Public Speaking
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I used to be terrified of speaking in front of even small groups of people. You could tell I was terrified. But when I was in my last year of Secondary/High School, I would have to speak infront of a crowd of 50 people about once a month. After such an ordeal, I don't really get nervous anymore...
...but I still gesticulate like a man on fire
Anyway, my advice is take a few deep breaths and pick a few spots around the room to look at and pretend your just talking to that spot, not the group of people in the room. Although pick a spot that's just over someone's shoulder or just above their head so it doesn't look like your trying to avoid eye contact.
...but I still gesticulate like a man on fire
Anyway, my advice is take a few deep breaths and pick a few spots around the room to look at and pretend your just talking to that spot, not the group of people in the room. Although pick a spot that's just over someone's shoulder or just above their head so it doesn't look like your trying to avoid eye contact.
I wouldn't say I enjoy it, but it doesn't bother me, either.
In my Freshman year, all high school students in the area got an assignment to write a 1,000 word essay for Veteran's Day. This was for a small grade, to ensure students did it, but the real purpose was to determine a winner, who would read their essay at the Veteran's Day parade. I didn't particularly care to win, so I ended up intentionally going well over the 1,000 word limit; I would get full credit for the assignment, but disqualify myself from the contest.
So, naturally, I end up getting picked anyway. It was pretty fun, though; Veteran's Day happened to fall on a Thursday that year, which is the weekly uniform day for NJROTC cadets at my high school; therefore, I was in my NJROTC uniform when I gave the speech in front of a crowd of veterans. It got on the local news, too.
In my Freshman year, all high school students in the area got an assignment to write a 1,000 word essay for Veteran's Day. This was for a small grade, to ensure students did it, but the real purpose was to determine a winner, who would read their essay at the Veteran's Day parade. I didn't particularly care to win, so I ended up intentionally going well over the 1,000 word limit; I would get full credit for the assignment, but disqualify myself from the contest.
So, naturally, I end up getting picked anyway. It was pretty fun, though; Veteran's Day happened to fall on a Thursday that year, which is the weekly uniform day for NJROTC cadets at my high school; therefore, I was in my NJROTC uniform when I gave the speech in front of a crowd of veterans. It got on the local news, too.
Just take a deep breath, Imagine you're about to rally your troops to a war. Speak with an authorative tone, Keep your head & shoulder high, And make it the most epic & Emotive speach you can do.
...Would it be good to know im good at drama...
...Would it be good to know im good at drama...
I am actually pretty blessed when it comes to public speaking...One class in my senior year of high school and two classes during college... Never really rehearsed a speech before I got there, and except for going over on time a couple times (By less than a minute mind you), I always got good grades...
Anyway, my advice, Stay calm and easy-going...If you're standing up there straight as an arrow and just spouting of your speech, no one will probably listen...If you can, move around and look around...Gesture to yourself, the audience, and the open air...Have some fun with it...Be passionate about it (even if you really don't like your topic)...Passion (even well feigned) will get you major points from what I have seen...
The main thing is to know your audience though...That will show you how much of the previous advice to actually go on...
Now funny speech story...High school speech, second to last presentation...Had to sell an item...Teacher decided to give quirks to the seller and their assigned buyer from the class (Seller doesn't know the buyer or buyers quirk until the second before actually giving the speech)...I had to be a door to door vacuum salesman...Found out that I had to sell to a woman whose husband JUST LEFT HER...Got an A...
Anyway, my advice, Stay calm and easy-going...If you're standing up there straight as an arrow and just spouting of your speech, no one will probably listen...If you can, move around and look around...Gesture to yourself, the audience, and the open air...Have some fun with it...Be passionate about it (even if you really don't like your topic)...Passion (even well feigned) will get you major points from what I have seen...
The main thing is to know your audience though...That will show you how much of the previous advice to actually go on...
Now funny speech story...High school speech, second to last presentation...Had to sell an item...Teacher decided to give quirks to the seller and their assigned buyer from the class (Seller doesn't know the buyer or buyers quirk until the second before actually giving the speech)...I had to be a door to door vacuum salesman...Found out that I had to sell to a woman whose husband JUST LEFT HER...Got an A...
I always get mad at myself for getting so uptight while speaking.
