Transcript Speech Anxiety

Speech Anxiety
Why are we afraid of speaking in
public?
• The reason most people get anxious when
required to speak to a group is that they
are afraid of looking foolish or stupid in
front of many of their peers and important
people.
• They are afraid that their mind will go
blank or that their lack of speaking skills
will lower the opinion others have of them.
Steps you can take to reduce the
fear.
• In most cases the fear or nervousness is
just extra energy.
• You first must attempt to reduce the fear.
• The easiest way to do this is through
preparation.
Steps to Reduce Fear
• Be well-prepared in what you do before a
group
• Have a backup, in case you forget what
you want to say
• Realize that the audience is on your team
-- they want you to succeed
• Practice, practice, practice
Be well prepared
• Have a good outline of facts and information that
you can talk about.
• Strategies are laid out, all material is ready,
contingency plans are made, and every detail is
taken care of when professionals or CEOs
deliver important speeches
• When we don't prepare -- we prepare to fail.
• When you are well prepared, chances of failure
or goof-ups are greatly reduced.
Have a Backup
• It is worthwhile to bring along a "security
blanket" or "safety net" in case something goes
wrong in your presentation.
• For example, having your speech outlined on
some sort of cards or pages is a good backup in
case you have a mental lapse.
• Referring to your notes is certainly acceptable to
refresh your memory.
• Don't use your notes/speaking outline as a
crutch, but to keep you on track.
Reduce your fear of your
audience
• Speaking to peers, employers, instructors, or dignitaries
can create fear in a person.
• Think about your audience as being on "your team."
• Become one with your audience. Don't build an artificial
wall between you and your audience.
• Direct eye contact can create a oneness between you
and your audience.
• Use the abundance of energy that your audience is
capable of projecting to you.
• Remember that they are on your team and they are
there to hear what you have to say.
Practice
• The more you give a talk, the more
automatic it becomes
• Practice out loud; alone; to small groups;
to friends; to relatives; to strangers; to
pets; to roommates. Practice. Practice.
Practice.
• Treat your practice just like you treat the
speech on speech day.
Selecting A Speech Topic
Selecting a topic
• For many students choosing a topic is one
of the hardest things to do in this class.
• You are not the only one who is having
trouble selecting a topic.
• I would suggest that you start
brainstorming possible topics.
• Start with your interests. What do you like
to do? What do you do well? Essentially
you are teaching us about something.
Selecting a topic
• A great speech starts with a great topic.
• It is so important that you select a topic
that interests you, and you believe will
interest your audience.
• Once you have some potential topics you
will want to ask yourself some questions
about each topic in order to find the best
one for you and your audience.
Once you have a topic (or list of topics)
ask yourself the following questions.
– Am I interested in the topic?
– Will I enjoy researching this topic?
– Will I enjoy talking about this topic and
sharing my information with my audience?
– Will my audience be interested in my topic?
– Am I passionate about this topic?
Selecting a topic
• If you can answer yes to all of the above
questions then you have selected a great
topic for you and your audience.
Using Visual Aids
Effectively
• The key to a strong presentation isn't the
equipment you use.
• You should be able to do your presentation on a
blank stage, with no props, and have it work on
its own.
• The whole idea of visual aids is to enhance your
presentation, not to be the purpose of it.
• The absolutely worst presenters are those who
use the equipment as a crutch.
OVERHEAD PROJECTORS
• The overhead projector is the most used
and abused of all audio-visual equipment.
• Overhead projectors can greatly enhance
your presentation if they are used right.
• They are very easy to use and can
accommodate large or small audiences.
Videotapes
• Before Presentations:
1. Be sure the videotape is rewound and at the
starting point. Do this right after you show the
film.
• 2. Check to make sure the playback machine
and the monitor are playing properly. Check this
before the session so you may replace the
machine if it is not working properly.
• 3. Check audio level and contrast.
• 4. Lights should be dimmed but not turned off.
Videotapes
• During Presentation:
1. Explain what the purpose of the tape is
before playing it.
• 2. Show interest in the tape and watch it
enthusiastically.
• 3. Summarize the main points after you
have shown the tape.
Audiotapes
• Before Presentation:
1. Be sure the tape is rewound and at its starting
point.
• 2. Adjust the volume so all participants can hear.
• 3. Use a high quality recorder to prevent
distortion.
