1. A SPEAKER’S GUIDEBOOK 4TH EDITION CHAPTER 3
Speech Anxiety

2. Public Speaking Anxiety
The fear associated with actual or anticipated communication to an audience as a speaker.
Being nervous about speaking to others is normal.
Everyone experiences some level of public speaking anxiety – even professional speakers and celebrities!

3. Question Why are you anxious about speaking? B. Past bad experience
A. Lack of experience
B. Past bad experience
C. Worry over appearance, faults, or being different from others
D. Being the center of attention
E. Not being prepared enough

4. Worried about your lack of experience?
Prepare diligently.
Practice many times.
Practice in front of friends and family.
Ask a tutor or instructor to proofread your outline before your speech day.
Practice your speaking skills by giving mini- speeches outside of class.

5. Worried about being different?
Remember everyone is different.
Dress appropriately and be well groomed.
Think positively! You will make a good impression!

6. Feel uncomfortable being in front of the audience?
The audience is looking at you, because they like you and want to listen to your speech.
Put your focus on the speech, and don’t think about yourself.
Audiences don’t see anything you don’t reveal or bring to their attention.

7. Public Speaking Anxiety
Occurs at different moments during the speechmaking process
Can be reduced with relaxation techniques
Contains four stages:
Pre-preparation anxiety
Preparation anxiety
Pre-performance anxiety
Performance anxiety

8. Pre-preparation Anxiety
May cause some students to procrastinate on beginning the speech writing process
May act as interference during the listening process by blocking the reception of vital information about the speaking assignment

9. Create a plan of action
Pre-preparation anxiety can be calmed by reviewing speech assignment instructions and creating a plan of action
Create a plan of action now:
Step 1: Record your speech due date in your calendar.
Step 2: Count the days and divide up the speechmaking steps to fit the days available.
Step 3: Set aside a specific time period each day to work on your speech.
Step 4: Focus on completing each small task as it comes.

10. Preparation Anxiety
May cause overwhelming feelings about the amount of time and effort required to write and plan a speech
May be caused by difficulty in locating materials or information needed for speech
Can be averted by working on your speech a short session each day rather than several hours on the same day

11. Pre-performance & Performance Anxiety
Plan time to practice!
Practice many times!
When anxiety occurs while practicing, force yourself to practice again!
No matter how much you practice, you will probably experience some anxiety just before or just as you begin your speech.
If you’ll just keep going, the anxiety will subside.

12. Lenny Laskowski says…
PRIOR PROPER PREPARATION PREVENTS POOR PERFORMANCE OF THE PERSON PUTTING ON THE PRESENTATION!
Try saying that 3 times!

13. Chapter 3 Key Terms for Review
public speaking anxiety (PSA)
pre-preparation anxiety
preparation anxiety
pre-performance anxiety
performance anxiety
visualization