#helpful not-anons

[classicratpack-blog]

I'm guessing your professor decided the ideal vintage point is the back of the room with all the immature guys? I don't know what to suggest beyond that, maybe just focus on people's noses instead of their eyes. That's what I do, usually because it's so close that people can hardly tell.

Ten points for Gryffindor! For some reason he seems to like them, even though you can tell he thinks they're a bunch of immature idiots. 

Looking at noses, that's a good suggestion actually. Now, if only someone in my class had a nose like Richard Armitage... 

[classicratpack-blog]

About not knowing what to focus on, I used to be in Stage Crew and in theater they used to say that you didn't have to look at the audience, rather something right /past/ the audience if you wanted to. So if there's like a clock or a poster, maybe skim the eyes of the people and then look at that.

Thank you! Someone gave me that advice once and I've always stuck to it, but it's kind of...getting past the looking up bit and finding that spot that's the difficult bit. And unfortunately if I look towards the back of the room there's a group of four or five guys who obviously haven't grown up at all since leaving high school and are overall terrible human beings, so I really don't want to be staring in their direction. 

However, guess where my professor decides the ideal vantage point is? 

[classicratpack-blog]

I know you already got some advice, but as someone who goes to near tears from stress at public speaking, you never look as nervous as you feel. Just remember to breathe and sometimes focusing on one thing is good.

Hi there! I think we must be twins. And that's true. I've heard that and apparently lived it, but it's always hard to stay objective when you're quietly going to pieces in front of 30 or so people. 

Breathe, check. Focusing, uh. Man, finding something to focus on is the worst part. I don't really know anyone in this class particularly well and I need to maintain eye contact with the audience.

Oh and for added bonus: my professor hands out index cards so the audience can write constructive comments to you about your speech while you're giving it, which he will then give to us later to read. Like I needed more pressure. Thanks, sir, truly.

Thank you, though!

[classicratpack-blog]

Tip: Dont think too hard? Idk thats usually wuat works for me

Unfortunately, I need to think a little bit to remember my speech. But I'll try. I mean, for the most part people tell me I look composed and with it when I'm up there, but from my perspective I'm pretty much 100% sure everyone can see my legs shaking and my voice breaking, so. 

*shrug* I'll do what I can. No more, no less. Once it's over I can sleep peacefully.