This document discusses important aspects of public speaking presentations and overcoming speech apprehension. It provides tips for rehearsal, using your voice and body effectively, and dressing appropriately for the occasion. Speech apprehension is normal but can be reduced using techniques like communication orientation motivation, visualization, systematic desensitization, cognitive restructuring, and public speaking skills training. Effective rehearsal and practicing skills are emphasized for delivering an effective speech.
This document discusses important aspects of public speaking presentations and overcoming speech apprehension. It provides tips for rehearsal, using your voice and body effectively, and dressing appropriately for the occasion. Speech apprehension is normal but can be reduced using techniques like communication orientation motivation, visualization, systematic desensitization, cognitive restructuring, and public speaking skills training. Effective rehearsal and practicing skills are emphasized for delivering an effective speech.
This document discusses important aspects of public speaking presentations and overcoming speech apprehension. It provides tips for rehearsal, using your voice and body effectively, and dressing appropriately for the occasion. Speech apprehension is normal but can be reduced using techniques like communication orientation motivation, visualization, systematic desensitization, cognitive restructuring, and public speaking skills training. Effective rehearsal and practicing skills are emphasized for delivering an effective speech.
This document discusses important aspects of public speaking presentations and overcoming speech apprehension. It provides tips for rehearsal, using your voice and body effectively, and dressing appropriately for the occasion. Speech apprehension is normal but can be reduced using techniques like communication orientation motivation, visualization, systematic desensitization, cognitive restructuring, and public speaking skills training. Effective rehearsal and practicing skills are emphasized for delivering an effective speech.
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Updated 202205
Lecture 5: Public Speaking
(Part 3) Important aspects in Rehearsal Public Speaking presentations
Speech Overcoming Speech
Apprehension Apprehension Step 8: Rehearsal… Rehearsal – the process of practicing your speech aloud A speech that is not practiced out loud is likely to be far less effective. While doing a rehearsal of your speech, do:- - time yourself - rehearse with your visual aids - rehearse in front of a few friends to get feedback - prepare cue cards/note cards A) Public speaking is more highly structured - usually imposes strict time limitations on the speaker - in most cases, situation does not allow audience to interrupt with questions or comments - demands much more detailed planning and preparation than ordinary conversation
B) Public speaking requires more formal language
- slang, jargons, informal language and bad grammar are not encouraged C) Public speaking requires a different method of delivery - effective public speakers adjust their voices to be heard clearly throughout the audience - avoid distracting mannerisms and verbal habits Important aspects in Public Speaking presentations… When doing public speaking, a few important aspects need to be taken into consideration:-
1. The Speaker’s Voice
2. The Speaker’s Body 3. The Speaker’s Appearance The sound of your voice affects your success in getting the message across to your audience effectively. How your voice sounds depends on its… i) volume: the loudness or softness of the speaker’s voice ii) pitch : the highness or lowness of the speaker’s voice iii) rate : the speed at which the speaker speaks iv) pronunciation: the accepted standard of sound and rhythm for words in a given language * very important to enhance the clarity of the message
v) accent: the speech habits typical of the native
speakers of a language * can distort the clarity of the message * do not put on an accent; but if you really cannot help it because that is how you normally speak, then try to speak slower so that your audience can understand you better vi) vocal expressiveness: changes in the speaker’s
volume, pitch and rate that give the voice
variety and expressiveness * a total lack of vocal expressiveness results in monotone – volume, pitch, rate remain the same from beginning to end * try to sound lively and enthusiastic when speaking As the audience can hear you as well as see you, your body language also affects your success in getting the message across to your audience effectively. The body language that affect delivery include… i) facial expression: the movement of various parts of the speaker’s face ii) eye contact: direct gazing of the speaker into the eyes of the audience iii) gesture: movement of the speaker’s hands, arms, fingers while speaking iv) movement: changing of position of the speaker’s entire body while speaking v) posture: the manner in which the speaker stands
while speaking Some people think that what they wear does not really matter. Your appearance also affects your success in getting the message across to your audience effectively because it shows your commitment to the topic and the occasion as well as affects your credibility as a speaker. Therefore, your attire (what you wear) is important. 1. Consider the occasion - generally, for formal occasions, you are expected to dress formally - if you dress too casually, your audience
may think you are uncommitted to the
speech or being disrespectful to the
audience, hosts or occasion 2. Consider your topic - if your topic is one that has a uniform, wear it (Eg. Scouts, Girl Guides, National Service, St. John’s Ambulance, martial arts, etc.) - if your topic can be related to certain types of dress code, it is appropriate to wear it (Eg. “Sports” – sports attire, “Culture” – traditional costumes) 3. Avoid extremes - avoid oversized or undersized clothing - avoid sexually suggestive attire - avoid using excessive jewelry and putting too much make up - you want your audience to focus on your message, so your appearance should not be distracting - your dressing is only to complement your appearance Speech Apprehension… Speech Apprehension: a type of communication anxiety, level of fear a person experiences when anticipating or speaking to an audience (nervousness / stage fright) “According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that seem right? This means to the average person, if you have to go to a funeral, you’re better off in the casket (coffin) than doing the eulogy.” - Jerry Seinfeld (comedian, actor & writer) i) Physical symptoms - butterflies in stomach - flushed skin - sweating - body shaking - hand shaking - rapid and pounding heartbeats - verbal disfluencies (stuttering, “ah…”, “err…”, “uhm…”, “you know..”, “OK…”) ii) Emotional symptoms - feeling anxious - worried - upset
iii) Cognitive symptoms
- negative self-talk Speech apprehension can be categorised according to three (3) levels: i) Anticipation – the anxiety you experience before
delivering the speech, both while
preparing it and while waiting for your
turn to speak ii) Confrontation – the surge of anxiety you feel as you begin delivering the speech iii) Adaptation – the period during which your anxiety level gradually decreases It is normal to feel nervous when speaking in front of an audience 76% of experienced speakers have stage fright It is OK to feel nervous! Don’t let nervousness stop you from doing public speaking!!! Overcoming Speech Apprehension… Five (5) techniques to overcome or reduce speech apprehension:
1. Communication Orientation Motivation (COM)
2. Visualisation 3. Systematic Desensitisation 4. Cognitive Restructuring 5. Public Speaking Skills Training Do not think of public speaking as a form of performance, or else you will see public speaking as an opportunity to impress the audience with your knowledge and delivery. Instead, think of public speaking as a form of communication, then you will view your speech as an opportunity to talk with a number of people about a topic that is important to you. You will not be concerned about impressing the audience. Visualisation is a method to reduce apprehension by developing a mental picture of yourself giving a speech successfully. Many athletes use this technique to improve athletic performance as well as before competitions. Systematic Desensitisation is a method to reduce apprehension by gradually visualising increasingly more frightening events. Cognitive Restructuring is a method to reduce anxiety by replacing anxiety-arousing negative self-talk with anxiety-reducing positive self-talk. Public Speaking Skills Training is the systematic teaching of the skills associated with the preparing and delivering of an effective speech, with the intention to improve speaking competence and thereby reducing speech apprehension. Examples of public speaking skills training: if your hands shake – don’t hold a big piece of paper thin & quivery voice – take several slow, deep breaths if you feel tense before speaking – try muscle relaxation exercise; arrive early nervous to face the audience – look for friendly or familiar faces if you can’t remember what to say – don’t memorise your speech YOU CAN DO IT!
Learn from experience.
Experience is the best teacher. Lucas, S.E. (2020). The art of Public Speaking. (13th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education. (pg. 8, 235-242)
