlier in your speech.

Signal the end of the speech:
The final thing to do in a speech is to let the audience know you’ve come to the end and to keep them thinking about your thesis after they leave and perhaps even do something about the problem you’ve noted. You can use any attention-getting technique to accomplish this or even directly call the audience to action.

The Body (Fear of Speaking - Speech)

2008-08-11T18:20:00.004+08:00

The body is the meat of your speech, the part that includes your major arguments and support for your thesis. Some suggestions for writing:

Use main points:
To structure your speech, you need to break your arguments into general main ideas. Use two to four points so that you will have enough to develop your thesis but few enough so that the audience can remember them all. Each main point should develop and support your thesis and should be restricted to a single idea.

Organize your main points in a logical structure:
This means to organize your points in a logical manner. Some ways you can do this:

Chronological or Time Order:
This means to organize your points in an order that follows the sequence of a series of events. For instance, you could look at a problem in the past, the present then the future.

Spatial Order:
In spatial order, you organize your points in the way they relate to each other in space. For instance, you could look at the problem of pollution in the United States by considering the different types of pollution in the Northeast, the South and the West.

Inductive Order:
Inductive reasoning moves from specific to general. The speaker begins with specific facts and gradually builds to a general conclusion (the thesis)

Deductive Order:
This is the opposite of inductive reasoning. The speaker begins by making a broad, general assertion and then supporting it with specific facts.

Provide transitions between main points:
This is to signal the beginning or the ending of a point. Without transitions, your audience may be lost and do not understand the direction that you are leading them. Simple phrases like, “Let’s go to my second point,” or “This brings us to my third idea” can serve as transitions.

The Introduction (Fear of Speaking - Speech)

2008-08-11T18:18:00.004+08:00

The introduction should accomplish 3 purposes: to get the attention of the audience, to state the thesis of the speech and to preview the main points that will be used in the speech.

Get the attention of the audience:
The very first thing you need to do is to draw the audience into your topic, to make them interested in what you have to say. This can be done in many ways: a startling statement, a rhetorical question, an interesting story of anecdote, a quotation etc. No matter which technique is chosen, be sure it deals with the subject of the speech and effectively draws the audience into the speech.

State the thesis of the speech:
The topic is the subject of the speech. The thesis is the speaker’s specific stance on the topic. It is the goal of the speech, the main point, the most important idea the speaker will prove. After gaining the attention of the audience, state very clearly exactly what it is you hope to prove in your speech.

Preview your main points:
By briefly stating the main points that will be used to support the thesis, you focus your information for your audience. The preview of points serves as a roadmap for the audience by giving them a plan of the direction you will take them on during your speech.

Organizing a Speech (Fear of Speaking - Speech)

2008-08-11T18:17:00.003+08:00

It is very important that you structure and organize your speech. Studies have shown that people who hear speeches that are structured are more likely to understand, remember and be persuaded by the message compared to people who hear the exact same material without structure. All speeches should have three parts: the introduction, body and conclusion.

How to Find Topics (Fear of Speaking - Topic)

2008-08-11T18:12:00.004+08:00

Brainstorm:
Without evaluating them, make a list of as many topics as possible.

“Browse” in the library:
Go to the library, not to research for a specific topic, but to browse for topic ideas. Look at current magazines and the index to magazine articles. Browse the non-fiction shelves in areas that interest you.

Read:
Keep up on the news. Read newspapers, magazines, as well as books. The more you know, the more ideas you will have.

Ask for ideas:
Often, other people will come up with ideas you may not have on your own.

Guidelines for Selecting a Speech Topic (Fear of Speaking - Topic)

2008-08-11T18:09:00.003+08:00

Choose a topic you care about:
If you don’t care about your topic, you are likely to be bored speaking on it. What will this do to your audience? However, if you really care about your topic, this will be contagious and your audience will also care. Also, it will be easier for you to speak.

Choose a topic you know a great deal about:
In order to speak well on a subject, you need to be an expert on it. Therefore, choose a topic on which you have a great deal of knowledge or wouldn’t mind taking time to learn.

Choose a topic that is interesting to the audience:
No matter how much you enjoy a certain topic, your speech will not reach anyone if your audience isn’t also interested. Analyze your audience. Determine what type of topics would interest them based on their average age, socioeconomic, etc. If you can, ask a few members of your audience to see what they think of possible choices.

