Speech anxiety

1. Speech anxiety • According to the book of lists, the fear of speaking in public is the #1 fear of all fears. The fear of dying is #7! Over 41% of people have some fear or anxiety dealing with speaking in front of groups. People who have this fear can experience all kinds of symptoms: Sweaty palms, accelerated heart rate, memory loss and even difficulty in breathing. • Everyone, even experienced speakers, has some anxiety when speaking in front of a group of people. This is perfectly normal. The best way to deal with this anxiety is to first acknowledge that this fear is perfectly normal and you are not alone.

2. Speech Anxiety • To reduce your fear, you need to make sure you properly and thoroughly prepare yourself before you speak. Proper preparation and rehearsal can help to reduce this fear by about 75%. Proper breathing techniques can further reduce this fear by another 15%. Your mental state accounts for the remaining 10%.

3. Reducing Speech Anxiety Prior Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. Nothing will relax you more than to know your are properly prepared. Below are some steps you can take to reduce your speech anxiety. Know the room - become familiar with the place in which you will speak. Know the Audience Know Your Material Learn How to Relax Visualize Yourself Speaking Don't apologize For Being Nervous Concentrate on Your Message If the fear of public speaking causes you to prepare more, then the fear of speaking serves as it's own best antidote. "He who fails to prepare is preparing for failure - so Prepare, Prepare, Prepare"

4. Speech Preparation • Ask yourself the following questions. • In one concise sentence, what is the purpose of this speech? • Who is the audience? What is their main interest in this topic? • What additional research can I do? • What are the main points of this presentations • What supporting material can I use to support each of my main points? • What visual aids, if any, do I need? • Do I have an effective opening grabber? • Have I polished and prepared the language and words I will use? • Have I prepared a written and concise overview for myself? • Have I taken care of the little details that will help me speak more confidently?

5. Presentation Review • Appearance • Grooming - clean; exhibits good posture • Introduction • Attention of Audience Gained - • Importance of Subject Established - tells why the subject is important; relates to recent development • Purpose Clearly Outlined - why is this presentation being given

6. Presentation Review • Subject Matter • One Central Theme - has a clear focus; limits subject appropriately for presentation • Information Accurate - presents dependable information from a reliable source • Information Complete and Practical - deals with subject adequately in allotted time; gives audience enough information to appeal; makes presentation practical and adaptable in a given situation • Appropriate Technical Level

7. Presentation Review • Presentation • Visuals Appropriate and Attractive - • Visuals Incorporated with Presentation Smoothly - emphasizes key points; gives background or • supporting information; visuals not overused to make presentation boring; reviews and summarizes clearly • Voice Clear and Understood - speaks slowly enough to be understood; seems to be conscious of what he/she is saying; projects voice so all can hear; uses correct English; chooses words wisely; refrains from distracting mannerisms • Audience Sees Action - uses enlargement or model if needed; holds items up for viewing; does not block audience view. • Logical Sequence - shows planning; follows logical order; stresses key points • Vocal and Visual Communications Coordinated - each step made clear; works smoothly and easily; • coordinates "show and tell" well; keeps reasonable eye contact with audience

8. Presentation Review • Summary • Major Points Re-emphasized - briefly summarize key points; reminds audience of subjects • References - tells audience where information was received; • Achievement of Purpose • Audience Appeal - appealing to persons interested in subject; stimulates audience to want to pursue it further • Educational Value or Quality of Finished Product - serves as an appropriate example; teaching value of demonstration, "Did you learn?" • Purpose Carried Out - How well did the 4-H'er do what he/she started out to do? • Questions Answered Appropriately • Uses a logical approach to answer • Answers clear and logical • Keeps composure

9. Presentation Preparation • TASK DATE • Plan my presentation. • Write out the purpose of my presentation. _________ • Learn who my audience is going to be. _________ • Find out about the setting _________ • Jot down and prioritize my ideas. _________ • Prepare my presentation. • Outline the body of my presentation. _________ • Develop my supporting data for the presentation. _________ • Develop my introduction. _________ • Develop my conclusion. _________ • Prepare the notes for my presentation. _________

10. Presentation Preparation • TASK DATE • Develop visual aids. • Complete rough drafts of visual aids. _________ • Complete finished versions of visual aids. _________ • Practice my presentation. • Mental draft. _________ • Speaking draft. _________ • Standing draft. _________ • Mirrored draft. _________ • Taped draft. _________ • Live audience draft. _________ • Practice the rough spots. _________ • Practice with revised notes. _________ • Practice with visual aids. _________ • Dress rehearsal. _________

11. Letter Grades • A "C" LEVEL SPEECH: • Conforms to assignment • Student ready on speech day • Speech within time limits • Fulfills special requirements • Has clear specific purpose and central idea • Identifiable intro, body, conclusion • Reasonable directness and competent delivery • Free of grammar and pronunciation errors

12. Letter Grades • A "B" LEVEL SPEECH • all the aforementioned plus: • Deals with challenging subject • Fulfills all major functions of intro and conclusion • Displays clear organization of main points and supporting material • Support of main points with evidence is: • accurate • relevant • objective • sufficient

13. Letter Grades • AN "A" LEVEL SPEECH • all the aforementioned plus: • genuine contribution by speaker to the knowledge and beliefs of the audience • sustains positive interest of audience • vivid and interesting use of language • fluent delivery the strengthens message • A "D" LEVEL SPEECH: • is deficient in "C" requirements

14. Speech Evaluation • INTRODUCTION • gained attention and interest • introduced topic clearly • related topic to the audience • previewed body of speech • DELIVERY • began without rushing • maintained eye contact • avoided distracting mannerisms • gestures used effectively • articulated clearly • organizational pattern evident • use of vocal variety and dynamics • presented visual aid effectively • showed enthusiasm

