How can a do a presentation when I'm so nervous!?!?

Question

I have to do a speaking presentation of a chapter in Crime and Punishment. I'm nervous just writing the paper right now thinking about having to present it!!! I get really nervous when I have to speak in front of people and my face gets red and I don't know why I do it! How can I make myself be comfortable speaking in front of the class?? help me pleaseeee!

Answer 1

First, take a couple deep breaths. Calm down and relax.

Before you go into your presentation, make sure you know the material. If you know it well, you'll be more confident presenting it. Make sure your presentation is organized, so you know what you're going to say. Once you know what you're going to say, practice! First, recite it in front of a mirror. Try not to just read off your notecards- if you know the material well, you won't have to. Seeing a face looking back at you will help you when you have to do it in front of people. Next, once you've done that once or twice, try presenting in front of someone you trust, like a friend or a family member, or maybe even two people. That way, they can tell you what they thought and maybe how to improve your presentation. A lot of the time when people are nervous about public speaking it's because they're scared of what people will think, that they might criticize. This way, you'll be prepared for that, and it'll give you a chance to improve before you actually present for real. The better prepared you are, the less nervous you'll be.

Also, during your presentation, don't be afraid to have a bottle of water so you can take a sip if your throat gets dry... or you need to pause for a second.

And finally, BREATHE. Before you present, take a good deep breath or two. Even during your presentation. Take it slow and take a deep breath whenever you need to.

Good luck! I'm sure you'll do fine.

Answer 2

I know how you feel when doing a presentation when your nervous.Here are some tips that has helped me out: Come in the place with a postive attitude, Stand of straight when presenting, Think about something funny to keep your attention of you being nervous because when your nervous if shows right through you; by the way you are talking and or standing. Please remember to RELAX! when presenting, and last but not least talk slowly and project you voice. You will do a wonderful job on the presentation!

Answer 3

Be Confident, Self-Assured and Know your stuff. Most all people are nevous speaking in front of an audience. Try imagining that "nobody" is there or that the people are "trees" just focus on one person that you feel comfortable with, eye contact with all is important though... I'll look for a site that gives tips on public speaking; Meanwhile here are some cute quotes, I suggest you start of your presentation with a great quote on Crime & Punishment - It will relax you and you will gain the audiences respect.

“Public speaking is the art of diluting a two-minute idea with a two-hour vocabulary.” John Fitzgerald Kennedy

“When a man gets up to speak, people listen, then look. When a woman gets up, people look; then, if they like what they see, they listen.”

“There are hundreds of languages in the world, but a smile speaks them all.”

“Would you persuade, speak of interest, not of reason.”

“One never repents of having spoken too little, but often of having spoken too much.”

“First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak.”

“If we are strong, our strength will speak for itself. If we are weak, words will be of no help.” ~ JFK

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”

“Wilson was once asked how long it took him to write a speech. He answered, 'That depends. If I am to speak 10 minutes, I need a week for preparation. If 15 minutes, 3 days. If half hour, two days. If an hour, I am ready now.'

“My basic rule is to speak slowly and simply so that my audience has an opportunity to follow and think about what I am saying.”

http://www.aresearchguide.com/3tips.html
http://www.toastmasters.org/tips.asp
(Public Speaking Tips)


“Let the punishment fit the crime” (proverb)

“I believe in punishment. Someone commits a crime, they should be punished. But I also believe in justice.” ~ Delnora Duprey

Answer 4

Public Speaking is something that most people are not comfortable with so don't feel bad. I would suggest taking lots of deep breaths right before you speak. Once you are up there, I've heard things like think the audience you are speaking to are wearing their "birthday suits." If you have to make eye contact, focus on a few people you'll keep looking at. Lastly, don't doubt what you are doing. You need to have confidence. If you don't have it, look like you do. Good luck and Happy New Year

Answer 5

You need to find something to do with one of your hands while doing your presentation. Maybe you could put something in your pocket that will keep a hand busy while you are talking. Like maybe a tube of chap stick that you can twirl over and over. Just be sure to use something that doesn't make any distracting noise. It will help you to use up some of that nervous tension. While you are speaking, just remember that most everyone is nervous when speaking in front of others. They are just people, not predators. ;)

Answer 6

Well first of all if it's been almost a semester you should know about everybody in the class are seen them talk to them or something. What i do is before i go up for the presentation i look the class over and say to myself i see these people ever day, just talk to them like you are talking to your friends but in a professional way

Answer 7

When you get up there, pretend the people in the audience are old friends and you're just having an interesting chit-chat with them about crime and punishment. Assume they want to hear what you have to say. Put a little bit of hyper into it. When the speaker acts hyper, the audience tends to react in a slightly hyper way. That makes you feel more like you're having fun talking with your buds rather than giving a speech. Next thing you know, you ARE chit-chatting with the audience.

Remember the first rule of public speaking: If you can't dazzle them with brilliance baffle them with bullshit.

Answer 8

This isn't that helpful but it's a fact that many people are more scared of public speaking than they are of death.

Know your stuff, practice your stuff, try to keep your body relaxed and be sure to breath, preferably slowly and deeply. Remember that your audience can't see what you are thinking and if you can keep your body relaxed they won't know what you are feeling.

If it gets really bad, just remember that they've all probably been in your shoes at some point in their lives, and deep in their hearts they are sending you strength and support. I know that's how I feel when I see a speaker who is having a hard time.

Answer 9

hmmm,
Do the paper. Really know what you are saying. Practice talking in front of family, friends, the dog or on tape. You need to be able to see yourself doing it, getting feedback from others or just seeing or hearing yourself. This is not that different from having a conversation where you get to talk a long time, without interruptions. It could be fun. You can do it.

Answer 10

What will happen if you blow it?
No really what will happen, will you die, will you lose all your money, will you get cancer?
OR
Will everyone support you and give you a second, third, and maybe even fourth chance?
It's not for real until your job is on the line.
Better to fail now when there's nothing at stake.
I say practice until you get bored, go in there chewing gum, and just read the card.
You'll get a C-, but at least you won't be stressed.