A hands-on course, EN21 offers skills that are immediately useful in daily life. One student says he’s now  more willing to raise his hand in class. Wellock uses the skills in his part-time job as a CPR instructor. He’s interested in politics and law, two fields that demand good speaking skills. Blair Whitney ’05 took the course because she’s shy and knows that in the business world, she will have to give presentations and talk in meetings.

Fr. Jude Gray, O.S.B., the college’s first public speaking instructor, taught an estimated 1,000 Saint Anselm students in his 30 years in the classroom. He believes that everyone can learn to do it, and that there are few experiences more rewarding. “Once students have given a good speech—when they see those faces smiling and looking engaged—it’s like turning on a switch. They’re excited. The ego feeds off that success, and they want to do it again.”

EN21 students aren’t the only ones who have benefited from Fr. Jude’s teaching: he has coached commencement speakers and his fellow monks, as well.

Now Hear This!
Our professors agree that there are no surefire recipes for becoming a successful public speaker; however, they offer some good advice.

Fr. Jude

• Be yourself. Don’t try to be David Letterman delivering a joke.
• Stage fright is good. It’s adrenaline. If you can channel that adrenaline, you’ll be an animated, forceful speaker.
• Pacing is important. It’s like you’re throwing baseballs at the audience. If you throw them too fast, they can’t catch them. Too slow, and they get tired.

Professor Gamache

• Don’t try to give the perfect talk.
• Pause between points. Silence is good.
• Don’t put too much on note cards. The more you have on cards, the more you’ll look down.

Professor Bouchard

• Make eye contact with three people in three different parts of the room. The whole audience will think you’re looking at them.
• Women typically remain poised as statues; men usually fidget athletically. So fight your gender stereotype with some well-timed gestures.
• Don’t forget to enjoy yourself.

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