Giving Speeches.

Hey guys. I have a book speech to give next week in my English clash and I'm VERY nervous for it. The speech must be 10-15 minutes long and must include a biography of the author along with the summary of the book. I started researching the topic today and will have no problem at all putting the information together. The big issue is giving the speech. I've always been stage-fright and never was good at delivering speeches. I had to do a project like this last year same length and everything and it went fine, but when I give presentations my face gets red, my legs start shaking, etc etc. I really don't know what to do. Last year when I gave a speech like this I focused on one object in the room and focused on that for the whole speech. Idk what else I can do though to overcome this fear of giving speeches. Does anyone have any advice to overcome stage-fright? All help and motivation is greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

 

Everyone has issues with public speaking, no matter how they look on the stage when they do it. So you're not the only one!

Remember that these are your classmates and depending on how many of them you know well, they you shouldn't be worried about how they think because they know they will be in the same position as you sooner or later.

Being prepared is the best strategy for a good presentation, use point form for your queue cards and not full out sentences because if you do, chances are you will just be reading off the whole thing. If you glance up occasionally while you do, you will quickly lose your place and from there it will be a disaster.

If you are really nervous and feel uncomfortable about it, try asking the teacher to do your presentation after class, one on one with no one else around.

Best of luck!

 

Thanks! I'm trying to be prepared as possible so hopefully I can overcome my fears. Most my classmates really don't care tbh but I hate being the center of attention so it should be fine. Thank you again for the advice. Bump!

 

As long as you really know the material, you should be fine. Try thinking of it like you're just explaining something to your friend.

 

I had these problems while growing up through middle school. Most people say focus on one object I say focus on three. Pick three objects in the room one straight ahead of you, one to your right, and one to your left. If you switch your focus between these objects then it will look like your interacting with your audience a little not just standing there stiff as stone. Another helpful thing is to rehearse in front of the mirror or a parent, somebody you feel comfortable around. Along with making eye contact to your peers you should make hand gestures and move your arms a little this shows you feel comfortable even if you aren't. Bring note cards with bullets of the essential facts and things you can expand off of. Other then that don't wear heavy clothing or you will perspire and might become a little red.

- Goodluck with your presentation!

 

Many people have this problem, so you shouldn't overly stress about it.

If its any help, most people really don't care what you have to say, it's an English Class, people just want to get their speeches over and done with and not worry about anything else.

Try reading the speech to yourself in front of the mirror, it'll get you more accustomed to the words.

A couple good tips during the speech is to try and move around a bit. Not by pacing up and down, but by taking a step every now and them, moving your arms etc.
Also, another way is to draw something on the board (if you have one), or have a distraction, assuming you can make one having people focus on your distraction (eg. a picture on the board, a handout), may relieve your tensions as they're not entirely focusing on you.

Good luck, try not to stutter, and be eloquent.

 

If you know the material it's really not that bad. The first minute is always the hardest then it's like bleh. whatever. That's how I am at least. Just don't stress it.

 

Know where your friends are sitting prior to the speech. Only look at these people when you are making eye contact with the audience so you feel comfortable doing so. It will be just like your giving the speech to your friends whom you are comfortable talking in front of. Keep in mind 95% of your class won't be paying attention because they could care less; if they look bored.. it's normal.

 

I personally went through this once and when I got up to do it I felt like throwing up, before and while I was reading the speech. I tried to get out of it by telling my teacher I was so nervous I'd throw up (Wrote it down on a paper and gave it to her so no one would know). Guess what? I had to do it the next time I went to her class.

I can tell you one thing that you'll have after you're finished with it: A sense of accomplishment. I felt so reliefed after I had done it as I was one of the first ones to read my speech, I felt like I could chill and relax and just sit back and enjoy the class.

I know people will say 'Don't think about it', but that doesn't help at all.

Just know your objectives before you read your speech:
Getting up in front of others
Reading aloud your report
Getting it done

Just picture everyone naked (I know this sounds SUPER PERVERTED, but it CAN help)

Good luck man, we can't die of being nervous/anxiety, it's just a psychological thing. Just know that there is no threat to you whatsoever when you read it.

 

Thanks for the responses guys. I really feel a lot more comfortable now after the advice given. Hopefully it all goes down well.