Abstract
Speech anxiety is a common stressor for students in public speaking classes (McCroskey, 1977) and is a particular worry for Gen Z students (Wahed & Palmer-Wackerly, 2026), yet it is often treated superficially in curricula and textbooks. When instruction centers on generic advice, students are left unequipped to manage anxiety that directly affects performance. Although delivery is graded, many “poor delivery” habits—fidgeting, filler words, lack of eye contact—stem from unmanaged anxiety (Bodie, 2010). This activity addresses that gap through a holistic approach that integrates cognitive, behavioral, and physiological dimensions. Informed by my experience with a neurological condition that causes physical anxiety, it emphasizes that anxiety can be understood and managed through awareness and regulation.
First Page
34
Last Page
36
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Kamm, S.
(2026).
The public speaking survival kit: A personalized and holistic approach to managing speech anxiety.
Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal, 49(2), 34-36.
https://doi.org/10.56816/2471-0032.1194