Speaker Geeks! discussion

I know we all get a teensy, tiny bit nervous before we give a speech. Okay, that's a lie, at least if you're like me. Any tips on how to overcome it?

What I do is I just think, What is the worse thing that could happen?

And the answer is nothing! All you're doing is speaking! You do it all the time, and it's (hopefully...) always in front of other people! This time you just have more people to listen to you, which is better then only having one or two people hearing your opinion, isn't it?

Yeah, absolutely. Also, I find it easier to speak in front of people that I don't know rather than those I do. I do tend to get worked up, but if you're well-prepared, the nervousness is good for you. It keeps you on your toes. Now, if you aren't prepared...there's probably a different reason that you're nervous. However, if you are (as you're supposed to be) doing your best is all you can do. I always just think of it that way.

Darah gemuruh. That's the word my country use to describe someone who is nervous when he/she is on stage.

Practice with your friends, not teacher, so that you would be more of yourself. Also, if you practice with a teacher, you'll tend to be speechless (blank), nervous or stress.

Second step is, well, try to make yourself like to speak in front of all. I'm giving a speech and I'm proud of it, I look like a president or Listen up guys, I'm an important here. So sit there and listen are examples of thought that you should have in your mind.

Other steps would be introduced later.

Third step is to immerse yourself with the speech itself. You have to be reminded that giving a speech is about explaining what do you have in mind, so it is crucial to say and understand it at the same time. It is like a teacher and a student. To make a student listen and give his focus on you, the point of your speech should be understood by both parties.

I used to be SOO over come with stagefright that I hated talking in front of people, but I started loving school more than I hated talking in front of people, and my teacher made us read just about everything we wrote. I overcame it with a few steps of my own, and soon loved to read my paper/talk in front of people. First, I would write everything out as if it were to be read aloud whether it would be or not, so that made it easier when I actually did have to. also, I read it to myself several times and asked myself how each of my classmates would react to each sentence. Then i would read it aloud to my parents and siblings, and have them critique it so that I had a better idea of what they would think, then I found that it always helped to volunteer to speak first instead of waiting. I also found that the more you stared at a wall right behind someones head, the easier it would be for you to look at them. Before long, I could read out loud easily. In fact, the more you write, especially when you read things out loud to yourself, the easier it will become, at least it was like that for me.

During tests and all, give your self some positibe reimforcememt

I always practice in front of the mirror and my family. I'm not a nervous person, but those really help, I practice in front of my friends, so that when the real day comes, I make no.mistakes.

Wish I did!! I'm always so calm before, then I get up there and I'm not worried at all, but I shake like a leaf. And so does my voice. And I can't hold anything coz I'm shaking. The only time that doesn't happen is when in singing. Even when I play the violin I shake, which sucks!!

Make your audience disappear. ;)
That works for me every time. I imagine that the room is empty, and everything goes well.

H99 wrote: "That does not work for me. :/ For some reason, I can't im..."

Aww well..how about making yourself disappear? Imagine you're somewhere else.

One time I got on stage and imagined everyone in their underwear. I do NOT recommend doing that because you either end up standing there with this horrified look or you end up laughing hysterically at the mental depiction.

H99 wrote: "NO."

*_* Oh well, maybe other tips.

T.J. wrote: "One time I got on stage and imagined everyone in their underwear. I do NOT recommend doing that because you either end up standing there with this horrified look or you end up laughing hysterically..."

I read about a character in a book that did that. It's a short novel called "What's so Funny About 9th Grade". Haha, it's funny, I never tried that technique.

Worked for me. Especially since I needed to smile for dance. It was very funny.

A cabbage? Never tried that.

T.J. wrote: "Worked for me. Especially since I needed to smile for dance. It was very funny."

Haha, maybe it depends on the kind of speech you're about to deliver then.

Oh yes. Very true. You do not want to use that technique if you are talking about the Great Depression. Nope, nope, nope. That would not go well at all.

T.J. wrote: "Oh yes. Very true. You do not want to use that technique if you are talking about the Great Depression. Nope, nope, nope. That would not go well at all."

Haha! True!

When I'm doing public speaking, which, lately, has included LOTS of acting, I just have to remember that I don't look like as big a fool as I may feel. Being overly dramatic is sometimes what makes my piece funnier (which is the point), and I have to remind myself that I'm essentially being another person/character instead of myself (which may sound crazy, but I don't mean it that way...my pieces involve several characters that I have to act out). It's DEFINITELY helped me to come out of my shell a little bit instead of being soooo reserved.

Reviving