Public Speaking Tips

[FutureCarmeliteClaire]

I (God-willing) will have a public-speaking opportunity in a few months, and I am going to talk about my story (in particular the depression and emotional side of some I dealt with the past year) in relation to accepting God's will in very difficult times, and well, you probably get the idea. I want to really open up to these ladies (it is a women's event for highschoolers and up), and be myself.

 

Automatically, I see one obstacle. I am an actor, I've acted for years, and I'm good at it. I'm really good at being someone else. I don't get nervous about acting. I am terrified of portraying myself in front of these people, but at the same time I fell that God is calling me to share my story and how He has worked in my life in miraculous ways. I just want to be me, and it'll be interesting to be speaking to an audience as "Claire" not as a role in a play that someone wrote.

 

I am asking for tips and pointers on public speaking from those of you who have done this before. Yes, I am aware that I have to speak loudly. LOL ;)

[PadrePioOfPietrelcino]

Begin and end with a prayer.

First, make sure you have planned an idea of what you want to share...often I will make a outline, write a speech based off that outline, and then rehearse it through a couple times until I can do she whole thing based on just minimal outline notes...This is particularly important for me if I know there is a definite time limit.

If the time limit is moe flexible, I sometime plan it short so I can field questions if anybody has any.

In your introduction start by introducing yourself and share your fear with the ladies. Acknowledging that you are trying to "play" yourself and not trying to act for them might help build report with your audience and get you early forgiveness if your nerves get to you. There is no shame in admitting to a group that this is the first time or even in the future even one of the first times to share your story in public.

I've taught and spoken publically since about the fifth grade so anymore speaking is second nature to me...I am often pulled in military channels to teach classes last minute because I have learned how to fill time, or compact ALOT of informant quickly... Speaking is a learned skill and practice, practice, practice is the first step, I would say you should probably be spending 10-15 min of prep for every one minute of speaking.

[FutureCarmeliteClaire]

Begin and end with a prayer.

First, make sure you have planned an idea of what you want to share...often I will make a outline, write a speech based off that outline, and then rehearse it through a couple times until I can do she whole thing based on just minimal outline notes...This is particularly important for me if I know there is a definite time limit.

If the time limit is moe flexible, I sometime plan it short so I can field questions if anybody has any.

In your introduction start by introducing yourself and share your fear with the ladies. Acknowledging that you are trying to "play" yourself and not trying to act for them might help build report with your audience and get you early forgiveness if your nerves get to you. There is no shame in admitting to a group that this is the first time or even in the future even one of the first times to share your story in public.

I've taught and spoken publically since about the fifth grade so anymore speaking is second nature to me...I am often pulled in military channels to teach classes last minute because I have learned how to fill time, or compact ALOT of informant quickly... Speaking is a learned skill and practice, practice, practice is the first step, I would say you should probably be spending 10-15 min of prep for every one minute of speaking.

 

Thanks so much! This is great! I've only ever done public speaking twice, and one was I read something I wrote that won an essay contest and the other was a personal story, but on the latter, I didn't feel like I did a very good job, so I'm looking for tips.

 

Again, this was great. Thanks so much.

[PhuturePriest]

I (God-willing) will have a public-speaking opportunity in a few months, and I am going to talk about my story (in particular the depression and emotional side of some I dealt with the past year) in relation to accepting God's will in very difficult times, and well, you probably get the idea. I want to really open up to these ladies (it is a women's event for highschoolers and up), and be myself.

 

Automatically, I see one obstacle. I am an actor, I've acted for years, and I'm good at it. I'm really good at being someone else. I don't get nervous about acting. I am terrified of portraying myself in front of these people, but at the same time I fell that God is calling me to share my story and how He has worked in my life in miraculous ways. I just want to be me, and it'll be interesting to be speaking to an audience as "Claire" not as a role in a play that someone wrote.

 

I am asking for tips and pointers on public speaking from those of you who have done this before. Yes, I am aware that I have to speak loudly. LOL ;)

 

I know the movie is technically for stammerers, but watching The King's Speech may benefit you. It teaches a lot about public speaking in general, not just trying to speak publicly with a stammer. Also, it may give you some confidence, because you will be able to say "Well, at least I don't have to worry about a stammer!".

Edited January 10, 2013 by FuturePriest387

[Era Might]

Make a promise at the beginning of the topic so people don't tune you out. They have to listen to get the promise. Or get them involved somehow early.

