Self Evaluation #3

Speeches are always stressful in the beginning. For this last speech, the persuasive speech I realized I was lot more nervous than ever before. Although, I was really nervous feel my purpose was achieved. The feed back I received from the audience showed that they were persuaded. I think what could have made the purpose more achieved is if I had put more facts into the speech. The feedback I got from the audience was good though. They said that they liked the solutions and they were persuaded.

During the speech I was not comfortable at all. I was not confident in what I was saying. My mind was caught up in not being about to remember the information. I was even nauseous before I went up to speak to everyone. I think difference of this speech and the others was that I went close to the end and that meant that the more I sat and had to wait, the more anxious I became. The first speeches I went near the beginning so it made it easier to get up there after having practiced on the drive to school and a little before that. My pep talks to myself were still alive in me but having to wait and constantly playing over what might go wrong really hurt my score and deliverance this time.

If I had to do it again, the changes I would make in preparation would be to practice in front of people a couple of times and different groups of people too. I think that is what helped me for the first speech. I had practiced in front of my sister a couple of times and that gave me a chance to see her reaction to what I was saying. It was either she was not paying attention, which meant I was not doing a good job of making it interesting and then the time when she would make eye contact with me with a look of concern , meaning she was listening. So the changes would be in preparation and practice.
For organization, I would do more research on the choices of my solution and for delivery, I would say that would make more eye contact with my audience, smile when talking about the solution and get them excited about it. I remember I had done that for the informative speech, I got really excited about telling how incense were made and I could see that the audience got a little interested as well. So showing the right kind of emotion for each moment in the speech. For example if I were doing the part on facts, I would be more serious but then as I go into solution and action I would smile and speak a little faster with energy.

One of things I found myself doing was moving from side to side a bit and I thought that was distracting to the audience. This was not an improvement from my last speech because I was very nervous going near the end. If I were to rate my eye contact I would say it was about a six or seven. I wish I had looked more at the audience but I was nervous when I would look at someone, I would forget my next line. I was shocked at how nervous I was this time compared to the last two times. If I were to grade myself I would have given myself a B because I done all the information part correctly but I slipped a bit in the delivering part. I did make eye contact, project my voice and have a visual for the audience but just not making enough eye contact took some points away.

Compared to my last two speeches, I would say in deliverance, this speech was not the best of what I could do if I had practiced more. I do think the challenge of the organization might have thrown me off a little but on the contrary I think my outline was fairly better than the rest of my other outlines. In my speech I think I mention three sources which I could have done a better job with too because I did have a lot of facts and reference but I just did not incorporate it in my speech. Looking back on all three speeches I think I did best on the first speech, the informative because I practiced a lot and did everything I could possible to be prepared. I remembered to be enthusiastic about it and have a purpose going in. the last two I practiced but not enough to do an excellent job. I was very proud of the first one and I wish that I could see the improvement. I think the area in which I feel like most improved in was the writing and researching part. I finally understand how to write a proper outline, which am very proud of. This was a gret learning experience and will carry all that I have learned in public speaking and organization to the next level in every opportunity that comes way.

future endeavors

I think ill be taking a lot from this class. First, being that online classes are more tough than one thinks. I thought it would be easy doing the blogs and the assignments but its tough keeping track and when to go on. I started slipping after the third week and it kind of has been downhill after that. Secondly, do research early so that you have time to plan and practice. Thirdly, remember to breathe and do the breathing exercises. Overall, I learned about organization and keeping on track. This semester I tried many new things and learned a lot about myself as a public speaker and as a student.

Favorite Speech. Why?

The Actuative Speech was my favorite one especially because I was given the opportunity to come up with my own solution to the issue. I learned quite a bit on doing background research as well. Another reason why I liked it was because the outline process made sense to me and I was able to turn it in on time. But in delivering the speech, I would have to say my favorite speech was the first one which as the Informative Speech. I was most prepared, I was confident in what I was telling the class and I made the most I contact in that one. I guess I was comfortable with information and what I was saying.

recent discussion

Recently, I have tried to get my sister to go out with me. She has been really stressing about school and hardly ever gives herself anytime to relax and just breath. So I tried to convince her to come with me to Santana Row and walk around a bit. I used deductive reasoning to persuade her. I told her, you have been over worked and that is why you are stressed. Therefore you should go out and wine down a bit. It went over pretty well. I drove her there and we walked for about thirty minutes, sat on a bench, had some frozen yogurt and chatted it up.

concept- ch15

In chapter 15 on Understanding Arguments, I found the sections on claims very interesting and helpful. The book discusses that there are two types of claims: premise and conclusion. Premises are reasons that support the conclusion and the conclusion is the main position on the issue that the speaker stands for. It reminded me of an essay, you have your body paragraphs where you state reasons to support your thesis and in this case the thesis is the conclusion. I found that words the book suggests to be use very helpful as well because it signals the premises. For example, because, on account of, and due to. For the conclusion, the book suggests using words like, thus, therefore, and accordingly. The section on phrasing claims was also useful. The book talks about other words that can help the audience be less defensive like, probably, likely, usually, and often. These words are called qualifiers because they make it more reasonable to the audience. I often have a hard time wording my sentences so that they all link together. I think using most of these words will help better my speeches.

Immersed in a sea of persuasion

I think everyday we are put in situations where we are trying to be persuaded into doing something or trying to persuade others. It can be in anything and anywhere, at the mall, social outings, school, and media. Some examples of persuasive messages are in book reviews, either persuading readers to buy or not buy the book. It could be mobile phone kiosk reps who try to sell the phones to passing shoppers. Another example would be environmental advertisements encouraging people to recycle. To become a more critical consumer, it is important to know face from inferences; if the sources are reliable; the arguer’s facts and ideas should be sound and have credible evidence. It is said that facts and statistics are important but better persuasion has testimonies, definitions, and narratives.

Concept- ch14

I thought the section on the apathetic audience to be very interesting. For apathetic audiences, the book dicusses the ways you can deal with that kind of audience. This type of audience usually knows of the topic but doesn’t feel it applies to them. So it is important to make a connection between the topic and the audience. There are four things the speaker must do and they are to: get the their attention and make them care about the issue, show how the issue will effect them, the speaker should display passion for the topic with a lot of energy, and lastly emphasize on a main idea that relates to why the audience should be concerned. This section to me is important because when I speak to people about any topic, I think most of the time they will be familiar with it but might not care, so this section helps me understand what I need to do when im in front of this type of audience.