Some advice for speech preparation

• generally, the best speeches make 3 main points
• you should develp an attention-getting opening, think through transitions between points
• and then you should have a conclusion that both recaps your 3 main points and calls for action, or makes a memorable conclusion for the audience to take home with them

Why is Fear of Public Speaking up there with Fear of Death
---and What Can Be Done to Change that Thinking?

1 Fear can be paralyzing or it can be a powerful stimulus to action

2 New behavior such as public speaking is likely to project some fear, discomfort for most people, but that can be countered by remembering success at other new things one has accomplished. Focus on past successes.

3 Fear of most things is usually overblown and should not be allowed to occupy the mind. Refuse to give into the negative thinking. You can do that with practice, and you will feel so good about yourself once you succeed.

4 Even the most successful actors say they have some trepidation before the opening of a new show, but they channel that into stimulus into a sharper, more dramatic performance that appears effortless. You can do this too.

5 Finally, remember your first few times at public speaking is simply new behavior that will soon become more comfortable, that fear is often overblown in life because of new adjustments or behavior, and lastly many others successfully work through their fear of speaking and other things, and so can you. Practice, practice, practice.

With just a little effort you could likely develop an effective 5-7 minutes speech from the above points: you have an opening, 3 cogent points and a conclusion.