# A 2min oral about myself in front of ~40 people **URL:** \ **Category:** Lounge\ **Created:** [September 15, 2008, 5:58am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/a-2min-oral-about-myself-in-front-of-40-people/19555 "2008-09-15T05:58:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ShadowX](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/shadowx/32/2327_2.png) [@ShadowX](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/ShadowX)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 5:58am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/a-2min-oral-about-myself-in-front-of-40-people/19555/1 "2008-09-15T05:58:27Z")
Hi there, On Wednesday, I have an mini-oral presentation to be done in front of 40 classmates and this is making me really stressed; not only because I will be talking in front of 40 people but also because I will be talking about myself. In addition, I will not be holding a paper, which is also a big deal for me as holding a paper makes me more relaxed because I wouldn’t be worrying on how to position my arms. Another fact is that I won’t be studying in front of the class, I will be standing up next to my seat; thus people will be looking at me from every angle (Although I’m planning on sitting not far from a wall). About the oral, the teacher calls it “Who Am I and why you should pick me”. The intention of the oral is to tell others why they should pick me to be in their group for a group project. It should be a maximum of 2minutes. It counts for 10% so I really want to ace it. You are probably saying it is easy, well it is. The problem is that I did not attend last class in which the teacher apparently talked about how to speak to an audience and some points that we should consider for the mini-oral. A student who attended the class told me very briefly about some of what the teacher mentioned; confidence and body language were one of them. I believe the teacher wants us to be confident. However, whenever I imagine myself in the classroom, I realize it’s not going to happen. Therefore, being up without anything in my hand will make me nervous as I will subconsciously wonder how to position my arms and hands. So my question is, what are the body languages I should consider with my arms to show the teacher that I’m a confident person (as this will increase my mark) ? I checked the link that Tisha has on her signature about body languages, althought it was interesting, it didn’t really help me. I’m thinking of removing my eyeglasses, so I wouldn’t see the faces of everybody which will make me relax a little bit more. As for my arms, I really don’t know what to do with them. And to boost things a little bit more, I’m thinking of applying I-Sh+I-Op. before leaving home 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![tisha23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@tisha23](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/tisha23)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 9:45am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/a-2min-oral-about-myself-in-front-of-40-people/19555/2 "2008-09-15T09:45:39Z")
Eek I hate public speaking. I am sure you will do fine, at least your talking about a subject you know well . 😉 I would say leave them loose by your sides and occasionally move one palm forward when you going to make a point. Stand straight in a open stance and relax your shoulders. Make eye contact with the teacher and other students. Dont be afraid to smile. Use your hands more confidently… instead of fidgeting with your hands and scratching your face use them to communicate what you are trying to say. Use your hands to describe something or to add weight to a point you are trying to make. But don’t use them to much or it might become distracting. And don’t let your hands flail around, use them with some control. Try not to touch you face or hair as this shows lack of confidence. Tisha ---
**Author:** ![Wrlprchnx](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/wrlprchnx/32/1360_2.png) [@Wrlprchnx](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Wrlprchnx)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 4:33pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/a-2min-oral-about-myself-in-front-of-40-people/19555/3 "2008-09-15T16:33:36Z")
Huh… I never woulda guessed Tisha wasn’t the type for public speaking. Suggestions for effective public speaking - Make eye contact with your audience BUT do not focus on one person (believe me… people get creeped out if you stare at them the entire presentation) - You kinda want your eyes to scan the eyes of the crowd as you are making your presentation. Since the teacher is the more important listener I would suggest trying to make sure that you make eye contact with him/her during some of your stronger points - it will reinforce those points in that persons mind. If you have a pedestal if can be a good crutch if you are very nervous -it gives you a place to put your hands on occasion. Use your hands to emphasize points, DO NOT cross your arms, only make a fist if you are making a point - Don’t make a fist terribly often - When I do make a fist I tend to leave my index finger slightly uncurled (almost like I am getting ready to point at something) and press my thumb into the crease of the finger - This makes it look like you are pointing to something with the closed fist. You can walk around a bit, but be careful to not shuffle your feet back and forth… some people step from side to side throughout presentations and it can be very distracting. If you do move around the stage, walk to one side, focus more eye attention on that side, and STAY PUT until you have made a couple points… stood there a couple minutes - When you do switch sides of the room walk leisurely… take a good 30 seconds to move the 5 feet. Be TOO LOUD rather then not loud enough. EDIT - OOPS I thought you said 40 minute presentation… Don’t walk back and forth - it isn’t a long enough presentation. ---
**Author:** ![Holmes](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/holmes/32/2128_2.png) [@Holmes](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Holmes)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 4:51pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/a-2min-oral-about-myself-in-front-of-40-people/19555/4 "2008-09-15T16:51:22Z")
Good advice so far. Psychologically-speaking, you want to adopt the frame that you own the room (if only for those two minutes). Make easy eye contact with various members of the audience. Articulate and enunciate. Project your voice. (Some people I know actually do vocal exercises before giving an important speech. Sounds ridiculous, but it works.) Do NOT speak too fast. Pause briefly between thoughts for emphasis every once in a while. Vary the rhythm and tempo of your speaking gait, so as to prevent your delivery from sounding monotone. Speak expressively and passionately. Use gestures to underscore particularly important points. But don’t overuse them. Crack some jokes. ---