• 4. If the recorder is portable, position it at table
level of the participants.
• 5. Explain the purpose of the tape and identify
the speaker before playing.
• 6. Always carry a backup tape!
Handouts
• Handouts:
1. For visual variety provide handouts on
yellow light blue paper.
• 2. Distribute the handouts just prior to
discussing the topics.
• 3. Have extra handouts for unexpected
participants.
Microphone
• During Presentation:
1. Speak clearly into the microphone.
• 2. Keep proper distance from the
microphone. When using a standard
podium microphone talk about six inches
from the microphone.
• 3. Repeat questions from the audience
into the microphone. This helps everyone
hear the question that was asked.
Analyzing Your Audience
• One easy way to do this in our class is to
ask your audience specific questions
about your topic
• Put together an Audience Analysis
Questionnaire for your speech.
• You will include demographic questions
and an opening & closing.
• Bring with you a questionnaire for each
person in class.
Example Questionnaire
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Please answer the following questions about yourself and your current weather
knowledge. Circle the response that best describes your answer.
Gender: FEMALE
MALE
1. What part of the country/ world are you from?
2. Excluding your present location, where have you lived?
3. Have you ever studied weather in high school or college? YES NO
4. Briefly describe the most memorable weather event that you've been
through.
5. How often do you watch the weather report on the nightly news?
Once
3times
5 or more
a week
a week
times a week
6. How much time do you spend doing outside activities per week?
7. Have you ever had an event, such as a picnic or parade, canceled due
to the weather? YES NO
8. Briefly describe the difference between low and high pressure system.
9. Have you ever used an old addage or maybe an ache or pain to predict
what weather was going to happen? YES NO
Example Questionnaire
• 10. To what degree do you feel the weather affects your daily life?
Very little
Moderately
Very much so
• 11. How many pieces of information do you think a weather
forecaster
uses on a daily basis?
5 or less
10-15
20 or more
• 12. How do you feel about meteorologists?
• 13. Please name or draw some weather symbols you've seen.
• Thank you very much for your time and the information you have
provided. Please return this questionnaire to Rich.
Audience Identification
• What do you and your audience have in
common?
• And conversely, how are you different?
• What ideas or examples in your speech can your
audience identify with?
• It is essential to select a topic that you know
well, that you feel comfortable with, or that you
have a strong interest in.
• It is essential to present your message (speech)
from the audience's point of view.
Questions to Consider when
adapting your topics:
• What do you and your audience have in
common?
• How are you and your audience different?
• What ideas or examples in your speech
might your audience identify with?
• How can your topic or the information
benefit your audience?
• How can your audience use the
information?
Questions to Consider when
adapting your topics:
• How will the information help your audience?
• What is your audience's amount of interest in or
attitude toward your topic?
• How will you address or compensate for your
audience's amount of interest in or attitude
toward your topic?
• What does your audience know about your
topic?
• What might they want to know or need to know
about your topic?
Supporting A Speech
Mr. Jeremy Rinkel
Supporting materials
• A Definition:
The term supporting materials refers to the
information a person provides to develop
and/or justify an idea that is offered for a
listener's consideration.
• Without supporting materials, an oral
presentation is little more than a string of
assertions (claims without backing).
Supporting Materials
• Supporting materials serve a variety of
functions in oral presentations:
– to clarify the speaker's point
– to emphasize the point
– to make the point more interesting
– to furnish a basis that enables others to
believe the speaker's point.
General Guidelines for
Supporting Materials
• 1. Pertinence -- Each piece of support should be clearly
relevant to the point it is used to support.
2. Variety -- The presentation should not rely
excessively on one type of support (such as examples)
but should instead use a number of different forms of
support.
3. Amount -- The presentation should include a
sufficient amount of support (enough to make the ideas
presented both clear and compelling to the audience).
General Guidelines for
Supporting Materials
• 4. Detail -- Each piece of support needs to be developed
to the point that audience members can both understand
the item of support AND can see how the item backs up
the point it is used to support.
5. Appropriateness -- Each piece of supporting material
should meet the demands that the audience
• A "scholarly" audience, for example, will probably place
higher demands on the speaker's sources of information
than a "general" audience would.
• A "graphic" description of a particular topic, while entirely
fitting in some occasions, might be out of place in
another.
Specific Guidelines for
Supporting Materials
• Specific Guidelines for Supporting
Materials
• Supporting materials are usually offered in
recurring forms.
