Public Speaking is a skill that every person should learn. I have learned how to speak in many situations throughout my life. I didn't realize how much experience I've had until I took this quiz. As I expected I have low anxiety.
PRCA
Group Discussion: 7
Meetings: 7
Interpersonal Concersations: 7
Public Speaking: 17
Total: 38
PRPS: 71
I am taking this quiz at my house with my extended family all around. I mentioned to my cousin the data results and she responded saying,"Of course you don't. You've been involved in musicals and plays all through high school. That is like public speaking because you have to speak and perform in front of a huge audience." I never thought about musicals being like public speaking, but she is right. In a way it is much like public speaking. I have to memorize lines, songs, and cues all while trying to convey emotion. But, that was not the start of my experience with public speaking. When I was young I attended a Catholic elementary school, and we would attend mass every Friday. At mass it was every class's responsibility to perform different parts of the mass. So starting in first grade I started reading parts of the Bible or prayer intentions in front of the entire school. It didn't seem like a big deal because everyone did it, and I liked to read. Then I also started being a lector for normal Sunday masses occasionally when the students would lead mass. Then I went on to cantor and lead the songs for the student masses. We had to announce the songs and lead the songs. In addition, our school would make us do presentations. We would have to present a topic on a historical figure, on a story from the bible, or a poem we wrote in class. I think they did a good job making us feel comfortable with speaking in front of others by giving us lots of opportunities to do so. One of my principals found it very important to teach us how to speak properly. She emphasized enunciation and projection of voice. Then she also instilled in our how to be a proper audience: proper posture, ankles crossed, and attentiveness.
Also I was involved 4-H which is service and leadership club. We learned how to run meetings, speak in meetings, give presentations to the club, and how to perform in interviews. Evey member had to take a project varying on topics to bicycle safety, animal projects, sewing, cooking, scrapbooking, laundry, archery, photography, and any topic you could possibly think of. It helped teach member a skill, and they would have to be interviewed and judged and given a rating. It was a very good experience to have. Also I've been involved in leadership seminars like the Hugh O'Brian Leadership Seminar whose motto is "Empower, Lead, Excel." It's helped with my confidence around people.
How I prepare for public speaking situations is different for each situation. In general, I research the topic and make sure I have an understanding of the material. If it is a presentation for a class, I like having a visual aid to refer back to for special information I may have forgotten. I do make sure if I use a visual aid that I do not read directly from the slide. In the slide you should put important information, but you should leave out some and explain more in depth through your speech. I have never had to do a speech all from memory, so I normally don't rehearse too much because I like it to come off natural. Often though I make notecards, but rarely use them because writing them helps me remember what needs to be said.
I hope to learn how to be a better listener. I have classes that our heavily factual (I'm a science major) and it is hard to catch everything the professors say. I also hope to work on speech writing and giving memorized speeches without visual aids. In general I don't get too nervous about speaking with people. I get nervous at first and a bit sweaty, but that is the extent. I think as a listener I give good nonverbal communication by nodding and giving eye contact, which can help my classmates feel more comfortable giving speeches. I guess if someone has anxiety I would tell them to practice speaking in front of people as much as they can. I always feel more comfortable when I feel prepared, so make sure you do lots of research and know your material. Also they should tell themselves it's no different them speaking to one person about something and that they can do this. Giving yourself a pep talk helps.
