So you're giving a speech—not being thrown to the lions

Studies have shown more people fear speaking to audiences than fear death.

By Jan Dilley

Extreme shyness. Low self-esteem. Fear of public speaking. Anxiety over meeting new people. Feeling inferior. The challenge to put your best foot forward can be overwhelming. Yet, an answer exists that will enable you to meet every occasion with confidence and self-assurance. Whether you're addressing one person or many, you can come to feel assured that you're never alone in your efforts. There's no need to fear being in a hostile environment filled with listeners who are apathetic or critical.

I found this out. In college, I had to take a business communications course. The instructor told us how studies have shown that more people fear public speaking than fear death. While I didn't have a deep fear of public speaking, I always preferred communicating with people one-on-one or in very small groups. I didn't volunteer for, and actually tended to go out of my way to avoid, situations that would require addressing larger groups, even if they were made up of friends and acquaintances.

Shortly after starting graduate work, however, I was asked to teach several sections of an undergraduate course in my department. There were approximately 50 students in each section. Many of them had to take the course, and I had heard that it was unpopular. Even though I wasn't sure of what I was getting into, I accepted.

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