Be confident!

[Ixistant]

We all get nervous when we have to get up and speak, whether we admit it or not, so don't feel bad.

I had a solo talk yesterday in English as part of my Standard Grade course, and I got a '1' (equivelent of an 'A') for it. Whenever I do talks in front of my class, I just pretend that I'm just atlking to friends and it's not really a test. Just act naturally and make eye contact with your friends in the class.

And most importantly, DO NOT have anything that's really sugary or has lots of caffiene in it before you give your talk.

Is this merely a mandatory question, or something more sinister?

Last edited by Ixistant on Fri Mar 17, 2006 11:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Pixa]

Thanks for the suggestions, people.

Hmmm... the bananas thing sounds interesting, with the hole being I don't like bananas (fruit of the devil, methinks), but, I hope it helps someone.

I might try the peppermint advice, sounds like a good way to make myself feel at ease. Even though I don't like mints, I'd be happy to eat them in this situation (now I sound fussy xD).

Today, while people were doing their speechs, I was cosidering how I would get into role of the characters and deliver it. How does it work, in what ways does it help? By getting into the role of the character, what am I aiming to do in the mindset of the character? To speak like the character?

And as to acting it out, for the speech, it didn't seem appropriate, but I will take it into consideration for other presentations that it may seem appropriate.

It comforts me to realise I'm not the only one who feels difficulty in performing. I've always had this problem, really, so I've been trying to keep myself positive and telling myself I can do it, but human nature defeated me. I'm quite shy in general, and, as I practised with my friends, I felt no problems, because I'm comfortable with them. Telling myself, as if I was just reciting it to a group of people, as normal, would do nothing, and not as a marked piece of work, but, nature again triumphed. The mirror sounds like a good idea.

So, thanks people, I really appreciate the feedback, and others encountering the problem can try to seek some support too.

(and Maths, yay! I got in the local paper today for some Maths thing. Hehe, I need a little ego boost.)

[Amethyst]

I agree wholeheartedly with everyone who's said to try to act it out. Just talk like you were having a conversation with someone. I roleplay almost every day, so it's really easy for me to slip into character. Maybe you could do that to practice. It sounds really nerdy, but having an alter ego (Or four, or five ;;;; ) to switch in to can really help your confidence.

[Paulisacretin]

I've said this here before and I'll say it again:

Pretend to be someone else giving the speech.

Pick a movie, book, or tv character that you admire as intelligent and eloquent. My favorites are Hannibal, Dumbledore, that blonde laywer lady from Law and Order SVU, and many others. If you slip into character, it becomes infinitely easier and you feel more comfortable.

It'll be somewhat hard to imagine Dumbledore complaining about Universal Soldier or swearing at people in front rows.

I'm a natural nervous wreck. Heck, I get all sweaty even when I'm leading prayers in front of my class.

Well you're making it deliberately hard for yourself if you try to pick dumbledore, or imagine yourself as marlon brando speaking. Fidds is right though, find someone who is confident and think about how they would do things.

I bet one of the big things on your mind is what your audience is thinking, yeah? Stop wondering whether they think you're a poor speaker, or you're not confident, and focus on the postive things that will be going through their heads. How passionate about your topic you are, how well informed you are, how nice your voice is.

Just practice!