Week 10/26-11/1 #2

Question: Speech Buddy: Review the following Interactive Videos, 11.1 and 11.2 on the Interactive Video Website. Respond to the ideas in the videos. What did you learn that could be helpful in your next speech?

After watching the speech buddy videos, 11.1 and 11.2 about using visuals in a speech, I feel that I have a more developed knowledge on how to put together and even deliver my speech with visuals. In the speech buddy video 11.1 they discussed the importance of making powerpoint slides simple, and this is something I was take under consideration. From hearing many different speeches in my lifetime with powerpoints I could see where some individuals have lacked on this aspect of simplicity. From having slides that are too overwhelming I would tune out a speaker on occasions, or even tune them out all together.

From the speech buddy video 11.2 I witnessed different variations of visuals and how to utilize them. My favorite type of visual is the powerpoint, simply because I feel i can make it look the cleanest out of any other type. The other kind of visual I would consider using would have to be the large posters, as used in the speech about “eye chips”. I think this method is also effective because it’s big enough for the audience to see, a speaker will just have to make all pictures or words large enough. Overall, from both speech buddy video’s I have learned that when it comes to creating visuals one must make them simple and large enough for the audience to see.

Self-Evaluation Assignment #2

Comparing my demonstration and informative speech, I can say that there was a massive improvement in many different angles, but there were also some downfalls that I wish to fix in my upcoming persuasive speech. I feel that in this speech I did get my purpose across to my audience just as well as my previous demo speech. Overall my comfort level has improved, I believe that since that the demo speech was my first delivery to the class I was not aware of the atmosphere the class was set for each other. I now know that our class has set a mood that is accepting to all levels of public speaking, and that I won’t over exaggerate if I mess up on an aspect of my speech. Of course, if I were to have time to go back and fix what I felt I did wrong with my speech, I would have practiced my structure more. I wish I did not say the word “um” as much. I think it’s a habit that I develop when I feel unprepared, so the way I could eliminate this is if I were to practice and bring up my confidence in my information overall. In addition, I think I would have practiced so much to the point where I felt comfortable without note cards. In the past, I was someone who used to lead my military class, and I would not facilitate events with note cards. I feel that if I were to have note cards in my hands then I would just have someone else to take away from my eye contact with my audience. That’s exactly what it’s doing in public speaking. This is my goal for my persuasive speech, to not have note cards to act as a safety net. Specifically, I think my organization and transitions were a lot better on this speech then the last. I believe it was because I had a powerpoint to go off of. Although I did improve, I feel that I did equally as bad on my pauses. Looking at my note cards is a large problem that I have, I hope to fix it in my next speech by not using note cards. Overall, I would rate my eye contact with my audience as a 7. I still felt like I looked at my note cards too much. I would have given my performance a B-/C+ grade. I feel that I did improve for the last time, but not drastically enough to the point where I would be out of the C range. This is because some of the problems that I had in the past speech were repeated in this last one. I feel that it wasn’t much of an improvement if I repeated past mistakes. I added in all 4 of my verbal citations. I know I improved on this aspect of my speech because last time I only mentioned one source. All in all my speech compared to last time improved and I feel content with my last performance, but I still have much to improve on to make my speeches into A material.

week 10/26-11/1 #1

Question: Reflect on a public speaking event that you have attended recently, or one that you recall particularly well, in which the speaker used presentation media. How effective was the speaker's use of presentation media? How did the media add to the speech? Were there ways in which the presentation media distracted from the speech? How might the speaker have improved his or her use of the presentation media?


