This chapter discusses building speaker confidence by managing anxiety. It identifies two types of anxiety - situational anxiety which is caused by specific speaking situations, and trait anxiety which is internal anxieties a speaker brings with them. Strategies are provided for managing both types of anxiety, including preparing and practicing, using relaxation techniques like deep breathing, employing positive imagery to envision successful speeches, and cognitive restructuring to replace irrational thoughts with coping statements. The chapter emphasizes that anxiety is normal for speakers and can be managed through training and experience.

1. Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning 1.1Chapter 2 Building Speaker Confidence
Essentials ofEssentials of
Public SpeakingPublic Speaking
Cheryl Hamilton, Ph.D.
5th Edition5th Edition
Building
Speaker
Confidence
Chapter 2
Cheryl HamiltonCheryl Hamilton

2. Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning 1.2Chapter 2– Building Speaker Confidence
Isocrates, a Greek contemporary of Plato andIsocrates, a Greek contemporary of Plato and
AristotleAristotle,, is one of the prestigious Ten Atticis one of the prestigious Ten Attic
Orators. However, he suffered from speakerOrators. However, he suffered from speaker
anxiety and had a voice that wouldn’t project.anxiety and had a voice that wouldn’t project.
Even so, he and founded the first permanentEven so, he and founded the first permanent
and financially successful school of rhetoric.and financially successful school of rhetoric.
For over 50 years his graduates becameFor over 50 years his graduates became
prominent Greek citizens. Most scholarsprominent Greek citizens. Most scholars
agree that his program of study and hisagree that his program of study and his
philosophy of educating “the good man skilledphilosophy of educating “the good man skilled
in speaking” have greatly influenced educationin speaking” have greatly influenced education
even to the present timeeven to the present time (Conley, 1990, p. 20).(Conley, 1990, p. 20).
Flashback . . .Flashback . . .

3. Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning 1.3Chapter 2– Building Speaker Confidence
Key IdeasKey Ideas
 The situational and trait anxietyThe situational and trait anxiety
 DefineDefine Positive ImageryPositive Imagery and explain how itand explain how it
helps manage trait anxietyhelps manage trait anxiety
 Strategies for managing anxietyStrategies for managing anxiety

4. Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning 1.4Chapter 2– Building Speaker Confidence
Types of AnxietyTypes of Anxiety
 Situational –Situational – anxiety caused by
factors present in a specific
speaking situation
 Trait –Trait – internal anxieties an
individual brings toto the speaking
situation

5. Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning 1.5Chapter 2– Building Speaker Confidence
Characteristics of Situational AnxietyCharacteristics of Situational Anxiety
 Feeling nervous in a new speaking situationFeeling nervous in a new speaking situation
 Situational anxiety is normal and necessarySituational anxiety is normal and necessary
to dynamic communicationto dynamic communication
 Experienced speakers get situational anxietyExperienced speakers get situational anxiety
(e.g. Mike Wallace, Billy Graham, Lee(e.g. Mike Wallace, Billy Graham, Lee
Iacocca, talk show host Susan Powter)Iacocca, talk show host Susan Powter)

6. Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning 1.6Chapter 2– Building Speaker Confidence
Characteristics of Trait AnxietyCharacteristics of Trait Anxiety
 A feeling of dissimarlity to other speakersA feeling of dissimarlity to other speakers
 A feeling of anxiety due to prior speakingA feeling of anxiety due to prior speaking
historyhistory
 A feeling of subordinate statusA feeling of subordinate status

7. Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning 1.7Chapter 2– Building Speaker Confidence
Managing Situational AnxietyManaging Situational Anxiety
 Prepare and practicePrepare and practice
– Prepare using notes and visuals
– Practice out loud at least three times
 Warm-up before speakingWarm-up before speaking
 Use deep breathingUse deep breathing
 Plan a relaxing introductionPlan a relaxing introduction

8. Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning 1.8Chapter 2– Building Speaker Confidence
Managing Situational AnxietyManaging Situational Anxiety
 Concentrate on meaningConcentrate on meaning
– Make sure your listeners are following your
organization
– Pay close attention to audience feedback
 Used visual aidsUsed visual aids
– Visual aids keep your hands occupied
– Visual aids shift attention away from you
– Visual aids help you remember what you are going to
say

9. Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning 1.9Chapter 2– Building Speaker Confidence
Managing Trait Anxiety:Managing Trait Anxiety:
The power of Positive ImageryThe power of Positive Imagery
Positive imagery is “creating a positive,
vivid, and detailed mental image of
yourself giving a successful and confident
speech. When you imagine yourself
speaking confidently, you become more
confident just as you would if you had
actually given a successful speech.

10. Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning 1.10Chapter 2– Building Speaker Confidence
Why Positive Imagery WorksWhy Positive Imagery Works
 Positive imagery helps you generatePositive imagery helps you generate
enthusiasmenthusiasm
 Positive imagery helps us get a positivePositive imagery helps us get a positive
picture of ourselvespicture of ourselves
 Positive imagery helps us create a vision ofPositive imagery helps us create a vision of
succeeding as a speakersucceeding as a speaker

11. Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning 1.11Chapter 2– Building Speaker Confidence
Mastering Positive ImageryMastering Positive Imagery
Negative words toNegative words to
avoidavoid
have tohave to
ought toought to
need toneed to
PositivePositive
AlternativesAlternatives
want towant to
like tolike to
enjoyenjoy
Step 1
Develop the habit of positive self-talk

12. Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning 1.12Chapter 2– Building Speaker Confidence
Mastering Positive ImageryMastering Positive Imagery
 Picture yourself as the speaker that youPicture yourself as the speaker that you
would like to bewould like to be
 Identify the speaking characteristics youIdentify the speaking characteristics you
would like to havewould like to have
 Write 10 positive statements that describeWrite 10 positive statements that describe
those positive characteristicsthose positive characteristics
Step 2
Refocus negative mental pictures
into positive ones

13. Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning 1.13Chapter 2– Building Speaker Confidence
Mastering Positive ImageryMastering Positive Imagery
 Picture yourself as the speaker that youPicture yourself as the speaker that you
would like to bewould like to be
 Identify the speaking characteristics youIdentify the speaking characteristics you
would like to havewould like to have
 Write 10 positive statements that describeWrite 10 positive statements that describe
those positive characteristicsthose positive characteristics
Step 2
Refocus negative mental pictures
into positive ones

14. Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning 1.14Chapter 2– Building Speaker Confidence
Writing Positive StatementsWriting Positive Statements
Weak:Weak: I will try to look directly at my
listeners when I speak
Better:Better: I’m making direct eye contact with
my listeners as I speak
Weak:Weak: My voice does not shake when I speak
Better:Better: My voice is strong and steady when I
speak

15. Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning 1.15Chapter 2– Building Speaker Confidence
Examples of Positive StatementsExamples of Positive Statements
 I feel as relaxed and confident giving a formalI feel as relaxed and confident giving a formal
presentation as I do entertaining good friends inpresentation as I do entertaining good friends in
my own living room.my own living room.
 I enjoy giving presentations regardless of the sizeI enjoy giving presentations regardless of the size
of the audience.of the audience.
 I am a warm, relaxed, and entertaining speaker.I am a warm, relaxed, and entertaining speaker.

16. Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning 1.16Chapter 2– Building Speaker Confidence
Examples of Positive StatementsExamples of Positive Statements
 I am a dynamic speaker.I am a dynamic speaker.
 When I’m in front of a group words flow easilyWhen I’m in front of a group words flow easily
for me.for me.
 People respond well to my presentations.People respond well to my presentations.

17. Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning 1.17Chapter 2– Building Speaker Confidence
Mastering Positive ImageryMastering Positive Imagery
 Picture yourself as the speaker that youPicture yourself as the speaker that you
would like to bewould like to be
 Identify the speaking characteristics youIdentify the speaking characteristics you
would like to havewould like to have
 Write 10 positive statements that describeWrite 10 positive statements that describe
those positive characteristicsthose positive characteristics
Step 3
Compete only with yourself

18. Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning 1.18Chapter 2– Building Speaker Confidence
Keys to VisualizationKeys to Visualization

19. Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning 1.19Chapter 2– Building Speaker Confidence
Managing Trait Anxiety: Other MethodsManaging Trait Anxiety: Other Methods
 Relaxation with deep breathingRelaxation with deep breathing
– Learning to relax using deep muscle relaxation and
breathing
– Learning to remain relaxed while visualizing a series of
communication situations progressing from low
anxiety to high anxiety

20. Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning 1.20Chapter 2– Building Speaker Confidence
Managing Trait AnxietyManaging Trait Anxiety
 Cognitive RestructuringCognitive Restructuring (Fremouw & Scott,(Fremouw & Scott,
1979); Meichenbaum, 19851979); Meichenbaum, 1985
– Identifying irrational self-talk that produces speaker
anxiety
– Developing alternative coping statements
– Practicing the coping statements in stressful situations

21. Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning 1.21Chapter 2– Building Speaker Confidence
Managing Trait AnxietyManaging Trait Anxiety
 Skills Training (Kelly, 1989; Phillips, 1977,Skills Training (Kelly, 1989; Phillips, 1977,
1991)1991)
– Identifying speaking goals
– Determining behavior or skills needed to achieve the
speaking goals
– Developing procedures for judging the success of each
goal

22. Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning 1.22
TechnologyTechnology
 Electronic visuals such as PowerPointElectronic visuals such as PowerPoint
 Adds to credibility and confidenceAdds to credibility and confidence
 Easy to prepare and reviseEasy to prepare and revise
 Helps keep thoughts on trackHelps keep thoughts on track
 Make sure to practice with themMake sure to practice with them
Chapter 2 Building speaker Confidence

23. Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning 1.23Chapter 2– Building Speaker Confidence
““ The only difference betweenThe only difference between
the pros and the novices is thatthe pros and the novices is that
the pros havethe pros have trainedtrained theirtheir
butterflies to fly in formation.”butterflies to fly in formation.”
Edward R. MurrowEdward R. Murrow
Remember . . .Remember . . .

24. Copyright © 2011 Cengage Learning 1.24Chapter 2 Building Speaker Confidence
Essentials ofEssentials of
Public SpeakingPublic Speaking
Cheryl Hamilton, Ph.D.
5th Edition5th Edition
Building
Speaker
Confidence
Chapter 2
Cheryl HamiltonCheryl Hamilton