how can I prevent nervousness if i were to talk in front of the public?

Question

especially during class presentation

Answer 1

I too hate talking in public and have found that the best thing is to not concentrate on the audience. What i find that helps if find a point of fixation (but somewhere in the crowd... say the top of someone's head- that way it looks as if you are still addressing the audience).

Instead of looking at your notes, which is common for people who are nervous but actually makes you more flustered as you often forget where you were, or stumble over lines- use the point of fixation to concentrate on when you start to falter.

Has never failed me :)

Answer 2

First being nervous is normal, and most performers that have been doing it for years still get nervous!!

Know your subject!! The better you know what it is you will be speaking about the more confident you will feel, and it will show!!

Not sure, how you are in general, for instance if you tend to be shy, then I would write what it is I wanted to say, from the begining to the end, and then memorize it!!

If you are not shy, I would write an outline with the key points I wanted to get across, hell you could still write it word for word and memorize!

I would also look up pointers for public speaking!! For instance, you want to look at your audience, as if you were speaking w/them individually one on one, ya know!!

Carrying notes to refer to, is never a bad idea, you just don't want to appear as if you are reading it word for word, people who end up reading well they appear stiff and they end up loosing the audiences attention.

If you can, walk, you know sort of pace back and forth, all the while looking at your audience, this way you are bringing them all into your presentation, Hay, you might also try an audience participation approach!! Asking them questions on the subject matter, something they would know, and when you get the correct answer elaborate on it!!

My father use to take my son when he was 3 to a local park that had an amphitheatre, he would stand on the stage w/him and they would talk to the "audience" (birds, squirrels, trees, grass...) he did this so that he would be more at ease one day w/public speaking!!

Most importantly, remember that it is your turn, You CAN DO IT!! The ppl you will be speaking to, well they have also had to do it, it is just now your turn!! I am 40yrs old, and I know it feels as if they will be extremely critical, but I have fortunately found out that ppl for the most part are empathetic, and not as harsh as we think they are, when it comes to situations like these!! Sure there are those that are cruelly critical, but they tend to be the individuals that lack self-confidence!!

Hay, if your school has an acting department, go and ask the Teacher and some of the actors what they suggest!!

Good Luck! YOU CAN DO IT!! JUST REMEMBER TO BREATHE!

Answer 3

Heh, I used to be exactly like you in the past when standing in front of a group, until one day I realized presentations are at least 50% confidence. Sure, you shouldn't tell complete nonsense, but you'll be surprised what big whoppers of mistakes you can get away with if you just stand there like you own the crowd.
Throw in a few studies, some quotes by experts or celebrities and finish your presentation by wrapping up all you've talked about for the past x mins and sorta recapping it into a conclusion... you'll be golden, trust me.

Answer 4

Hi! A lot of good Ans..but I stumbled upon a process that was like a miracle!! I think it might be called "auto-genesis"?? Haven't used it since college--a long time ago--but I had to compose a 10-minute speech in FRENCH and give it the next morning! Procrastinator that I am, worked on it past midnight. I got so tired, I set the alarm for 3 a.m., slept and woke to the alarm. In a semi-sleep state, I read the material over once--maybe twice--and fell asleep again. Mom woke me, I rushed to class not even thinking of the speech--and actually RAISED MY HAND to be the first!! UNHEARD OF!! The speech rolled out flawlessly--wasn't my usual nervous wreck--and sat down. RAVES from prof and class!! I did that again when I had to memorize De Gaul's famous victory speech in individual studies. PERFECT!! My woman prof who had devoted her entire life to the study of French and the French culture and who was a perfectionist actually SMILED and almost clapped. It is the most EFFECTIVE way of memorizing and presenting something written to an audience!! Taking tests too. Factual tests--certainly doesn't do for things that require reasoning.
TRY IT--YOU'LL LOVE IT!

Answer 5

You can't prevent it. It is natural. The only way to deal with it is to do it over and over. Yet, there are very famous performers who get nervous every time they perform. You just face your fear and go! Another way to deal with it is to notice that both fear and excitement feel the exact same way in your stomach. When the nerves come up and you get that feeling in your stomach, just pretend that it's excitement you're feeling over how well you're going to do and how much people will enjoy your presentation and all the great things they'll say to you when you're done... I've spoken many times and always get nervous. Last year I read Casey at the Bat to a third grade class. I thought I was going to faint! When I finished, the teacher asked me to go to three other classes. It was great fun! Good luck!

Answer 6

Practice. All that stuff about imagining the people in their underwear isn't gonna help unless you're afraid of clothes. Write out exactly what you want to say, and practice it until you almost have it memorized. That way, when you're talking in public, you can look up periodically and make eye contact with everyone and the professor, which at least gives the illusion that you're not nervous. The more you practice and prepare what you have to say, the less nervous you will be when the time comes.

Answer 7

make sure you have gone over your notes many times, practice in front of a mirror many times. Hold something in your hand a pen or paper clip.

But honestly practice is the best thing to get rid of nervousness and just knowing your stuff.

Answer 8

during class presentation... keep in mind following points...

1. do full preparation so that you are confident enough to talk anything about it.
2. keep in mind that among all in class you are the one who prepared for the topic... rest is your audience who gonna listen to you and learn... feel like a lecturer.
3. take your presentation as a project or short term goal you working upon and give your best
4. do not consider your communication skills... rather consider that you have to convey your points to others very clearly so that they can easily understand you...
5. do ask for their doubts..., if they have.

nothin to worry... all the best.

Answer 9

learn and study well your report or your class presentation. no one beats a good reporter who has prepared well by doing some thorough research on his/her topic, studied well the report he/she will present, master it by heart then practice before doing it in front of the class.

Answer 10

Practice, Practice, Practice, in front of a mirror, in front of friends and family, until you feel fluent and comfortable in your words and delivery. Also, don't depend on your notes. Write a small outline and expound on it. You'll be great!!