KOM3403 – PUBLIC ORATION

NERVOUSNESS AND METHODS OF

CONTROLLING IT
 Recognizing Nervousness

The symptoms of speech anxiety – the worry or fear that

some people experience before giving a talk can take a wide
variety of forms. Some people experience the stereotypical
sensation of “butterflies in the stomach,” as well as sweaty
palms, a dry mouth, hyperventilation and downright panic.
 Recognizing Nervousness

A little nervousness actually

can be a good thing when
you’re giving a speech of
which, it helps focus your
attention.

But in its extreme form,

speech anxiety can prevent
you from speaking clearly or
keeping your train of thought
while delivering your
presentation.
 Recognizing Nervousness

Feelings that are normal but can cause:

➢ Rambling or discursive;

➢ Lost concentration;

➢ Unable to continue delivering

speech;

➢ Affect the quality of speech

delivery.
 Recognizing Nervousness

A survey conducted by David Wallechinsky et al.(1973):

Greatest Fears %
1. Speaking before a group 40.6
2. Heights 32.0
3. Insects and bugs 22.1
4. Financial problems 22.0
5. Deep water 21.5
6. Sickness 18.8
7. Death 18.7
8. Flying 18.3
9. Loneliness 13.6
10. Dogs 11.2
Examples of Nervousness
Examples of Nervousness
 Physiological Causes

1. Tension felt in the brain due to anxiety.

2. The production of energy and heat in the body increases
body temperature.
3. It is associated with sugar molecules produced by the
pancreas.
4. The accumulation of energy in the muscles causes the
body to tremble.
5. The heart works hard to pump blood to the brain.
 Psychological Causes

1. Speakers do not like to be judged

o Feeling restless and awkward.
o Therefore, the speaker tries to avoid any mistakes
and expects his presentation to be perfect.
o This feeling will increase stress and cause
nervousness.
 Psychological Causes

2. Lack of public speaking skills

o Feeling uncomfortable because unfamiliar with the
audience and the atmosphere.
o Poor communication skills and interaction with the
audience.
o May cause the audience to lose focus.
 Psychological Causes

3. Controversial topics
o Controversial topics on policies, laws and so on.
o May cause anxiety to the speaker.

4. Lack of knowledge about the topic

o Lack of the necessary knowledge, facts and
experience on the subject.
o Unable to explain clearly and meet the expectation.
 Psychological Causes

5. Speaking in front of a respected audience

o Could trigger anxiety and stress to the speaker.
o Worry the content of the speech is judged by others.
o Respected audience:
✓ Understand the subject matter better than speaker
✓ Capable of asking difficult questions
✓ Capable of evaluating the speech content
✓ Capable of evaluating the speaker
 Psychological Causes

6. Lack of preparation
o Not making good preparations.
o Not making the necessary exercises.
 Symptoms of Nervousness

Physiological
Blackout/faint Sweating

Stiff body
Headache

Stomach ache Trembling

Panic Pale face

Vibrated voice Fast heartbeat

 Symptoms of Nervousness

Psychological

Negative thinking Worried of losing ideas

Suspicious Too humble

Fear of
embarrassment Fear of failure

Fear to make eye Doubt with own

contact abilities
 Methods of Controlling Nervousness

Rather than trying to eliminate every trace of nervousness

or speaking anxiety, you should aim at transforming
it from a negative force into what one expert calls positive
nervousness (controlled nervousness that helps energize
a speaker for her or his presentation)
by using any of the following
methods:
 Methods of Controlling Nervousness

1. Nervousness is a normal thing

o It is normal to feel nervous when delivering a speech.

o Nervous is a sign that the speaker cares about the content
of the speech and the reaction of the audience.
o Nervousness is a common phenomenon just like hunger
and sleepy.
 Methods of Controlling Nervousness

2. Need to look more confident

o Confidence cannot be made up.

o Our actions will show our confidence level such as
scratching our heads, staring at the ceiling, looking at the
floor, hands in pockets and so on.
 Methods of Controlling Nervousness

3. Nervousness can be reduced with

experience

o Experience can reduce nervousness to optimal levels.

o The more often you speak, the smarter you are at hiding
nervousness and the more confident you are to speak.
 Methods of Controlling Nervousness

4. The audience listens to the speech

and does not look for mistakes

o No audience expects failure of speech presentation.

o They want to hear the speeches and knowledge sharing.
o Do not tell your audience about your nervousness.
o Small mistakes can be forgiven.
 Methods of Controlling Nervousness

5. Focus on the content rather than

pronunciation

o Think of the main ideas and content of the speech that has
been compiled.
o Never stop speaking because you are concentrating on the
style of pronouncing something.
 Methods of Controlling Nervousness

6. Make well preparations

o Proper preparation in terms of gathering speech material,

organizing content and related examples.
o Make appropriate exercises.
 Methods of Controlling Nervousness

7. Focus your mind on the speech

o Before delivering a speech, take a deep breath and

release it slowly.
o Pray or meditate.
o Avoid being in a hurry with a chaotic mind.
 Methods of Controlling Nervousness

8. Audience analysis

o Get information about the audience.

o Adapt the content, language, examples and style to suit
the audience.
o The positive reaction of the audience can inspire the
speaker.
 Methods of Controlling Nervousness

9. Do a little exercise

o Small movements such as pressing the palms of the

hands, pressing the feet to the floor, shaking the head and
so on.
o Small physical exercises able to burn excess energy in the
muscles.
o Do it before start delivering the speech but not excessively.
 Methods of Controlling Nervousness

10. Take a deep breath

o Before start delivering a speech, inhale 2-3 times.

o Can prevent shortness of breath and relieve tension in the
limbs.
 Methods of Controlling Nervousness

11. Choose a friendly audience as the

initial focus.

o A friendly audience can provide reassurance and positive

energy to the speaker.
o Avoid looking at serious or fierce faces audience.
o When start feeling better and calm, then look and make
interaction with your audience.
Thank You