Introduction to

Persuasive Speaking
Overcoming Fear
Saikrisshnna Manchala
9949244435

Syllabus
02/28 Orientation; Photos; Communication; Speaking types & purposes
03/07 Persuasion and reasoning; Peer Criticism
03/14 Speech 1
03/21 Writing process; Outline & components; Monroe Sequence
03/28 Movie: Remember the Titans
04/04 Overcoming fear; using an outline
04/11 Speech 2
04/18 Review of speech 2;
04/25 Selecting topic & thesis
05/02 HOLIDAY NO CLASS
05/09 Researching & supporting material
05/16 Speech 3
05/23 Review of speech 3; Speech delivery tips
05/30 Using visual aids
06/06 Clean-up final review and preparation for speech 4
06/13 Speech 4
06/20 Speech contest prep; Final exam; Evening speech contest

Most People Feel Anxiety

What people fear
most...
Snakes
Public speaking
Death

Why Are You Afraid?

You are at the center of attention

Lack of experience
Feelings of strangeness
Fear of rejection or embarrassment
Fear of looking stupid in front of others

Fear that your mind will go blank

Effects of Anxiety
Anxiety effects people differently.
You may...
feel your heart start beating faster
feel your mouth getting dry
get nauseous
feel like fainting
hear your voice tremble
feel your legs or body shaking
stutter or start speaking rapidly
ramble through the material incoherently

Five Steps to Overcome Fear

1. Be well prepared
2. Practice
3. Have a backup
4. Reduce fear of your audience
5. Relax yourself

1. Be Well Prepared (1)

Leave nothing to chance
Lay out your strategy
Ensure all material is ready
Make contingency plans

1. Be Well Prepared (2)

Know your material
know exactly what you
are going to talk about
have a good outline of
facts and information

1. Be Well Prepared (3)

Know the Conditions
Check out the lectern and
microphone
Visualize how you will be doing
things

Going through this process will relax

you & give you more confidence

2. Practice Your Speech (1)

Practice alone
many times
speak out loud
speak looking into a mirror
stand in the corner
record your practice

2. Practice Your Speech (2)

Practice before
friends
Gets you closer to the
"real world" of speaking to
a group
Even one person is good
for this type of practice

3. Have A Backup
3. Have a backup,
in case you
forget what you
want to say.

3. Have A Backup in Case You Forget

Prepare a "safety net"
Outline your speech
use paper or cards
Referring to notes is
generally acceptable, as long as you
are not reading your speech.
You may never even use your notes,
but they can reduce the butterflies.

4. Reduce Fear of Audience (1)

The more important the
audience or the occasion,
the greater your fear can be.

4. Reduce Fear of Audience (2)

Negative approach
visualize the audience as not being all
that important.
old trick: imagine audience is naked,
or in clown suits -- the ridiculous image
will make them seem less important.
Problem: the negative image may be
reflected in your speech.

4. Reduce Fear of Audience (3)

Positive approach
the audience is usually on your side
they want to hear what you have to
say
it is just like talking to your friends

5. Relax (1)
Relax yourself just
before you speak.

5. Relax (2)
Take two breaths to settle you
before you get out of your chair.
thank the person who introduced you.
count to 5 before you start speaking.

This will allow the audience to get

settled and ready to hear you.
It is also a way to show that you are
now in control.

5. Relax (3)
Stress-Control Breathing
Centered in your abdomen, not your
chest.
Stage One
Inhale air and let your abdomen go out.
Exhale air and let your abdomen go in.
Stage Two
As you inhale, use a soothing word such
as "calm" or "relax.

5. Relax (4)
The Wave
Under stress, breathing and speaking

can get uncoordinated.

To coordinate breathing and speaking,

begin speaking at the crest of the wave.

Mini-Quiz
1. Why are most people afraid to speak to a group?
a. They fear the audience will get angry at them
b. They are afraid of looking foolish
c. It is an excuse for their incompetence
2. How can you gain confidence in your speaking ability?
a. Gather together a series of small speaking successes
b. Only speak before people you know
c. Have several alcoholic drinks before speaking
3. How can you reduce fear of your audience?
a. Visualize them as friendly toward you
b. Don't look at them while you speak
c. Tell them you are better than they are

Use A Monroe Outline

Introduction (attention)
Attention Getter
Reveal Topic
Relevancy
Credibility
Thesis & Preview

Main point 1 - (need) Why is this important?

Reason 1
Reason 2

Main point 2 - (satisfaction) This is how we solve it...

Example 1
Example 2
Main point 3 - (visualization) "How great it would be if..."
Sample vision 1
Sample vision 2
Conclusion - (action) "This is what we have to do..."
Action 1
Action 2
Review Main points
Clincher

Use A Monroe Outline

Introduction (attention)
Attention: Statistic - young adult deaths due to drunkenness
Topic - The danger of uncontrolled alcohol sales
Relevancy many of us know someone who has been injured under the influence of
alcohol
Credibility It has happened to me
Thesis & Preview Alcohol sales to young adults must be controlled, otherwise
deaths will continue, academics will suffer, and costs to society will skyrocket. My
experience is only one of thousands each day. Young adults think it is cool to get
drunk, but the end result is often a lifetime of misery and suffering.

Main point 1 - (need) Why is this important?

Reason 1 Deaths of students
Reason 2 Damage to academics
Reason 3 Costs to society

Main point 2 - (satisfaction) This is how we solve it...

Example 1 Establish new laws regulating the sale of alcohol
Example 2 Create an advertising program to make students aware of the dangers.
Main point 3 - (visualization) "How great it would be if..."
Sample vision 1 If only one life is saved, it will be worth it.
Sample vision 2 Picture a new generation free of alcoholism
Conclusion - (action) "This is what we have to do..."

Grade Sheet
Introduction (attention)

5 points

Main point 1 - (need)

5 points

Main point 2 - (satisfaction)

5 points

Main point 3 - (visualization)

5 points

Conclusion - (action)
Total

5 points
----------25 points

Homework
You should be almost finished
with speech 2
3 minutes
Type: argumentative
Topic: some current event
Presentation: from a Monroe outline
(note please avoid political or religious topics)