2.  Communication apprehension
describes the fear in any
communication situation
› Talking on the phone
› Meeting new people at social events
› Speaking to a group of people

3.  The
fear of speaking before an
audience
› Sweaty palms
› Leg muscles tighten & you’re
shaky
› Fast heartbeat
› Dry mouth

4.  A chemical produced by your
body during times of stress
 Prepares body for “fight” or
“flight”
 Provides extra energy to think
faster & enthusiastically speak

5.  1. Describe a nonspeaking situation in which
you felt your adrenaline surge. Include the
sensations you experienced. Be ready to
share your description with the class.
 2. Were the sensations you described some of
the same sensations you felt when you got up
to present your first speech? Describe the
sensations you felt when you first spoke and
compare them to your first description.

6. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,
whatever things are noble,
whatever things are just,
whatever things are pure,
whatever things are lovely,
whatever things are of good report,
If there is any virtue and if there is anything
praiseworthy--meditate on these things.
Philippians 4:8

7. Coaches call it “Psyching up” to
win.
Speakers can do the same thing.
Make it a game: You want to
“Win over the audience” with
your speech.

8. 1. Dedicate your speech to the Lord and
ask Him to help you.
2. Be prepared! When you prepare, half
the battle is over. Know what you want
to say!
3. Your audience “knows” your pain. They
empathize with your struggles and want
the best for you. You are NOT
competing against each other (this is
NOT American Idol).

9. 4. Focus on the message. Choose a
meaningful or personal speech topic,
something your audience needs to hear
5. Stage fright effects are not visible to your
audience (sweaty palms are not
noticeable, heartbeat can’t be heard)

11. 1. Throat exercise: Relax your throat.
Yawn with mouth closed. Run the tip
of tongue from behind upper front
teeth up towards the roof of the
mouth. Relax tongue & yawn again.
Be aware of tension and relaxation of
throat muscles. Repeat several times
before presentation.

12. 2. Head & Shoulder exercise: Sit upright,
slowly roll shoulders forward 3 times.
Reverse and roll backwards 3 times. Focus
on releasing tension in shoulders. Close
your eyes & relax neck muscles, dropping
head forward. Slowly circle head from right
shoulder towards the back, and around to
the left shoulder to where you started.
Repeat 2 more times & reverse direction.

13. 3. Rag Doll exercise: Sit up in a straight-
back chair. Close eyes & concentrate on
relaxing muscles in feet, legs, hips,
abdomen, hands, arms, shoulders, neck &
jaw. Breath slow & evenly. Relax shoulders
as you breathe in. Imagine yourself like a
rag doll, drooping forward from the waist,
loosely swing arms back & forth. Relax!

14. 4. Reach for the Sky exercise: Stand up
& move away from chair. Lift arms
energetically above head. Bring them
out to your sides, stretching even to
your fingertips. Focus on feeling the
stretching sensation through your rib
cage. Imagine moving all the tensions
out of your body through your
fingertips. Drop arms limp to your
sides.

15.  Avoid playing with your hair, clothes,
paper, cards—anything that distracts
your audience.
 If you catch yourself doing these
distractions– STOP!
 Relax tense muscles

16.  Plan a great intro & memorize it
 Add humor, if your speech allows. It relaxes
you and your audience.
 Direct your energy into (natural) gestures,
volume, & intensity.
 Plan to take a step or 2 between main
points to release nervous energy, serves as
a transition.
 Focus on the message you are
communicating; keep your mind off being
nervous.

17.  He has called you to this & He
will equip you.
 Be open to criticism
 Be aware of the criticism given
 Use techniques to conquer
stage fright
 Persevere!