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Thread: Public Speaking - Help?!

  1. #1
    AudreyLeigh
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    Default Public Speaking - Help?!

    I got into the class and was all excited... until I had to stand up in front of the class and made a fool of myself. I was shaking for 20 minutes before I went up and when I got up there I just started rambling. I felt like an idiot.

    Im not so sure about this but I HAVE to do a comm class. Im just thinking this was the wrong one but Im already here and already have my book and ALREADY made a fool of myself so I may as well stay.

    It seems easy in theory - we just write 4 speeches and then read them in front of the class. I thought - ah, no biggie - if I can get naked in front of strangers I can do this. I was wrong.

    I have 4 speeches... first ones outline is due tomorrow. Speech is either Wed or Thurs. This one is about myself. 3-5 minutes and I need a prop. She said to pick one thing about myself and add details. Im so damn boring I cant think of anything interesting to write about myself. Oh man, Im screwed.

    Anyone have some tips to calm down? I almost had a panic attack the first class and I wasnt even speaking. It was caused by the teacher talking about speaking.

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    Default Re: Public Speaking - Help?!

    Speaking to a class can be scary. I do a few things, pick spots on a wall above peoples heads so it looks like I'm making eye contact with them. make sure all of the points in your speech are bulleted so you don't stray off topic. Or practice your speech so it becomes second nature to you, in addition to looking at your bullet points it will flow when you speak. Remember that other people in you class are scared to death too. Nobody is really boring, you have points to talk about just search hard. Are you really clumsy? There's plenty of stories there. Or talk about your dancing experience that would be enthralling to people. I wish you the best of luck you'll do fine.

  3. #3
    AudreyLeigh
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    Default Re: Public Speaking - Help?!

    I think Im going to save the dancing info for my last speech - its a persuasion speech 7-9 minutes... a little more time to talk about it... but as per a personal one. Uh, I dont know.

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    Default Re: Public Speaking - Help?!

    You always start such great topics here. I would think that would be easy for you. Didn't you get a tacky lamp recently? Talk about what made you buy it and what you think of it now.

    Go to your doc and get some inderal. It's a low-level beta-blocker that is awesome for public speaking. It almost eliminates all the physical symptoms of anxiety like shaking, flushness, sweating, squeaky voice, etc. It won't directly help what's going on in your head, but it may make it easier since you're not worried about looking so anxious. And don't worry, you don't take it all the time. You only need to take it when you need it.

  5. #5
    AudreyLeigh
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    Default Re: Public Speaking - Help?!

    LOL... I dont know if "tacky lamp" is a great topic tho it is funny and would be a great prop...

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    God/dess virgoamm's Avatar
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    Default Re: Public Speaking - Help?!

    Fear of public speaking can get hard to get over. When I first started college I was mortified by it. I remember reacting the exact same way you did. Did your prof count how many times you said um? I finally got over it, but it took me years of having to do it over and over again throughout my time in college.

  7. #7
    AudreyLeigh
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    Default Re: Public Speaking - Help?!

    Funny thing is I didnt say "um" or "like" at all! I just kept talking... lol... then I was like "OK, thats all" and walked back to my seat red faced and feeling like a moron.

  8. #8
    Peanut_Butter
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    Default Re: Public Speaking - Help?!

    I have a terrible fear of public speakign. I had a thread around here somewhere about it.
    My class set up was exactly like yours as well. The first one was a short introduction, the second was a demonstration, the third informative and the fourth was the persuasion, which I argued legalizing prostitution. The last speech was 7-9 minutes long I think.

    Every day I walked into class shakign and nevous. I absoltly hate speakign in public. Every single speech I shook, shifted my weight back and forth and stuttered through it.

    I ended the class with an A, although I did lose points due to my nervousness. At first she let it slide, but towads the end she started deducting points. TMy speeches were the best written and prepared in the class, but my delivery was one of the worst. I just coulnd't conquer the fear.

    I can dance naked in front of hundreds of people, but I can't speak to a group of 10.

    But how I calmed down was to be as prepared as possible. I had my note cards.

    One tip I can tell you is when your nervous, you might tend to speak to quickly. I googled how long it takes the average person to speak sentences. I can't remember the number now, but find yout for yousellf.
    If my speech was supposed to be 6 minutes long, I counted the sentences in my speech ( which I had prepared to be 8 minutes long to be safe) Then If for example, it takes you 2 minutes to speak 3 sentences and my speech needed to be 6 minutes long, after every 2 sentences, I wrote on ym notecards * breathe*
    That reminded me to take a breathe, which calmed me, and it helped me to slow down so I met the time marker. it also helped keep time for me so I knew ok...only 2 minutes left to go. you'll make it.

