HOW TO PREPARE FOR DEBATE OR SPEECH PART 2

Develop Courage And Self Confidence

1.               A large number of students and other people are desirous of training debates and speeches now. The prime reason is that they want to conquer their nervousness, to be able to think on their feet and to speak with self confidence and ease before a group of any size.

2.                The ability to do this is not difficult to acquire. It is not a gift bestowed by Providence on only a few rarely endowed individuals. It is like the ability to play golf: any man or woman every person can develop his own latent capacity if he has sufficient desire to do so.

3.       Many experienced speakers can think better and talk better when facing a group than in conversation with an individual. The presence of larger number proves to be a stimulus. An inspiration. If you faithfully follow my suggestions, a time may come that you will look forward with positive pleasure to making an address.

4.       Do not imagine that your case is unusual. Many men who afterwards  became famous speakers were, at the outset of their carriers, beset with self- consciousness and almost paralyzed with audience fright. This was the experience of Bryan, Jean Jaues, Llyod George, Charles Stewart Parnell, john Bright, Sheridan and host of others.

5.       No matter how often you speak, you may always experience this self-consciousness just before you begin; but in a few seconds after you have gotten on your feet, it will vanish completely.

6.       In order to get most out of this article and to get it with rapidity and dispatch, do four things: 

a)      Start with a strong and persistent desire. Enumerate the benefits this effort to train yourself will bring you. Think what it can mean to you .Arouse your enthusiasm for it. Think what it can mean to you financially, socially and in terms of increased influence and leadership. Remember that upon the depth of your desire will depend the swiftness of your progress.

    b) Prepare. You can’t feel confident unless you know what are you going to say.

c) Act confident. “To feel brave” advises Professor William James, “act as if we were brave, use   all of our will to that end, and a courage fit will very likely replace the fit of fear”.

d) Practice. This is the most important point of all. Fear is the result of lack of confidence; and lack of confidence is the result of not knowing what you can do; and that is caused by lack of experience. So get a record of successful experience behind you, and your fears will vanish.