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Name
Course Title
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Narrative Essay: Triumphing the Fear of Public Speaking
The art of public speaking has been a difficult task for me. The perception of standing
and delivering a speech to a crowd of people with all eyes on me gave me horrified thoughts and
usually sent shivers down my spine. There was one period that came in my life I would not shun
away but face it will all the courage I had. This was a turning point in my fear of public
speaking. The event tasted my determination, ability to push myself to be better as well as my
resilience.
As a class representative in my first higher education, I was selected to represent my
university in the regional political rally gallery. Since I was interested in politics, the news hit me
with excitement. However, when I recalled that I would give a speech and stand our position as a
young voter on the campus, I dreaded it. My worry and anxiety grew exponentially when the day
of the political gallery event was nearing. I spent numerous hours rehearsing my speech as my
close friends were listening to me; I sometimes used to practice in the mirror. Despite the
immense preparation, I still had fear on me as I imagine college representatives and members of
the media listening to me on the stage.
The day of the speech presentation arrived, and all were seated, waiting for various
speeches. I sat backstage waiting for my university name to be called. I could feel a lot of
pressure mounted on me as my heart pounded heavily. When my name was called, I took a deep
breath as I had practised earlier and stepped onto the beautiful stage. Panic was written all over
me as I saw the sea of expectant men and women ready to listen to my speech. My mind went
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dark for a moment as I stumbled over my words, where I articulated incoherent words. The
disappointment was over me as I saw the audience look at me with the expectation.
Despite the hard first experience I faced during the short period, I refused to let such a
moment define me as I believed in my previous practice. I grew stronger from my fear as each
moment passed by I gained confidence in speaking. I began my speech with a strong opening
statement that captured the audience and lessened the tension within the gallery. The opening
statement entailed a famous political quote that made the audience laugh momentarily. I kept my
audience engaged during my speech by maintaining eye contact and using gestures to emphasize
my points. I also implemented different intonations to demonstrate the emphasis and emotion of
the speech I was giving. My speech, was a well-structured pattern as I implemented transition
patterns in different sections. After my short and interesting speech, I anticipated the potential
question and opposing sentiments to address them immediately as this showed aspects of critical
thinking and democracy of allowing different perspectives during the speech session. There were
no questions asked during the window period I provided for the questions; rather all audience
stoop on their feet and clapped for the wonderful speech I gave and let them know the position pf
the university. I was showered with gifts as I started from a low point and finished the speech on
a really high note.
In retrospect, the speech I gave at the political gala was not only a taste of my
communication skills but also a test of character of resilience. It really taught me essential
lessons of consistency and pushing beyond the comfort zone. The fateful event really served me
as catalyst for individual development and paved way for my numerous future successes from
the public speaking I anticipated.
Thinking About the Writing
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1. The narrative technique Used
I implemented several techniques to bring the narrative to life. One of them was building tension
through pacing and vivid descriptions of emotions as I shared personal experiences of fear. I also
demonstrated resilience from transformation of adversity to triumph of the speech.
2. How Purpose and audience shape the narrative
I wrote this narrative bearing in mind of academic and political audience as I am influenced on
the detailed description of unfolding events. The purpose was to ensure that everyone can
overcome the fear of public speaking. Especially in an academic or political gala, what is needed
is only thorough practice and consistency.
3. Concrete Example from the Narrative
In narrating this story specifically tailored for an academic and political audience aimed at
inspiring fellow student's educators alike, emphasized the importance of consistency and
resilience. For instance, highlighted the role peers played in supporting the journey, underscoring
collective effort in delivering the speech. The colleague aided me to rehearse and build my
confidence which was really a bigger task to accomplish.
