What if I am anxious about the speeches??

In case any of you are becoming nervous about speaking in front of the class, here are some helpful hints and reminders to help you.

1. VISUALIZE. Visualize the speech happening. Use your script to visualize where, when, and how your speech will take place. Visualize a desirable audience, perhaps of friends and family. And visualize finishing the speech. Also, share these visions with your group so that you all have a shared meaning of the speech.

2. Remember, this speech will on average require the actual speaking of an individual in the group to be 4 minutes. Out of all your speeches you give in the course, an individual will speak for about 16 minutes total out of 2004 total class minutes. Not so much... And many of you have spoke out longer during class and question of the day.

3. Know that you are in a safe environment with classmates that all feel as you do. In addition, if we were all great speakers and could not improve, we would not be in this class. Each person will be a better communicator and stronger person after this speech by default even in the worst case scenario.

4. Lastly, I believe in everyone of you and I know that you will all do a fine job. If you are not a bit nervous about the speech, I would wonder how much it mattered to you?? Make sense?

( It is not a bad idea to release some of the nervous tension by taking a brisk walk or some other form of light exercise before the speech. This way the extra adrenaline will not cause you to shake or sweat so much. Again, these are very natural occurences during a speech.)