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Write out an example of Stage Fright you experienced. 2

Learning Objectives The student will be able to list the symptoms of stage fright. The student will be able to list the causes of stage fright. The student will be able to list at least ten ways to reduce stage fright. Learning Objectives The student will be able to list the symptoms of stage fright. The student will be able to list the causes of stage fright. The student will be able to list at least ten ways to reduce stage fright. 3

4 5.1Learning Objective: List the symptoms of stage fright. 5.1Learning Objective: List the symptoms of stage fright.

What is STAGE FRIGHT? Simply The fear or apprehension of public speaking What is STAGE FRIGHT? Simply The fear or apprehension of public speaking 5

The brain is that part of the human mechanism which begins to function at birth and stops when it’s owner gets up to deliver a public speech. anonymous The brain is that part of the human mechanism which begins to function at birth and stops when it’s owner gets up to deliver a public speech. anonymous 6

Of the general public, 85% fear public speaking more than: Heights Insects Disease Snakes Financial Problems Death Heights Insects Disease Snakes Financial Problems Death 7

It is virtually universal! It effects some people more than others! 8

Symptoms of Stage Fright Sweaty Palms Butterflies Cramps Increased Heart Rate Dry Mouth Flushed Face Rapid Labored Breathing High Voice CORONARY ARREST (this ain’t for you) ! Sweaty Palms Butterflies Cramps Increased Heart Rate Dry Mouth Flushed Face Rapid Labored Breathing High Voice CORONARY ARREST (this ain’t for you) ! 9

10 5.2Learning Objective: List the causes of stage fright. 5.2Learning Objective: List the causes of stage fright.

Causes of Stage Fright: Lack of self confidence/experience Set unreal standards for ourselves Overactive imaginations Unprepared Introverted personality Past Experiences Lack of self confidence/experience Set unreal standards for ourselves Overactive imaginations Unprepared Introverted personality Past Experiences 11

12 5.3Learning Objective: List to reduce or overcome stage fright. 5.3Learning Objective: List to reduce or overcome stage fright.

27 Tips for overcoming STAGE FRIGHT Know your material – you are the EXPERT Practice your presentation Involve students, elicit student participation Learn the student names and use them Establish your credibility early Use eye contact to establish rapport Take a course in public speaking Exhibit your advance preparation (handouts, notes on board, audio/visual) Anticipate potential problems and prepare responses Know your material – you are the EXPERT Practice your presentation Involve students, elicit student participation Learn the student names and use them Establish your credibility early Use eye contact to establish rapport Take a course in public speaking Exhibit your advance preparation (handouts, notes on board, audio/visual) Anticipate potential problems and prepare responses 13

27 Tips for overcoming STAGE FRIGHT Check the classroom and needed equipment in advance. Get information about the group in advance. Arrive early and meet individuals, establish “friendly faces”. Relax (breathe deeply, meditate, talk to yourself). Prepare and outline and follow it. Manage your appearance (dress comfortably, but appropriately, out dress your students.) Use your own style – BE YOURSELF! Use your own words (don’t read!) Check the classroom and needed equipment in advance. Get information about the group in advance. Arrive early and meet individuals, establish “friendly faces”. Relax (breathe deeply, meditate, talk to yourself). Prepare and outline and follow it. Manage your appearance (dress comfortably, but appropriately, out dress your students.) Use your own style – BE YOURSELF! Use your own words (don’t read!) 14

27 Tips for overcoming STAGE FRIGHT Rest up so your physically and psychologically alert. Put yourself in the students shoes (what’s in it for them?). Assume the students are on your side. Provide an overview of the presentation. Accept some fear as being good (energizing vs. destructive). Identify your fears, controllable and uncontrollable, confront them. Rest up so your physically and psychologically alert. Put yourself in the students shoes (what’s in it for them?). Assume the students are on your side. Provide an overview of the presentation. Accept some fear as being good (energizing vs. destructive). Identify your fears, controllable and uncontrollable, confront them. 15

27 Tips for overcoming STAGE FRIGHT Give special emphasis to the first five minute (super-preparation). Imagine yourself as a good speaker. Practice responding to tough questions or situations. Create an informal atmosphere (don’t lock yourself behind the podium). Give special emphasis to the first five minute (super-preparation). Imagine yourself as a good speaker. Practice responding to tough questions or situations. Create an informal atmosphere (don’t lock yourself behind the podium). 16

More Tips for Speakers “Decide on your specific objectives first” Define Learning Objectives Have a well developed Lesson Plan “Decide on your specific objectives first” Define Learning Objectives Have a well developed Lesson Plan “Don’t Memorize, Don’t Read” Audience can Tell Likely to be monotone and BORING Be as Spontaneous as you can “Don’t Memorize, Don’t Read” Audience can Tell Likely to be monotone and BORING Be as Spontaneous as you can 17

More Tips for Speakers “Speak to one person at a time” Keeps you natural Hold for 15 seconds “Speak to one person at a time” Keeps you natural Hold for 15 seconds “Try not to think about your hands and facial expressions” Think about what you want to get across, let your non-verbal communication take care of it Conscious attention leads to inhibitions and awkwardness “Try not to think about your hands and facial expressions” Think about what you want to get across, let your non-verbal communication take care of it Conscious attention leads to inhibitions and awkwardness 18

More Tips for Speakers “Take it slow and easy” Students must process the information Guide audience by emphasizing major and minor points Your focus is to help the students understand the information, not finish in record time “Take it slow and easy” Students must process the information Guide audience by emphasizing major and minor points Your focus is to help the students understand the information, not finish in record time “Ask for advice and criticism” Not during the class…”How do you like me now?” (Use course instructor evaluation) If you know of a problem, you can work on it. Solicit frank criticism from someone you trust. “Ask for advice and criticism” Not during the class…”How do you like me now?” (Use course instructor evaluation) If you know of a problem, you can work on it. Solicit frank criticism from someone you trust. 19

By being well prepared, and using the other techniques discussed STAGE FRIGHT will become nothing more than an inconvenience STAGE FRIGHT will become nothing more than an inconvenience 20

Questions 21

Bibliography United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Instructor Development Course “Taking the Terror out of Talk”, Michael T. Motley, 1988 United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Instructor Development Course “Taking the Terror out of Talk”, Michael T. Motley,