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Workshop Scenario:

Please think of yourself in the following scenario as you complete this workshop.

Imagine that your school has decided to cut funding for arts programs, including music, theater, and visual arts.

You decide to write a speech that will change their minds.

At the end of this workshop, you will create a persuasive speech that effectively communicates your thoughts and ideas on the importance of arts programs in schools, using various public speaking skills.

In the past lesson: you learned about advanced public speaking techniques, including using examples to support a persuasive argument in a speech.

In this lesson: you will learn how to calm your nerves while presenting.

During this lesson: be sure to write good notes on these techniques. You will be asked to do a visualization exercise using these techniques at the end of this lesson.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to…

• Compare and contrast the different techniques for managing nervousness

• Analyze how effective each technique is in reducing nervousness during a speech

• Evaluate the impact of nervousness on speech delivery and audience engagement

Nervousness is normal when giving a speech. You just need to learn how to hide it.

Here are some ways to manage it when you are giving your speech:

Take a Deep Breath

Feeling nervous or stressed is common, especially when you're about to do something important like a presentation. Did you know that when you're anxious, you tend to breathe faster without realizing it? This can make you feel even more jittery and uncomfortable. But don't worry. You can do a simple exercise to help you feel more relaxed and in control: deep breathing.

1. Start by sitting or standing comfortably with your back straight to do this exercise.

2. Take a deep breath in through your nose, imagining that you're filling your lungs with air like a balloon.

3. As you inhale, feel your stomach expanding like a balloon too. You can even put your hand on your belly to notice the movement.

4. Hold your breath for a few seconds

5. Then exhale slowly through your mouth, letting all the air out like you're deflating the balloon. Try to make your out-breath longer than your in-breath, for example, by counting to four as you inhale and six as you exhale. You can check your stomach movement again if you're unsure you're doing it right. Does it rise and fall with your breath?

Congratulations, you're breathing deeply! With a little practice, deep breathing can help you feel calmer, more focused, and more prepared for your next challenge. Give it a try!

Pace Yourself

Have you ever noticed that you tend to speak faster than usual when you're nervous? It's understandable, but sometimes it can be hard for your audience to follow what you're saying. That's why learning how to pace yourself when speaking in public is important.

One way to do this is to practice speaking comfortably. You can start by walking and talking to yourself or a friend. Match your speaking pace with your walking pace, and pay attention to how your sentences flow. Do you tend to rush through certain parts? Do you pause at natural breaks? Can you hear any patterns or rhythms emerging as you speak?

By practicing speaking comfortably, you'll be able to focus more on your message and less on your nervousness. You'll also allow your audience to absorb what you're saying and connect with you as a speaker. So the next time you feel anxious before a presentation, take a few deep breaths, find your comfortable pace, and let your words flow naturally.

Center Your Body

Have you ever noticed that your body can feel tight and tense when you're nervous? This can make you appear less confident and more jittery, affecting your presentation. But don't worry; there are simple exercises you can do to help you feel more relaxed and composed.

1. To start, find a quiet place to take a few minutes. Close your eyes and take two deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. Then, reach your hands towards the ceiling as far as possible and slowly lower them back down. Roll your shoulders back three times, and shrug them up towards your ears a few more times.

2. Next, check your posture. Ensure your shoulders are relaxed and down, your chest is lifted, and your weight is evenly distributed on both feet. This posture shows confidence and will help you feel more in control.

During your presentation, you can use muscle relaxation techniques to help reduce physical tension and nervousness. Here are some tips on how to do that:

1. Periodically check in with your body and notice any tension or discomfort. Focus on deliberately relaxing the muscles in those areas.

2. Starting with your toes and working your way up to your head, tense and relax each muscle group in your body. You can do this quietly and discreetly during your presentation.

3. Another technique is simply breathing deeply and exhaling slowly while consciously relaxing tense muscles.

If you find your hands shaking, take a deep breath and clench your hands into fists, hold for a few seconds, and then release. Repeat a few times until your hands feel steadier.

Improving Your Voice

When we're nervous, we may speak quickly and compress our words, making it difficult for our audience to understand us. Here are some exercises to help warm up your voice:

First, say a sentence out loud in your normal speaking voice. Then, say the same sentence again but focus on pronouncing each syllable clearly. This will help you avoid blending words together and improve your clarity.

Next, challenge yourself with a tongue twister, like 'Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers'’ Try saying it five times in a row as quickly and clearly as possible. This will help loosen your tongue and prepare you to speak clearly and confidently.

Closing Assessment:

1. What is the benefit of taking deep breaths before a presentation?

2. What does it mean to "pace yourself" when speaking in public? Have you ever struggled with speaking too fast or too slow? How did you address this issue?

3. How can muscle relaxation techniques help reduce physical tension and nervousness during a presentation? Have you ever used any of these techniques before?

Discussion Question:

Directions: Please answer the following question in the comment section below and interact with learners from around the world.

• Visualize what would happen if you gave a speech using these techniques. Try to imagine using these techniques in as much detail as possible. Did these techniques calm you down? How do you feel now? Write about your experience below.

Please read and reply to other learners’ answers in the forum. Your replies should offer new substantiated ideas or thoughtful questions.

Workshop created by Darcy Rice