Public speaking help!!!!!?

Question:oh no! i have a public speaking competition coming up and i am realy nervous, im only speaking for 2 minutes but ill get stage fright!!!! PLEASE GIVE ME TIPS!!!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: oh no! i have a public speaking competition coming up and i am realy nervous, im only speaking for 2 minutes but ill get stage fright!!!! PLEASE GIVE ME TIPS!!!

The only way to get over the nervousness is to practice. I don't know how long you have, but it is good to have at least 14 days before the date to practice. The best way is to get a group of your friends and family together and tell them your situation and maybe they will sit down and let you give your speech to them. Try not to look at the people you are talking to. Glance up once in a while, being careful not to look into anyones eyes. Then go back to reading your speech. Take a few deep breaths before you begin and go for it. Remember that the only way to overcome anything is to do it.
The more you do it, it will become second nature to you.
I hoped this helped you.
God Bless You

you can do it!

Imagine that nobody is there...

I picture I'm speaking to people I really want to listen. Or imagine I'm speaking to myself. Call me an ostrich.

Take a very deep breath and approach the podium with confidence, you'll do great! :)

I know you are going to hear here that you should see everyone as if they are in their underwear. I am at ease because I know we are all built sorta the same and I speak as if I am having a one on one conversation. I pick out a couple of friendly faces and move from one to the other.

Good luck.

just take deep breaths. and pretend your alone and no1 is watching you. practice in front of your family.

there is nothing to be nervous of cuz
every one has to do this sometime
and idk just dont be nervous

The naked thing doesnt work.

LOL

Go to a bathroom right before speaking and tighten every muscle in your body...eyes, hands, legs, face...really tight..hold as long as you can....keep breathing....release! This will wipe out tension!

Also, the best way to go is to OVER prepare. Read what you are to say over and over and over in front of a mirror, friends...everyone. Get it into your head. This helps more than anything.

If you have time, VISUALIZE yourself going to the stage confidently, giving your speech with ease and grace...visualize doing perfectly. This helps. People that concentrate on the idea of things going wrong are the ones who mess up and panic. Visualize perfection, ease, comfort, confidence.

u can call sick!!

just believe you can. like you said it is only two min. all you have to do is think slow and practice but not too much, just enough to know what your speech is about, and when you feel like you are doing bad stop thinking like that!!

Okay... See I did public speaking last year. It's really nerve racking I know. But... I'm not about to tell you to picture the audience in their underwear because that is stupid and does not work. I will tell you... that eye contact is key. BUT. Try not to look at their faces... It helps if you look just above everyone's head... Also... While waiting to speak.. don't go over your speech too much in your head because you will forget. Try some breathing exercises and stretches. They relax you. Like I said... I did public speaking last year and I act so it helps me! GOOD LUCK!!!

Most people fear public speaking more than death. true!
you have to remember that about 98% of what you feel during the speech, no one will ever notice. You have to relax, try breathing, and visualisation. Focus on your grammer and know what your going to say. Be Conversational!! It's not that hard and 2 minutes is nothing at all. If anything you should want more time to convey the message.

Stage fright is natural!! Everyone gets it. The president, movie stars, singers, even professional speakers! It's your body's natural response to a stressful situation. Remember fight or flight? It actually gives you a big advantage, sharpens your mind, gets the blood flowing. Use it, don't be affraid of it!

maybe try a web search on stage fright, or public speaking.

I know just how you feel, I felt the same way when I was in junior college and took my first speech class. I can't even remember what I spoke about but if it wasn't for the nervousness I would never have gotten through it. Being nervous is just part of the game. Every speaker has it. Just be sure you are speaking about something you know pretty well. That is the trick. Never and I mean never, memorize a speech! That was the first lesson my professor taught us. I went on to be a speech and theatre major and got a Masters Degree and taught for a number of years. You will do well!

You've had some good answers thus far, but my recommendations are short and to the point.

1. Know well your topic.

2. Speak slowly and enunciate carefully your words.

3. Purposely slow down in speech, because when nervousness kicks in, so does the acceleration of speech.

4. Don't apologize for anything.