Public speaking class

[Crashoran]

Any suggestions on how to get over the fear of speaking in public? Our first speech was 3-5 minutes long and was absolutely horrifying... Now in 2 days I have to do a 7 minute informative speech. Also at the end of the year we have to arrive at a large banquet on the weekend and do a speech there

[Daniel Bates]

Remember that everyone else in the class is probably just as scared of public speaking as you are. I deliver an informally formal speech nearly every week (the weekend safety brief, an Army tradition), and it's getting easier with practice.

[johnastovall]

Join a local Toastmasters group.

[David_3]

Know your subject! It's all about confidence, and if you really know what you are talking about, the confidence will come naturally.

On a side note....when I was going to be a flight instructor in the Navy, I was required to take a course, taught by the Navy, on how to be a classroom instructor. I thought it would be a waste of time, but boy was I wrong. The course lasted a full month (8 hours/day), and we were required to give one 10 minute lecture, two 20 minute lectures, and finally, a one hour lecture to the other members of the class. The techniques I learned, and confidence I gained were invaluable. It was one of the best classes I have ever taken.

I know it's going to be tough, but really try to get everything you can out of this class. It will serve you well for life.

[acymc]

Try to picture yourself playing a role on stage. This will sometimes allow you to be more relaxed delivering your "lines". You should also make sure you can get into your presentation. If you can't make yourself buy it in practicing then you may be more nervous in class. One other tip is to avoid direct eye contact unless you are comfortable doing that when you talk to people.

[Howard Barlow]

Don't look at the audience. Don't speak to the audience. Look at individuals and speak to them. Every sentence or two, look at another person. That keeps you anchored and let's you carry on a conversation, rather than making a speech.

[Jeff_Green]

Originally Posted by Howard Barlow

Don't look at the audience. Don't speak to the audience. Look at individuals and speak to them. Every sentence or two, look at another person. That keeps you anchored and let's you carry on a conversation, rather than making a speech.

Great advice! It will take some getting used to doing it this way, but it draws them into what you have to say AND let's you speak to them one on one while talking to everyone!

Another thing you can do is to pick a few "focal points" in the audience. The center isle. An empty chair. Something that doesn't react when you talk. This may be a way to go until you get comfortable because sometimes peoples facial expressions can distract you even when they are just listening!

[toverman]

For prepared speeches, the key is also rehearsing out loud. That and knowing your subject backward and forward (as David suggested) will help give you confidence. Also, don't forget to smile and relax. It all does get easier with practice.

[ESHernandez]

Ok. This may sound weird, but I swear it works. Whenever I have new material to lecture on and I have already engraved into memory what I have to say. I simply jump in my vehicle and drive around and practice my lecture. Usually listening to some good tunes. A professor once told me that the hardest part of public speaking is being worried about how you may sound or look to others while addressing. Your accent, manurisms, involuntary quirks that you may have while you speak in public. This is true in most presentations or lectures. However some public speakers are great at it because they simply are passionate about the material; or simply like the sound of their own voice.
Just give it a try. If all else fails just put a bluetooth piece in your ear so the people next to you think your on the phone.

[ThePhilosopher]

Teaching has taught me to not fear public speaking nearly as much.

[HotHolly]

Practice. The more you do it, the less you'll hate it. Some people puke before they give a public speech - if thats you dont drink milk, eat tomatoes or anything that wont sit. Bananas (or other sources high in potassium) help settle nerves and arent supposed to cause some of the issues other foods do, if you know what I mean.

The main thing in getting over it, is to not care anymore. I was never afraid of public speaking or performance, until I took a preaching class in college. On the 1st day of class I looked around and it started to dawn on me I was the only woman in there. I thought the audience would be horrid to me (sexist crap you dont want me to go into). Anyway, when the fear that they'd hate me subsided, it was much better. And then there is always one guy who runs out of the room and pukes, and you gotta be at least a little glad that isnt you. See, it could be worse. Unless you are that guy. In which case you might need banana vodka to get over it. ;o)

[JohnT]

Although it does get easier the more you do it, professional speakers will tell you that they still get "butterflies" a little bit before making their speeches. However, once they get going, it subsides.

[HotHolly]

PS - if its possible to practice in front a few friends in the same location where you will be presenting next time, it helps A LOT. I used to do that with the pukey class. By the time you give the real one, you feel numb-er (more at ease) than if its cold.

[kula23]

Lucky I took that class online from college. I just videotape myself on mac isight and copy on DVD and send that to my teacher. It was easy class! Good luck to you!

[Tom]

Also know that EVERYONE is scared of public speaking.

In a recent poll (dont ask me to pull it up) public speaking was the number one fear among those polled. Fear number two? Death. Yeah, public speaking scares most people more than death.

So people are going to be listening to you, glad it isnt them up there.

If you have a friend in the class, focus on them. You need to look at other people, but ask your friend to sit in the middle to middle/rear of the class. Focus on them and then after a paragraph or so look left and focus on the baseboard or an empty chair for a couple lines, then back to the middle. Then to the right for a few lines and back to the friend.