Self Evaluation #3

In the final speech, I felt that I achieved my point to the best of my degree. I spoke openly and candidly in hoped that people would consider my side. I found my self nervous, but I think that overall, in watching the video, I did an adequate job. I could tell that at the beginning I was really nervous. I passed out the diagram relatively fast, and almost forgot about it completely. However, once I started my nerves calmed down, and I was able to focus on the real topic. I knew that from watching my tape, I was still very apprehensive, but I pushed though, speaking at a slower rate, not having to rely on memory and facts. I think that I maintain a good amount of eye contact, spoke loud enough, and articulated my words more slowly. Over all, I think that I improved a lot more than any of my speeches.
After watching the final speech I found that having the cards in my hand distracted me in keeping a normal stance. Instead, I used more hand gestures, which I felt could have been kept at more to a minimum. I know from watching my face, I felt more prepared and ready to finish up strong, however I think I faltered in being as persuasive as I could have been. I ve seen persuasive speakers and I know that its the voice projection and the look. Martin Luther King's famous speech had moments that made me tremble. As a speaker, I think I should work towards having more of a strong presence. Watching my video made me realize that I wasn't as forward as I could have been, though some other aspects turned out much better. I spoke at a softer pitch, and maintained proper posture. I did not shuffle as well. I think in the preparation of my speech, I could have researched more statistics, and cited more sources. I also would have liked to try the problem- solution outline. It might have worked better for my topic. I could have given more room to add facts and information. I wished that I would have more time to recite to make it more flowing rather than choppy. Watching my speech , I would have liked more time to prepare to make it the best that it could have been.
I also noticed that I kept my voice at a good level as well as the degree of eye contact. I do think that other aspects could have been altered. I saw that having my cards in my hands was kind of a safety net, where I didn't have to feel that I was standing in front of a crowd with no other options. The note cards and the excessive use of my hands was unnecessary. I think using your body can be powerful in conveying a messages but over using it becomes a nuisance. Next time I want make sure that my body position and hand gestures are not awkward but helpful. I would rate my eye contact at about an eight simply because I think that I looked at the note cards slightly too much.
Overall, I felt that I used all the tips from the students to improve my final speech and in reviewing all three of them, I believe that this was the best one. I didn't shuffle, or utter the word "um", and I didn't get stuck like the last speech. I was able to maintain my composure and deliver with a few mistakes than before. I felt as though this speech was more easy flowing, and better composed. I worked diligently on the outline in order to make sure that it met all requirements. I mentioned all 5 citation/ sources, and made sure not to freeze like the past speech. I believe that this was the best speech simply because I incorporated all tips from both students and professor in order to deliver the best speech possible.

My Favorite Part of the Class

This class was defiantly very helpful. I never noticed how speakers articulated words, or even gestures, but reading and seeing videos opened up my eyes to a side of communication that I have never seen. This class forced me to not only express myself, but truly pushed my composition tactics. I had never before given any thought to how speeches were assembles and for the first time, I learned about what should be In a speech and how to make people persuade, and learn from a presentation. I am going to take all that I have learned about the outline composition process, and the actual presentation as a speaker. I find myself using words that are more expressive than simply saying words like "um". I want to articulate myself in a way that is formal and expressive. Learning about the importance of facts, I think, is huge. It defiantly goes a long way to use facts and validate the point you are trying to make. I also think the looking people in the eyes, maintaining good posture, and using gestures to some extent, makes all the difference in the world. I cant express how much I ve learned over the course of this semester.I think that with every speech, my skill improved tremendously, and I can only hope that I will continue to get better.

Informative Speech

The informative speech was my absolute favorite. I think that is was my favorite because expressing my own liking of a certain topics has always been easy. For most of us, feeling comfortable is best when we talk about something or someone was are passionate about. I felt that being able to speak about my own passion is so much easier than demonstrating or even persuading. I felt that persuading is a lot more difficult but talking about a person that I find influential is much less of a task. The informative speech was also fun research about and piece together. I had a lot more fun in not having to show something with my hands but express my liking to a topic of some sort. I also enjoyed hearing about other people and their topics and what in a sense fueled their passion. For any one, I think talking about something that the speaker is knowledgeable makes it easier to feel calmer and less nervous.

Concepts

In preparing for the speech I felt that the most important concepts were organizational patterns as well as the different tactics that followed the different speeches. I think that having resources that allow you to prepare credibility, sources, and facts makes it easier to prove a point efficiently. I also thought that all of the information on the videos on maintaining eye contact as well as proper posture makes a lot of difference. Avoiding common phrases was a really good tip for preparing my speech. Also keeping in mind the different components of what a speech should have was really helpful for me. I ve never had to demonstrate, nor persuade anyone but having to understand what makes a good speech made me push myself as a writer and speaker. I think that of the many things that I learned, having to present and incorporate all the aspects have pushed me to not only improve my speaking skills, as well as learning to point out good aspects in different speakers. From what I learned in composing a good speech, I have found myself applying it to everyday life, especially when i have to validate a point. I think that learning about fact and the different types of credibility made me really try hard to incorporate those aspects into different speeches, or even simple dialogue.

videos 15.1

Watching the video, I found that both used evidence to support their claims. They also validated their data by saying that they have researched the topics extensively. The persuasive speech for home schooling uses several statistical data to persuade the audience and show the increase in school violence. The video uses several examples as to why it a better choice and more of an advantage for the demands of the school system. Her statistical data also helps prove that children that are home schooled are more likely to get more on-on time, as well as the most amount spent at school. Her evidence makes her point seem more and more true. She seems to be using evidence and alto of statistical data to prove her perspective on school tactics. I think that the way that she used the evidence helped her point seem more valid. When a speaker does that, they are defiantly using good persuasive tactics in her speech.
The second persuasive speech does many of the same things against home schooling. I like how he used rhetorical questions that help add to his point. His form, as well as main points helps prove his point. His conclusion, I noticed was very strong and reassed his claim, further emphasizing that "home schooling" is not the answer. I do think that both did an exceptional job in proving their points effectively.

Using Evidence Effectively

I found that chapter 15 talked about how to use evidence effectively, and in doing so, the audience will know how valid, and creditable the speech is. There are four types of forms of presenting evidence. