{"id":1868,"date":"2016-08-04T17:14:16","date_gmt":"2016-08-04T17:14:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/publicspeaking\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=1868"},"modified":"2019-02-25T14:53:29","modified_gmt":"2019-02-25T14:53:29","slug":"conclusion-2","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/ivytechcomm101-publicspeaking-statewide\/chapter\/conclusion-2\/","title":{"raw":"Speech Anxiety: Conclusion","rendered":"Speech Anxiety: Conclusion"},"content":{"raw":"<img class=\"alignright wp-image-2020 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2016\/08\/04155658\/Patrick_Norton_Veronica_Belmont_Tekzilla-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"A man and a woman presenting together\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" \/>In this chapter, we\u2019ve discussed <em>Communication Apprehension<\/em> or CA. This difficult condition can be the result of many, varied causes. Even professional researchers don\u2019t always agree on whether CA is inherent in the person, or the result of what the person experiences or perceives\u2014with some calling it \u201c<em>trait-anxiety<\/em>;\u201d others \u201c<em>state-anxiety<\/em>;\u201d and still others classifying it as \u201c<em>scrutiny fear<\/em>.\u201d The first step for any person to address this condition is self-reflection. Try to identify what has caused you to feel the way you do about public speaking. Careful introspection can result in a more productive level of self-awareness.\r\n\r\nWhatever the root cause of CA might be for any particular individual, the first step in addressing CA is to objectively view the <em>habitual frame of reference<\/em> that has emerged in your mind regarding public speaking. Consider all those \u201cwhat-if\u2019s\u201d that keep cropping up in your mind and how you might begin to address them productively, rather than simply to ignore them and hope they go away. Go through the steps of <em>Cognitive Restructuring<\/em> or CR. Consider how many of those \u201cwhat-if\u2019s\u201d are nothing more than invented pressure that you place upon yourself.\r\n\r\nRelaxation techniques, such as \u201c<em>Breathe and Release<\/em>,\u201d have proven to be effective for many speakers, especially those concerned with the physical manifestations of nervousness like trembling hands or shaky knees. Remember that those sorts of tremors can often be exacerbated by efforts to hold still. Don\u2019t force yourself to hold still! Relax instead.\r\n\r\nLastly, we discussed the most effective means to prepare\u2014which is toward the goal of becoming <em>conversant<\/em> in your topic, rather than being able to recite a memorized script. By familiarizing yourself with your topic, you become better able to consider the best way to talk to your audience, rather than becoming \u201cmarried to your script\u201d and ultimately consumed with saying the words in the right order. Practicing out-loud, without a mirror to distract you, is the best way to prepare yourself.\r\n\r\nCA is a real issue, but it need not be an obstacle to success. Take the time to become more aware of your personal brand of CA. Take positive steps to minimize its impact. Your willingness to work and your positive attitude are the keys to your success.\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div>\r\n\r\nBelieve you can and you're halfway there.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: right\">\u2014Theodore Roosevelt<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/blockquote>","rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-2020 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/141\/2016\/08\/04155658\/Patrick_Norton_Veronica_Belmont_Tekzilla-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"A man and a woman presenting together\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" \/>In this chapter, we\u2019ve discussed <em>Communication Apprehension<\/em> or CA. This difficult condition can be the result of many, varied causes. Even professional researchers don\u2019t always agree on whether CA is inherent in the person, or the result of what the person experiences or perceives\u2014with some calling it \u201c<em>trait-anxiety<\/em>;\u201d others \u201c<em>state-anxiety<\/em>;\u201d and still others classifying it as \u201c<em>scrutiny fear<\/em>.\u201d The first step for any person to address this condition is self-reflection. Try to identify what has caused you to feel the way you do about public speaking. Careful introspection can result in a more productive level of self-awareness.<\/p>\n<p>Whatever the root cause of CA might be for any particular individual, the first step in addressing CA is to objectively view the <em>habitual frame of reference<\/em> that has emerged in your mind regarding public speaking. Consider all those \u201cwhat-if\u2019s\u201d that keep cropping up in your mind and how you might begin to address them productively, rather than simply to ignore them and hope they go away. Go through the steps of <em>Cognitive Restructuring<\/em> or CR. Consider how many of those \u201cwhat-if\u2019s\u201d are nothing more than invented pressure that you place upon yourself.<\/p>\n<p>Relaxation techniques, such as \u201c<em>Breathe and Release<\/em>,\u201d have proven to be effective for many speakers, especially those concerned with the physical manifestations of nervousness like trembling hands or shaky knees. Remember that those sorts of tremors can often be exacerbated by efforts to hold still. Don\u2019t force yourself to hold still! Relax instead.<\/p>\n<p>Lastly, we discussed the most effective means to prepare\u2014which is toward the goal of becoming <em>conversant<\/em> in your topic, rather than being able to recite a memorized script. By familiarizing yourself with your topic, you become better able to consider the best way to talk to your audience, rather than becoming \u201cmarried to your script\u201d and ultimately consumed with saying the words in the right order. Practicing out-loud, without a mirror to distract you, is the best way to prepare yourself.<\/p>\n<p>CA is a real issue, but it need not be an obstacle to success. Take the time to become more aware of your personal brand of CA. Take positive steps to minimize its impact. Your willingness to work and your positive attitude are the keys to your success.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<div>\n<p>Believe you can and you&#8217;re halfway there.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right\">\u2014Theodore Roosevelt<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\t\t\t <section class=\"citations-section\" role=\"contentinfo\">\n\t\t\t <h3>Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t <div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <div id=\"citation-list-1868\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"licensing\"><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Shared previously<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Chapter 11 Conclusion. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Alyssa G. Millner, Ph.D. and Rachel D. Price, Ph.D.. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: University of Central Arkansas, University of Arkansas at Little Rock &amp; University of Kentucky and Southern Illinois University &amp; University of Kentucky. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/publicspeakingproject.org\/psvirtualtext.html\">http:\/\/publicspeakingproject.org\/psvirtualtext.html<\/a>. <strong>Project<\/strong>: Public Speaking Project. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0\/\">CC BY-NC-ND: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives <\/a><\/em><\/li><li>Patrick Norton Veronica Belmont Tekzilla. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Tyler Howarth. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Patrick_Norton_Veronica_Belmont_Tekzilla.jpg\">https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Patrick_Norton_Veronica_Belmont_Tekzilla.jpg<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section>","protected":false},"author":20,"menu_order":13,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Chapter 11 Conclusion\",\"author\":\"Alyssa G. 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