Your chest feels constricted and a sensation of heat engulfs you. The flash cards in your hands have become creased due to your obsessive squeezing. Numerous eyes fix upon you, filled with anticipation. Gathering your courage, you clumsily deliver the speech. As soon as it concludes, you swiftly return to your seat, cheeks blazing crimson. You sink down, already dreading the next encounter with your greatest anxiety: speaking in public.
My entire life has been a constant battle with public speaking, which is undoubtedly one of my major shortcomings. It brings me immense anxiety and stress, be it a simple presentation in class or a grand speech before a massive crowd. Expressing my thoughts coherently has always been challenging for me. I have forever admired those individuals who effortlessly deliver speeches, displaying no trace of nervousness. Therefore, I decided to write about this subject in order to delve into the diverse advice and methods others propose for enhancing public speaking abilities.
Before beginning my search, I evaluated my existing knowledge of public speaking, which was rather limited. I possessed a basic understanding of the essentials: maintaining proper posture, establishing eye contact with the audience, and speaking clearly. However, simply possessing this knowledge does not ensure my ability to effectively apply it. Since I am studying Elementary Education, which entails numerous public speaking engagements, I need additional information on various techniques and strategies to conquer my fear and thrive in front of an audience. Upon finishing this paper and conducting research, I anticipate being well-prepared for any forthcoming opportunities to speak publicly. Although occasional nerves may still arise naturally, as long as I effectively manage and control those nerves, I am confident that public speaking will no longer pose a challenge for me.
Works Cited:
- Hall-Flavin, Daniel K. “Fear of Public Speaking: How Can I Overcome It?” Mayo Clinic. N.p., 24 Mar. 2011. Web. 19 Jan. 2014. . James, Kaila. Personal interview. 19 Jan 2014.
- Ni, Preston C. “5 Tips to Reduce the Fear of Public Speaking.” Psychology Today. Sussex Publishers, LLC, 6 Nov. 2013. Web. 17 Jan. 2014. . Shuman, Jessi. Personal interview. 19 Jan 2014.
- Torres, Johnny. Personal interview. 19 Jan 2014.
