I really got a lot out of Chapter 12: 'Delivering Your Speech'. All of the concepts discussed here seem like straight forward common sense. And yet, it was good for me to read and review these concepts.
It is my desire to do well in this class, but even more so...it is my deeper wish to improve my communication skills and to become a better public speaker. I find speech preparation much easier than delivery. I am really enjoying extemporaneous speaking...in other words, knowing the topic well enough to deliver the speech to the audience in a more conversational tone.
The concepts from this chapter that I am focusing most on improving in my own speech delivery are avoiding vocalized pauses, articulating, maintaining good posture ( and staying grounded/ not fidgeting) and maintaining good eye contact.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Self Evaluation Assignment #2
I felt a heck of a lot better coming out of the Informative Speech, than I did the Demonstration Speech!
I do feel that I achieved the purpose of this speech.
In the Demonstration Speech, not only was I less prepared, but also realized that demonstrating something like the art of paper folding was logistically challenging. I felt more prepared this time, and therefore was somewhat more comfortable and confident.
It was good to learn something about Powerpoint and I found that using the slides helped me to slow down my mind, stay on point and give a better speech...amazing!
Changes I would make if doing this over again, might include beginning speech preparation sooner to avoid stress and giving more eye contact. I still am working on finding the balance between having not enough on the the notecards and too much.
My goal for improving the content of my next speech is to begin sooner so that the final result is even more streamlined. I was happy with the content of this speech, but by spending more time on it, it could have been better.
For improving the delivery of this next speech, my goal is to give more eye contact!
As I stated above...overall, this speech went better for me than the last. Last time I was relearning how to fold a paper crane, which was challenging to have to present to a group.
Also in an attempt to be more conversational in tone and extemporaneous, I only used the front of two notecards with a few key words on them. Which wasn't enough, because even though I had memorized the content of the speech...my nervousness combined with trying to demonstrate origami made me extremely flustered and my mind went blank! Not fun!
Last time I fumbled through the presentation, lacked eye contact and said 'um' too much. This time felt so much better. I ran overtime in Speech #1, but stayed within the time limits for Speech #2. The Informative Speech felt more successful in every way. I wrote more on the notecards, which helped me to remember to site my sources...just need to resist urge to read.
I would rate my eye contact as a 5-6.
I would give myself a 'B' on this speech. I feel that my confidence is building. Also I chose a topic that I know very well, which made it easier to talk about. Using Powerpoint was fun and helpful for staying on task.
I sighted four sources during the speech and all of my slides had sources for images printed on them.
Oh this speech was much better than the last! On Speech #1, I was beyond nervous, felt less prepared, and drew a complete blank. I felt like I was seeing myself fumble through it and it was painful to watch. This time I felt better prepared, more focused, calmer, in my body and more successful. I hope to stay on this course and improve even more in the speeches to come!
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Self Evaluation for Demonstration Speech
I think that in the outline of the origami speech, I achieved my purpose. I spent a lot of time on the outline and a good deal of time relearning how to fold a paper crane. In the notecards, I listed keywords so that I wouldn't stand there reading them. This was all good, however, I fell short in achieving that purpose in the delivery of the speech.
I thought that in delivering an extemporaneous speech, I would cut down the time by more than half of what was in my outline. This was not the case...I still went over in time and nervously, got stuck in a loop of 'ers' and 'ums' while staring down at my notecards. Also, I realized that demonstrating something as exact and the art of paper-folding is not that easy.
I felt more confident and comfortable this time. I felt prepared, knew the topic and was less anxious...until getting up there in front of everyone.
If I could do it over again, I'd spend same or less time on outline and more time on practicing speech and demonstration. It seems like a long time to have to speak, but in actuality, the time flies by and in trying to get it all in...I rambled on about some so-so stuff, then didn't have time for some of the more interesting tidbits.
I one goal I have for improving the content of my speech is to remember to site things properly in the outline and in the delivery of the speech.
I one goal I have for improving the delivery on the next speech is to slow down! To slow down my breath and speech, which I believe will also allow me to engage the audience more with more eye contact and have a better flow.
It's all a blur, but in thinking back on the delivery of that speech, I'd say that I probably appeared anxious, rushed, stuttering and fumbling, looking down and seemingly confused. I cannot recall doing anything distracting, except maybe for looking down too much and too many breaks in the flow.
On a scale from 1-10, I'd rate my eye contact as a 5.
Honestly, I don't think that I remembered to cite more than one or two sources.
I believe that I felt like I was going in there prepared and ready to ace that speech. Afterward, I really felt disappointed in my presentation, that I'd flubbed it and would give myself a 'C'.
