Get Caught Speaking . . . not just talking.

A peer-led workshop to help SSS participants improve their oral communication and articulation skills and speech delivery

Troy UniversityTroy, AL

An English/Reading Workshop

Objectives

To help students manage speech anxiety.

To give students speech preparation tips from an experienced, upper-level peer (majoring in communication).

To inspire students’ confidence in presenting information to groups.

To give students the opportunity to practice their “articulation” through the use of drills.

Relevance of the Workshop1. Regardless of your academic major or career interests,

the time will likely come when you will have to speak to a group of your peers or to an evaluating audience.

2. You will have to pass a fundamentals of speech course before you graduate, even if you struggle with speech anxiety.

3. The ability to articulate your ideas with clarity and efficiency gives you a competitive advantage in the career world.

4. Your ability to pronounce words accurately can help you accomplish daily objectives and make you a more confident, persuasive and successful communicator.

Problem: Many people do not speak.Why?

Answer: Speech Anxiety

(Excessive nervousness that makes some people too afraid to speak or that adversely impacts the quality of oral speech performances).

They FEAR that they will:

(1) embarrass themselves in front of an audience,

(2) be labeled or evaluated unfavorably, and

(3) fail to deliver the intended message.

What is “Fear” (noun

form)? According to the

American Heritage Dictionary, fear (n.) is “a feeling of agitation and anxiety caused by present or imminent danger” or “a feeling of disquiet or apprehension.”

Are you Fearful of this . . . ?

Watch this video!

YouTube - Elmer Fudd and Public Speaking Tip #1

Or

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZeqL0CUvjY&feature=related

Click either of the above video links.

General Tips for Overcoming Speech Anxiety

Now, watch this video for real tips for overcoming speech anxiety. Click:

YouTube - How to control nerves when speaking in public

or click:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoKGff7aQLY&feature=related

Basic Steps for Preparing a Speech

RELAX . . . Don’t get overwhelmed at the thought of speaking.

1. Understand the assignment. (Audience/Purpose)

2. Choose a topic. (Brainstorm)

3. Locate/collect resources.

4. Figure out your style.

5. Create the outline. (Sample outline on slide 14).

6. Revise the outline.

7. Prepare visuals (if required).

RELAX your nerves, not your mind . . .

8. Anticipate audience questions.

9. Time yourself reading the script.

10. Anticipate audience questions/prepare responses .

11. Rehearse speech with technology (Time and pace yourself again).

12. Rehearse Speech / Find a good listener to critique you.

13. Practice relaxation techniques. (Try deep breathing)

14. Give your speech to the best of your ability.

Source: www.umass.edu/buscomm/outline.html

1. Speech Tips – What to do with HANDS?

Do you tend to fiddle with your hands when you speak?

Click this video link: http://www.youtube.c

om/watch?v=mZI_V232dDw

2. Speech Tip – Open your mouth

Click the video link below to watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LloSzJHDqhM&NR=1

But not to this extent . . .

3. Speech Tip – Use Humor to Connect

Watch this video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHxdy3cOdbA&NR=1

Not too much though . . .

4. Speech Tip– “Ummm Ahhh Like ?”

Watch this video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYyrn_f_IJ4&NR=1

Click the above video link.

5. Speech Tip– Organize Speech

Watch this video!

YouTube - How to organize your speech with good structure

Or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGEzWk0-0po&feature=related

Click one of the links above.

See next slide for a sample/ general speech outline after you watch the next video.

A Basic Speech Outline Template Your

Name 1

OUTLINE

Speech Topic: xxxxxx

I. Introduction A. Attention-getting strategy/Rapport B. Background C. Relevance D. Credibility E. Thesis/ Preview of talk TRANSITION:

II. Body of talk A. First point/claim in support of

thesis 1. Supporting Evidence

2. Example or Analogy 3. Refutations 4. Source of information

Your Name 2

B. First point/claim in support of thesis 1. Supporting Evidence 2. Example or Analogy 3. Refutations 4. Source of information

C. First point/claim in support of thesis 1. Supporting Evidence 2. Example or Analogy 3. Refutations 4. Source of information

Etc. . . .  III. Conclusion A. Restatement of the thesis B. Closure   IV. Bibliography (Use MLA or APA format,

as instructed)

6. Speech Tip -- Eye Contact?

Why is eye contact so important?

How does one maintain it?

Best Tip – Get Caught “Speaking”

Not just talking . . .

Click on the following video link to watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp1gMvZt4ow&feature=related or

Now, It’s Time to Practice . . .

The following slides include articulation drills you might find useful.

Try them out loud!

Articulation Drills – Plosive Sounds“BEGINNINGS AND ENDINGS -- Work on articulation - the audience hears you better if they hear consonants.  Work on plosives. Get rid of the bad habit of dropping the ends of words. Let's hear those p's . . . stress the ends of the words.”

Plosive: a speech sound that requires complete closure and opening of the mouth and a release of a burst of air (American Heritage Dictionary, 2004)

1. Give me the gift of a grip tap sock

2. A clip drape ship shape tip top sock

3. Not your spiv slick slap stick slip shod stock

4. But a plastic elastic grip top sock

5. None of your fantastic slack swop slob

6. From a slap dash flash cash haberdash shop

7. Not a knick knack knit-lock knock kneed knickerbocker sock

8. With a mock shot, blob mottled, trick ticker tock clock

Drill Source: http://www.geocities.com/Shalyndria13/drills.htm

Articulation Drills – Vocal Range

“ONE-LINERS (Exercises for exploring the vocal range) -- Take

several of these lines and explore the vocal possibilities.  Remember

that belief must be generated within yourself, first.”

 

1. Boy, you are something, do you know that? You are really something.

2. Oh, Man.  I really don't want to do this -- I really don't.

3. I Can't believe it:  It was the most exciting thing that's ever happened.

4. It was so funny: You had to be there -- it was a classic.

5. Oh, I wish I could go.  I'd give anything if I could be there!

6. I don't want to talk about it.  In fact, I don't even want to think about it.

7. I really like you.  You're easy to talk to, you know?

8. Look, it's none of your business, O.K.?  Just leave me alone.

Drill Source: http://www.geocities.com/Shalyndria13/drills.htm

The END

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