How do I not get so nervous before presentations in class. I started doing them since junior high and they?

Question

were the one thing I hated the most. I would have to do them in junior high for reading. We all had to read a chapter book and write about our favorite part, the plot, the characters, the conflict, and how we felt about the book. People would laugh and make fun whenever I was finished, because my voice sounded shaky while I was talking. Kids would make their voices sound shaky and imitate me. Also, last year I was a sophomore, and the kids weren't any more of a help. We had to do group presentations, as well as oral, for U.S. History. My group project was on James Monroe. I was the 1st to speak, and instead of saying James Monroe, I accidentally said "Marilyn", and then corrected myself. I had to work in a group once with a friend of mine and he said, "I know you're not a good public speaker, so I will save the big speaking parts for someone else in the group." All this negative feedback isn't helping and it just gets me more nervous about doing them. How do I get better at them?

Answer 1

I have a B.A. in Communication Studies (ALOT of public speaking!)
First, have confidence in your material. The presentation is about the material, not so much you; KNOW your material.
Second, like actors, REHEARSE. You are going in cold-turkey. Actors spend hours rehearsing a single one-minute scene, you are not special in that regard, you have to practice/rehearse too.
Third, you are on a stage and it is normal to be nervous...but don't forget, YOU ARE THE CENTER OF ATTENTION for just five or so minutes...ever heard "15 minutes of fame?" Well, giving a speech gives that 15 minutes over and over and over. The better you are at it, the more fun it will be and a boost to your ego.
Also, tell the teacher he is a moron for me, he does not have the courage (you have to get up in front of a hostile audience) to keep his classroom under control...two page reports on why cutting up during a presentation is really a good way of disciplining the American kids. Have FUN! Speech presentation is a game! ; )

Answer 2

Buck up and keep trying. Being at least an adequate public speaker will be a real asset in the work world. Find a good speaker and ask them what they do. Everyone goes thru this nevousness before speaking and you may get some tips. Just remember what you have to say is important and don't let rude people get to you. The more you do the more confident you will become.

Answer 3

Well, you have to first remind yourself that you are not alone. The majority of people out there find it difficult to speak in public. It's not an uncommon problem.

Next, you should be as prepared as possible. When you know your material backwards and fowards, it's easier to conentrate instead on taking deep breaths and staying calm.

Which leads me to the next step - before you get up to speak, take deep breaths and tell yourself that, even if you mess up, it really makes no difference.

When you are up there, make eye contact. I realize that doing that is scary, but it really does help to focus. If you pick one person (like a friend or someone you feel comfortable talking to) to make eye contact with every time you look up, it's a whole lot less intimidating - because, instead of seeing 30 people in front of you, you really are only focusing on one.

Answer 4

It will probably help if you take a few deep breaths before your presentation to keep yourself calm. Also, if your school offers a speech class, go for it. At my school, they offer a whole semester that covers a lot of different types of speeches and presentations; it vastly improved my public speaking skills. If that's not an option, just practice practice practice! (My speech teacher advises a minimum of ten times). Good luck!

Answer 5

you just need to feel confident and prepare yourself before the presentation, practice in front of a mirror. Once u do this u can feel confident and dont think about the people so much or how they will react just worry about doing a good job

Answer 6

I used to be like that, but then I realized that people are just people. Making fun of me is making fun of me, I can make fun of them back. As well, understood that they are opinionated, and opinions can be biased and blown out of porpotion. You will get over your shyness and hurt feelings in time.

Answer 7

There are classes you can take that better prepare you for them. You can check at your school to see if they offer them, or check on the Internet to see if a school close to you offers it.

Answer 8

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