Public speaking is essential to develop in the academic and work world, there are many professions in which verbal and oral competence is decisive. In addition, one of the evaluation formats in the academic field is the presentation, defense or oral presentation of a work. It is no less important in personal and social life, since we are social beings and we live in society, so there are many occasions when we must express ourselves in public.
We often say that someone is a good or a bad speaker. We watch the speeches of famous personalities or lecturers and it seems that public speaking is an innate gift that only a few are lucky enough to possess. As in any other skill, there are people who have certain conditions and ability to speak in public. However, a good speaker is not born, but is also made. As Quintiliano said: "Poets are born, but speakers are made". Of course, you can learn to speak in front of others and make quality speeches by knowing the techniques and practicing them. Therefore, in this Psychology-Online article, we explain
The fear of public speaking is a more common emotion than it seems to express itself as a very unpleasant sensation. This sensation occurs at the time of public speaking, but also in the moments before and during the period of time in which the person knows that they will have to speak in public. Whether it's to defend a job at school, present a proposal at work or make a speech for a celebration.
Fear of public speakingis due to the perception of danger, that is, to the belief that speaking in public carries some risk. For example, make a fool of yourself, do it badly, make others think you don't know, and so on. But the reality is that there is no danger so great as to have a fear reaction that makes us unable to speak in public. Everything is in our mind and in the maladaptive interpretation of reality.
The emotion of fear is associated with the action of avoidance and flight. In the event that the situation is fled and public speaking is avoided, the fear will grow stronger and stronger. Therefore, if you want lose your fear of public speaking, the best thing you can do is face the situation.
Prayer skills can be learned by knowing and applying non-servant public speaking techniques and by practicing them. Here are some of the most important ones.
1. Believe in yourself
Increase the level of self-confidence. You can work on increasing self-confidence, because, to speak in public, it is great importance to believe in yourself. You must trust yourself, your abilities and your knowledge.
2. Do not judge yourself
The important thing is not the speaker, but the speech. The public, surely, is not going to observe and evaluate the speaker, they are going to listen to a speech. Therefore, what is important is what is transmitted and what is contributed to the public, the information and the feeling that the audience takes from the presentation.
3. Ignore the nerves
It is normal to feel some activation of the body, such as increased heart and breathing rates, sweaty hands, mild trembling and general excitement. Nothing is happening, the body is simply activating to meet a challenge. The heart pumps faster to irrigate all areas of our body, as well as the speed of breathing to provide oxygen. Muscles prepare for movement and body temperature rises. Everything the body is ready to help us meet the challenge to give a public lecture. It is not necessary to give it more importance than it has.
4. Learn breathing and relaxation techniques
In the event that the nerves make it impossible to speak in public, it is necessary to learn breathing techniques, such as diaphragmatic breathing, and relaxation, such as Jacobson's progressive muscle relaxation. To be able to put them into practice and achieve a decrease in physiological activation.
5. To imagine
Do an exercise in imagination. The brain sometimes does not distinguish reality from imagination. For this reason, it is good to pre-imagine the situation in which one speaks properly in public in as much detail as possible. When speaking in public, the brain will not interpret this situation as totally new, because for him it has already happened, even in imagination.
6. Mastering the subject
Knowing the topic to be presented in depth provides the basis for a good speech, from a greater sense of self-confidence, to a greater knowledge to prepare the important points of the talk and also to be able to answer the questions that the audience may plant.
7. Be clear about the objective
Being clear about the objective of the talk is necessary to have a point of reference present at all times. Know what we want to communicate and what we must transmit to guide the discourse. The objective must appear in the conclusion.
8. Get to know the audience
Know the characteristics of the audience to whom the talk will be directed. This allows adapting both the information and the way it is given. To do this, it is necessary to put yourself in the shoes of the attendees and speak to the public about what is interesting to you and in a language that fits your understanding.
9. Prepare the speech
It is essential to prepare very well what to say and how to say it, that is, plan a script with the skeleton of the speech. The first few times you speak in public, the less you leave to chance, the better. It is recommended to start preparing the script for the conclusion and continue to trace the path to reach it.
10. Generate interest
To create buzz and interest, you can use one of these tricks to get attention:
- Formulate a shocking question. For example: Eliminate drugs or legalize drugs?
- Quote one known phrase. An example: I just know that I don't know anything. Even add some variant. For example: Houston, we have 3 problems.
- Use a pun. How: Drink to live and not live to drink
- Provide surprising facts: In Spain more than 10 people commit suicide every day.
- Use examples, visual content, statistical data, metaphors, comparisons, etc. It is a way of offering information in a different and attractive way. However, these resources should be used sparingly.
11. Establish a good atmosphere with the audience
Having the sympathy of the public will be one of the key factors for a successful speech. This can be achieved by practicing empathy, being honest, explaining an interesting anecdote or fun and interacting with the audience: you can make a compliment, a question addressed to the audience, etc.
12. Be natural
It is recommended to opt for simplicity, ease and clarity. Use an understandable vocabulary and try not to digress or lose the thread of explanations.
13. Use humor, if applicable
In situations where the use of humor is appropriate, it makes it possible to enliven the speech and connect with the audience. It also elicits the smile of the public and favors the predisposition to maintain attention.
14. Make correct use of silence
A pause in the speech serves, for example, to leave a space for the audience to process the information and reflect. In this case, it would be used after an important phrase, a compelling explanation or the formulation of a question. On the other hand, silence allows you to attract attention and create expectation. In this case, it can be used before answering a question, before continuing with an important part of the speech or before revealing information.
