Jedidiah is too scared to look at his audience members while speaking. What is an effective strategy he can use to manage his anxiety during public speaking?

• A. He can focus on looking just above the audience members' heads to simulate eye contact without feeling overwhelmed.
• B. He should ignore his feelings of anxiety and hope they go away on their own.
• C. He can speak as quickly as possible to finish the presentation sooner and reduce his anxiety.
• D. He should avoid looking at the audience entirely and keep his eyes on his notes throughout the presentation.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand that anxiety during public speaking is common and can be managed through specific strategies rather than avoidance or ignoring feelings.
2. Step 2: Recognize that direct eye contact can increase anxiety for some speakers, so finding a middle ground can help reduce discomfort.
3. Step 3: Learn that focusing just above the audience members' heads simulates eye contact, which helps engage the audience while reducing the speaker's anxiety.
4. Step 4: Avoid strategies that involve ignoring anxiety, rushing through the speech, or completely avoiding eye contact, as these can increase stress or reduce effectiveness.
5. Step 5: Practice the technique of looking slightly above the audience's heads during rehearsals to build confidence and manage anxiety during the actual presentation.