• Depending upon the form of support
provided, you should ask yourself some
questions to determine if you are making
the best possible use of that kind of
material:
For Examples/Narratives:
• * Is the example/narrative representative?
• * Is the example/narrative sufficiently
detailed and vivid?
• * Is the example/narrative personalized?
• * If necessary, was the source cited in the
speech?
For Statistics:
• * Is the source of the statistic reliable?
• * Has the source of the statistics been cited in
the speech?
• * Has the statistic been used correctly?
• * Have you rounded-off complicated statistics?
• * Have you interpreted the statistic (explained it
in another way)?
• * Have you done something to emphasize the
statistic?
• * Have you used statistics sparingly?
For testimony
• * Is the source qualified to make the statement you're
quoting?
• * Is the quotation accurate?
• * Have you attributed the testimony prior to the quote?
• * Have you made it clear whether you are paraphrasing
or quoting directly?
• * If you are quoting, is the quotation brief?
• * Have you clearly signaled where the testimony begins
and ends?
• * Are the source's conclusions reasonably free from
bias?
For comparison/contrast
• * Is comparison appropriate and justified?
* Is the comparison meaningful -- does it
tell your audience something valuable?
* Have you avoided overdoing the
comparison?
Visualize a Superior Speech
Mr. Jeremy Rinkel
Visualizing your speech
• By becoming aware of the areas in which
you want to improve your public speaking
you can begin improving in these areas
even before your next speech (Right
Now...Today).
Visualizing your speech
• Visualize yourself giving your next speech-using your strengths.
• Visualize yourself improved in all of the areas
that you want to improve.
• Visualize a strong, confident, well prepared,
enjoyable speech, with a great introduction and
conclusion.
• Visualize the most vivid, successful speech you
can imagine. This will help you prepare for
success.
Visualizing your speech
• Further organization and preparation of all
aspects of your presentation will also help you
improve.
• The more prepared you are the more confident
you will be.
• You want to control for everything that you can,
so your situation doesn't take control of you.
Well thought out Practice and rehearsal is also a
great way to prepare for your speech and
ensure your success.
• Superior preparation and practice will set the
stage for a superior presentation.
Practicing Your Speech
Mr. Jeremy Rinkel
Practicing Your Speech
• DO!
• Go to the room where you will give your
presentation to get a feel for the
environment/set-up. Practice in front of a friend
or friends without stopping, just as you will want
to give your presentation on speech day.
• Practice in front of a mirror (full length if
possible).
• Practice using visual aids so you know how
much time they will take up and how to
incorporate them into your speech.
Do
• Practice with background noise (ie.- turn on the
tv, radio, etc.) in order to practice with
distractions.
• Practice with the actual speaking outline you will
use in your presentation.
• Practice your speech dressed as you plan to be
for your actual presentation so that you can feel
comfortable and ready to speak.
• Time yourself. -- Make sure that you are
consistently within your time frame.
Do
• Video tape yourself if possible. This is the best
way for you to be able to see what your mistakes
are so that you can fix them before you give your
presentation.
• Practice becoming aware of your posture and
mannerisms as you speak.
• If you are going to use movement on speech day
-- you need to practice moving--keep it
controlled and natural.
• Eliminate any distracting mannerisms you may
have.
Get Rid of Distracting Mannerisms
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many nervous habits you might have
playing with a ring or necklace
tucking hair behind your ear,
playing with a pen, cracking knuckles,
etc.).
• These are actions you can easily avoid
doing if you are aware of them.
Don’t
• Speakers often do things that drive their
audiences crazy. Don't!
• Never have change or keys in your pockets. You
do not want to have the sound of objects
competing with your voice.
• Never wear a hat, unless it is part of your
presentation. Dress appropriately any time you
give a presentation. It is better to make a
credible first impression by looking as if you are
interested in giving a good speech.
Don’t
• Do not use distracting mannerisms. This
includes many nervous habits you might have
(i.e. playing with a ring or necklace, tucking hair
behind your ear, playing with a pen; cracking
knuckles, etc.). These are actions you can easily
avoid doing if you are aware of them. Take off
your jewlry; tie your hair back or moose it down;
get rid of the pen, etc...
• Do not stand with your arms crossed or your
hands in your pockets. This type of posture
prevents you from gesturing and may even
make your audience uncomfortable.
