MANAGING SPEECH

ANXIETY
JAWARIA SAMIYA SIDDIQUI
 Anxiety and Stage fright

Speech apprehension:
Fear of speaking to an audience.

Communication apprehension:
Fear of communication, no matter what the context is.
Causes of speech apprehension

Fear of inadequacy:
Feeling inferior and incapable.
Fear of the unknown:
Only comfortable with the tried and true
Fear of being judged:
So sensitive to the judgment of others, that we avoid it altogether.
Fear of consequences:
Success or failure
List five experiences that give you the most anxiety.

Rate these experiences on a scale of 1 (no anxiety) to 5 (lots of

anxiety).
Pinpoint the Onset of Anxiety

Anxiety can strike at different times.

Anxiety may cause procrastination or poor performance.

Identify the first onset of nervousness.

Allows you to address it promptly with specific anxiety-reducing
techniques
When Public Speaking Anxiety occurs

1. Pre-preparation anxiety

2. Preparation anxiety

3. Pre-performance anxiety

4. Performance anxiety
Pre-Preparation Anxiety

Consequences
Reluctance to begin planning
Preoccupation with anxiety
Missing vital information about the speech

Address anxiety early with stress-reducing techniques.

Preparation Anxiety

Produces a cycle of
Stress;
Procrastination;
Outright avoidance.

Take short breaks to regain confidence.

Pre-Performance Anxiety

May occur while rehearsing the speech;

Can cause you to stop rehearsing;

Use the anxiety stop-time technique.

Allow anxiety to present itself.
Wait a few minutes.
Declare time for confidence to step in.
Proceed.
Performance Anxiety

May occur as the speech begins

Control nervousness during the introduction.

Rest of the speech comes easily

Manage anxiety.
Don’t let anxiety manage you.
10 Steps to reduce public Speaking Anxiety
1. Know the room
2. Know the audience
3. Know your material
4. Learn how to relax
5. Visualize yourself speaking
6. Realize people want you to succeed
7. Never apologize for being nervous
8. Concentrate on your message
9. Turn nervousness into positive energy
10. Gain experience
Visual Considerations
Clothing
Consider the topic, audience, and occasion.
Posture
Prepare yourself to stand properly in public
Gestures
Eliminate annoying gestures and incorporate appropriate ones
Movements and facial expressions
Movements communicate whether or not you are in control
Eye contact
Look at each member of the audience
Vocal Considerations

Volume – maintain an appropriate volume

Pitch – try not to fall into monotone trap

Rate – speed up or slow down as needed

Nonfluencies – try to eliminate nonfluencies

Rehearsal Procedures
Rehearsal can help you acquire confidence
Read through the outline several times
Learn first and last sentences
Preliminary auditory rehearsal
Imaginary audience
Present entire speech
Time yourself
Conduct additional rehearsals
Alone
Friends and/or relatives
After the Speech
Evaluating your effectiveness in delivering the following:

 Content

 Organization

 Language

 Delivery
Learn from Feedback
Welcome feedback.
◦ Opportunity to do better next time

Pay attention to objective evaluations.

Feedback is meant to help you.

 Summary Questions
What is public speaking anxiety? What are some of
the common fears associated with it?

When does nervousness occur in the speechmaking

process?

What strategies does this chapter offer for gaining

confidence as a public speaker?