Help with Lewis and Clark

[GANTZ]

I have a big problem :animedepr . In about a month I have to get up in front of about 60 kids
and give a speech about the Hidatsa Indians (whoever they are...).
The thing is, I am terrible at speeches and talking in front of people in general.
Can anyone give me some advice on how to do better?

[Andy]

[SIZE=1][COLOR=DarkRed]Hmmm....might I try looking at the ceiling when you speak? Or maybe looking at the floor....or maybe even closing your eyes? So basically, just don't look at them. And if all else fail's, I suggest faking a stroke, and then just don't go to the speech. :p Maybe that'll help.[/COLOR][/SIZE]

[Lava Lamp]

[COLOR=SeaGreen][FONT=Tahoma]Imagine all the people in their underwear. And on [I]fire[/I].[/FONT][/COLOR]

[Sojiro47]

[quote name='Lava Lamp][COLOR=SeaGreen][FONT=Tahoma]Imagine all the people in their underwear. And on [I]fire[/I].[/FONT'][/COLOR][/quote]
I tried that once Lava. But I just started laughing uncontrolably. No my friend, I would just practce in front of people. That's the best way to do it. There really is no over-night way to do it. But if you [i]really[/i] need it, I suggest a few doses of Viacaden. ^_~

[GANTZ]

[quote name='Sojiro47]I tried that once Lava. But I just started laughing uncontrolably. No my friend, I would just practce in front of people. That's the best way to do it. There really is no over-night way to do it. But if you [i]really[/i'] need it, I suggest a few doses of Viacaden. ^_~[/quote]

Vicaden...I think my mom has some left over from when she got teeth pulled for braces! :D Oh yeah that stuff makes you feel sick, and probably groggy...
and if I tried the burning underwear people thing I wouldnt be able to stop laughing.
I've only given one good speech and I don't remember what I did.

[Sojiro47]

Exactly. When my rib was broken, the Dr. put me on Vicaden, and I accadently took three doses, instead of one. Yeah, I was gone, plus I was at school. Yeah...Just yeah. But if you do do that, try the whole "underware on fire thing", then send pictures.

[DeadSeraphim]

[size=1][color=indigo][font=arial]If you have a fear of public speaking, there isn't much you can do to 'distract' the fear, short of overcoming it. Imagining in underwear doesn't work and taking drugs is just an awful idea to begin with, so I'd suggest just learning your speech to the best of your ability, faking some confidence, and delivering it as well as you can. I mean, honestly, fear of public speaking is primarily a confidence thing (not confidant in your speech/looks/ability/whatever), so if you can figure out why you're afraid of it, then isolate and fix it, you should be able to kick it for good... but that's much easier said than done, so I'm not sure it's gonna work in the short term.

In any case, good luck.[/font][/color][/size]

[John]

I've also got a problem with public speaking, but for the life of me I have no idea why. I always feel completely confident in what I'm going to say and how I'm going to say it, and I'm comfortable with the idea and confident in myself. But whenever I get up in front of people, despite all these feelings remaining perfectly intact, my body goes wobbly and my brain scatters. It can be frustrating, but I manage.

But my recommendations to you? One, make sure you've got your speech finished (and by finished, I mean with the final touches and everything, no more revisions) at least several days before you have to present it.

Two, even before you've got it completely fleshed out, you should have been practicing giving your speech out loud. Full volume, not reading off a page, and preferably in front of other people (that can seem kind of awkward and unsettling, but that's exactly what you need to prepare for). If there's nobody around, use a mirror at least.

[GANTZ]

[COLOR=DarkRed][FONT=Lucida Console]I Know this is kind of old... but i solved my problem. I ended up
going to London, not doing the speech, and failing social science!
How exciting.[/FONT][/COLOR]