Brianna's Presentation Refections

Hi Everyone! 

I will be talking about what I learned from the great presentations given by my class. During the presentations, I learned how to effectively speak publicly and with confidence. These presentations taught us a lot about myself and how I can improve in speaking publicly and clearly. In my blog post, I am going to break down everything I learned from these presentations from speaking with confidence to delivering speeches with ease. 

Part I

First and foremost, the first group did a great job of presenting chapters 1-3. 

The Evolving Art of Public Speaking

In Chapter 1, they spoke about new technology and how since it was introduced the role of public speakers and audience members also changed. They give us a great introduction to public speaking and how it is great to make a personal connection with our audience. We are also introduced to making sure the speaker is credible, an audience must be able to view the speaker as friendly and trustworthy.

Building Your Confidence

     We must know how to have and build confidence while public speaking. We learn we must focus on our message, prepare, know our audience, be intentional, and try new things to build our confidence. We also figure out how to recognize the realities of stage fright and how to deal with it all together. Confidence is a vital thing in the way we speak and connect with our audience as we learn from the presentation. In the chapter three part of the presentation, we are told how listening to our audience is most important. They exclaim that listening is so much more than hearing.

Listening

In Chapter 3, we learn the importance of listening. Listening and remembering what is said is a skill that some people do not have the luxury of having. All and all, this group did a great job at embodying these chapters and telling these chapters in a much easier way.

Part II

Secondly, the next group does amazing in telling the insides of chapters 4-9.

Developing Your Purpose and Topic

    In Chapter 4, we learn to figure out the purpose of our speech and the topic that goes hand and hand with our purpose. We should consider our audience and their experiences, expertise, and lives. We must consider who we are talking to if we're trying to inform, entertain, or persuade our audience. We must also narrow our focus. To find a specific purpose, we must figure out what we want to achieve in our speech. 

Adapting to Your Audience

    Being able to talk about your topic with ease reassures the audience that you do know what you're talking about. Adapting to your audience is the most important and vital element to your speeches. Adapting to your audience and engaging helps you be able to easily talk about your topic. It also has something to do with your tone. The way you speak to your audience really changes the understanding of the audience’s demeanor.

Researching Your Topic

    In Chapter 6, we learn that researching our topic gives people a more reassuring environment. Making sure we talk with ease and can expand on our topic ultimately makes for a better speech. When you talk to someone and they sound like they really know what they're talking about, does that not give you more reassurance about what they're telling you? You wouldn't go to a doctor that can't expand on a diagnosis when asked. 

Supporting Your Ideas

    In Chapter 7, I learned about being able to support your topic and about how giving more perception gives your speech life. The way the group explained this helped me understand these chapters better. Being able to support your ideas with evidence, examples, and other resources helps make your speech more credible. The most important thing for an audience is being able to trust and relate with the speaker in a way. 

Organizing and Outlining Your Speech

    In Chapter 8, outlining our speech is seen as a stepping stone to our speeches. We can use the example of a road trip. Mapping out rest stops, timing, reservations, and an itinerary helps the day run smoother. Same way with a speech. Knowing when and where to put in information makes life easier not only for the speaker but for the audience too. 

Beginning and Ending Your Speech

    Hand in hand with Chapter 8, Chapter 9 teaches us how to begin and end our speech. We never want to end or begin our speeches with awkwardness because that sets the tone for the rest of the speech. Picking up the audience's energy and vibes helps create a cohesive and easy speech. 

Part III

Lastly, we're brought with a greatly done presentation on presenting yourself and your ideas.

Using Language Effectively

    Using language in an effective way changes the way viewers see you. Do you ever use a word in a word context and feel awkward afterwards? That happens to me sometimes and it can be easily avoided once you learn how to use language effectively. Bring able to change the context of words or even use words with a softer tone to cater to the audience helps with how the speech goes overall. 

Integrating Presentation Media

    In the 21st century, Media has become a very vital way we take information. Its a very powerful way to cross your message. We have the example of the “Uncle Sam wants You!’ poster during World War I. This message went to millions of young men and if it was never created, we probably wouldn't have as many soldiers as we did at this time. It gave people hope and for some, it gave a sense of power. A picture or video in a slide can help really change the people view your message. Even fonts and layouts can change the message you give.

Example:

I NEED COFFEE

Gives a more angry feeling

I need coffee

Gives a softer feeling

Delivering Your Speech

    Rehearsing and getting feedback about your speech also helps really complete your speech. While you might see your speech as fine, when someone else hears it they might see it as offensive or intense. That's why it's best to really rehearse your speech multiple times and find others to give you feedback on the tone of your speech.

Conclusion

    In conclusion, all the groups did a great job of embodying the art of public speaking and I enjoyed all the presentations. They gave me an insight into what I needed to work on to give my way of speaking a better and clearer way of sounding. All in all, these presentations expanded my understanding of public speaking and I hope to be able to learn more the further I go into this class. Thank you for listening!