Communication apprehension, or stage fright, is a common fear that affects most people when speaking in public. It stems from a biological response where the body releases adrenaline to prepare for a potential threat. While meant to provide energy to flee or fight, in public speaking this surge of adrenaline can lead to physical symptoms like an upset stomach or flushed face. However, people in the audience often do not notice these signs of anxiety in speakers as much as the speakers fear. Re-framing one's perception of the audience and speech as a discussion rather than a performance can help build confidence. Practicing content, organization, and using notes are also recommended to establish confidence when speaking.

1. Chapter 2Chapter 2
BuildingBuilding
ConfidenceConfidence
Overcoming Communication
Apprehension

2. What we will discussWhat we will discuss
 Communication apprehension is common
 What is fear?
 Who gets frightened in front of an audience?
 What are the symptoms?
 Need to establish an accurate perception
 Your audience
 Your speech
 Yourself
 The Planks of Confidence

3. What is Fear?What is Fear?
 Biological process by which animals get the
energy to do the job.
Two types of energy
 From regular system
 From emergency system or adrenaline
– Flight or fight
 Communication apprehension is being afraid
to speak in public.

4. CommunicationCommunication
ApprehensionApprehension
 It’s Stage Fright
 Almost everyone gets it
 80 to 90% of Americans
 Even actors suffer from it

5. Why do we get it?Why do we get it?
 Rush of energy
 Adrenaline
 We don’t like to be judged.

6. What is the Fear?What is the Fear?
 Fear of failure
 Fear of attention
 Fear of humiliation

7. What are theWhat are the
symptoms?symptoms?
 Upset stomach
 Flushed face
 Dizziness
 Fast heartbeat
 Shortness of breath
 Wobbly legs
What experiences have you had?

8. Best CuresBest Cures
 Talk about what you know
 Support from audience
 Make it simple and clear
 Visualize success
 Practice
 Breathe, breathe, breathe
to stay calm

9. Establish an AccurateEstablish an Accurate
PerceptionPerception
“Public speaking is no more difficult
than breathing, using chopsticks or
tying a bow tie. The mysterious
becomes simple…once you know
how to do it.”
-Charles Osgood, news commentator
See things as they are, not as you fear.

10. Perception of thePerception of the
AudienceAudience
“Studies on how well an audience perceives
anxiety should comfort nervous speakers.
Researchers have found that most report
noticing little or no anxiety in a speaker. Even
when individuals are trained to detect anxiety
cues and are instructed to look for them, there
is little correlation between their evaluations
and how anxious speakers actually felt.”
-Michael T. Motley, Psychology Today
People don’t see all your mistakes or nerves.

11. Perception of thePerception of the
SpeechSpeech
 Not a performance
but a conversation
 It is an extension of
your personality
 Have an intrapersonal
discussion

12. Perception of YourselfPerception of Yourself
 You don’t have to be perfect.
 You have failed before, but survived.
 The first time you walked
 The first time you rode a bike
 The first time you swam
Self-esteem is the result of a
discovery process
 Being given responsibility and then earning it

13. Planks of ConfidencePlanks of Confidence
 Content
 Organization
 Notes
 Friendliness
 Impression
 Dedication
 Empathy
 Newness
 Conviction
 Enthusiasm

14. Recalling FactsRecalling Facts
What is how you see things?
A good speech is a performance or a discussion?
What is another word for confidence?
What is communication apprehension?
What is fear?
What are the symptoms of stage fright?
Why do we get them?
What are the Planks of confidence?
What are the two mistakes made with note cards?

15. Recalling the FactsRecalling the Facts
AnswersAnswers
Perception
Discussion
Fear of speaking
Biological process to secure energy
Sweating palms, upset stomach, dizziness, flushed
face, fast heartbeat, wobbly legs
Bodies are flooded with energy to handle the situation
Content, Organization, Notes, Friendliness,
Impressions, Dedication, Empathy, Newness,
Conviction, Enthusiasm
Too many cards or too many words

16. VocabularyVocabulary
notes
friendliness
impression
dedication
empathy
common ground
newness
conviction
enthusiasm
confidence
communication
apprehension
fear
phobia
stage fright
perception
content
organization
List on Page 27 of textbook