Don’t
• Never apologize if you make a mistake while giving a speech.
Simply correct the mistake and move on. You never want to draw
light to an error, chances are most people will miss it anyway. Along
these same lines never make faces when you make a mistake it is
better to just keep going.
• Don't put your visual aids up in front of the class before you explain
them. Rather introduce them as you are speaking. Also, don't keep
visual aids up after you are no longer referring to them. Use Visual
Cues on your speaking outline to easily avoid these blunders.
• Don't practice your speech holding on to your speaking outline.
When you are practicing put your outline on something - Music
stand; A box; A high counter, anything to simulate the lectern that
you will be presenting with.
Presenting Your Speech
Mr. Jeremy Rinkel
Tips on Giving Effective
Presentations:
• Eye Contact
– Using natural, direct eye contact helps your audience feel
connected to you.
• Gestures
– Gestures can help you paint pictures with words, but make sure
they don't get in the way, and they are natural.
• Enthusiasm
– Be enthusiastic. If you don't care, why should your audience?
– Your enthusiasm builds your audience's enthusiasm.
Tips on Giving Effective
Presentations:
• Articulation
– Articulate your words clearly so the members of your
audience will understand you.
• Breathe
– Breathing helps you control nervousness.
– It also gives you time to gather your thoughts.
– Remember that a pause can be used to provide
emphasis.
• Posture
– Correct posture conveys confidence.
Tips on Giving Effective
Presentations:
• Tone
– The tone of your voice can create or change a mood.
• Dress
– Dress for success.
– Be neat and professional.
– Don't wear loud accessories that will distract members of the audience.
• Language
– Use proper language and be careful not to use non-words and fillers
such as "um" and "uh" too often.
• Smile
– A smile will not only make you look and feel better, but also make your
audience more receptive.
Group Project Guidelines
Mr. Jeremy Rinkel
GROUP PROJECT TASK LIST
• STEP #1: ORIENTATION
• Group members need to learn who everyone is - exchange
– phone numbers, email addresses, etc.
– keep a record of this information.
• Discuss what the group is expected to do
• don't assume that the requirements of the group
project are clear to everyone.
• More often than not, people are not always sure
about what the group is expected to do.
STEP #2: DIVISION OF LABOR
• Divide the project up into a series of
smaller steps or parts
• Put the parts of the project into a time
sequence -- in what order must each step
or part of the project be done?
• Agree on a time table -- when must each
part of the project be finished?
STEP #2: DIVISION OF LABOR
• Agree on who is responsible for each part
of the project.
• Agree on what each person must
PRODUCE for their part of the project
by the agreed upon deadline.
• BE SPECIFIC -- everyone in the group
must agree to turn in something tangible to
the group at a stated time.
STEP #2: DIVISION OF LABOR
• Agree about what to do if people in the group
"get behind" and won't be able to meet a
deadline.
• Agree upon a schedule of meetings –
• most groups think all they need to do is divide up
the work,
• meet five minutes before the presentation, and
"whip it together."
• You can do it this way, but the approach rarely
works!
STEP #3. ASSESSMENT
• Use some of your group meetings to
review what members have accomplished
up to that point.
• Have group members provide feedback
about each other's work
– is the material provided by the member what
the group needs
– is something missing
– what else needs to be done?
STEP #3. ASSESSMENT
• Set new expectations and deadlines as
appropriate
– group's usually discover as the project moves along
that the original time table and division of group
member responsibilities needs to be modified.
– Take the time to do that so that the work doesn't all
pile up at the end.
• Pay attention to possible gaps in the group's
work -- are there important topics or tasks that
the group is overlooking?
STEP #4. PRESENTATION
PLANNING
• Once the research on the project is fairly
far along, the group needs to turn its
attention to the question of HOW to orally
present the material the group gathered.
– MANY GROUPS MAKE THE MISTAKE OF
WANTING TO TALK ABOUT THE PLAN FOR
THE PRESENTATION TOO SOON.
– Wait until the group has a pretty good idea of
what they'll be talking about.
STEP #4. PRESENTATION
PLANNING
• Decide on a presentation topic
• Determine who will serve as the presentation
moderator
• Decide on audio/visual aids for the presentation
• Make decisions about physical arrangements for
the presentation
• Practice
• Work to improve delivery skills of the group
members