Ok, I am not very good speaking in front of people and tomorrow I have to speak in front of a couple hundred. It is only going to be for about three to five minutes but i am so nervous. I don't exactly know what I am even going to say yet. Is there anything I can do to help me be able to speak without staring at my paper the whole time because I don't want to look at the other people?
2006-10-21 15:47:05 · 22 answers · asked by sg 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
i know what u are going thru. its pretty scary.
u will feel the urge to look down.
dont.
look straight up. look people in the eye as u scan the audience while u talk. dont forget to smile. its very important to smile.
all the best!
gimme 10 points? pleeeeeeeeeeeeeease?
2006-10-21 15:50:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm an actress, singer / musician and a public speaker. Here's a few hints.
First, memorize the high-points of your speech. Know what you want to say about each, the fine points, etc. If you try to memorize the whole speech in a night, when you miss something, you'll be lost, panic and in a bit of trouble. If you know each of the points you want to make, you can get to each and talk about them individually. If you do bring notes, just note the points you want to cover. Don't bring anything larger than a 3x5 card.
Second, spend some time TONIGHT, after writing your quick notes or memorizing them, and do a dress rehearsal. If you have willing listeners, give your speech to them. If not, stand in front of a mirror and do it for yourself. Look at your posture and your facial expressions and position.
Third, get a good night's sleep.
Fourth, when you give your speech, look up when speaking. Project your voice. If you have a microphone, keep your mouth near it. If they have a good sound person, that makes the job easier.
Fifth, if there aren't bright lights, look at a few individuals, maybe people you know, in the eye. It sound hard, but if you can pick people out that you know throughout the audience, it will make the crowd seem a bit smaller. If you look at EVERYONE, it can get large quickly. Picking out a few individuals throughout will make the group feel like you're talking to them as from the audience, all any individual can tell is that you're looking in their direction. They don't know if you're looking at them or the person next to them. It makes your presentation personal to everyone.
Lastly, when finished, thank the audience.
Good luck,
--Dee
2006-10-21 22:58:43 · answer #2 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure there is something you can do. Be as familiar with the material you are speaking about as possible. Be confident that you know what you are talking about and are going to share it with the audience. Practice the speech as you intend to give it. Rather than looking directly into the eyes and faces of the audience look just over their heads and scan the area not fixing on any one person. Have confidence and know you can do it. A positive attitude will go a long ways.
2006-10-21 23:00:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Meditate before. Picture yourself doing a good job. Look at the back wall while you speak or look at people (just avoid too much eye contact as it tends to make you more nervous). And it wouldn't hurt to know what you are going to say and rehearse it a few times in front of the mirror.
2006-10-21 22:50:11 · answer #4 · answered by kit_e_kat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take a deep breath, speak slowly but not really sloooww, its ok to look at your main points on the card that you have prepared. keep in mind that you will feel more nervous than what the audience really sees. avoid the "you know", um, aaa. just think of the sentence for a sec before saying it. its ok to have a brief pause. visualize yourself doing this act. oh, and talk out loud to yourself in the mirror for practice. this will really help. good luck!
2006-10-21 22:51:10 · answer #5 · answered by Skorpian 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rehearse your talk in front of a mirror. It always amazes me how embarrassed I get in front of myself! If you can get comfortable with yourself, relax and try out some inflection and insert your personality into the talk when you practice, you'll be fine. Bring yourself forth when you actually speak and have some fun with the audience - nothing contrived, just establish a relationship with them.
2006-10-21 22:57:45 · answer #6 · answered by Skeff 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best way to do this is practice what you are going to say and find at least one friendly face that you can be comforatble with and when you look up, look to that person. Just like you are speaking personaly to them and them only. It helps to take several deep breaths before the speech also.
2006-10-21 22:51:22 · answer #7 · answered by osansmitty 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stare at the wall at the back of the room. It helps to have notes and even though you don't want to be staring at them all the time your audience would prefer to listen to someone who knows what they're talking about (using notes) than to someone who just goes 'ermm ... uhh.' all the time. Have fun.
2006-10-21 22:50:53 · answer #8 · answered by Carolyn M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. relax.
2. practice your speech lots.
3. don't 'look' at the audience, scan across them instead.
4. address the back wall.
5. hold your speech in front of you, at about nipple level. easier to address audience that way.
6. relax.
7. drink a bit of water.
8. relax.
2006-10-22 01:44:41 · answer #9 · answered by mjdoubled 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Practice in front of a mirror
then videotape yourself and watch it. Look for nervous tics or mumbled words.
2006-10-21 22:49:37 · answer #10 · answered by Mac Momma 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