Reader questions and feedback on public speaking issues. Also refer to speeches, presentation, writing, preparation, fear, anxiety, nervousness, stuttering, Toastmasters, evaluation, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Answers to Readers' Questions on Public Speaking:
Fear
The following 122 comments and questions have been sent in. They are listed according to date.
List of first 10 items
- What other problems do speakers have?
- Suggestions on improving the mini-quiz
- Wants to be a lawyer but fears speaking
- Worried about unfamiliar people in the audience
- I will be making a political public speech and need help
- Want to overcome fear of speaking to class
- Gets nervous during interviews or in front of groups
- Want to do a perfect prensentation
- What about taking medicine to relax?
- I am so nervous that my fingers shiver when I speak
What other problems do speakers have?
Question
November 4, 2009
this topic is too good bt solutions are more i wanna to know problems faced in p[ublic speaking
beenish - Pakistan
18622
Answer
The number one problem people have is fear of speaking. But that often comes from lack of preparation and being disorganized.
Sometimes there are people in the audience who are rude and disruptive. That seldom happens in a professional setting, but it can happen when speaking to the general public. You need to prepare for such disruptions, so that you do not get flustered.
Another problem comes from faulty equipment. You could use a microphone that does not work well or a projector that goes out. Likewise, you need contingency plans for those occurrences.
Suggestions on improving the mini-quiz
Question
September 15, 2009
I think the mini quiz should dwell more on the you-perspective rather than ones understanding of this passage. Everybody understands hisher own weakness in public speaking. so it could be better if you set questions targeting ones opinions of his her own weakness then you could then point out the problem and then direct the person to one of the points that have been written on the passage. thanks
philip - Kenya
18315
Answer
Thanks for your suggestions on improving the mini-quiz and questions. We will look into employing your ideas in our quiz.
Wants to be a lawyer but fears speaking
Question
August 26, 2009
Hi,
I am studying law at the moment and i have to be able to think independently and give confident presentations to an audience. Needless to say that i have a huge fear of speaking publicly, I've had this fear for a couple of years and it's really had an impact on my success thus far.
I done a 4 year stint in the marines and i think it developed sometime over that period.
Any feedback at all would be appreciated
regards L.
lee - UK
18216
Answer
It would be worthwhile for you to participate in Toastmasters, where you can practice giving short talks to a group that will also give you some constructive feedback. It is a great way to gain confidence in speaking, as well as professional polish.
Find a club in your community from: http://reports.toastmasters.org/findaclub/. You can check out a meeting to see if it suits you.
Although the Marines can build confidence in some cases, the harsh criticism often given can also destroy a person's confidence.
Best wishes in overcoming your fear and becoming a top lawyer.
Worried about unfamiliar people in the audience
Question
July 20, 2009
Hello i'm a student from india. i'have given few small presentation in my class i experience that i have no problem in one-one commuciation or while speaking in front of familiar group of ppl but have prob when i see new faces during dissucion session or while giving presentation to new ppl. how shud i overcome this fear.what is the cause of such peoblem. plzz help me.
smruti - India
18041
Answer
The fear is usually from trying to impress people you do not know. Your real goal is to communicate your information and not to impress anyone but the teacher.
Realize that the unfamiliar people in the audience are anxious to hear what you have to say. But you need to clearly communicate with them so that they understand you.
I good way to start a presentation is to initially aim it at a friend in the audience or the teacher. Once you get going, you will relax and then you can look at the other people in the audience.
Before you start talking, count to ten to yourself to allow the audience and yourself to settle down.
I hope these ideas help you make successful presentations.
I will be making a political public speech and need help
Question
May 20, 2009
I will make a political public speech on june 6th.
I always felt like fainting before i speak to a group.
There is particular kind of food i can eat for my meal before my speech ?
PLEASE i need some help on this, if someone could give me some tips on this i will really appreciate , thank you.
Davide - Italy
17772
Answer
Certainly, prepare well before giving your speech. Give the speech a number of times before friends or small groups.
Although you should know the speech well, you still can use notes. At the very least have an outline of the speech with key words emphasized, so they will remind you of what you are going to say. You can even use a written speech as notes, but only glance at it on occasion.
Don't eat too much or drink coffee or caffeinated drinks before giving the speech. If it is an after-dinner speech, perhaps only eat the salad. Heavy food will result in blood going to your stomach and not your brain.
Take several deep breathes before going up to the podium. Count to 10 before speaking to allow the audience to settle down.
I hope these ideas help. Best wishes in a successful speech.
Want to overcome fear of speaking to class
Question
January 4, 2009
thanks very much u give time.. I Have a difficult to now.... what the kinds the effort to overcome the fearness in speaking in front of the class???????!!!!!
i hope answer my question quickly, coz i need it so much
ardhie - Indonesia
17047
Answer
Most of the fear of speaking to a class is from worrying about making a mistake or forgetting what you were going to say.