    When you walk up to the podium, take a second and take a deep breathe. calm yourlse first as much as possible. Say hi to the class and make a joke. the laughter eases your tension and you'll feel more comfortable.

    good luck...I know it's hard.

  9. #9
    AudreyLeigh
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    Default Re: Public Speaking - Help?!

    Im so glad this class is only 7 weeks since its a summer class. Its condensed which makes it harder but at least its not drawn out into an entire semester....

    Writing breathe is a great idea. Im definately going to do that.

    Well, Im off to class....

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    God/dess virgoamm's Avatar
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    Default Re: Public Speaking - Help?!

    Oh yeah, like! I forgot about that one, I abolished it almost completely from my vocab a long time ago. Telltale sign of a teenager. And he was like, and she was like and it was like totally awesome, lol! But yeah, if you stick with it, you're a stronger person than I was. I signed up for speech my first semester too and I dropped it after the first day. I didn't retake it until my junior year.

  11. #11
    Peanut_Butter
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    Default Re: Public Speaking - Help?!

    Quote Originally Posted by AudreyLeigh View Post
    Im so glad this class is only 7 weeks since its a summer class. Its condensed which makes it harder but at least its not drawn out into an entire semester....

    Writing breathe is a great idea. Im definately going to do that.

    Well, Im off to class....

    one thing that might make you feel better is to watch the other speech givers, if they are anything like my class, it'll be hilarious. So many students felt like that class was going to be such a cakewalk, they were never prepared. They never had note cards or planned speeches. One student actually brough in his x box and played a game calling it his demo speech. the funny part was he got caught up in the game and refused to stop playing. " wait! I can't quit now! I can't die! Just gotta finishe this level!'

    His speech was deducted major points because first of all, he had no speech. He wasn't prepared. And secon of all, he went over his time limit by 5 minutes caus ehe refused to stop playing!

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    Veteran Member toomuchhomeworklately's Avatar
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    Default Re: Public Speaking - Help?!

    I like peanut_butter's suggestion about writing "breathe" on your note cards. That's brilliant!!

    If you can, show up a little early to class & chit chat with the other students before class starts. I was a LOT less nervous in speech class when I was on friendly terms with most of my classmates.

    Plus, on speech day, most of your classmates won't even be paying attention to you because they'll be mentally rehearsing their own speeches.

    Don't forget to make eye contact from time to time (my teacher took off major points if you didn't look at your audience) & smile when appropriate (it'll relax you & make you look confident).

  13. #13
    AudreyLeigh
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    Default Re: Public Speaking - Help?!

    No seriously... I have to write my outline for my self intro speech and have no idea what to write about. Im kinda freaking out. I have no idea where to start, what to write, what to do. Its due Monday. I keep drawing a blank on what to write about or when I think about something its super boring.

    My husband made some suggestions but I cant think of angles to make them good enough that the class doesnt fall asleep during the speech.

  14. #14
    AudreyLeigh
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    Default Re: Public Speaking - Help?!

    Thanks for all the suggestions!

    I thought of a topic... 1/2 way done. May even go into work tonite...

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    Default Re: Public Speaking - Help?!

    Don't "read" something - treat it like chatting to your friends
    Once again, the conservative, sandwich-heavy portfolio pays off for the hungry investor
    - Dr John Zoidberg

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    Default Re: Public Speaking - Help?!

    One of the key things I took away from the class was the 3 Modes of Persuasion

  17. #17
    ajbaer
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    Default Re: Public Speaking - Help?!

    I loved all my public speaking!!! I'm sorry I don't know how to really help you in the "freaking out" department. It just came to me. I remember being nervous and sweaty, but with time it just went away. I've heard toastmasters is great for people who want to be better at speaking publicly. I would always practice in front of the mirror or with family and friends. I'm sure you've gotten a great idea in mind. Something else to think of for speach writing is this:
    It''s meant to be almost conversational. You don't want it to come across cold and harsh. A good way to go about this is to get a tape recorder. Now, pick your topic and just TALK about it with your husband. Ramble, say stupid shit, say words that come to your mind, and speak about the topic like you would to him. Carry it around. Press start if you feel like talking about it again. Take it back to your computer and transcribe it. You'll get a lot of GREAT info FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE this way, and might have an easier time putting it into a speech format.

