Auntie SparkNotes: Stage Fright

Dear Auntie SparkNotes,
My problem, though compared to some of the stuff other people write to you about, this might seem kinda silly, but here goes. I was asked in class to read out the answer to a question. I was supposed to stand up and read it out. But I got incredibly nervous. As soon as I stood up, my knees started to shake. I started to read but my voice got all high-pitched and I stuttered a bit. I was sweating a lot. I couldn’t focus on what I was reading and all I could think of was how fast my heart was beating. I finished finally and sat down in a daze. I have always had stage fright but it has never hit me quite so hard, like this. Now, the big problem is that I have to present a project in the same class next month. This time I have to stand in front of the whole class and it won’t be just reading aloud from a book, I’ll have to face the other students and it will actually be a bit like teaching a lesson. I’m really worried about it. I’m afraid I’ll mess up again. I really wanna get rid of my stage fright. What do you think I should do about it?

Oooh, stage fright. I've seen it happen, readers, and it can be brutal; one time this girl in my freshman English class was supposed to give an oral report about The Diary of Anne Frank, and she was really nervous. So nervous, in fact, that when she got to the end of the report and the teacher asked if she had any final remarks, instead of just sitting down, she blurted out, “Anne Frank was totally bi-curious!”

So embarrassing, right? Hey, you know what's even more embarrassing?

That girl was me.

So welcome, dear letter-writer, to the Stage Fright Society—an exclusive club whose membership consists of you, me, and, oh, ninety-five percent of all people in the world. Glossophobia (the fear of public speaking) is one of the most common social anxieties, and it afflicts even practiced public speakers. So you're in good company when you stand up in front of your class and want nothing more than to run screaming out the door. (Just think: Barack Obama probably feels this way on a daily basis!) And while it's probably reassuring to know that you're not alone in your terror, I've also got more good news: There ARE things you can do to stop it. Like:

Prepare. Put together some cue cards or notes, and practice your presentation over and over again until you know the information inside and out. Present to your family. Present to your dog. Tape life-sized cutouts of the Gossip Girl cast to your living room wall and present to them. The idea is to get used to speaking out loud, so that when you get up in front of your class, your brain says, “Hey, no big deal! We've done this a billion times!”

Bring support. Use a presentation board or clearly-written outline that you can refer back to if you start getting nervous, and ask your friends to make themselves visible from where you're standing. Seeing a friendly face in the crowd will go a long way toward making you feel more comfortable, and you'll know they're rooting for you.

Be upfront about your stage fright. Just say it; there's no shame in admitting that speaking to a crowded room makes you break out in hives! When you get up to present, before you start, tell your audience that you're nervous. (“Public speaking scares the crap out of me, so if I mess up, please don't throw fruit at my head.”) You should also let your teacher know, so he doesn't mistake your nervousness for a lack of enthusiasm or preparedness.

And while you're at it, ask your teacher for advice. Teachers are people too, and not all of them are natural performers. Mr. Historypants might be a master at public speaking now, but chances are he didn't start out that way. Talk to him about your nervousness, and ask whether he has any suggestions. And above all, try not to worry. You're gonna be fine.

...Just don't end the presentation by telling everyone that Julius Caesar was bi-curious.

Do you have any public speaking tips for our letter-writer? Got a question for Auntie SparkNotes? Leave feedback in the comments, or email Auntie at advice@sparknotes.com.