Do not write a speech that is too long or complicated. A simple speech is much better than one that is too long or complex.
You need to practice and rehearse before giving your talk to the class. Give the speech in front of family members or friends several times. Do not be afraid to use notes to refer to in case you forget something. The more you give the talk, the less you will need your notes.
Remember that the other students are anxious to hear you speak. They are on your side.
Before you go up to give a your speech, take three deep breaths to get you settled.
Start by aiming your speech at a friend in class. This will relax you. Later, you can look at the other students.
I hope these ideas help you> I am sure you will do well.
Gets nervous during interviews or in front of groups
Question
December 16, 2008
Whenever i get to interviews or speaking infront of people, nervousness overcome me, i start to shiver, can't think anymore and it is hard for me to look for words to say though i have prepared well on my piece.
Rye - USA
16966
Answer
Certainly you are trying to make a good impression during an interview or when speaking in front of people. That effort in making an impression is what causes your fear. If you're so well-prepared and have practiced the material enough, you will have the confidence to overcome that fear.
But it is more difficult in an interview, since you are not following a prepared script as you might do during a speech. In such a case, it is good to practice with a friend who will try to ask the type of questions you might expect. An interview, as well as to ask you questions to try to trip you up.
This type of practice in preparation can make you feel more sure about yourself. You are prepared to put the unexpected.
I hope these ideas help. Best wishes in your interviews.
Want to do a perfect prensentation
Question
December 5, 2008
i'm studying in a college in turkey,i have a presentation on science and nature lesson,my question is;if i want to do a perfect prensentation what do you suggest me for keep in relax?i have a good voice nice looking but not self-confidence...thanks for all
ARDA - Turkey
16908
Answer
The first thing is to have a goal of communicating your information to the audience, such that they will understand it and be interested. Seeking perfection is in your eyes only, and you should be thinking of your audience's experience.
Practice your presentation aloud by yourself and then in front of friends. Change parts that seem awkward and difficult to say.
Finally, do not be afraid to have some notes to refer to. You should know your presentation and be comfortable with it, but that does not mean you need to memorize it word-for-word. No one will think less of you if you occasionally refer to your notes.
Best wishes on a successful presentation.
What about taking medicine to relax?
Question
October 6, 2008
Dear Instructor,
I want to really appreciate the effort you have made so far in trying to help people make an effective public speech.
Nevertheless i think you should also make an additional medical prescriptions for people whose condition may be more serious than just ordinary nervousness.This is very important because certainly there are cases that are so serious that they could require additional medical help.
I would be very grateful if you can make such extra provisions on your website, maybe with the help of a medical doctor.
Please i will be waiting to receive your reply very soon. Thanks.
Sincerely,
Festus - Nigeria
16600
Answer
Fear of speaking is usually because of self-doubts and lack of experience and practice. For those whose fear is added to stress from their jobs or anxiety from excess worries, medical prescriptions are sometimes used to give relief. But even in those cases, there are solutions where you need not take medicine.
Learning to relax by using slow deep breathing is often effective just before giving a speech, as well as in other times of nervousness and stress. Also, thinking of positive images and happy responses from others will relax you and get you in the right frame of mind.
Breathing exercises and positive thoughts should always be used before needing to turn to medications or a doctor, because they can be more effective. Taking a pill never solves a problem but just delays it.
I hope these ideas help.
I am so nervous that my fingers shiver when I speak
Question
August 8, 2008
i am exactly having the same problem in public speaking as Said wrote. But i am comfortable while speaking to my friends. as soon as i get to the stage, i start shivering, unable to hold the mike.but manage to speak something..It is clearly visible that i am scared so my fingers are shivering and i am too nervous. What can i do? it's ok even if i don't speak anything but don't want to show my shivering when i am in front of others. please help me
- India
16329
Answer
With your friends, you are relaxed and just conversing. But with an audience of strangers, you are usually trying to impress them, and that causes anxiety, because you are worried about making a mistake.
Realize that your audience is just like your friends. They are interested in what you have to say. You are not trying to impress them. Instead, you want to make sure they can understand what you have to communicate to them.
But you should be well-prepared before you speak to a group. Know what you are going to say and practice the speech many times. Try to give it to friends as practice. In this way, you will confident that your speech is good. But still, keep some notes, to refer to just in case you forget something.
Realize that people can't notice your fingers shivering. Only you do. If you take 3 deep breaths before standing up and take your time, you will be more relaxed and not shiver. You will have more self-control.
By having the right mind-set and being well-prepared, you should be able to speak without nervousness.
Best wishes in your speaking.
Summary
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