Oftenly, Preparation is underestimated. Practice also means that you need to know where you will be speaking, the audience, and the timing.
However, it is essential to prepare your speech, its structure, and its content. Strategically, it is advisable to start with the topic you know best and address an order comprising an opening, middle and closing part. The speech must be logically presented and straightforward.
Simplicity makes you feel more confident and allows the audience to follow easily.
You then have to repeat your speech a couple of times, mentally or, better still, out loud, with the help of a friend who is willing to listen. The important thing is that you should never, ever learn the speech ‘by heart’ word for word, avoid being artificial, and avoid getting stuck at the first lapse of memory.
If allowed, it is more beneficial to have a piece of paper with notes, a list of phrases or keywords in the speech.
Exercise
- Aim/purpose: Prepare for your own speech
- Time Frame: 60 mins
- Action, activities: writing/drawing, speaking aloud
- How (kind of methods): written, verbal, individual or in pairs
- To keep in mind: do not learn your speech by heart
- Suggested exercises: (minimum 2 max. 5)
- spend 10 min creating a map/chart/list with the key words and main contents of our speech.
- 50 min repeat your speech out loud (better if in front of a mirror or with a friend). It is also useful to register.
Further resources: (theories, internet links with materials, books, etc)
Calderone G., Superare la fobia sociale. Come si fa e perché occorre andare per gradi.
Psicologo-parma-reggioemilia.com
http://www.psicologo-parma-reggioemilia.com/superare_ansia_fobia_sociale.html