---
title: "Take This Class! (and Take the Distress out of Public Address)"
date: 2024-04-04T05:30:00-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/take-this-class-and-take-the-distress-out-of-public-address"
section: Articles
---
# Take This Class! (and Take the Distress out of Public Address)

*April 4, 2024* — by [Maggie Haslam](/author/maggie-haslam)


> Journalism Lecturer Helps Students Communicate Clearly—and In-Person—in the Age of Social Media

*Class JOUR130 04022024 RS 1725 1920x1080 — A team of undergraduates in "Self-Presentation in the Age of YouTube" practice their public speaking prowess with a persuasive (and occasionally unsettling) group presentation on self-driving cars. Amber Moore (below), coaches her students to use a variety of skills—from posture and pitch to body language and humor—to deliver compelling speech, without the nerves.*

It’s said that the only thing scarier than death is public speaking. At first glance, it looked like the students standing at the front of a classroom in Knight Hall on a recent Tuesday evening were facing either an audience or the Angel of Death. Palming their notecards, the slightly ashen group began their presentation with a bemusing (and slightly grisly) anecdote about a Tesla and a mannequin baby.

The audience laughed and the tension dissolved as they launched into a convincing argument about the perils of self-driving cars. Five minutes later, they hadn’t died—but they certainly slayed.

“Self-presentation in the Age of YouTube,” a public speaking class offered in the Phillip Merrill College of Journalism, is designed to prepare students for a lifetime of talking to people, from giving thesis presentations and keynote speeches to recording TikTok how-tos to having one-on-ones with the boss. Through a series of exercises, students learn to eliminate the flailing hands, pacing and litany of “ums” that plague so many who step up to the podium—and build a toolbox of techniques to quell anxiety and deliver their message with confidence.

“There’s so much anxiety with just knowing you’re going to have to speak in front of an audience,” said lecturer Amber Moore, who has taught the class since 2019. “People can’t get their nerves under control, and it’s like a spiral. But there are a lot of skills and techniques that can help.”



*woman teaches in front of class*



**Sidebar note:**

**“Self-Preservation in the Age of YouTube” (JOUR130)**

Satisfies: General education requirement in Fundamental Studies- Oral Communication

Next time you can take it: Summer 2024

A fun fact you’ll learn: Any speech should offer a quick preview at the beginning to let the audience know what they will learn. (“Before I hope in the car with you, let me know where we’re going,” says Moore.”)

Summary: The course offers tips and techniques to confidently conquer your fear of public speaking and get your message across.





**Topics:** [Campus & Community](https://today.umd.edu/tags/campus-community)


**Tags:** [Journalism](https://today.umd.edu/topic/journalism), [Take This Class](https://today.umd.edu/topic/take-this-class), [Student Experience](https://today.umd.edu/topic/student-experience)


**Units:** [Philip Merrill College of Journalism](https://today.umd.edu/topic/philip-merrill-college-journalism)