B UILDING C ONFIDENCE Ms. Pierog English IV

I S P UBLIC S PEAKING M ORE F EARED T HAN D EATH ? Jerry Seinfeld Talks About Public Speaking

I NTRODUCTION “Public speaking is no more difficult than breathing, using chopsticks, or tying a bow tie. The mysterious becomes simple…once you know how to do it.”—Charles Osgood, news commentator and author Confidence is not a trait you’re born with, but it’s something anyone can develop. Well, how do you get it? Confidence is the feeing you have when you believe that you are capable of handling a situation successfully. This attitude is the result of ongoing preparation and practice. Confidence is the internal framework of effective oral communication. It gives the speaker stability and an attitude of assurance.

U NDERSTANDING S TAGE F RIGHT Stage fright, also known as communication apprehension, means a person is afraid to speak, usually in public situations. Fear: a biological process that activates our emergency energy system so that we can cope with danger; unpleasant, often strong, emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger. Adrenaline—when your heart beats faster because your body is preparing to deal with potential danger. When it comes to speaking, we need to confront our fears!

W HO G ETS F RIGHTENED IN F RONT OF AN A UDIENCE ? Studies show that many people fear the thought of giving a speech more than the thought of dying! It can affect anyone, regardless of background or professional training. It doesn’t just have to be public speaking: Interviewing for a job Meeting people for the first time Answering a question in class Explaining a task to coworkers People can suffer from varying degrees of stage fright.

W HAT A RE THE S YMPTOMS ? Forgetting the words, upset stomach, flushed face, dizziness, fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, sweating, wobbly legs, etc. If you’ve ever felt these before or during a speech, you’re quite normal! One of reasons we get these symptoms is that we don’t like being evaluated or judged. A lot of times we don’t think our ideas are worth listening to, so we doubt ourselves. We also think the audience won’t like us. We prepare for the worst! We can be Debbie Downers about ourselves!

T HINKING C RITICALLY Many people find that they lose much of their speaking fear as the speech progresses. Why do you think that his might happen? Write at least two reasons and offer your thinking for each.

E XAMINING THE P LANKS OF C ONFIDENCE C ontent O rganization N otes F riendliness I mpression D edication E mpathy N ewness C onviction E nthusiasm

C ONTENT Have something worthwhile to say! You can’t be confident as a speaker if you’re not confident in your content. Research your topic: Go to the Library Browse the Internet Read the Newspaper Watch the News

O RGANIZATION Have an outline of your speech! What is/are the main point(s) of your speech? Think of it like an essay: Introduction Body Conclusion

N OTES Jot down your ideas on notecards! A notecard can be a “security net” in case you get nervous and lose your place. Make sure to avoid these two problems with notecards: Don’t have too many—5 should be more than enough! Don’t put too many words on a single notecard Notes are not there to read word for word from to the audience. Instead they should be used to jog your memory if you lose your place.

F RIENDLINESS Be pleasant! You’ll gain confidence if you express friendliness because you’ll get positive feedback from your audience. Don’t be afraid to smile!

I MPRESSION Getting off to a good start is essential to building confidence! Your audience is going to get an impression of you right from the beginning. It can also refer to the way you are dressed and groomed. Present yourself nicely, but don’t let your clothes, hair, makeup, or jewelry get in the way of your message.

D EDICATION Practice! Practice! Practice! You need to practice your speech OUTLOUD! Reading it over in your head while listening to music isn’t going to cut it. You need to get used to the sound of your own voice and speak as often as you can. Practice looking at people, practice your hand gestures, and practice moving around.

E MPATHY Know how it feels to feel the same way others feel! Empathy means a genuine understanding of the feelings, thoughts and motives of others. Get to know how your audience feels. Establish common ground. “We’re all in this together, and together we will work to solve what might be on our minds.”

N EWNESS Apply some originality! We often feel confident if we have something new and original to say. Use a story Use a quotation Use charts, graphs, or artwork if it fits Tell a personal story

C ONVICTION Believe in what you say! Know what your values are, and have the courage to stand up and voice those values. Confidence can sky rocket when you have a strong belief in what you’re talking about It can take your mind off your fears, gestures, and facial expressions If you’re confident in what you’re saying, your audience is more likely to be persuaded.

E NTHUSIASM Get excited! You need energy and enthusiasm! Your mind and body need to be involved. If you feel “energized”, your audience will too.

T HINKING C RITICALLY Why is practice essential for success at any undertaking? What problems might develop without it? How could failing to practice particular skills hurt you at work? Could this also damage your confidence? How?