  18. #18
    AudreyLeigh
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    Default Re: Public Speaking - Help?!

    Quote Originally Posted by person View Post
    Don't "read" something - treat it like chatting to your friends
    Cant. There is a specific format I have to write and I have to follow it.

    Im not reading all of it. The 45 second intro is supposed to be read. The rest ad libbed from notes.

    Heres our format (my husband thought it was odd)


    Introduction

    A. Opening Device. Write a complete paragraph. 5 min speech = 45 second intrduction.


    B. Thesis Statement Write a complete sentence.


    C. Preview of Main Points. Write out as a complete sentence, a simple sentence containing each of your three main points.

    Body

    A. Main Point 1
    1.Subpoint
    2.Subpoint


    B. Main Point 2
    1. Subpoint
    2.Subpoint


    C. Main Point 3
    1.Subpoint
    2.Subpoint

    Conclusion

    A. Summary Write out as a complete sentence. Restatement of the preview of main points.


    B. Closing Device Write out as a complete paragraph.

  19. #19
    AudreyLeigh
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    Default Re: Public Speaking - Help?!

    I wrote mine. Its about cosmo school.

    I wouldnt mind some input if someone wants me to PM it to them.... my husband liked it so I guess thats good.

    Im not really worried about reading it now that its written. Im not worried about my informative speech or my persuasion. This is the only one I was worried about because its a personal speech... and there are many things id rather not speak of in front of a class.

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    Default Re: Public Speaking - Help?!

    Quote Originally Posted by AudreyLeigh View Post
    Cant. There is a specific format I have to write and I have to follow it.

    Im not reading all of it. The 45 second intro is supposed to be read. The rest ad libbed from notes.
    Sorry I was being too terse - I meant that the mindset which helps me feel at ease is the same as when having casual conversation, although sometimes it's a bit hard to do that and not slip into ad libbing. "Reading" a speech means to me thinking about "getting it wrong" instead of thinking "Hey, I'm talking as always except people aren't interrupting me "
    Once again, the conservative, sandwich-heavy portfolio pays off for the hungry investor
    - Dr John Zoidberg

  21. #21
    AudreyLeigh
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    Default Re: Public Speaking - Help?!

    Oh, no... Im not worried about really being in front and talking - Im a talker... no biggie. I like the intro part because I wrote a small story about when my friend dyed my hair black.. leading into the ad libbing of what beauty school was like for me. Reading a script sucks... once I get into the Body of my speech Ill be gravy.

    I was just mostly worried about what I was going to speak about - but Ive got that now. Maybe not WHAT I was going to talk about but actually putting it into the form she wanted! Ive never taken an English class (ever) so I was never taught how to word things or write stories or anything really. This class would be ssoooooo much easier if I could just get up and chat chat chat.... lol

    "Hey, I'm talking as always except people aren't interrupting me "
    lol... thats cute... im psyching myself into that... and that I wont be nervous, etc. Im sure Ill be fine. Ill let everyone know how it goes Tuesday

  22. #22
    Peanut_Butter
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    Default Re: Public Speaking - Help?!

    That's what my outline format was like as well.

    But that wasn't what my speech was like.....

    The speech was more in depth, following the outline.

    I wasn't able to ad lib my speeches. I was too nervous to do that. I had to write out the entire speech.

  23. #23
    AudreyLeigh
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    Default Re: Public Speaking - Help?!

    Quote Originally Posted by Peanut_Butter View Post
    That's what my outline format was like as well.

    But that wasn't what my speech was like.....

    The speech was more in depth, following the outline.

    I wasn't able to ad lib my speeches. I was too nervous to do that. I had to write out the entire speech.
    No writing out. Thats considered a manuscript and results in an F.

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    Default Re: Public Speaking - Help?!

    looks good, but, you should consider adding a "con" to your speach....doesn't have to be much, just state it, ie "Granted some people believe 'X', However, I will retorte that argument by 'enter 3 pros"

  25. #25
    Senior Member Daniela's Avatar
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    Default Re: Public Speaking - Help?!

    Just know that
    1. Half the crowd isn't really listening
    2. You know you're topic better than anyone in the crowd
    3. Tell them what you have learned, and what is so interesting about your topic..it has nothing to do with how you look up there. The goal is to educate the listeners

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