Using our understanding of the communication transaction, we are gaining awareness of the variables involved in relaying a message publicly. Building confidence as a public speaker involves learning what these variables are and what we can do to control or minimize them as best as we can.
Each public speaker responds to each variable differently, so we have been taking time to reflect for ourselves on exactly what happens to us before, during, and after speaking. In this way we can come to know what to expect when we get up to speak, and so reduce the effects of nervousness. We also started talking about specific practices we can use that will make a difference towards both mental and physical improvement.
On Friday, we started what I hope will become a daily practice of stretching, breathing, and voice exercises to enhance our delivery skills.
Can anyone say "Unique New York" ten times fast?
In the coming week, students will be giving their second informative speech, and we will continue to develop our understanding of the ways we can control the variables that speakers encounter by discussing the ways we word our speeches and select our topics.
