Studies show that Americans' number-one fear is public speaking. Actors, television personalities, and public speakers all feel it. And so do salespeople, community leaders, and managers who are called on to make seemingly routine presentations.

Experienced speakers, though, know how to combat stage fright. Through careful planning, proper training, and conscious relaxation exercises, these speakers have learned how to channel fear into control and confidence. All people have the actual skills needed for good presentations; using these skills in front of an audience is the area in which training is needed. Good communication and successful speaking skills can be learned.

In defining a presentation, we begin with one end of the spectrum, something that is loosely called a speech. Most speeches have very little impact because they don't ask the speaker to do anything, whereas the very definition of the word present...