Now, we don't want you to fall into the pitfalls of public speaking, so we'll carry on from where we left off last time.
You were sitting comfortably in your chair at home, thinking of all the things that could possibly go wrong.
You felt butterflies in your stomach, your hands were starting to sweat..
in short, you were at the beginning of an anxiety attack.
Let's say that your profession is that of a C.
S.
I.
You're the head of department, but essentially a person used to the confines of the laboratory, not the public exposure of the speaking circuit.
You have to give a lecture to 500 police officers and those associated with the law.
Your anxiety attack passes, and you realize that you must write your speech.
95% of your success will come from preparing your speech for your audience.
Bear in mind that although a few of them may think they know a lot about your subject, you're the acknowledged expert and, if necessary, know enough to blow any know-it-all out of the water.
But because you're an expert, for goodness sake don't talk down to them.
Don't talk up to them either, for that matter.
They're there to learn from you.
Write your speech with that in mind.
Face your audience and begin to speak with authority, but not overbearing arrogance.
There are certain types of speaker from whom you should learn.
The one who goes on far too long.
This becomes apparent when the occasional snore is heard and the odd thud, as someone falls out of his or her chair in a deep sleep.
Some speakers fidget.
The audience will become far more fascinated by his antics, (whether he'll pick his nose this time with his right or left finger), than the contents of his speech.
Then there's the type who's an expert in his field all right, but he considers that the audience all have an I.
Q.
hovering around 2.
Not only that, but all of a sudden they find difficulty in remembering the English language.
He tends to use very simple words, until he comes to something of more than two syllables, in which case he speaks v e r y s l o w l y.
If it's a four syllable word, he'll even spell it out.
LOUDLY.
Then we have the one who's so terrified, he stares straight ahead, gripping the sides of the podium so tightly, that cracking sounds can be heard.
The only reason you know he isn't catatonic is that his mouth moves and sounds emanate from it.
Last, but by no means least, is the one to whom public speaking is second nature..
he thinks.
He never uses notes, and usually ends up talking complete nonsense.
So, I ask you.
Why should you feel nervous.
Now you know the pitfalls of public speaking, all you have to do are three things.
Prepare, prepare, prepare!
You were sitting comfortably in your chair at home, thinking of all the things that could possibly go wrong.
You felt butterflies in your stomach, your hands were starting to sweat..
in short, you were at the beginning of an anxiety attack.
Let's say that your profession is that of a C.
S.
I.
You're the head of department, but essentially a person used to the confines of the laboratory, not the public exposure of the speaking circuit.
You have to give a lecture to 500 police officers and those associated with the law.
Your anxiety attack passes, and you realize that you must write your speech.
95% of your success will come from preparing your speech for your audience.
Bear in mind that although a few of them may think they know a lot about your subject, you're the acknowledged expert and, if necessary, know enough to blow any know-it-all out of the water.
But because you're an expert, for goodness sake don't talk down to them.
Don't talk up to them either, for that matter.
They're there to learn from you.
Write your speech with that in mind.
Face your audience and begin to speak with authority, but not overbearing arrogance.
There are certain types of speaker from whom you should learn.
The one who goes on far too long.
This becomes apparent when the occasional snore is heard and the odd thud, as someone falls out of his or her chair in a deep sleep.
Some speakers fidget.
The audience will become far more fascinated by his antics, (whether he'll pick his nose this time with his right or left finger), than the contents of his speech.
Then there's the type who's an expert in his field all right, but he considers that the audience all have an I.
Q.
hovering around 2.
Not only that, but all of a sudden they find difficulty in remembering the English language.
He tends to use very simple words, until he comes to something of more than two syllables, in which case he speaks v e r y s l o w l y.
If it's a four syllable word, he'll even spell it out.
LOUDLY.
Then we have the one who's so terrified, he stares straight ahead, gripping the sides of the podium so tightly, that cracking sounds can be heard.
The only reason you know he isn't catatonic is that his mouth moves and sounds emanate from it.
Last, but by no means least, is the one to whom public speaking is second nature..
he thinks.
He never uses notes, and usually ends up talking complete nonsense.
So, I ask you.
Why should you feel nervous.
Now you know the pitfalls of public speaking, all you have to do are three things.
Prepare, prepare, prepare!