What role does practice play in reducing nerves before a speech?

Familiarity through practice builds confidence and decreases anxiety is the correct answer because engaging in consistent practice helps speakers become more comfortable with their material. This comfort level significantly reduces feelings of nervousness. When speakers rehearse their presentations, they become more familiar with their content, pacing, and delivery, which contributes to a sense of mastery. As confidence builds, anxiety tends to diminish since the speaker feels more prepared to handle questions or unexpected situations that may arise during the speech.

While practice can aid in significantly improving eye contact and preparing the speaker, these are secondary benefits. The primary benefit is the confidence that stems from knowing the material well, which directly impacts how a speaker feels when presenting. Additionally, practice does not replace the necessity of topic knowledge; rather, it complements it by enhancing the delivery and effectiveness of the information being shared.