KTC Summer 2012 Speech Class Assignment: Team Speech Fears Presentation

This team assignment is due Monday, July 9, 2012.

Does the thought of speaking in front of an audience cause you to feel terrified, petrified and scared stiff? Many people around the world have fears of speaking in front of an audience. The Book of Lists reports that the fear of speaking in public is the biggest fear we feel. Did you know that the Book of Lists said that the fear of dying is seventh?

If you watch the evening news on television or attend an event with live speakers it is fair to say that all of them experience some nervousness before they speak. Throughout history some of the world’s most famous public speakers and presenters felt public speaking anxieties. 


For example, former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt had a severe case of public speaking fears. Yet Mrs. Roosevelt found ways to manage those fears and grow in confidence. Today Mrs. Roosevelt is remembered as an eloquent, polished and sought-after speaker. As she once said, “I believe that anyone can conquer fear by doing the things he fears to do, provided he keeps doing them until he gets a record of successful experience behind him.” 


American author Mark Twain once said, "There are two types of speakers: those that are nervous and those that are liars.”

For many years professional public speaking coaches and consultants, organizations such as Toastmasters International, college courses such as the one you are enrolled in, and businesses have been formed to address the issue of personal and public speaking fears. Why? It is clear that those who wish to succeed professionally and personally must be successful communicators.

For this assignment you will work in a team of 3-5 students. Pretend your team has been hired to develop and deliver a focused 5-7 minute in-class live presentation on some aspect of public speaking fears and how to manage those fears and become confident.

Include a clear introduction, body section and a conclusion, as well as a question-and-answer section after the conclusion. 

Explain in detail why people feel fears of speaking publicly. What are the sources of those fears? Are they real or imagined? Why?

Involve the audience in one interactive activity during your presentation. Provide one or more solutions to the public speaking fears your team has focused on.  

Creativity involves generating new ideas or concepts in a way that is original, imaginative and innovative. Have fun with this project!

Use technology tools and visual aids such as PowerPoint, handouts, or flip charts if you deliver this in class live.

Your team will have time during class sessions to work on this project, so bring your laptop computers. Come prepared to work. Your instructor will be meeting with each team to review and assess your progress. I will be requiring you to report on your progress. Do not procrastinate and let this project to be completed at the last-minute.

Remember that your main goal is to help your audience overcome and manage their public speaking fears and instead communicate with confidence!

Please consult the web links on this topic provided to you in my lecture.

Your team will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• Interesting and contains detailed information.
• Introduction, a body section and a conclusion.
• Presenters make sufficient eye contact with audience.
• Technology is used professionally and creatively.
• Audience is involved in one interactive activity.
• Words are pronounced properly and clearly.
• Presenters stay within the time limit.

Looking for some examples? Try these:

Click here for a link to a student video presentation focusing on job interviews.

Click here for a student video presentation focusing on asking someone out on a date.

Click here for another student video presentation on the fear of making new friends.