Speaking in front of others may be our most prevalent fear, but it doesn't have to be. Here are some essentials you may not have considered:
- Once you begin speaking, your anxiety is likely to decrease.
- Your listeners will generally be unaware of your anxiety.
- Having some anxiety is beneficial.
- Practice is the best preventative.
Six Steps to Success
If you are assigned a speaking task in class, how should you proceed? Successful speaking involves six fundamental steps:
- Clarifying your objective.
- Analyzing your audience.
- Collecting and organizing your information.
- Choosing your visual aids.
- Preparing your notes.
- Practicing your delivery.
Speaking on the Spot
When you speak on the spot, it helps to use a framework that allows you to sound organized and competent. The PREP formula (Wydro, 1981), short for "preparation," is a plan that requires you to give the following:
P: Point of View
Provide an overview — a clear, direct statement or generalization.
R: Reasons:
Give the reasons you hold this point of view, broadly stated.
E: Evidence or examples
Present specific facts or data supporting your point of view.
P: Point of view restated
To make sure you are understood clearly, end with a restatement of your position.