This document discusses overcoming the fear of public speaking. It defines confidence and fear, noting that fear becomes a phobia when it is persistent and irrational. Many adults fear public speaking more than death and lists common symptoms of this fear such as an upset stomach or fast heartbeat. It suggests that the key to overcoming this fear is changing one's perception - audiences often do not notice a speaker's nerves as much as the speaker feels them. It advises that a speech should not be seen as a performance but as an opportunity to share meaningful ideas with an audience. Finally, it lists "planks of confidence" like being prepared, friendly, and believing in what one says to help overcome the fear of public speaking.

1. GLENCOE SPEECH
Chapter 2
Ms. Huckabee
CHS

2. Confidence
• The feeling you have when you believe that you are
capable of handling a situation successfully.

3. Fear
• The biological process by which animals, including
humans, secure the necessary energy to do a job that
really matters – one that might potentially result in
physical and/or psychological injury.
• Normal energy system
• Emergency energy system – adenaline
• When fear becomes persistent and irrational, it’s known
as a phobia.

4. Many adults fear public speaking more
than death…
• Symptoms of this fear:
• Upset stomach
• Flushed face
• Dizziness
• Fast heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Excessive perspiration
• Wobbly legs
• Forgetting words

5. How do you overcome it?
• It’s all about perception – how we see things.
• Many times audiences don’t even know we’re nervous.
• “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 curs 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

6. Your perception
• A speech does NOT = performance
• A speech does NOT = putting on a show
• A speech is a tremendous opportunity to share, an
opportunity to enjoy a meaningful moment, and an
opportunity to communicate verbally with people you care
about (your audience).

7. Planks of Confidence
• Content – Say something worthwhile.
• Organization – Have a plan for you and your audience.
• Notes – jot down ideas in a brief, directed form.
• Friendliness – Be congenial.
• Impression – Get off to a good start from the beginning.
• Dedication – Practice, practice, practice. And practice again.
• Empathy – Understand your audience.
• Newness – Attempt originality.
• Conviction – Believe in what you say.
• Enthusiasm – Get fired up!