Informative Speech: Outline: “Managing Stress within the Classroom”
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience of the ways of managing public-speaking stress in the classroom.
Introduction: Here we are, at that moment of panic as a shattering feeling stretches to our very core. It is at this time, that all eyes are thrust upon us. It is at this moment, standing before the class, that many of us freeze in fear. The majority of us have likely experienced this overwhelming sense of anxiety when faced with speaking publicly. In fact, approximately 80 percent of the population has experienced some symptoms associated with delivering a speech or presentation. Today, I would like to share with my audience various tips and methods of managing the stressful …show more content…
As a rule of thumb, prepare your material in advance and practice. Practice will certainly not hinder you in any way. iii. Try reading out loud to hear your voice. With today’s technology, one could even pre-record a video or audio of his or her self while reading the information. This will not only aid in memorization/learning, but also in managing one’s timing, wording, and tone.
II. Another method of managing one’s fear of public speaking is that of positivity.
a. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America suggests focusing “your attention on thoughts and images that are calming and reassuring” (ADAA). When we fixate on thoughts of possible failure and things that could go wrong, we are simply contributing to negative thinking and allowing the fear itself to consume our optimism.
b. Support optimistic thinking. Refuse to doubt yourself.
i. Anxiety sufferers know all-too-well, the negative thoughts that arise when faced with fear. This pattern of negative thinking only leads to furthered negativity (ADAA).
III. In addition to thinking positively, there are also various physical ways to calm and relax your mind and body, such as deep breathing, relaxation exercises, yoga, and meditation. These methods also tend to promote positive …show more content…
Barbara Fredrickson, a researcher at the University of North Carolina, conducted a study that “has revealed that people who meditate daily display more positive emotions that those who do not.” (Clear).
IV. Another method is that of placing our fears into perspective. Try to visualize something much worse than the mere ridicule of a few viewers.
a. According to presentation specialist, Olivia Mitchell, “Rationally evaluate how awful your fear is. What were the consequences of it?” (Mitchell). She goes on to provide an exercise that I would like to share with you. “Think of that nerve-wracking presentation experience. How awful was it on a scale of 0 to 100%? Imagine, your little finger has just been cut off in an accident! How awful is that on a scale of 0 to 100%? And now how awful is that nerve-wracking experience compared to losing your little finger?” (Mitchell).
i. Perspective is a good way of managing our fears as well as allowing us to rationally judge what true fear is.
b. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld once said during a comedy routine: “I read a thing that actually says that speaking in front of a crowd is considered the number one fear of the average person. I found that amazing – number two was death! That means to the average person if you have to be at a funeral, you would rather be in the casket than doing the eulogy”
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience of the ways of managing public-speaking stress in the classroom.
Introduction: Here we are, at that moment of panic as a shattering feeling stretches to our very core. It is at this time, that all eyes are thrust upon us. It is at this moment, standing before the class, that many of us freeze in fear. The majority of us have likely experienced this overwhelming sense of anxiety when faced with speaking publicly. In fact, approximately 80 percent of the population has experienced some symptoms associated with delivering a speech or presentation. Today, I would like to share with my audience various tips and methods of managing the stressful …show more content…
As a rule of thumb, prepare your material in advance and practice. Practice will certainly not hinder you in any way. iii. Try reading out loud to hear your voice. With today’s technology, one could even pre-record a video or audio of his or her self while reading the information. This will not only aid in memorization/learning, but also in managing one’s timing, wording, and tone.
II. Another method of managing one’s fear of public speaking is that of positivity.
a. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America suggests focusing “your attention on thoughts and images that are calming and reassuring” (ADAA). When we fixate on thoughts of possible failure and things that could go wrong, we are simply contributing to negative thinking and allowing the fear itself to consume our optimism.
b. Support optimistic thinking. Refuse to doubt yourself.
i. Anxiety sufferers know all-too-well, the negative thoughts that arise when faced with fear. This pattern of negative thinking only leads to furthered negativity (ADAA).
III. In addition to thinking positively, there are also various physical ways to calm and relax your mind and body, such as deep breathing, relaxation exercises, yoga, and meditation. These methods also tend to promote positive …show more content…
Barbara Fredrickson, a researcher at the University of North Carolina, conducted a study that “has revealed that people who meditate daily display more positive emotions that those who do not.” (Clear).
IV. Another method is that of placing our fears into perspective. Try to visualize something much worse than the mere ridicule of a few viewers.
a. According to presentation specialist, Olivia Mitchell, “Rationally evaluate how awful your fear is. What were the consequences of it?” (Mitchell). She goes on to provide an exercise that I would like to share with you. “Think of that nerve-wracking presentation experience. How awful was it on a scale of 0 to 100%? Imagine, your little finger has just been cut off in an accident! How awful is that on a scale of 0 to 100%? And now how awful is that nerve-wracking experience compared to losing your little finger?” (Mitchell).
i. Perspective is a good way of managing our fears as well as allowing us to rationally judge what true fear is.
b. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld once said during a comedy routine: “I read a thing that actually says that speaking in front of a crowd is considered the number one fear of the average person. I found that amazing – number two was death! That means to the average person if you have to be at a funeral, you would rather be in the casket than doing the eulogy”