National History Day
Create Your Own History: How to Present Your Work

Nothing scares most people more than public speaking. Whether it's your first presentation or your fiftieth, you are likely to be nervous. This is natural and can even help by keeping you mentally sharp. But some stage fright turns into illness and can become a nightmare for the person who's making the presentation. There are a few things you can do to reduce the intensity of the fear.

The most important thing you can do is practice. Nothing is better than rehearsal and everyone, in every industry, does them before an event. Once you have read your speech or presentation out loud—rehearsed it several times—you can then get beyond the words and into the meaning. You can also be comfortable with the words and confident in your delivery, and have time to change anything that sounds stiff or awkward.

Not to be redundant, but the point about rehearsal is important. The more you prepare, the better you will do.

It may help to review your material and make sure it is interesting to you. If the first few sentences are dry and fact laden, take some time to re-write them. Try to find an interesting, unusual or human element in your topic and use that as a starting point to grab your audience's attention.

Visual aids, such as slides, PowerPoint presentations, overhead transparencies, or even video and film can go a long way to helping you make your points and keeping the class interested. Make sure you rehearse with these visual aids as much as possible so that it seems second nature to use them.

Dress comfortably but appropriate to your audience. Even if it's just a presentation in front your class, you'll want to make sure your clothing is clean and neat.

If it's at all possible, get into the classroom or hall before everyone else, even the day before your presentation. Stand where you will be giving your speech or presenting your material. Will you use a podium? A microphone? How will you handle visuals? Will the lights be on in the auditorium, allowing you to see everyone? Will someone help you? If so, practice with that person so that you are both comfortable with your roles. Check out any electronic equipment you need to use in advance of your speech so that it doesn't get in your way.

Some tip sheets recommend that, during your presentation, you visualize the audience in their underwear. This really isn't a good idea. If you want to do visualization—and this is a great personal vehicle for success in any endeavor—then visualize yourself in front of the class, giving the presentation effortlessly and flawlessly. Visualize yourself, standing tall, speaking out with enthusiasm and energy on your topic, pronouncing all the words correctly and making all your points clearly and in order. Visualize completing the presentation and then getting your best grade ever! Your visualization should always be positive and successful and you'll be surprised how much this practice, if done thoroughly and with rehearsals of your actual presentation, can help you during the "real thing."

On the day of the speech or presentation, if you find that your nervousness is getting out of control, you may need to relieve some of the excess energy you carry. Try to run in place for a while, go for a quick walk, run up and down stairs, or even head to the gym. Work out enough to calm yourself, but don't get so relaxed that your delivery is too low key.

Drink water rather than soda. Anything with sugar will fill your mouth with saliva as you try to speak. If you tend toward being very nervous, just eat something light that's easy on your stomach—nothing fried or greasy.

Breathing is incredibly important. You do that normally, you say? Yes, definitely. But when you become nervous, your breathing becomes shallow and you may even find yourself holding your breath. Think about breathing. Take a few breaths before you begin you speech, as you sit nearby and while you walk to the front of the room or to the stage. By deliberately breathing you will get your blood moving again and your brain will have ample oxygen to support your performance.

Use note cards or highlight key points in your speech. Remember—you wrote it, rehearsed it, know the material and understand the points. The job will be more professional if you "speak" the talk or presentation rather than "read" it. This will help keep you from burying your head in the paper. Use the confidence gained from rehearsal to look at individual people in your class or audience. Talk to them and give them the information.

Number your cards or papers. This is really helpful in case you drop them before or during your presentation.

Once you begin, you may find that your mind goes blank, your mouth gets full of saliva or you just falter. Don't give up and don't throw away all your practice! Take just a moment to collect your thoughts, drink some water, or even admit your nervousness to your audience. Since public speaking is a common fear, everyone in the audience will empathize and offer nods of encouragement. Then take a breath, determine a good "re-entry" point, and pick up from there.

It also helps you and your audience if you vary the speed, pitch and loudness of your voice. Fight the temptation—don't rush through it just to get it over with. Pace yourself and pause occasionally to let important information sink in. Or, pause just before you give some startling or surprising detail. By being animated, you will become more relaxed and your audience will appreciate the information and method of delivery.

If the presentation or speech is critically important, contact someone in your drama department or communications department. Ask that person for tips, or see if that person will critique and help with your presentation.

Good luck! With rehearsal and confidence, you're bound to succeed!

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