15. Speech Evaluation • BODY • effective volume and projection ____ • main points clear • organization well planned • language appropriate & clear • CONCLUSION • prepared audience for ending • reinforced central idea • PREPARATION OUTLINE • elements clearly labeled • OVERALL EVALUATION • kept within time limits • held interest of the audience • kept to consistent style • language appropriate • main points fully supported

16. Effectiveness. Circle one: 1 = poor, 5 = excellent • Presentation 1 2 3 4 5 n/a • Speaker 1 2 3 4 5 n/a • Content 1 2 3 4 5 n/a • II. Presentation content • A. Introduction • 1. Attention Too brief _____ • getter: Not attention getting _____ • Inappropriate _____ • Commanded my attention _____

17. 2. Thesis: Missing _____ • Incomplete _____ • Unclear _____ • Clear and complete _____ • 3. Significance Missing _____ • statement: Too short _____ • Too Long _____ • Correct _____ • 4. Overview: Missing _____ • Too short _____ • Too long _____ • Points not numbered _____ • Correct _____ • 5. Transition: Missing _____ • Too short _____ • Too long _____ • Correct _____ • B. Body • 1. Main points: Missing _____ • Unclear _____ • Too few _____ • Appropriate _____ • 2. Organization: Missing _____ • Unclear _____ • Rambling _____ • Clear _____ • Logical _____ • Effective _____ • 3. Supporting Missing _____ • data: Scant _____ • Ineffective _____ • Adequate _____ • Varied _____ • Effective _____ • 4. Audiovisuals: Ineffective _____ • Too many _____ • Poorly designed _____ • Too few _____ • Effective _____ • 5. Transitions: Missing _____ • data Too short _____ • Too Long _____ • Correct _____ • C. Conclusion • 1. Summary: Missing _____ • Too brief _____ • Too long _____ • New information _____ • Effective _____ • 2. Review: Missing _____ • Ineffective _____ • Points not numbered _____ • Memorable _____ • 3. Action: Missing _____ • Unclear _____ • Excessive _____ • Attainable _____ • Motivating _____ • 4. Closing Weak _____ • statement: Ineffective _____ • Unplanned _____ • Clear _____ • Effective _____ • Strong _____ • 5. Fielding Unprepared _____ • questions: Rejects Questions _____ • Too abrupt _____ • Vague _____ • Rambling _____ • Effective _____ • III. Verbal delivery • A. Personal qualities • 1. Enthusiasm: Missing _____ • Weak _____ • Unenergetic _____ • Exciting _____ • Contagious _____ • 2. Empathy: Missing _____ • Uncaring _____ • Aloof _____ • Sympathetic _____ • Sincere _____ • 3. Personality: Not showing ______ • Stiff ______ • Too formal ______ • Personable ______ • Likable ______ • B. Vocal qualities • 1. Volume: Too quiet _____ • Too loud _____ • No variety _____ • Correct _____ • 2. Rate: Too slow _____ • Too fast _____ • No variety _____ • Good _____ • 3. Pitch: Too high _____ • No variety _____ • Monotonous _____ • Varied and correct _____ • 4. Word Inappropriate _____ • selection: Poor _____ • Heavy jargon _____ • Good _____ • Effective _____ • 5. Pronunciation: Poor _____ • Highlights mistakes _____ • Correct _____ • 6. Enunciation: Mumbles _____ • Sloppy _____ • Closed mouth _____ • Opened mouth _____ • Clear _____ • Precise _____ • 7. Tone: Abrasive _____ • Hurried _____ • Choppy _____ • Soothing _____ • Effective _____ • 8. Flaws: Excessive _____ • Annoying _____ • Emphasized _____ • Minimal _____ • Well handled _____ • Unnoticed _____ • C. Time • Delivery time: Too long _____ • Too short _____ • On time _____ • IV. Verbal delivery • A. Dress: Inappropriate _____ • Too casual _____ • Too formal _____ • Appropriate _____ • B. Smile: Missing _____ • Nervous _____ • Present _____ • Natural _____ • C. Eye contact: Scant _____ • Fleeting _____ • Limited _____ • Appropriate _____ • Extensive _____ • D. Posture: Poor _____ • Sloppy _____ • Rigid _____ • Shifting _____ • Excessive movement _____ • Erect _____ • E. Gestures: Missing _____ • Limited _____ • Forced _____ • Natural _____ • Appropriate _____ • Dynamic _____ • F. Mannerisms: Excessive _____ • Uncontrolled _____ • Limited _____ • Unnoticed _____ • V. Communicative techniques • A. Audience Over their heads _____ • involvement: Marginally interested _____ • Involved _____ • Excited _____ • B. Clarity: Confusing _____ • Vague and rambling _____ • Numbered points _____ • Clear organization _____ • C. Humor: Inappropriate _____ • Excessive _____ • Ineffective _____ • Appropriate _____ • Effective _____ • D. Logical appeal: Poor arguments _____ • Too few _____ • Good arguments _____ • E. Psychological Focused on needs • appeal of speaker _____ • Focused on needs of • some audience members _____ • Focused on needs of • all audience members _____ • F. Personal appeal: Nervous _____ • Evasive _____ • Authoritarian _____ • Aloof _____ • Defensive _____ • Confused _____ • Trustworthy _____ • Confident _____ • Positive _____ • Persuasive _____ • G. Emotional appeal: Inappropriate _____ • Unmotivating _____ • Dynamic _____ • Persuasive _____ • Please write any additional comments below.