Choose topics that are original:
Some topics, no matter how important or relevant, become boring when an audience has simply heard too much information on them. If you do use a topic that may be over-discussed, try to find a unique approach to present it. This will depend on your personal creativity and ingenuity.

Topic Selection (Fear of Speaking - Topic)

2008-08-11T18:08:00.004+08:00

You can entice your audience to listen to your speech if the topic you choose is of interest to them. However, you can turn your audience off at the very beginning of your speech if you choose a topic that is not relevant to them, or if it is a subject they feel they have heard too much about. Because of this, the selection of topic is one of the most important elements in speech preparation.

Other Characteristics of Effective Delivery (Fear of Speaking - Techniques)

2008-08-11T17:58:00.004+08:00

Following are several techniques that will help you speak more effectively.

Try to be natural:
Speakers should always appear relaxed and natural, not as if they are “giving a speech”.

Reinforce your message:
Your gestures, expressions, and use of vocal techniques should all contribute to the tone and content of your message.

Vary your delivery:
Avoid repetitive and predictable patterns. Try to vary your vocal expression as well as the energy of your presentation.

Use a conversational style:
In normal conversation, we are spontaneous, make eye contact, and are responsive to feedback. Effective presenters also embody these characteristics.

Techniques of Delivery (Fear of Speaking - Techniques)

2008-08-11T17:22:00.012+08:00

Charisma
Charisma, or “presence”, is a hard quality to define and an even harder one to identify. However, when a speaker has it, you know. Charisma refers to the manner in which speakers carry themselves; how they are perceived by the audiences. As a speaker, you will be on ‘display’. You will be center of the attention. This is how you may “get some presence”

Presenters with “presence” have a sense of purpose:
Nothing is tentative. They walk briskly. They know where they are going and why they are going there.

They are open to the audience:
Presenters with presence have an open and outward attitude. They move into an audience, rather than seeming detached from it.

They project a positive attitude:
They seem to want to present. They are excited about what they have to say and the people to whom they will say it.

They look good:
Their dress and appearance shows that they care enough about the audience to get dressed up a little, to make they look nice.

Gestures
Normally our arms and hands are useful, functional part of our bodies. We don’t normally give much thought to how they should be used or where they should be placed. Often, there seems to be no appropriate place to put your hands or nothing that should be done with them. To help, here is a list of do’s and don’ts:

Don’t fidget with your hands:
Fiddling with rings, cuffs, buttons, pens, your notes, the lectern, your hair, or anything else within reach shows your nervousness and distracts from your presentation.

Don’t touch you face, hair or clothes.

Don’t hide your hands:
Don’t put them in pockets, behind your back or by folding your arms.

Don’t wring or rub your hands together nervously.

Do use gestures:
Gestures add emphasis to important points in your speech, give your presentation visual interest, and “prove you’re alive!”

Don’t use too many gestures:
If you gesture too often, the gestures lose their impact and can be distracting.

Don’t repeat a gesture too often:
Speakers will sometimes use the same gestures over and over. Try for a wide variety of gestures.

Do keep your hands at your sides when not using gestures:
When you are not gesturing, the most effective thing to do with your hands is to let them fall comfortably at your sides. Though this may feel awkward and stiff, it looks very professional. If you are using a lectern, you may rest your hands gently on the lectern, but be careful not to lean or to expect the lectern to support your weight.

Do make your gestures above your waist:
Gestures made below the waist tend to look less professional and more lazy than those at waist level or higher.

Facial expressions
You can face extremely expressive and appropriate facial expressions can add much to a presentation. Be careful, however, not to overdo it. Usually, if you feel strongly about a topic and if you are making effective eye contact as opposed to reading from a script, facial expressions will come naturally.

Eye contact
Eye contact is crucial for a speaker. Vocal cords may carry your message, but eyes hold your audience. By making effective eye contact with an audience, you establish a relationship with them and show you are interested in their responses and feedback. Here are some ideas how you can increase your eye contact:

Do not write out speeches word for word:
If you use a complete script, you will need to read and will not be able to look at your audience as often.

There is no set period of time to make eye contact with each member of the audience:
Though some people will assert that you should look at each member of the audience for three to five seconds then move on, this is a fallacy. If you try to do this, you will concentrate on counting rather than your message of the feedback of your audience. It is far more important that you attempt to make a connection with the members of your audience.

Include all members of the audience:
When presenting, there is a natural tendency to give more attention to audience members in the front and center sections of the audience. However they are all important and shouldn’t be ignored.

