Public Speaking

[slim pee p]

Hi guys. Ive never really asked for help before, but i could use a few tips to help me with my fear of public speaking. I dont have a problem speaking with one or two people, it is when i get with a group of people in class. I get very nervous expecially when i think i might have to vioce my opinion about something. As far as everything else goes i do have good self confidence. I dunno I guess its just one of those things you get plagued with. Any info is appreciated

Thankyou

[Insane_man]

I've never had this problem myself, but I usually make jokes.

If you have a problem with voicing your opinon, could it be a self-esteem issue? I know PE does wonders for that :D!

I don't see why you should be worried about what other people think. If you are ok with what you are going to say, then that's as good as it gets. If you're saying what you're saying just to get marks, then give a big shit-eating smile and know that the end justifies the means.

[twatteaser]

Is this an actual real public speaking class? Or is it some other class that you have to do a group presentation for like English Comp or whatever?

I had to take it as a communications major at my community college and it filled a requirement for all people at my state university in NJ.

How many people do you have to speak in front of? Even I have second thoughts when i have to speak in front of 800 people. (once only thank goodness). Speaking in front of 25 or under isn't bad at all. There are some good books at Amazon on public speaking. I just pulled myself together and had no problem talking about anyone. I am secretly a sincre bullshit artist. Practice with like 3 friends, get used to the idea then keep doubling (or at least increasing the number) every time you try again.

Haven't you ever spoken at a bar to a large number of a group of friends or people you know? Let's say maybe 6 to 8? Baby steps is the key to acclimitize yourself to the situation. I had classes in oral Interpetation of Literature in which you read outloud on stage as well as voice and diction for better pronunciation and all that. Public Speaking used to bother me, but I soon got used to it. As well as got an "A' in my actual public speaking class.

Most if not all those people in class are just like you and are weirded out by it too. So it is not like you are in front of a podium with experts in speech making and telling! My class actually recorded the sppech on camcorder and you took it home and watched it and saw what you were doing and had to write a paper on what you say before you got your grade from the teacher. Not that the students opinion was factored into the grade, but we are are own worst critics and can see ways to improve when played back for us.

[hobby]

I also had/have an aversion to public speaking. In junior college I took "Small Group Communication" to meet the com requirement, and I delayed that until the last semester. Taking an actual speech class gave me the willies.

However, when I got into 300 and 400 level classes, the teachers were fond of making us do class presentations. Hated it, but each time it got easier.

Since then, I've spoken at televised meetings, done TV interviews, etc. I still get a bit nervous depending on the situation, but it is much easier now.

The best advice I can offer is to jump in and do it. Realize the fear will diminish with practice.

[hobby]

Hmm, I just thought of a good way for you to practice. Pick a local talk radio show that is addressing a topic you know at least a little about, and call in. I was nervous as hell the first few times I did this. How many thousands of people are listening?

[slim pee p]

i know for sure it isnt a self esteem issue. I dont have a small penis or anything like that either. The class im taking is an english class, and there is only around 30 or less students in it. I guess i will have to do some practicing to overcome it. Thanks for your your tips and ideas guys.


Brock

[Stillwantmore22]

Check out www.toastmasters.org

[twatteaser]

Why don't you look at your school schedule for a public speaking class this term. Find an available time for you to go find the professor and ask him or her to let you sit in and watch how someone else gives a speech. Explain your plan of wanting to learn a tip or two by watching like 3 people speak.

So just sneak into a class, it may take a bit of trouble to find a cool professor who will let you do it. Tell him your interested in taking this class in the next semester or two. Flattery goes a long way with academic people by saying you were a good ps teacher and you care to watch.

It will cost you nothing but time. Time that is well spent.

Can you do your presentation by power point or with its help? This MIGHT be of help to you also. Some 300 and 400 classes in other fields require you to do a power point presentation with any group or solo project.

[SirJelqAlot]

i mentioned in another thread that in an americain survey, speeking in front of a crowd was the #1 fear of the average person, #2 was death. lol, i know where id rather be at a funeral.

i just try to force myself to appear confidant, then people assume you are, and like what you are saying, and you subconsciously pick up they like what you are saying and become more confidant about it, its a non-viscous cirlce.

SJA

[slim pee p]

Wow! that amazes me that public speaking is the number 1 fear. Im now reading a book by Lucinda Bassett that is on anxiety. its pretty interesting. It seems to be of help, and im using some of the sugestions that you guys are givin me.

[romanntiko]

I have avoided public speaking class for about a year now and my time is coming, i am running out of classes to take. What book did you recommend from Amazon Twatteaser?

~R~

[twatteaser]

Standard Deviants TV: Public Speaking This is a decent series I used for my Maths, Accounting, Business Law ,etc. (Semi-) Humerous and easy to get a hold of.

The Art of Public Speaking, Media Enhanced Edition with Learning Tool Suite
My text book was this one for my class in Spring 2001. I bought it and then the teacher who is an awesome friend gave me a spare teachers edition. He said save the $ on the returned book for drinking and dates which was $75 brand new from the school bookstore. There was some nasty ideological debates over the book in the review section. But I can read something arch-conservative or Liberal and take what i want from it without crying.

In The SpotLight: Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking and Performing

The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking (old school by an infamous author)

New Talkpower: The Mind-Body Way to Speak Without Fear

These books are the most popular on Amazon. I have no experience with the last 3 or the video topic but these choices are affordable, particularly used versions. Some people don't like to read so the video maybe the best.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Public Speaking (2nd Edition)Maybe too elementery, but cheap or free at your local town, county, or college library.

Then also try Public Speaking For Dummies. Same statement as directly above.

I would look for the fear book first. At my university there are a few sections of Public Speaking for Phobic People with a different sylabus and direction to the class. Maybe yours does too? I took my PS in community college with a cool teacher who bent over backwards to help me out. Always got "A"s from him in the three classes I took. He even let me hand in assignments TWO years after they were do and changed the grade from "F" to "A' in my two film courses.

[twatteaser]

Any new developments?