The last public speaking event that I attended was during the spring semester of 2008. I am in a sorority so it is mandatory for all Greeks to attend informative events where a guest speaker will talk about a topic relating to a students success in college. In particular, I remember this one about a college student’s diet and the unfortunate results that can happen to a student that does not take care of his or her diet. Throughout the speech I was floating in and out of focus. This is because the public speakers setting was in a large room with only a few number of students. This caused a large gap between the speaker and the audience. As for a visual aid, the speaker did not use anything that would be appropriate for the large room she was supplied with. Instead, she brought papers that she held up (containing charts, statistics, facts, etc). To my misfortune I was not close enough to the speaker to notice what she was trying to present to us. This caused me to tune out the speaker even more, because I was trying to read what was on her posters but wasn’t able to make them out. By the time I finally gave up I was not on the same page with the speaker any longer, I had taken too long to understand the posters. The piece of advice that I would have given the speaker would be to know what kind of resources she would be provided with. For example, a projection screen and a computer - she did not know this source was widely available to her.

Discussion week 8, #1

From the book I learned about many components that belong in an introduction and conclusion for a speech. The components include, primary effect, attention getter, indicating your purpose and thesis, establishing credibility, and previewing all the main points that a speaker is going to cover. For the conclusion the components are, reviewing your main points, reinforce the purpose, and providing closure to your audience. With both the introduction and conclusion you preview the main points in your speech, I think that is very important because at any point if your spectator loses you, for any reason, the previewing and reviewing the main points is vital for the life of the speech. Along with listing points for a speech, the thesis is very important. It is the heart and soul of your speech, and everything that is asked for question will sprout directing from your thesis. Thesis is the most important, because everything else revolves around supporting your thesis and making sure its credible.

Facts and Stats. #1

Question: When do you find facts and statistics are most effective in a speech? When are facts and statistics not as effective?


Throughout my whole life, I’ve listened to many speeches and come across speakers who use data effectively and not so effectively. I have come around to learn how statistics and facts can be used to create a strong foundation for a speech, and on the other hand when it can be used and be totally invalid. I believe that when a speaker is giving an informative speech and persuasive, it would be the best time to bring in statistics on a subject. For example, if your trying to convince teenagers that smoking is bad for them, an individual can give statistics on how many teenagers who smoke have lung cancer in their adult years. Although, statistics and facts could be used in situations where they are not so useful. When giving a speech on a personal experience sometimes statistics and facts wouldn’t be necessary in your speech, since all the important information is coming from you.

Self Evaluation #1

After watching my video from our demonstration speech, I was taken back by some of the things that I did. While your actually presenting your speech, you sometimes feel as if your doing fine, or you don’t think some of the mistakes you do are as noticeable as they really are. I noticed that for myself in some cases. For instance, the amount of times I looked at my cards was a great amount of time. during the speech, I didn’t feel as if I did look at the note cards as much, but I can see that I did after watching the video. I believe when I know I have something to look at I feel like I have something that I can rely on. it’s a safety net. Usually when I make public speeches I don’t make long pauses simply because everything is coming from the top of my head and I’m not too busy relying or focusing my attention on something else. This is what I will try to tackle on improving in my next speech.

One thing I did notice that I did well with was keeping my voice loud enough so the whole audience could hear. I feel that since I was projecting my voice, I must have felt comfortable up in front of the class. Although, I seemed comfortable with myself, another thing I did poorly on was verbally citing all my sources. I was giving a decent speech but with nothing to support what I was saying meant nothing. I said one source throughout my speech. This is something I must fix on my next presentation. I’m planning on looked up many books and magazine articles about my topic.

If I were to rank my eye contact with audience as well from a one to a ten, it would have to be a 6. I believe I didn’t do totally horrible, but there is definitely area’s where I can improve on: eye contact being one of them. Another thing I wish I could have done instead was place myself in front of the table rather standing behind it. My speech was about setting a volleyball, I should have just stayed in front so I could effectively set the ball. I found myself going back and forth during the speech.

I also think that based on all that I stated just now and what I have though about personally, I would give myself a grade of a B- or C+. I believe sighting your sources are very important to establish credibility, and not having long pauses don’t deserve to be considered anything above B-. A person who does not look at their note cards constantly also deserves something above that grade. I think with better preparation (practicing more out loud) will solve my problem. In addition, I plan on practicing in front of a mirror to see what my body language is telling me. I want to look like I’m more interested in my speech. Hopefully I could get the audience more into my speech then I did last time.