Public Speaking and Communication
Public speaking is an oratory that involves the art of speaking to a large audience. This form of communication facilitates passing of information to people for education, entertainment, motivate change, and sometimes influence to change for the better (Coopman & Lull, 2014). However, communicating with a large number of audiences is not an easy task for everyone, sometimes people develop a fear and anxiety that may prevent them from communicating successfully and effectively. Nervousness and stress are common symptoms that people experience prior to speaking to the public. They lead to the poor communication skills, like inaudibility, vague messages, and sometimes stage fright that make people unable to speak.
Tips for Public Speaking
There are useful tips that help individuals speak without any fear. An organization is important, as it helps one get a logical flow of ideas and materials (Duck & McMahan, 2011). The organization also helps in relaxation. Research and preparation about audience analysis, the topic in question and the venue is a critical factor. Knowing one's audience prepares them on what to expect, as well as identifies the right message that suits them (Duck & McMahan, 2011). Knowing and visiting the venue before the actual date helps one in familiarization. Many individuals also prefer to practice and perform their speech before their friends to increase their confidence. Practicing provides one with confidence and deeper understanding of the topic (Duck & McMahan, 2011). It makes it easy for one to answer any questions that the audience might ask. I also find it hard to talk to a large audience. Conversely, to ensure that I eliminate my fear I write my points down and practice before a mirror, and sometimes to my colleagues who point out my mistakes and offer suggestions for improvement. This not only helps me perfect my speech, but also increases my confidence. I also love to conduct an audience analysis before the actual presentation, as it aids in the gathering of information that allows for better speech preparation.
References
Coopman, S. J., & Lull, J. (2014). Public speaking: The evolving art. Cengage Learning.
Duck, S., & McMahan, D. T. (2011). The basics of communication: A relational perspective. Sage.
