Introduction to Persuasive Speaking

Part 5:

Overcoming Fear

John E. Clayton

Nanjing University, Spring, 2005

Syllabus02/28 Orientation; Photos; Communication; Speaking types &

purposes03/07 Persuasion and reasoning; Peer Criticism03/14 Speech 103/21 Writing process; Outline & components; Monroe Sequence03/28 Movie: Remember the Titans04/04 Overcoming fear; using an outline04/11 Speech 204/18 Review of speech 2; 04/25 Selecting topic & thesis05/02 HOLIDAY – NO CLASS05/09 Researching & supporting material05/16 Speech 305/23 Review of speech 3; Speech delivery tips05/30 Using visual aids06/06 Clean-up – final review and preparation for speech 406/13 Speech 406/20 Speech contest prep; Final exam; Evening – speech contest

Most People Feel Anxiety

What people fear most...

• Snakes• Public speaking• Death

Why Are You Afraid?

• You are at the center of attention

•Lack of experience

•Feelings of strangeness

•Fear of rejection or embarrassment

•Fear of looking stupid in front of others

•Fear that your mind will go blank

Effects of Anxiety

Anxiety effects people differently.You may...

•feel your heart start beating faster•feel your mouth getting dry•get nauseous•feel like fainting•hear your voice tremble•feel your legs or body shaking•stutter or start speaking rapidly•ramble through the material incoherently

Five Steps to Overcome Fear

1. Be well prepared2. Practice3. Have a backup4. Reduce fear of your audience5. Relax yourself

1. Be Well Prepared (1)

Leave nothing to chance

• Lay out your strategy

• Ensure all material is ready

• Make contingency plans

1. Be Well Prepared (2)

Know your material

•know exactly what you are going to talk about

•have a good outline of facts and information

1. Be Well Prepared (3)

Know the Conditions

• Check out the lectern and microphone

• Visualize how you will be doing things

Going through this process will relax you & give you more confidence

2. Practice Your Speech (1)

Practice alonemany times

speak out loud speak looking into a mirror stand in the corner record your practice

2. Practice Your Speech (2)

Practice beforefriends Gets you closer to the "real world" of speaking to a group

Even one person is good for this type of practice

3. Have A Backup

3. Have a backup, in case you forget what you want to say.

3. Have A Backup in Case You ForgetPrepare a "safety net"

Outline your speech• use paper or cards• Referring to notes is generally acceptable, as long as you are not reading your speech.

You may never even use your notes, but they can reduce the “butterflies”.

4. Reduce Fear of Audience (1)

The more important the audience or the occasion,

the greater your fear can be.

4. Reduce Fear of Audience (2)

Negative approach visualize the audience as not being all that important.

old trick: imagine audience is naked, or in clown suits -- the ridiculous image will make them seem less important.

Problem: the negative image may be reflected in your speech.

4. Reduce Fear of Audience (3)

Positive approach

the audience is usually on your side

they want to hear what you have to say

it is just like talking to your friends

5. Relax (1)

Relax yourself just before you speak.

5. Relax (2)

Take two breaths to settle you before you get out of your chair. thank the person who introduced you. count to 5 before you start speaking.

This will allow the audience to get settled and ready to hear you. It is also a way to show that you are now in control.

5. Relax (3)Stress-Control BreathingCentered in your abdomen, not your chest.

• Stage One Inhale air and let your abdomen go

out. Exhale air and let your abdomen go in.

• Stage TwoAs you inhale, use a soothing word such

as "calm" or "relax”.

5. Relax (4)The Wave• Under stress, breathing and speaking can get uncoordinated.

• To coordinate breathing and speaking, begin speaking at the crest of the wave.

Mini-Quiz1. Why are most people afraid to speak to a group?

a. They fear the audience will get angry at themb. They are afraid of looking foolishc. It is an excuse for their incompetence

2. How can you gain confidence in your speaking ability?a. Gather together a series of small speaking successesb. Only speak before people you knowc. Have several alcoholic drinks before speaking

3. How can you reduce fear of your audience?a. Visualize them as friendly toward youb. Don't look at them while you speakc. Tell them you are better than they are

Use A Monroe Outline• Introduction (attention)

Attention Getter Reveal Topic Relevancy Credibility Thesis & Preview

• Main point 1 - (need) Why is this important? Reason 1 Reason 2

• Main point 2 - (satisfaction) This is how we solve it... Example 1 Example 2

• Main point 3 - (visualization) "How great it would be if..." Sample vision 1 Sample vision 2

• Conclusion - (action) "This is what we have to do..." Action 1 Action 2 Review Main points Clincher

Use A Monroe Outline• Introduction (attention)

Attention: Statistic - young adult deaths due to drunkenness Topic - The danger of uncontrolled alcohol sales Relevancy – many of us know someone who has been injured under the influence of alcohol

Credibility – It has happened to me Thesis & Preview – “Alcohol sales to young adults must be controlled, otherwise deaths will continue, academics will suffer, and costs to society will skyrocket”. My experience is only one of thousands each day. Young adults think it is “cool” to get drunk, but the end result is often a lifetime of misery and suffering.

• Main point 1 - (need) Why is this important? Reason 1 – Deaths of students

Reason 2 – Damage to academics Reason 3 – Costs to society

• Main point 2 - (satisfaction) This is how we solve it... Example 1 – Establish new laws regulating the sale of alcohol Example 2 – Create an advertising program to make students aware of the dangers.

• Main point 3 - (visualization) "How great it would be if..." Sample vision 1 – If only one life is saved, it will be worth it. Sample vision 2 – Picture a new generation free of alcoholism

• Conclusion - (action) "This is what we have to do..." Action 1 – Contact leaders who claim to support progress in our society. Action 2 – Establish a committee to make recommendations. Review Main points Clincher – I miss my roommate. He was my best friend. I will never see him grow up now, thanks to poor laws regulating the sale of alcohol.

Grade Sheet

• Introduction (attention) 5 points

• Main point 1 - (need) 5 points

• Main point 2 - (satisfaction) 5 points

• Main point 3 - (visualization) 5 points

• Conclusion - (action) 5 points -----------

Total 25 points

Homework

You should be almost finished with speech 2

3 minutesType: argumentative

Topic: some current eventPresentation: from a Monroe outline

(note – please avoid political or religious topics)