1. Communication Apprehension

2. What can we learn from Amanda?
Give this class your best effort.
Engage in diligent preparation & practice.
View it as a systematic process.

3. Stage Fright
This is the uncomfortable feeling when speaking alone in front of an audience.
This fear or anxiety is part of the body’s fight-or-flight reaction.

4. Communication Apprehension
An individual’s level of fear or anxiety associated with either real or anticipated communication with another person or persons (McCroskey 13).

5. Communication Apprehension
Physiological Responses
Psychological Responses
Rapid heart rate
Sweating
Dry mouth
Hyperventilation
Butterflies in stomach
Increased self consciousness
Irrational fears
Lack of confidence
Negative attitude

6. Communication Apprehension
Trait CA: a general pattern of low medium, or high orientation of anxiety or fear across communication contexts.
State CA: the anxiety or fear is experienced in one situation but not in others.

7. How does anxiety (CA) affect my speech preparation?
It prevents you from being relaxed in the speech process, and hinders systematic preparation in the following areas:
Significant Reflection &Thinking Time
Research
Adaptation to Audience
Outline Organization

8. How does anxiety (CA) affect my speech delivery?
It affects your oral performance:
Inadequate voice projection
Speaking too quickly or too slowly
Lack of confidence
Reluctance to use eye contact
Lose focus & uncomfortable feeling

9. What can I do to limit my speech anxiety to give a speech that makes an impact?
Cognitive Restructuring
Deep breathing exercises
Time management
Sufficient practice
Formal attire

10. Cognitive Restructuring
“A process of revising how people think about speaking situations”(Wood 288).
“I can’t be a good speaker”
 “I can be a good public speaker”

11. Cognitive Restructuring
Helps combat psychological noise
Also called internal noise that refers to biases, prejudices, & feelings toward a person or message (West and Turner).
Example : “I hate giving a speech.”

12. Boosting Confidence
Consistent cognitive restructuring changes negative beliefs into positive affirmations that boost your confidence levels.

13. Deep breathing exercises
Synchronize your breathing & speaking.
Allow for better voice projection.
Vocal Effort: the effort you make to vocalize sound (Colton and Casper 232).

14. Deep breathing exercises
Alleviate negative physiological effects of CA, such as hyperventilation & rapid heart rate.
Help you relax & be engaged.

15. Engage in deep breathing!
Breathe in through your nose for a count of five, as if you are smelling a rose.
Hold your breath for a count of five.
Relax & breathe out slowly for a count of five, as if you are bending the flame of a candle.

16. Time Management Estimate time needed for preparation.
Block out specific & multiple time slots.
Be aware of when you feel nervous & refocus on completing the task.
Budget question time into your plan.

17. Sufficient practice Allow time for this.
Incorporate reflections & feedback to develop more competence.
Practice speech at least 7 times to limit anxiety & develop your own extemporaneous style.

18. Formal attire Attire should be suited to the occasion.
A clean, neatly groomed appearance enhances credibility & more confident verbal and nonverbal communication.
Plan ahead for all this.

19. Five strategies to combat CA
Use cognitive restructuring for affirmations.
Do deep breathing exercises to relax.
Practice time management skills.
Complete sufficient practice.
Wear formal attire on speech day.