Page 93 - Between One and Many The Art and Science of Public Speaking

Speaking of . . .

Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down

Here’s a list of activities that some people enjoy. All are guar- Driving a race car or motorcycle at speed on an
anteed to provide the participant with an adrenaline rush. oval track
And all are clearly more risky than presenting a speech in
Holding a venomous snake
public. Read the list and check (thumbs up) all items you
would enjoy more than giving a speech to an assembly of Climbing a 100-foot rock face
50 to 100 students on your campus. Then share your re-
Jumping off a 30-foot bridge into a river or lake
sponses with others in your class (including how these ac-
tivities make you feel physically and mentally) and discuss Racing a mountain bike downhill
the degree to which these feelings are logical or illogical.
Downhill skiing
Rappelling from a helicopter
Riding the world’s tallest ferris wheel
Whitewater rafting or kayaking
Riding the world’s fastest roller coaster
Auditioning for Jeopardy
Hang gliding Auditioning for American Idol
Paragliding Singing a solo in your campus choir
Skydiving Driving a bobsled
Scuba diving Observing sharks from an underwater shark cage

Negative or Insuffi cient Experience

Our prior experiences with any task infl uence how we approach and com-
plete our present task. If our past experiences with public speaking proved both
successful and personally rewarding, chances are we look forward to our speak-
ing assignments in this class. But if our prior experiences with public speak-
ing were unpleasant, we may harbor some doubt about our ability to succeed.
Finally, if we have had little or no opportunity to speak in public, we may
be mildly or even considerably anxious about speaking before a teacher and
peers.
The fact that your past efforts as a speaker were unrewarding, or even un-
pleasant, need not mean that your efforts in this class will prove likewise. The
past need not dictate your future, assuming you are serious about becoming an
effective speaker. Be realistic about your previous experience. You didn’t learn to
read and write overnight. Chances are you received a few psychological bumps
and bruises in the process. You cannot expect to be an overnight speaking sen-
sation either. It takes commitment and effort. Thus, the fact that your previous ex-
perience with speaking was unpleasant does not mean that you cannot become
an effective speaker by the end of this class.
By the same token, the fact that you think you have had little experience with
the skills necessary for effective public speaking shouldn’t make you overly anx-
ious. Just as running is an extension of walking, public speaking is an extension
and refi nement of the communication skills you put to use daily. Through your
class and this book, you can learn to successfully extend your everyday commu-
60 nication skills to the task of speaking in public.