Voice
Speakers have to be able to use their voices effectively. Here are the vocal elements of delivering a speech:

Volume:
Speak at an appropriate volume. Call out in the room before you speak and adjust your volume. You may need a microphone in a large room and make sure that it is in perfect working order. In a small room, do not speak louder than you would have in a normal conversation. Speaking too loud may make your audience feel uncomfortable.

Rate:
Rate refers to the speed with which you speak. Be careful that your rate is neither too slow nor too fast. If it is too slow, your listeners’ minds may wander from your presentation; if it is too fast, your audience may not be able to follow or understand you. More often, presenters will speak too quickly as that can be a result of nervousness:

Vocal Variety and Inflection:
This refers to the amount of variance in pitch, which is defined as the relative higlmess or lowness of your voice. Though you don’t want to overdo it, it is preferable to have a good amount of vocal variance, rather than a monotone pitch. It adds interest to your presentation and helps emphasize important points.

Articulation and Pronunciation:
Articulation is the way we physically form a word, while pronunciation refers closely we state a word in accordance with some accepted standard, such as dictionary. It is vital that speakers both articulate words clearly and pronounce them correctly. If you need to say a word in a speech and do not know the correct pronunciation, look it up. It is much better to take the time to do this than to mispronounce a word during a presentation.

Pauses:
Pauses are important as they help emphasize important points, give audience the time to process information, and allow them the time for laughter if a joke is used.

How to Control Your Nervousness When Speaking (Fear of Speaking)

2008-08-11T16:59:00.005+08:00

Knowing how to deal with your nervousness is the best tool you have to control it. What follows are ten techniques that can relax you before you speak. They may not all work for you: the trick is to find those that do and use them.

Don’t fight your fear:
Realize that it is completely natural for you to be nervous. Believe that it can help you. Fear gives you energy because when you are nervous, your energy level picks up. Nervousness also shows respect for your audience. After all, if you are nervous, that tells the audience that they are worth being nervous about.

Walk before presenting:
If it is possible, go for a brisk walk before you present. Even if it’s just in the hall between classes, exercise can relax you. According to experienced speakers, walking before presenting will loosen up your whole body and prevent you from shaking during presentation.

Don’t cross your legs while you are preparing to speak:
If you do, the leg on the bottom may fall asleep and won’t support you when you get up to speak.

Dangle your arms and twirl your wrists while waiting to speak:
Let your arms dangle loosely at your sides. Twirl your wrists gently to shake off nervous energy. You’ve seen athletes do this before games. It can loosen a speaker up the same way it can an athlete.

Take deep breaths before you speak:
This also relaxes you and gives you the air you so desperately need when you are nervous. Choose a topic you like: If you are excited about what you are going to say, you will be less likely to worry about how you will say it. You may even be excited to share your topic with the audience.

Be prepared:
The more you aow about a topic, the less likely you are to forget anything. The less likely you are to forget a speech, the less nervous you will be. Likewise, the more you have practiced, the more confidence you will feel.

Imagine yourself speaking well:
Another technique athlete’s use that can also help speakers is positive visualization. Before you speak, close your eyes and imagine yourself giving a strong, fluent speech. Pretend that you are Martin Luther King or Usman Awang rolled into one! If you picture yourself being successful, you’re more likely to actually be successful.

Don’t call attention to your nervousness:
If you are openly uncomfortable, the audience will be less likely to listen to you and respect you. You might even make them nervous! Also, if you act confident, you may trick yourself into being confident!

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes:
Many speakers worry that even one mistake will ruin their entire speech. Think about this: how many times in normal conversation do you stop and correct yourself? Does it ruin the conversation? Of course, everyone makes many mistakes in conversation and most go completely unnoticed. The same is true of speeches. If you make mistake, correct yourself and go on, It’s far more important and realistic for you to deal with mistakes well than to avoid them completely.

Introduction to Public Speaking (Fear of Speaking)

2008-08-11T16:56:00.006+08:00

Almost everyone is afraid to give a speech publicly. A survey showed that 90% would rather go to a dentist, bungee jumping or jump from a speeding car than speak in public in front of an audience. Yet in our personal everyday life, speaking is the easiest, most natural and rewarding experience you know. Speaking publicly can actually be fun and easy and hopefully the following tips will help you improve as a speaker. Remember, if you can talk, you can speak!