It's humbling, and also a learning process with opportunity for improvement.
I thought that in delivering an extemporaneous speech, I would cut down the time by more than half of what was in my outline. This was not the case...I still went over in time and nervously, got stuck in a loop of 'ers' and 'ums' while staring down at my notecards. Also, I realized that demonstrating something as exact and the art of paper-folding is not that easy.
I felt more confident and comfortable this time. I felt prepared, knew the topic and was less anxious...until getting up there in front of everyone.
If I could do it over again, I'd spend same or less time on outline and more time on practicing speech and demonstration. It seems like a long time to have to speak, but in actuality, the time flies by and in trying to get it all in...I rambled on about some so-so stuff, then didn't have time for some of the more interesting tidbits.
I one goal I have for improving the content of my speech is to remember to site things properly in the outline and in the delivery of the speech.
I one goal I have for improving the delivery on the next speech is to slow down! To slow down my breath and speech, which I believe will also allow me to engage the audience more with more eye contact and have a better flow.
It's all a blur, but in thinking back on the delivery of that speech, I'd say that I probably appeared anxious, rushed, stuttering and fumbling, looking down and seemingly confused. I cannot recall doing anything distracting, except maybe for looking down too much and too many breaks in the flow.
On a scale from 1-10, I'd rate my eye contact as a 5.
Honestly, I don't think that I remembered to cite more than one or two sources.
I believe that I felt like I was going in there prepared and ready to ace that speech. Afterward, I really felt disappointed in my presentation, that I'd flubbed it and would give myself a 'C'.
It's humbling, and also a learning process with opportunity for improvement.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Using Facts and Statistics in a Speech
In Aristotle's Rhetoric, one of the three proofs that he discussed in order to appeal to a specific audience was logos. Logos is an approach using facts and objective analysis to appeal to the audience's sense of logic.
Facts, I believe, are good in most any kind of speech that is meant to inform or persuade an audience. Of course, when gathering facts it is of vital importance to check and double check your sources and to use credible sources. Including facts in your speech can provide support for your topic by offering a broader view of the topic being discussed beyond the opinions of the speaker and can also help to establish your credibility as a speaker.
Using statistics can a provide helpful numerical data or information in your speech. The data needs to be accurate and from credible sources. The drawback here is that statistical data can be used inappropriately to skew the facts and/or mislead an audience. However when used properly, statistics can serve as beneficial supporting material for any speech that is intended to educate or persuade the audience.
Facts and statistics may not be as useful in a speech meant to entertain where one might, for instance, opt to use examples of narrative instead. They can, however, be key in the success of a speech that is based in logic and reason.
Facts, I believe, are good in most any kind of speech that is meant to inform or persuade an audience. Of course, when gathering facts it is of vital importance to check and double check your sources and to use credible sources. Including facts in your speech can provide support for your topic by offering a broader view of the topic being discussed beyond the opinions of the speaker and can also help to establish your credibility as a speaker.
Using statistics can a provide helpful numerical data or information in your speech. The data needs to be accurate and from credible sources. The drawback here is that statistical data can be used inappropriately to skew the facts and/or mislead an audience. However when used properly, statistics can serve as beneficial supporting material for any speech that is intended to educate or persuade the audience.
Facts and statistics may not be as useful in a speech meant to entertain where one might, for instance, opt to use examples of narrative instead. They can, however, be key in the success of a speech that is based in logic and reason.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Chapter 7 & 8 Videos
Wow! A lot of material was covered in these four videos.
7.1- I have already discussed this week my desire to practice telling narratives.
This...along with definitions, testimonies, examples & visual aids are all excellent support materials that I plan to use in future speeches.
7.2- Making sure that our research media sources (i.e. books, magazines, internet & magazines) are credible, reliable & relevant is always important!
8.1- A lot of good information here on Patterns of Organization:
a. Chronological
b. Spatial
c. Topical
d. Narrative
e. Cause & Effect
f. Problem-Solution
g. Monroe's Motivated Sequence- building towards audience acceptance
I am reiterating them above, in an attempt to aid in my remembering them all. I believe that I will be using the Problem-Solution organizational pattern in next week's speech, demonstrating how to fold an origami paper crane.
8.2- Transitions
Ordering-Reinforcing,-Contrasting-Chronology-Causality-Summary
I took notes on the lists of fun transition words!
7.1- I have already discussed this week my desire to practice telling narratives.
This...along with definitions, testimonies, examples & visual aids are all excellent support materials that I plan to use in future speeches.
7.2- Making sure that our research media sources (i.e. books, magazines, internet & magazines) are credible, reliable & relevant is always important!
