Public Speaking

The average person, it's said, feels more anxiety about talking in front of a group than about dying. So what drives some people to get up and give speeches? How do they overcome their fear? This program follows a young filmmaker named Luke King as he confronts the fight-or-flight aspect of public speaking and tries to determine solutions for it. Meeting with participants in a prestigious youth speech competition, King learns about each speaker's preparation process-emotional, physical, and academic-and records their presentations. He also interviews a wide range of experts in motivational speaking, politics, and the performing arts, leading to historical, linguistic, and media-related insights. (73 minutes)

When it comes to public speaking, preparation is the key to success. Using a step-by-step approach, this program thoroughly addresses each part of the presentation process. The topics of smoking and alcohol act as platforms for building two separate informational presentations, both of which demonstrate planning and research; preparation of content, visuals, and handouts; rehearsal; and delivery. Advanced skills such as the use of body language and speaker/audience interaction are discussed, and stage fright is examined. On-screen outlines reinforce this thorough learning tool. (21 minutes)

In this program, Dr. Tina Dupree, president of the Motivational Training Center and founder of the Professional Speakers Network, shares her proven techniques for building confidence as a public speaker. How to turn fear into an asset, master the art of small talk, create a 30-second commercial," assess an audience, choose the right words, organize a speech, improve delivery, and other topics are addressed, along with the ten do's and don'ts of creating a winning speech. Guest speakers include Arlene Hoffman, of International Sales & Marketing; Bradley Johnson, of Johnson Partners Research; and retired pro football player Roy Foster. (27 minutes)"