**Author:** ![renny](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/renny/32/2104_2.png) [@renny](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/renny)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2008, 5:42pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/a-2min-oral-about-myself-in-front-of-40-people/19555/5 "2008-09-15T17:42:39Z")
All great advice. I’ve got a couple of more tips. For your hands do this and practice it a little so it feels natural. Drop your hands to your side. Now pretend there is a soccer ball in front of you about waist high. The top of the soccer ball is about the same height as your belly button. Now move your hands around the pretend surface of the soccer ball with your thumbs facing up as you hold the ball by the sides, palms facing each other, and thumbs almost touching as you move your hands to the top of the ball with your palms down. Very confident and in control thing to do with your hands. don’t go to the side of the class and sit next to a wall. Get right up front so you can turn around and face your audience. Same effect of having no one behind you. Very confident position. Last remember there is no one in your head but you. They can’t feel your thoughts and have no idea what you are really feeling. I once did a presentation in front of a rather hostile crowd involving some local issues. Some folks were actually heckling me. When I finished there were literally big drops of nervous sweat all over the platform where I was standing. I was shaking throughout the whole thing and thought I had really blown it. Everyone I talked to talked about how amazing it was that I could be so confident in the face of the audience. No one realized how close I was to throwing up on them. You’ll do great!!! ---
**Author:** ![Mtnjim](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/mtnjim/32/2010_2.png) [@Mtnjim](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Mtnjim)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 12:39am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/a-2min-oral-about-myself-in-front-of-40-people/19555/6 "2008-09-16T00:39:02Z")
Speaking as someone who has had to speak before 100’s of people. Imagine everyone sitting there in their underwear, except the cute girls. Imagine _them_ naked. (seriously) Yes, I have had to speak naked before a naked audience.😮 ---
**Author:** ![renny](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/renny/32/2104_2.png) [@renny](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/renny)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 12:47am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/a-2min-oral-about-myself-in-front-of-40-people/19555/7 "2008-09-16T00:47:16Z")
> [@Mtnjim](#): > > Yes, I have had to speak naked before a naked audience.😮 😮HOLY CRAP!😮 I will hence forward refer to Mtnjim as Fearless and I take back what I said about your horse! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mtnjim](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/mtnjim/32/2010_2.png) [@Mtnjim](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Mtnjim)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 12:58am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/a-2min-oral-about-myself-in-front-of-40-people/19555/8 "2008-09-16T00:58:50Z")
> [@renny](#): > > 😮HOLY CRAP!😮 I will hence forward refer to Mtnjim as Fearless … It wasn’t that bad, it was at an AANR convention planning meeting and _everybody_ was naked.🙄 ---
**Author:** ![iamstretchypanda](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/iamstretchypanda/32/1228_2.png) [@iamstretchypanda](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/iamstretchypanda)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2008, 4:06am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/a-2min-oral-about-myself-in-front-of-40-people/19555/9 "2008-09-16T04:06:58Z")
> [@tisha23](#): > > I would say leave them loose by your sides and occasionally move one palm forward when you going to make a point. Stand straight in a open stance and relax your shoulders. Make eye contact with the teacher and other students. Dont be afraid to smile. > > Use your hands more confidently… instead of fidgeting with your hands and scratching your face use them to communicate what you are trying to say. Use your hands to describe something or to add weight to a point you are trying to make. But don’t use them to much or it might become distracting. And don’t let your hands flail around, use them with some control. > > Try not to touch you face or hair as this shows lack of confidence. > > Tisha That’s basically what i was going to say for body language. Only use your hands if you think you can be in control. A great place to put your hands is to hook your thumbs in your back/side belt loops. Make sure your fingers face forward. Try this now. It naturally pushes your shoulders back and chest out while giving your hands something to hold onto without being to obvious. Only us this as a crutch. You will do fine. Other advice about voice tone is crucial. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowX](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/shadowx/32/2327_2.png) [@ShadowX](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/ShadowX)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2008, 2:10am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/a-2min-oral-about-myself-in-front-of-40-people/19555/10 "2008-09-20T02:10:24Z")
Thank you for your replies!! They were very helpful. It turned out, we had to go in front of the class. I honestly don’t know what kind of body language I did. I remember I had a loud enough voice. I was looking and moving smoothly. Although, I didn’t stand up still like most people did; I did a mini walk during my oral…I don’t remember if I did it often or if I moved a good distance from side to side so I did what Wrlprchnx warned me about :s. However, surprisingly enough to me, I was much more confident than I really thought I would be. I will just wait for my mark, next Wednesday. oh and believe or not, even though I’ve had my pheros for a year, I experienced an obvious effect from the pheros. I sprayed 3-4 [Instant Openness](https://a314.com/product/instant-openness/) 2x and 2-3 Instant Shine , all on different sides of my neck. I believe it is mostly the reason what calmed me down. I felt like I wanted to talk to anybody even to strangers. I also had a 2nd class that night where participation is important for the course. I’m not a person who talks or asks questions in class. I always ask them to the teacher on the end of classes. However, on that day, I gave out my opinions and asked questions during the class. In conclusion, I felt very sociable. I will definitely start wearing Instant Openness and IShine on that day 🙂