[CatherineM]

I joke. I don't take myself too seriously. When my husband and I give speeches about our personal stories, I tease him. That freaks people out. Just because he has schizophrenia doesn't mean he isn't a man. Men were put on earth for women to make fun of. For every graphic or sad story I tell, I try to tell one funny one. Otherwise it might overwhelm the audience.

[FutureCarmeliteClaire]

I joke. I don't take myself too seriously. When my husband and I give speeches about our personal stories, I tease him. That freaks people out. Just because he has schizophrenia doesn't mean he isn't a man. Men were put on earth for women to make fun of. For every graphic or sad story I tell, I try to tell one funny one. Otherwise it might overwhelm the audience.

 

That's awesome. I need to think of some funny stuff... Haha

[Groo the Wanderer]

This is something I share with my lectors.  Perhaps it will help you as well.  It's by a Jesuit priest...

 

 

 

I belong to a religious order, and [was asked to give a presentation with two other theologians in my own community].

 

[In the audience were] the men with whom I live and teach.  I have given so many speeches in public I am rarely nervous.  But this night I was definitely nervous….  So, while the other two theologians … were giving their presentations before mine, I was silently praying.  I asked Jesus to raise his becalming hand over me.  Pour your peace into me.  Help me to relax and do well.

 

Nothing happened.  I mean nothing….  So I examined my nervousness, in consultation with the divine physician, Jesus.  I heard his diagnosis, and the words I heard inside me that night have had a profound effect upon … my life.  He said:

 

“You are nervous because you are getting ready to give a performance.  You want to impress your brothers, to make sure they realize what a “gem” they have in you.  I don’t want a performance.  I want an act of love.  Your brothers do not need you to impress them, but to love them.”

 

In this communication, Jesus reached very deeply into my life.

[MissyP89]

That's awesome. I need to think of some funny stuff... Haha

 

Tell them about Instagram. And about how all you could eat was ice cream. And tentacles. And how blessed you felt when friends came to visit and gave you a GIANT teddy.

 

I have no tips, but I wanted to say I think it's ironic that you're an actor and struggle with speeches. I acted from ages 8-18 and when I took public speaking as required in college I was a shaking mess! I couldn't figure out why, but later on I realized that for the first time I wasn't some persona. I was me. They were seeing and hearing me, and there was a certain vulnerability there. 

 

Break a leg, babe.

[littlesister]

Instructions from a lectoring class : Practice taking a deep breath and listening to every word you say.  That will save you from putting your head down and racing through the presentation.  Also, talk from an outline, even a fairly extensive one.  Don't write the whole thing out because the temptation to just read can be great, but reading can very easily take the life out of even your main points. 

Best wishes.  (And yes, I remember my first one!)

[Gabriela]

I teach Public Speaking at Virginia Tech. If you want some practical advice, or just someone to discuss speech anxiety issues with, feel free to PM me and we can schedule a phone call.

[Gabriela]

I acted from ages 8-18 and when I took public speaking as required in college I was a shaking mess! I couldn't figure out why, but later on I realized that for the first time I wasn't some persona. I was me. They were seeing and hearing me, and there was a certain vulnerability there. 

 

This is really common. I've had quite a few actors in my classes and they usually go thespian in their first speech (which winds up being incredibly uncomfortable for the audience). I agree with your diagnosis of the underlying cause for this. Resolving it requires accepting that vulnerability is ok. :-) (And also mentally giving the bird to anyone who judges you unfairly. Public Speaking is consistently ranked as the #1 or #2 most widespread phobia in the US. Fortunately, audiences tend to be a lot more compassionate than most speakers, in the throes of their anxiety, imagine them to be.)

Also, watch this TED talk for some great, practical (research-tried) tips on building your confidence.

 

http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are.html

[FutureCarmeliteClaire]

I've spoken before, it's just that I'm nervous because I didn't like how it turned out last time. Luckily, I'm much more confident than I was last time, so that's good. It's not terrifying or anything, just a bit nervous about sharing a big part of my personal life. Granted, I want to share it, but y'all see what I'm saying.

Thanks for the tips, guys.

[PhuturePriest]

I've spoken before, it's just that I'm nervous because I didn't like how it turned out last time. Luckily, I'm much more confident than I was last time, so that's good. It's not terrifying or anything, just a bit nervous about sharing a big part of my personal life. Granted, I want to share it, but y'all see what I'm saying.

Thanks for the tips, guys.

 

I would like to think that you have spoken words at least once in your life.

[carmenchristi]

Well if you are good at acting, pretend you are someone else playing the role of Claire :) that should solve the problem :hehe: oh and pray ;)