Get ‘Real’: Does Practicing Speeches Before an Audience Improve Performance?

Abstract

Public speaking texts and instructors typically encourage students to practice speeches as a means of managing anxiety and enhancing performance. The effectiveness of various speech practice methods has received little attention. Participants completed the PRCA-24 and PRPSA-34, and indicated the number of times they used a variety of practice methods to prepare for a speech. Upon completing this questionnaire, participants delivered a videotaped speech. Students who practiced their speech before an audience received higher evaluation scores than did students who practiced without an audience. In addition, students who practiced their speech before larger audiences received higher evaluation scores than students who practiced before smaller audiences.

Keywords:

• Communication Apprehension
• Public Speaking Anxiety
• Speech Practice

Notes

1. Large and small audiences were defined using the results of the pilot study. Results of the pilot study indicated that the vast majority (97%) of the sample practiced their speech at least once before an audience of one to three members. Less than one-half (41%) of the sample surveyed indicated they practiced their speech before an audience of four to seven members. Of this group, the majority (29%) indicated they practiced only once in this manner. Only 13% of participants surveyed indicated they practiced their speech before an audience of more than seven members. Of this group, more than one-half indicated they practiced only once in this manner. Essentially, a clear distinction arose between the number of participants who practiced their speech before an audience of one to three members and those who practiced their speech before an audience of four or more members.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tony E. Smith

Tony E. Smith (MA, Miami University, 2003) is an instructor in the Department of Speech at St. Petersburg College, Seminole, Florida, USA

Ann Bainbridge Frymier

Ann Bainbridge Frymier (EdD, West Virginia University, 1992) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at Miami University