How I did it: I took a 1st year Communications class at my university... COMM 150, they call it there. (Which was why it took 4 months) It's a semester long course, and you really learn how to prepare yourself for speeches, how to be open with others, as well as becoming friends with the people in the class.
I am glad that the class was only 30 people, so it wasn't overwhelming at all. (Since most college classes are in huge lecture halls and such). The professor was awesome, she was very outgoing, and had guest students, usually juniors and seniors, to say "sample" speeches, so that we knew how to present our speeches properly.
Lessons & tips: PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!! For me, I was kinda forced to because it was part of the assignment for the class. Plus, there were a couple of group presentations, and letting the rest of your group down is not fun. If you have to know your speech well, (almost memorize) research your topic, become an expert really.
Use notecards and highlight titles so that you are organized, and your speech goes smoothly. And remember, people in the class are going through the same thing, so they're just as nervous and anxious as you are.
Resources: Peers, professor, roommate, calling parents and sister. Ask them to take a couple minutes out of their time to listen to your speech. It helps so much because, then you can get feedback from different audiences.
Parents, or people close to you know you the best, so they will help you out a lot.
Talking in front of a full-length mirror. Silly, but it helps to see how you are engaged physically for your speech. You don't want to look like a robot when speaking in front of people.
If you’re not a professional speaker then don’t over-rehearse, Work with a list of one word queues. Force yourself to think about not remember what you’re going to say next. The worst that can happen is a moment of silence, which is more uncomfortable for the audience than for the speaker.
indiejim cheered this 3 months ago
