TEXT E For most people, the idea
of giving a presentation to a group of people is a fate worse than death. Recent
research has shown that up to 87% of us regard it as more traumatic than
air-travel, bankruptcy, death or moving home! We suffer from sweaty hands,
palpitations, panic attacks, nervous laughter and in extreme cases some
unfortunate people even find themselves spending frequent and extended periods
in the bathroom. The problem is the same whether we are faced
with an intimate after-dinner talk, a wedding speech or a lecture to a few
hundred business or academic colleagues; nerves. The novelist Mark Twain, author
of "Tom Sawyer" stated that; "There are two types of public speakers; those that
are nervous and those that are liars." Controlling your nerves
can mean the difference between sink or swim in the cut throat world we live in.
A good public presentation can have a huge impact on one’s professional standing
and consequently, training courses in this art have proliferated to the extent
that they can now be found throughout the country. These courses
promise to convert the timid into the charismatic, the mouse into the maestro.
The basic understanding is that public speaking can be learned through practice.
We must always aim high, the theory goes, and not expect any pity from an
audience: the worst thing you can do is provoke their sympathy.
There are clear "Dos and Don’ts" in this sphere; one of the most basic is
"know your stuff". If you know your material well then you can choose your words
at the point of delivery. If you combine detailed research and confident
delivery then the battle is half-won. Communications
psychologists can help by providing some hints and tips. Lenny Laskowski, the US
author of Ten Days to More Confident Public Speaking says that fear of public
speaking regularly tops the charts of people’s worst fears but that there are
easy ways to improve one’s performance. Something as simple as a
smile can be the ultimate ice-breaker and gets you off to a good start. First
impressions count: this might be a cliche but it is true nonetheless--your
audience will judge you in the first 30 seconds. Be punctual.., turning up late
is a death knell for your presentation. Dress appropriately--money goes to
money: if you look the part, people will be more inclined to trust you
and your product. Dress smartly and avoid novelty items such as
loud ties which simply distract your audience. Test the
equipment: nothing is worse than a presentation reliant on technology when the
power goes off and you are left with nothing but your own lungs. You need to
know who to call if things go wrong. Also, using IT technology may just be a
hindrance to the delivery of your message. You should also
relax. Breathe slowly and regularly, hold it for 5 or 6 seconds then exhale.
Practice relaxing tense facial muscles such as those around the eyes and mouth.
Above all, never, ever apologize for being nervous: it’s the sign of a real
amateur. Structure what you do: have the best material at the
beginning and end and sandwich the rest in the middle. You need to keep it
interesting and not just tail off to the end. Get rid of the script: while it
may keep you on track, staring into your notes will alienate and bore your
audience, they’ll be asking why you don’t just mail it to them
instead! Lastly, your audience can quickly smell a fake. If you
are one person at the bar and another at the podium, don’t imagine your
listeners won’t notice. Don’t try to be someone you are not.., be yourself
(619) What do you think the underlined phrase "look the part" in paragraph 7 means
A.You dress according to your income. B.You dress according to the situation. C.You dress in a business suit. D.You dress like an actor.