C HAPTER 2: B UILDING C ONFIDENCE

C ONFIDENCE Confidence is the feeling you have when you believe that you are capable of handling a situation successfully. Confidence is not a trait you are born with. Anyone can develop confidence. Confidence is an attitude that results from ongoing preparation and practice. The more you practice, the more likely you will improve. Confidence makes your speeches believable. Confidence is the attitude of assurance that causes an audience to take a speech seriously.

U NDERSTANDING S TAGE FRIGHT Communication apprehension means that we are afraid to speak in public situations. A fear is a biological process by which animals, including humans, secure the necessary energy to do an activity even if it may cause physical or psychological injury.

U NDERSTANDING S TAGE FRIGHT #20 When fear reaches a certain level, it becomes what is known as a phobia or a persistent irrational fear. Topophobia is sometimes called performance anxiety or stage fright and is when someone is afraid of getting in front of others. Phonophobia is the overall fear of speaking aloud.

U NDERSTANDING STAGE FRIGHT The “Top 10 Fears” of Americans are 10. Dogs 9. Loneliness 8. Flying 7. Death 6. Sickness 5. Deep water 4. Financial problems 3. Insects and bugs 2. Heights 1. PUBLIC SPEAKING

M OST C OMMON S ITUATIONS W HICH C REATE C OMMUNICATION A PPREHENSION Interviewing for a job Meeting people for the first time Answering a question in class Speaking at a community function Explaining a task to coworkers

U NDERSTANDING STAGE FRIGHT #1 Stage fright is most evident right before we speak and during the first thirty seconds or so after we have actually opened or mouths. #2 When we are suffering from stage fright, our heart rates may increase to twice the normal level. #3 Stage fright is NOT a figment of our imagination, and it can be a serious speaking problem. #4 Studies show that many fear the thought of giving a speech more than they do the thought of dying. #5 Research shows that most people’s stage fears do not occur because they suffer from real speaking problems.

S YMPTOMS Forgetting words Upset stomach Flushed face Dizziness Fast heartbeat Shortness of breath Excessive perspiration Wobbly legs

W HY DO WE GET ANXIETY ? Most of us don’t like being evaluated or judged. We don’t think our ideas are worth listening to. We doubt we can communicate our ideas well. We fear the audience won’t like us while we are speaking. Our bodies are being flooded with energy in preparation for an emergency situation.

A CCURATE P ERCEPTION #21 Many high school students are often afraid to speak because they fear being unfairly stereotyped. Perception refers to how you see things. The two ways that you can cure a negative image of yourself is to recognize your own worth and don’t be afraid to be human. #6 Your audience will forgive a speaking error or problem because they know that no one’s perfect. #7 You should never think of a speech as a performance. You’re just sharing information. #8 Many people make giving a speech more difficult than it really is.

P ERCEPTION OF THE A UDIENCE Your audience will ignore or forgive any type of mistake or awkwardness if the audience members fee that you are genuinely interested in them and that you are genuinely trying to share with them. The audience is on your side!

A CCURATE P ERCEPTION #9 Honest intrapersonal communication is one cure for stage fright. #10 Many people equate making one mistake with total failure. #11 An error can lead to personal discovery. In other words, you can learn from your mistake. #12T/F- Confident people are not born with confidence. Confident people learn to be confident and gain self-esteem by experience. (Fake it til ya make it!) What to do if you make a mistake –smile, remember you’re human, take a deep breath, and correct it the next time. An accurate perception of yourself contributes to your speaking ability because it helps calm your fears, you can learn from your mistakes, and you can see yourself as a success.

THE P LANKS OF C ONFIDENCE Content Organization Notes Friendliness Impression Dedication Empathy Newness Conviction Enthusiasm

C ONTENT Content means having something worthwhile to say. DO YOUR RESEARCH & BE PREPARED! Research helps build solid content. Several ways to build content is to go to the library, read, interview an expert, and watch or read the news.

O RGANIZATIO N Organization means having an outline for both you and the audience to follow. #13 A good speaker does not always rely on “the spontaneity of the moment.” A good speaker always plans ahead. Even the best speakers need a main idea, supporting information, and evidence to make their speech believable.

N OTES #22 A notecard can be a comforting “security net” in case you fear losing your place in a speech. Jot down your ideas in a brief, outline form Include your thesis, three points, and source references Include specific quotes and statistics #23 The two greatest problems regarding notes for a speech are too many words on a card and too many cards. #14 If you are suffering from stage fright, it is NOT all right to read from your notes.

F RIENDLINESS Be friendly. The audience will respond in kind. #15 Being likable is the “magic bullet” to speaking. This is because if people like you, they are more likely to listen to you. Don’t be afraid to smile.

I MPRESSION Getting off to a good start is essential to building good confidence. The two ways to convey a good first impression are have a positive attitude and dress and groom properly. #16 Fifty-five percent of what others think of you is determined before you ever open your mouth. #17 Dress and grooming have everything to do with the impression you make on others.

D EDICATION Practice, practice, practice. #18 A bad way to practice a speech is to go over the material silently in the corner. Practice the way you intend to perform. The proper way to practice a speech is to say it aloud, look at another person or yourself in a mirror, and practice you movements.

E MPATHY Know how it feels to be in the shoes of audience members. #24 Empathy means knowing how it feels to feel that way. Another name for empathy is common ground. The audience is more likely to listen to you if they can identify with you.

N EWNESS Apply some originality to your speech. Could mean taking a different slant or approach to your topic Some methods you might use to add originality to a speech are clever anecdotes or personal stories, gestures, charts and graphs, and artwork.

C ONVICTION Conviction means believing in what you are saying. #19- Conviction has everything to do with confidence. If you believe in what you say, you will be more confident, and the audience will be more likely to believe you.

E NTHUSIASM Get fired up! #25 A good speaker needs to show enthusiasm intellectually and physically. No one wants to listen to a monotone speaker who displays no energy and excitement.