8.1- A lot of good information here on Patterns of Organization:
a. Chronological
b. Spatial
c. Topical
d. Narrative
e. Cause & Effect
f. Problem-Solution
g. Monroe's Motivated Sequence- building towards audience acceptance
I am reiterating them above, in an attempt to aid in my remembering them all. I believe that I will be using the Problem-Solution organizational pattern in next week's speech, demonstrating how to fold an origami paper crane.
8.2- Transitions
Ordering-Reinforcing,-Contrasting-Chronology-Causality-Summary
I took notes on the lists of fun transition words!
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Review of Concept in Chapter 7
I had a dear friend who spent most of his adult life traveling and teaching groups about plants, botany and herbal medicine. Each place he visited and spoke, would give him rave reviews and invite him to come back again and again. Each talk would draw a crowd of students young and old who would gather to listen, walk in nature, take notes, learn...to get inspired.
One time, I asked him how it was that so many people would come out to learn a new and challenging subject (lots of Latin, walking, botany, etc.)
He said that he thought it was a desire deep within people to stay connected to the Earth and also a calling to remember and carry forward this more ancient knowledge.
And as a teacher, what he felt made him a success in spite of being an introvert and anxious about public speaking, was knowing his audience and being a good and practiced storyteller.
Chapter 7 has been the most interesting read for me thus far. The concept of sharing a good narrative appeals to me. I've never felt particularly accomplished at this, but always appreciate hearing a well-told story and strive to be better in my own tellings. This class is providing me with an opportunity to do so.
P.S. I highly recommend listening to Toni Morrison's nobel lecture at www.nobelprize.org.
It is a half an hour well spent. Her mastery of voice, inflection, subject matter, time are amazing!
One time, I asked him how it was that so many people would come out to learn a new and challenging subject (lots of Latin, walking, botany, etc.)
He said that he thought it was a desire deep within people to stay connected to the Earth and also a calling to remember and carry forward this more ancient knowledge.
And as a teacher, what he felt made him a success in spite of being an introvert and anxious about public speaking, was knowing his audience and being a good and practiced storyteller.
Chapter 7 has been the most interesting read for me thus far. The concept of sharing a good narrative appeals to me. I've never felt particularly accomplished at this, but always appreciate hearing a well-told story and strive to be better in my own tellings. This class is providing me with an opportunity to do so.
P.S. I highly recommend listening to Toni Morrison's nobel lecture at www.nobelprize.org.
It is a half an hour well spent. Her mastery of voice, inflection, subject matter, time are amazing!
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Chapter 5 Videos
All righty then... here we have two examples of persuasive speeches.
Courtney's 'Light Pollution' speech only shows us the introduction, so it is difficult to know much of anything about what she did right or wrong, or even enough to learn something from that little blip of a video. However in the 28 seconds that we did see, she seemed to have some speaker credibility demonstrated by her dynamic energy & upbeat, conversational tone in addressing the audience. She had an interesting topic and related it to the audience by mentioning other similar topics with which her audience was familiar. And then mentioned that she would give examples to the class on actions they could take personally.
I will come to my next speech with a similar enthusiasm. At some point during this semester, I also will most likely introduce my speech topic using this same problem-solution pattern of organization.
Matthew's speech on the dangers of binge 'Drinking' & of driving while under the influence of alcohol, was persuasive indeed. He kept on topic and had a smooth flow with his use of overhead transparencies. This visual aid helped to illustrate for the audience, the important statistics that he cited. I believe that he got his message across about being a responsible drinker.
He seemed somewhat pained, but I think that was just nerves and/or the somber message that he chose to deliver. He did a good job of staying calm under pressure and in taking his time.
Courtney's 'Light Pollution' speech only shows us the introduction, so it is difficult to know much of anything about what she did right or wrong, or even enough to learn something from that little blip of a video. However in the 28 seconds that we did see, she seemed to have some speaker credibility demonstrated by her dynamic energy & upbeat, conversational tone in addressing the audience. She had an interesting topic and related it to the audience by mentioning other similar topics with which her audience was familiar. And then mentioned that she would give examples to the class on actions they could take personally.
I will come to my next speech with a similar enthusiasm. At some point during this semester, I also will most likely introduce my speech topic using this same problem-solution pattern of organization.
Matthew's speech on the dangers of binge 'Drinking' & of driving while under the influence of alcohol, was persuasive indeed. He kept on topic and had a smooth flow with his use of overhead transparencies. This visual aid helped to illustrate for the audience, the important statistics that he cited. I believe that he got his message across about being a responsible drinker.
He seemed somewhat pained, but I think that was just nerves and/or the somber message that he chose to deliver. He did a good job of staying calm under pressure and in taking his time.
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