Managing Speech Anxiety
Communications 1020
Instructor: Dave Gagon
“At least 75 percent of students in
public-speaking courses approach
the course with anxiety.”
James C. McCroskey, “Classroom Consequences of Communication
Anxiety,” Communication Education 26 (1977)
Identify What Makes You Anxious
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Lack of public-speaking experience
Feeling different from members of the
audience
Feeling uneasy about being the center of
attention
PUBLIC-SPEAKING ANXIETY
Lack of Experience
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Some avoid making speeches


Avoid anxiety
Miss considerable rewards and growth
it brings
Feeling Different

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Worry about personal idiosyncrasies
Worry that no one would be
interested in what they have to say
Believe that being different
somehow makes them inferior
Being the Center of Attention

Don’t worry about


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Listeners who won’t make eye contact
Audience members whispering to each
other
What’s wrong with ME?
NOTHING
QUICK TIP
Your Own Worst Critic
If you find yourself feeling anxious about being the
center of attention, remember that you see yourself
more critically than an audience does. Audience
members notice little about us that we don’t want to
reveal, so relax and focus on delivering your
message.
Pinpoint the Onset of Nervousness
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Pre-preparation anxiety
Preparation anxiety
Pre-performance anxiety
Performance anxiety
Pre-Preparation Anxiety
Reluctance to
begin planning for
the speech
So preoccupied
with anxiety you
miss vital
information
Preparation Anxiety
Feel overwhelmed
Get behind on
schedule
Unable to locate
support material
Causes stress,
procrastination and
avoidance
QUICK TIP
Rehearsing Builds Confidence
Making progress on any task increases confidence.
Preparing your speech in advance will lessen your
nervousness considerably. Remember, just as sitting
around wishing you were in better physical shape
won’t firm you up, merely wishing your speech will
be a success won’t make it so. To ensure a positive
result, prepare the speech well in advance and
rehearse it several times.
Pre-Performance Anxiety
Thinking too much
about the audience
Think ideas don’t
sound focused or
interesting
Get nervous
Stop rehearsing
Performance Anxiety
Most pronounced
during the introduction
Get control here, the
rest of the speech
comes more easily
Learn Specific Strategies
to Boost Your Confidence

Prepare and practice
Learn Specific Strategies
to Boost Your Confidence


Prepare and practice
Modify thoughts and attitudes
Learn Specific Strategies
to Boost Your Confidence



Prepare and practice
Modify thoughts and attitudes
Visualize success
Learn Specific Strategies
to Boost Your Confidence




Prepare and practice
Modify thoughts and attitudes
Visualize success
Use stress-control breathing
Learn Specific Strategies
to Boost Your Confidence





Prepare and practice
Modify thoughts and attitudes
Visualize success
Use stress-control breathing
Practice natural gestures
Learn Specific Strategies
to Boost Your Confidence






Prepare and practice
Modify thoughts and attitudes
Visualize success
Use stress-control breathing
Practice natural gestures
Move as you speak
Learn Specific Strategies
to Boost Your Confidence







Prepare and practice
Modify thoughts and attitudes
Visualize success
Use stress-control breathing
Practice natural gestures
Move as you speak
Seek pleasure in the occasion