Here are ways to make oral reports more effective:
■ Pick out one person to talk to—preferably a friend, but any
animated and/or interested person will do—and direct your
talk at him or her.
■ Practice, practice, practiceyour presentation. Jangled nerves
are often the result of a lack of confidence. The more confident
you are that you know your material, the less nervous you will
be, and the better and more spontaneous your presentation
will be.
■ If you are like me and suffer from involuntary “shakes” at the
mere thought of standing in front of a roomful of people, make
sure you can use a lectern, desk, or something to cling to.Take a deep breath before you go to the front of the class. And don’t
worry about pausing, even taking another deep breath or two, if you
lose your place or find your confidence slipping away.
If every trick in the world still doesn’t calm you down, consider taking
a public speaking course (Dale Carnegie, et al), joining the Toastmasters
Club, or seeking out similar extracurricular help.
170 How to Study