SPEAK EASY

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SPEAK EASY

• Mary Allen, Speech Professor
• October 25, 2001

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Todays Topics

• What is Public Speaking Anxiety?
• Why do I have it?
• Causes
• What does it look/feel like?
• Symptoms
• What can I do about my nervousness?
• Tips

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What is Public Speaking Anxiety?

• Dilbert on Public Speakingcartoon
• The number one fear among American adultsranking
  above the fear of snakes, heights, disease,
  financial problems, or even deathis the fear of
  speaking before a group. Overcoming Your Fear of
  Public Speaking
• 85 of the population have
• experienced stage fright

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Public Speaking Anxiety

• I just know something is going to go wrong and
  Ill embarrass myself in front of everyone. Im
  so scared. I shake all overmy hands, my knees,
  my voice. Its terrible
• James McCroskey defines Communication
  Apprehension as an individuals level of fear or
  anxiety associated with either real or
  anticipated communication with another person or
  persons.

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Why Do I Have It?

• Previous Negative Experiences
• Irrational Thinking
• Catastrophic Failure
• Everyone will think my ideas are stupid
• Perfection
• Audiences dont expect you to be perfect
• Approval
• Even the best speakers dont please everyone
• Overgeneralization
• I completely blew itI forgot one of my
  supporting points

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What Does IT Look/Feel Like?

• There is some evidence that anxious speakers in
  general are better speakersthat is, in
  everyones opinion but their own.
  Overcoming Your Fear of
  Public Speaking
• Sweaty palms
• Dry mouth
• Quivering voice
• Increased heart rate
• Shaking knees
• Trembling hands
• Queasiness or butterflies

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What can I do about my nervousness?

• Despite nervousness, you can make it through your
  speech.
• Listeners are not as likely to recognize your
  fear as you might think.
• The better prepared you are, the better you will
  cope with nervousness.
• The more experience you get in speaking, the
  better you can cope with nervousness
• Experienced speakers learn to channel their
  nervousness.

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TIPS

• Pick a topic you are comfortable with.
• Take time to prepare fully.
• Try to schedule your speech at a time that is
  psychologically best for you.
• Visualize successful speaking experiences.
• Pause for a few second before you begin.