Interview Summary with Mary Harding

Public speaking is a term that I am extremely uncomfortable with. Interviewing someone who has given speeches in front of audiences is a very helpful tool in concoring my fear. Although I currently do not know of anyone that is required to give speeches on a regular basis as part of they're job, I do know a woman who gives speeches frequently enough that I feel I can learn from her experiences. Mary Harding is my mother in law.

She works at Glotfelty Tire Center in Elkins,West Virginia. She hosts a car care clinic for women who want to learn the basics of car care where she must give speeches in front of a medium sized audience. She has also given a speech as a mentor for The Mountaineer

Challenge Academy. Last but not least, she often gives speeches for the Relay for Life organization in which she donates her time and efforts. During my interview, I asked

Mary a series of questions in order to learn from her experiences in giving speeches.

The first questions I asked Mary were pretty basic. I began with how frequently she gives speeches. Her answer was 3-4 times a year. I asked her if she used notes during a speech and she answered, "Yes, always." I also asked her if she currently feels comfortable speaking in front of an audience and she replied with a simple, "Yes".

The next question I asked was related to the preparation process of the speech. I asked

Mary how she prepares herself for a speech. Her answer was that she researches the subject matter intensely before hand. After she has done her research according to the subject she is presenting, she makes notes to follow during the speech. The final stage of preparation is practicing her speech either alone or in front of a small audience made u...

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... not have to make us embarrassed or frightened or upset to speak in front of other people.

We can deal with that. You may be nervous, but you don't have to be disabled in front of other people." Practicing is important in preparing for a speech, but we must practice the right things in the right way according to Stephen E. Lucas.

Through my interview with Mary harding I have learned that public speaking is not something to fear. The more a person practices the activity of speaking in public, the more comfortable they become. I have also learned that taking notes after the speech is important for providing the best possible speeches in the future. Through her experience with giving speeches for her car care clinic, Mountaineer Challenge Academy, and relay for Life has given me the motivation and confidence to excel in the activity of public

speaking.