Table of contents:
- Scared of speaking in public
- How to learn to speak in public
- Techniques for public speaking without nerves
- 1. Believe in yourself
- 2. Don't judge yourself
- 3. Ignore the nerves
- 4. Learn breathing and relaxation techniques
- 5. Imagine
- 6. Mastering the subject
- 7. Be clear about the objective
- 8. Know the audience
- 9. Prepare the speech
- 10. Generate interest
- 11. Establish a good atmosphere
- 13. Use humor
- Tips to keep in mind when speaking in public
- Always avoid when speaking in public
- Graphic Summary of Public Speaking Tricks
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Speaking in public 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 speakers 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, the 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. For all this, in this Psychology-Online article, we explain techniques for public speakingeasy to apply and very effective. Go for it!
You may also be interested in: How to lose your fear of public speaking Index- Scared of speaking in public
- How to learn to speak in public
- Techniques for public speaking without nerves
- Tips to keep in mind when speaking in public
- Graphic Summary of Public Speaking Tricks
Scared of speaking in public
The fear of public speaking is a more common emotion than it seems to express itself as a very unpleasant sensation. This feeling 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.
The fear of public speaking is 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 disables us 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 be reinforced and strengthened. Therefore, if you want to lose your fear of speaking in public, the best thing you can do is face the situation.
How to learn to speak in public
- Watch speakers and catch their tricks. Look at the people who speak in public, what aspects they have in common, what details catch your attention. You can search for one or more references. By observing others, you will know where to start.
- Imitate your references or people you like how they speak to others. Find a quiet moment, put yourself in the shoes of a speaker and imitate him by copying the techniques he uses when speaking in public.
- Practice. All practical skills are learned by repeating over and over again. Learning to give speeches in front of others is learned with practice.
- Identify the errors. There is always something that can be improved. Be aware of the bugs, choose one of them and focus on that one to improve it. When you have acquired that learning, identify another error and follow the same procedure.
Techniques for public speaking without nerves
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 very important to believe in yourself. You must trust yourself, your abilities and your knowledge.
2. Don't 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 rate, 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. The whole body is ready to help us meet the challenge of giving 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, one should learn breathing techniques, such as diaphragmatic breathing, and relaxation techniques, such as Jacobson's progressive muscle relaxation. In order to put them into practice and achieve a decrease in physiological activation.
5. Imagine
Do an imagination exercise. The brain sometimes does not distinguish reality from imagination. Therefore, it is good to pre-imagine the situation in which one speaks in public adequately 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 in depth the topic to be presented 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 public may raise.
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. Know the audience
Know the characteristics of the audience to whom the talk will be directed. This allows us to adapt both the information and the way it is given. To do this, it is necessary to put yourself in the shoes of the audience 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 at 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:
- Ask a shocking question. For example: Eliminate drugs or legalize drugs?
- Cite a 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 word game. How: Drink to live and not live to drink
- Provide surprising data: In Spain more than 10 people commit suicide every day.
- Use examples, visual content, statistical data, metaphors, comparisons, and so on. 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
It is recommended to opt for simplicity, ease and clarity. Use an understandable vocabulary and try not to wander or lose the thread of explanations.
13. Use humor
A pause in 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 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.
Tips to keep in mind when speaking in public
- The law of primacy and the law of recency. These laws say that we remember the beginning and the end of the content, therefore, these two parts are key and require more effort and preparation. Specifically, the last sentence of the speech is of great importance, since it will or will not encourage the applause of the audience.
- Verbal and non-verbal communication. Like, for example, the tone of voice, the expression of the face and the body posture.
Always avoid when speaking in public
- Avoid saying the typical phrase "I'm not good at public speaking" before making the presentation and much more during it. That the public believes this phrase works against us. Even more so if the speaker himself believes it.
- The excuses. It is not advisable to make excuses for the material or for any aspect of the speech.
Graphic Summary of Public Speaking Tricks
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to Techniques for public speaking, we recommend that you enter our category of Personal growth and self-help.
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- Gottesman, D., Mauro, B., Piñero, L., & Andreu, C. (2008). Techniques for public speaking . Uranus.
- Puchol, L. (2008). Public speaking: new techniques and resources to influence an audience in any circumstance . Editions Díaz de Santos.