Developing Confidence through the Speech Planning Process

Public Speaking Apprehension A type of communication anxiety; the level of fear a person experiences when anticipating or actually speaking in front of an audience Symptoms—What do you feel? Physical Emotional Mental

Notecard Activity Write your top three concerns when giving a speech. Visual aids Research Content Delivery

Phases of Public Speaking Apprehension Anticipation reaction Level of anxiety prior to giving a speech, including the nervousness felt while preparing and waiting to speak Pre-preparation, preparation, pre-performance Confrontation reaction The surge in anxiety you feel as you begin your speech Performance Adaptation reaction The gradual decline of your anxiety that begins about one minute into your speech, and results in your anxiety’s level declining to its pre-speaking level about 5 min in

Causes of Public Speaking Apprehension Self talk: telling yourself you will fail! Who here has said “I will fail.” And WHY!? Biologically based temperament, also called “Communibiological Theory” Introversion: shy or quiet Extroversion : loud or outgoing Neuroticism: anxious

Causes, cont. Previous experience Modeling: Learning through watching Reinforcement: Learning through reoccurring past experiences Level of skills: Skill Deficit Theory We don’t have the right tools yet!

Overcoming Public Speaking Apprehension Communication orientation motivation (COM): Techniques designed to reduce anxiety by helping the speaker adopt a “communication” rather than a “performance” orientation toward the speech. Visualization Develop a mental picture of yourself giving a successful speech

Systematic desensitization Method that reduces apprehension by gradually having people visualize increasingly more frightening events. Cognitive restructuring Identify negative thoughts, consider their rationality, develop positive coping statements, incorporate positive statements into your life!

Speech Plan A strategy for achieving your goal 1. Select a specific speaking goal that is appropriate for the audience & occasion 2. Understand your audience and adapt to it 3. Gather and evaluate information to use in your speech 4. Organize and develop ideas into a well-structured speech outline 5. Choose visual and other presentational aids that are appropriate for the audience 6. Practice the speech wording and delivery

Step #1 Select a speech goal that is appropriate for the audience and the occasion—Audience analysis! Speech Goal A statement of what you want your listeners to know, believe or do “I want my audience to understand how to shoot a jump shot.” “I want my audience to have an appreciation for Ming Porcelain.”

Overcoming Public Speaking Apprehension Cont. Specific techniques Allow sufficient time to prepare Refer to syllabus for speech days! Practice your speech aloud Use positive self-talk Face the audience Focus on your message

Reduce Anxiety-Write a Goal! When writing you goals, ask yourself: Who is my audience? What does my audience need to know? What context am I speaking in? Where will the speech be given? How long does it need to be? How should I phrase my goal?

General and Specific General Goal: Less detailed Specific Goal: Articulates exactly what you want your audience to know, understand, believe or do General: I want to persuade my audience that lethal injection should be illegal. Specific: I want to persuade my audience that lethal injection should be illegal by explaining the chemicals used, the recent botched executions that have occurred, and by discussing the amount of innocent people killed.

When creating goals… Understand your audience and adapt to it Audience adaptation The process of tailoring your speech’s information to the needs, interests, and expectations of your listeners Provide basic information AND tailor to the attitudes of your audience

Outline it! Outlines Identify 3 or 4 major ideas Main points are written in full sentences Speeches are NOT essays ALWAYS review your outline!