1. Presenting your message Ch. 12

2. Communication apprehension, Speech anxiety = Stage fright
75-85% of the U.S. population experiences some type of anxiety when faced with giving a public presentation
The issue is not whether or not you are nervous it is how you deal with that nervousness

3. Two types of stage fright:
Facilitative stage fright
- a little nervousness is good
Debilitative stage fright

4. There are many reasons for public speaking anxiety
“I’m afraid…
…I will forget what I am supposed to say.”
…I will make a huge embarrassing mistake.”
…that students will think that I am boring.”
…that I will look stupid.”

5. Sources of Debilitative Stage fright
1. Irrational Thinking
2. Previous negative experience
3. Lack of experience
4. Fear of negative criticism
5. Fear of the unknown
6. Fear of being the center of attention

6. Overcoming each of the six common sources of debilitative stage fright

7. #1 Irrational thinking: Knowing that irrational thinking is often based on fallacies
Catastrophic failure
Perfection
Approval
Overgeneralization

8. Be rational Figure out the basis for nervousness and dispel it
What are you afraid of and why?
Turn negative thoughts into positive thoughts
Remember:
Fear of public speaking is common
Just because you are a bit nervous does not mean you will not succeed

9. #2 Previous negative experience: Be positive
Build and maintain a positive attitude toward your audience, your speech, and yourself as a speaker
Three statements to concentrate on:
1. “I’m glad I’m here”
2. “I know my topic”
3. “ I have important/interesting information
to give the audience”

10. #3 Lack of experience: Be Prepared
Know your topic well
Practice your speech several times
Being prepared eliminates anxiety and increases confidence in subject matter
Work especially hard on your introduction.
***Research has shown that a speaker’s anxiety level begins to drop significantly after the first 30 seconds of a presentation

11. #4 Fear of negative criticism
Focus on people in the audience who are sending confirming messages
Remember:
The audience wants you to succeed
You have knowledge the audience wants
The audience probably doesn’t know that you are nervous

12. #5 Fear of the unknown
Practice and prepare as much as possible in order to reduce uncertainty
Practice visualization

13. #6 Fear of the spotlight: Be receiver oriented
Concentrate on audience members not yourself
Focus on building a connection with audience members
Focus on your message
Make eye contact with members of your audience

14. Additional ways of overcoming speaking anxiety
Visualization
Stress reduction exercises
Be ready and confident

15. Visualization
Using your imagination to visualize the successful completion of your speech
Visualize giving your entire speech in detail, imagine how the audience will respond positively to you
Visualization may help you create a positive self-fulfilling prophecy

16. reduce stress
Quietly tighten and relax your leg muscles, your hands together and then release them
Take a couple of slow deep breaths before you start to speak

17. Be ready and confident Be at your best physically and mentally
Try to get a good nights sleep the night before presenting
Wear cloths that make you feel comfortable and confident

18. In conclusion
It is normal to be nervous at the idea of presenting a speech.
Everyone in this class has the skills and ability to be successful public speakers

19. PART TWO: Delivering your speech

20. Types of Delivery
Extemporaneous
Impromptu
Manuscript
Memorized

21. Extemporaneous Speech
Planned in advance but delivered in a spontaneous manner
Speak directly to the audience in a conversational manner
Practice several times, but appear unrehearsed
Know main points but do not memorize word for word!

22. Impromptu Speech
A speech off the top of your head, with little or no preparation

23. Remember the following when giving an impromptu speech:
Scribble a few brief notes before going on stage
Use personal experience
Stay positive

24. In preparation for an impromptu speech:
Answer: Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How?
Choose one main point that you will focus on
Include Introduction, body, and conclusion
Keep your comments brief and to the point
Relate your topic to the audience

25. Manuscript Speeches
Speeches that are read word for word from a prepared text

26. Memorized Speeches Speeches that are delivered word for word
Most difficult and often least effective
Come across as stiff and extremely formal
Add to feelings of stage fright

27. PART THREE: Practicing your speech
A successful speech that is smooth and effective is always the result of extensive practice
Begin practicing a couple of days before speech

28. Steps to follow when practicing:
“talk through” the entire speech
2. Practice speech several times in full
3. Tape-record or video tape yourself speaking
4. Practice in front of a small group of friends or family

29. Guidelines for Delivery
There are several components to pay attention to when delivering a speech:
Appearance
Movement
Posture
Facial Expression
Eye Contact
Paralanguage

30. Appearance
It is important to appear credible and comfortable when delivering a speech
Wear cloths that you are comfortable and confident in

31. Movement an important element to your speech
can add or take away from the effectiveness of your speech

32. Effective Movements Use movement to… emphasize points
show change in topics
show involvement in what you are saying
retain audience attention
*Planned movements help to alleviate unplanned movements

33. Ineffective movements
Fidgeting
Rocking
Leaning
Pulling and tugging at clothing
Tapping
*When practicing be aware of your ineffective movements

34. Posture Good posture: standing with your spine relatively straight
your shoulders relative squared off
Your feet angled out to keep your body
from leaning form one side or another
* Find a comfortable balance in your posture, do not want to look too stiff or too relaxed

35. Facial expressions should go along with message you are presenting
Practice facial expressions in the mirror while practicing your speech

36. Eye contact Increases audience interest Helps control nervousness
*Try to meet the eyes of each member of your audience at least once during presentation

37. Paralanguage Volume -not too loud or too quiet
Rate -not too slow or too fast
Pitch -Vary pitch in order to keep speech interesting (avoid monotone)
Articulation -learn how to pronounce words correctly

38. In conclusion Practicing your speech is an important key to success.
When practicing your presentation be aware of your effective and ineffective verbal and nonverbal behaviors.