Final answer:
To respond to unexpected laughter during a public speech, remain composed, and handle the situation gracefully, potentially turning the moment to your advantage. Public speaking can be intimidating, with many people expressing fear, which can be studied and analyzed statistically through a hypothesis test.
Step-by-step explanation:
When faced with a situation where an audience starts laughing while you're giving a speech, it's important to stay composed and assess the situation professionally. Sometimes, such laughter could be due to an unforeseen interruption or misunderstanding, like an older member of a family needing to speak due to seniority, as illustrated in the provided excerpt.
In another scenario, dealing with unexpected events can be likened to a theatrical producer, like Hal Luftig, who overcame a mistake during a production. In situations like these, having the ability to gracefully handle the unexpected, perhaps with a bit of humor or by respectfully acknowledging the incident, can turn the moment in your favor and prevent embarrassment.
In the case of public speaking, it's well-known that many people find it to be a nerve-wracking experience. This is corroborated by Toastmasters International, which references a Gallup Poll reporting 40 percent of Americans fear public speaking. If a student believes the percentage of students at their school who fear public speaking is less than the national average, they may conduct a hypothesis test to confirm it.
For example, surveying 361 students and finding that 135 fear public speaking would involve statistical analysis to see if this is significantly lower than the expected 40 percent.