Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ryanvandy]

My school has decided I will be doing a speech at graduation. I'm no public speaker and the idea of talking to hundreds of parents in a giant auditorium is nothing short of living hell to me.

The thing is, graduation is 4 days before my last day of work i.e. 365th day. I'm afraid if I deny, I'll be fired right before my bonus. Anyone else have this problem? Suggestions?

[ttompatz]

[tardisrider]

Ttompatz is correct, and his advice should make you feel somewhat better. That being said, the fear of public speaking is a very real thing, but there are many things that can be done to help alleviate your anxiety.

During grad school I taught public speaking to undergrads, and one of the biggest things we focused on was overcoming speech anxiety, also called "SA". There's actually a tremendous amount of research that has been done on SA in the communication field. It's a serious issue.

Here are a few tips:

1. Write your speech and rehearse it aloud. You don't have to memorize it word for word (in fact, you shouldn't) but be comfortable and familiar with what you are going to say. Also, as ttompatz said, keep it short. Rehearsing will help you get your timing down. Ask your supervisor (or whoever) what length they want, but I'm sure that 2~5 minutes will be fine. Those two to five minutes can fly by or they can seem like an eternity. Preparation will help!

2. Use note cards. Don't write your entire speech out on the cards, but use an outline or a few key points to help you keep on track. You've already practiced several times (as in the first tip, right?) so the cards are just there to help you. You don't need to read it.

3. Dress well, but comfortably. It is important to look good, but it's also important to feel good. If you're a man and your tie is choking you, it's because it is tied too tightly or your shirt collar is too small. If you are uncomfortable, it won't help your speech at all.

4. Remember that a certain amount of anxiety is not only normal but helpful. It helps keep you on your sharp and on your toes. There's a big difference between being a little nervous and panicking. Don't panic.

Here are a couple of websites that have some good tips and information that might be helpful:

http://www.stanford.edu/dept/CTL/Oralcomm/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20OvercomingSpeechAnxiety.pdf

http://www.cci.utk.edu/commstudies/oral/anxiety

[ryanvandy]

thanks everyone for the advice. I'll try some things out that you mentioned rider and be sure to K.I.S.S. too.

[pkang0202]

Another note, there will be a LOT of noise while you are trying to speak. I've been to a few elementary, middle, and high school graduations. There has always been students chatting away while the speaker is speaking. The teachers only quiet down the "loud" students.

Don't be surprised if you hear the murmur of hundreds of voices talking while you are giving your speech.

[PigeonFart]

Look at some videos of Hitler on YouTube and you might learn a few public speaking tips.