tips for giving a speech?

[Wolffen]

Practice makes perfect. Before college, I was an extremely quiet, shy wallflower. Then I finally figured out that if I ever embarassed myself too bad, I could switch schools. Actually, teaching organic chemistry lab got me over any fear of speaking real quick. That's not to say that I wouldn't freeze in front of a huge audience, but when it gets to a room full of people, I'm ok these days.

Self confidence is key. Trust in yourself. It's not like the class is going to lynch you or anything. They might laugh, but if you can control that laughter via your speech, you can control your audience.

[Shinobi128]

The class was quite supportive of everyone. Even though only half of the class went yesterday, we were all nervous. Some more than others. *raises hand*

[station82o]

is this a speech class shinobi? i have to take that in college as well - its going to be the last class I evar take.

[Shinobi128]

Originally posted by station82o
is this a speech class shinobi? i have to take that in college as well - its going to be the last class I evar take.

It is.

SPC1016 Fundamentals of Speech Communication (AA)

3 credits, (3 lecture hour(s), 0 lab hour(s), 0 clinical hour(s))

This course will train the student in the basic principles of effective communication, including topics such as intrapersonal communication, interpersonal communication, listening, verbal communication, nonverbal communication, small group dynamics and public speaking. The emphasis is on individual development and improvement in a variety of communication experiences. Gordon Rule writing requirement minimum: 2,000 words. A grade of C or higher is required for this course to be used as a General Education course.

I would say about 45% of it is actual public speaking. The rest is group work and lecturing about human communication. It is one on the last classes I'm taking at my community college.

[station82o]

i think thats almost the exact class they want me to take - like i said - it'll be the LAST class i ever take in school - fuck that noise - i might just do that in summer school. I hate public speaking and don't see what the hell its going to have to do with me sitting in front of computers all day doing network type shit. Arf... I feel your pain Shinobi - how many more speeches do you have to give?

I guess the one thing you can be thankful for is that everyone in your class is in the same boat. how many ppl in your class? i know that CC classes have about 20-35 ppl each... i've heard that if you take a speech class at a major university it will be more like 70 people you'd have to talk in front of! CC is the way to go.

[Viper]

Originally posted by Shinobi128
Wow...I would say almost the exact opposite happend this morning. I got up there and went into panic mode. I looked at the audience and looked at the notecard and my mind was at a complete blank. A few moments later words started to come out of my mouth.

I've noticed that some people seem to be able to perform better when stressed than they can whilst relaxed. I've never been one of them, though. I guess the "fight or flight" response to a stressful situation causes some people to become more on edge, aware to what they're doing and alert of what's going on around them. Personally, I find that all that extra adrenaline and anxiousness cause me to stumble over my words and become a bit shaky.

Congratulations on doing so well. Hopefully you'll be a little less worried next time you have to do a speech...I've found that the more practice you get, the easier public speaking becomes. I'm still not fond of it, though.

[Shinobi128]

Originally posted by station82o
i think thats almost the exact class they want me to take - like i said - it'll be the LAST class i ever take in school - fuck that noise - i might just do that in summer school. I hate public speaking and don't see what the hell its going to have to do with me sitting in front of computers all day doing network type shit. Arf... I feel your pain Shinobi - how many more speeches do you have to give?

I guess the one thing you can be thankful for is that everyone in your class is in the same boat. how many ppl in your class? i know that CC classes have about 20-35 ppl each... i've heard that if you take a speech class at a major university it will be more like 70 people you'd have to talk in front of! CC is the way to go.

I "only" have three required speeches, and two are optional. Two of them are 3-5 minute informative speeches. I just did one of them. The last required speech is a 5-7 minute persuasive speech.

The two bonus are impromptu speeches, meaning you walk up there without knowing what it is you're going to talk about. My teacher has a bunch of notecards laying face down and you randomly choose one. They tend to be wacky and out of this world topics. They range from "How do you feel about standing in front of the class this very second?" to "What would you do if you got pregnant in high school?" (Some guy picked that one, hilarity ensued.) The first impromptu speech was earlier this semester, and I chose to skip it, regardless that it was for bonus points. I'd rather not speak in front of a class unless I'm required too. I fucking hate/I'm afraid of public speaking.

Originally posted by Black Arts Viper
I've noticed that some people seem to be able to perform better when stressed than they can whilst relaxed. I've never been one of them, though. I guess the "fight or flight" response to a stressful situation causes some people to become more on edge, aware to what they're doing and alert of what's going on around them. Personally, I find that all that extra adrenaline and anxiousness cause me to stumble over my words and become a bit shaky.

Congratulations on doing so well. Hopefully you'll be a little less worried next time you have to do a speech...I've found that the more practice you get, the easier public speaking becomes. I'm still not fond of it, though.

I need to be relaxed when I do these things, if not I'm screwed. I'll shake, stutter, and forget what my name is. I think i'll do better next time, though, I'm not looking forward to it.

[Shinobi128]

I have another informative speech to do tomorrow. Actually, they were due yesterday, but I forgot about it and was lucky enough to not have my name called.

This time it's about my job, and what I do there. Here we go again...

[Tracer]

You need confidence materials.

Red flags with a 2-tone high contrast picture of your face on it are good. Drape those all around the stage. Get a good poduim. Odds are the one you'll be left to use will not be satisfacory. Get a tall one - very tall - that allows you to haraunge the gathering from a height. Make an emblem... like a red fist raised in defiance with action lines comeing from it. An armband with a coresponding image on it is a nice compliment too. Use LOTS of gestures, speak loudly, and don't be afriad to use strong language. Refer to some people as "dogs" or "hounds" or "infidels". Nothing says SPEACH like blatant finger pointing and vast blanket statements.

Listen to me an you will be on the fast-track to capable and wholely enticeing oration!

ºTracer

[Shinobi128]

I will keep that in mind Tracer.