How did the speaker prepare for the graduation speech to overcome nerves?

• A. Delivered a spontaneous speech
• B. Read from a prepared script
• C. Wrote the speech two months before and practiced
• D. Hired someone to present

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that thorough preparation and practice reduce nerves by giving you control over what you’ll say and how you’ll say it. Writing the speech well in advance creates a clear structure and a message tailored to the audience, with time to refine word choice and flow. Practicing it aloud repeatedly builds familiarity with the rhythm, pacing, and pauses, so you’re not scrambling for words or worried about forgetting lines when you step up to speak. That combination also helps you manage breathing and eye contact, making the delivery feel natural rather than improvised. Spontaneous speaking can heighten anxiety because there’s less certainty about what will come next, reading from a script, while it can lessen some risk of forgetting lines, often leads to a less engaging delivery. Hiring someone to present bypasses personal preparation altogether, which doesn’t address the nerves you feel as the speaker.