1. I know all these people(for the public speaking i've gone through)
2. i know my subject well
3. the presentations have been, for the most part, on stuff the other people don't have projects on so i could say the equivalent that the sky is bright pink 24/7
4. I know exactly what i wanna say that doesn't relate to the subject, i see myself doing well making a little light banter
What happens is i end up rushing, get warm under the color, and studder. I'm not a public speaking type person.
1. I know all these people(for the public speaking i've gone through)
2. i know my subject well
3. the presentations have been, for the most part, on stuff the other people don't have projects on so i could say the equivalent that the sky is bright pink 24/7
4. I know exactly what i wanna say that doesn't relate to the subject, i see myself doing well making a little light banter
What happens is i end up rushing, get warm under the color, and studder. I'm not a public speaking type person.
I don't like to speak publicly, because I always turned uber red in the beginning of my speech. If it wasn't for that I would love to give speeches.
I'm fairly good at it and I seem to have gotten over most of my shy nature. So I enjoy it if it has a purpose. I wouldn't do it for school if I didn't have to because I know that nobody gives a damn; given the opportunity to make a speech in a venue where I had something relevant and interesting to say I would gladly do it.
I'm a relatively shy guy, but I do really well at public speaking.
Confidence is key - if you get up there, look at your note cards and nothing else, they'll know you're nervous. Working the crowd is paramount.
Best bet is to meet eye contact with people and be casual.
Good luck.
Confidence is key - if you get up there, look at your note cards and nothing else, they'll know you're nervous. Working the crowd is paramount.
Best bet is to meet eye contact with people and be casual.
Good luck.
I'm one of the best speakers in my class, I just never volunteer to go, so I end up going last. I find that I can get myself really worked up about speaking before I do it unless I keep myself in check, so I recommend thinking about something like funny ways to say your speech, or what you had for lunch, or how pretty the bird caught in the fan is ... you know, things to force yourself to calm down, it works wonders.
So yeah, I love public speaking when I'm doing it, just not before I'm doing it.
So yeah, I love public speaking when I'm doing it, just not before I'm doing it.
I'm extremely shy and hate public speaking, plus I tend to stutter a lot or sound like a telephone operator for the FBI, lacking in all emotion except fake interest.
And yet I'm getting a 90 in my senior Drama class. It surprises most that I'm in a drama class.
Look up from your notes, but if you're too nervous to make eye contact, subtly look over their heads. S'what I do and it gets me through!
And yet I'm getting a 90 in my senior Drama class. It surprises most that I'm in a drama class.
Look up from your notes, but if you're too nervous to make eye contact, subtly look over their heads. S'what I do and it gets me through!
I'm not great at it. But I had to do enough of it at school so that I don't dread at the suggestion.
With what time you have before class, rehearse. The preperation will make you feel much more confident.
Take deep breaths before you get up to take the podium. Try clenching and unclenching your hands, too, I've heard that helps some people.
When you're walking to the front of the room, try not to rush. It's important that you appear calm and confident before you get to the podium, because your audience begins judging even you before you start speaking. They see you before they hear you.
Once you begin speaking, you'll start feeling much less nervous after around 30 seconds into your introduction. Try not to fidget or gesture too much, or it will distract your audience. If you have to use one of the tricks people have mentioned before, looking at peoples' noses or just over their heads, you can, but if possible maintain eye contact. People can tell when you don't look them in the eye, and it makes you look untrustworthy.
Remember that no matter how fast your heart is racing and how sweaty your palms feel, or whatever, the people watching you can't see that. Once you start speaking, don't stop until you're finished. If you pause for too long you may lose your momentum (that's happened to me once).
Also try not to rush away from the podium when you're finished.
Take deep breaths before you get up to take the podium. Try clenching and unclenching your hands, too, I've heard that helps some people.
When you're walking to the front of the room, try not to rush. It's important that you appear calm and confident before you get to the podium, because your audience begins judging even you before you start speaking. They see you before they hear you.
Once you begin speaking, you'll start feeling much less nervous after around 30 seconds into your introduction. Try not to fidget or gesture too much, or it will distract your audience. If you have to use one of the tricks people have mentioned before, looking at peoples' noses or just over their heads, you can, but if possible maintain eye contact. People can tell when you don't look them in the eye, and it makes you look untrustworthy.
Remember that no matter how fast your heart is racing and how sweaty your palms feel, or whatever, the people watching you can't see that. Once you start speaking, don't stop until you're finished. If you pause for too long you may lose your momentum (that's happened to me once).
Also try not to rush away from the podium when you're finished.