[ThatHideousStrength]

So I signed up for speech this summer. I'm a late starter because I origianally did not want to take it and planned on taking it @ NIU. I then realized that I should take it during summer. God I'm dreading this class so much right now. I have to do a speech about myself and I have it set, but I get nervous so damn easy to the point that I can't talk right. I can't controll it otherwise I would not have the problem. Luckily according to Ratemyprofessor.com hes a good understanding teacher so I hope I do well.

Anyone ever take speech?

[James K]

I took and fucking hate speech. I get nervous enough around random people so when I'm supposed to give a speech in front of a bunch of people I just start sweating and shaking a ton. Drinking helps.

[MSP]

Just relax. I've done this sort of thing some, and it's scary, but only if you allow it to be. The people in that audience will all have to do the same, and are probably not listening anyway. The absolutely best way to ace your speech is to relax. You might even consider sneaking a drink or two beforehand.

[ThatHideousStrength]

I like the way you guys talk. When you say a drink or two, do you mean a swig of vodka or 2 beers

I'm serious.

[MSP]

After a few drinks (aka a six pack) I'll speak with confidence, sing, dance, whatever. Another thing that people suggest is to imagine the audience is naked. Or you could always do this:

http://danwho.net/mp/index.php?id=ucb_asspennies

[Jackalope]

pffft speech class. man just pretend everyone in your class is a group of your friends, and just talk to them like normal. (justa bit more formal) its a breeze.

[Bear]

Originally Posted by Jackalope

pffft speech class. man just pretend everyone in your class is a group of your friends, and just talk to them like normal. (justa bit more formal) its a breeze.

Yep. I took speech and did good in all of my performances because I wasn't freaking out. Some lady in my class started crying, talk about uncomfortable. Sheesh!

[Pope John]

I don't have a speech impediment. So, no. I'm surprised to find so many tweakers do.

[Coleman]

Doesn't a speech impediment infer that you have a disability rather than just being scared to talk in front of a crowd?

[Pope John]

Yes, and those are the people who go to speech classes. at least in elementary school. ::To learn to talk more proficiently.

I took a communications class. which was giving speeches. I've never heard of a class being called "Speech" unless it was to train people to speak. Not necessarily publicly.

anyways, couldn't give you any advice on being more comfortable. I used to have a problem with crying when I spoke in front of the class. not bawling my eyes out, or my voice shaking or anything. my eyes would just start to tear up, a lot. Actually, though, that was pretty much just times when I was reading something I had put a lot of myself into, or something that touched me deeply.

Come to think of it, I rarely went to my communications class, hardly did the work. Just showed up and gave my speeches (which I never wrote or planned much) and finished the semester with a C. My best grade, and only passing grade from my first semester of college.

and hooooollllllyyyyy fuck was my teacher hotter than... I dunno. fucking hotter than. wow. well, she was ridiculously good looking. And i might meander around the campus, and maybe stalk her to her house...


pfft. what am I talking about, "maybe"?

haha. I'm gonna rape a bitch.

gg me.

[mistawiskas]

I took that shit back in Jr. High. I, as you, hated it. I've had several occasions, in adult life, to get up in front of a couple hundred people and talk about recovery fron drug/alcohol addiction. Nervous? Shit yeah! Talking of things you're framiliar with and knowledgable of, helps. Curiously, when the speeches were over, it seemed like a breeze, but up until the event, nervousness was the rule. All three times, the speeches were 1 hour long and rehersing didn't help, I just, mainly, shot from the hip and followed a simple format: Beginning, body and ending, containing: what it was like, what happened and what it's like now.

[couturedharlot]

i took it for my major. i hated public speaking. i would freeze up and basically almost cry. are you allowed to have notes with you? if so, use it. use like a small notebook. it helps hold your hands still. also, look around the room at different people so that you're addressing everyone. don't wander either. you'll start concentrating on that instead of your speech. and just rehearse it. that's the best advice i can give you. practice infront of a mirror and then your friends.

[ThatHideousStrength]

Well I did my first speech and it fucking sucked, I even drank a little which did calm me down, I didn't get that shaky as usual. The teacher is really enthusiastic so I don't know whats gonna happen. If I get a D or C I will be happy, I can't do any better in the class. I just want to be over with it. He seems like a great teacher on ratemyprofessor.com, all smilies and no sad faces.

[MSP]

You think it sucked, but it probably wasn't that bad. We're always overly critical of ourselves. You'll get at least a C.

[Scrubbin_Bubbles]

I hate talking in public, I puked in 5th grade right before we were supposed to sing, I sweat like crazy in front of crowds when I had to read a speach, or even read out loud

[thadood]

It's MUCH easier during a summer course than it is during a regular semester. It's much more laid back and personalized. I took it the summer semester before I actually started college, and it was pretty much a cakewalk.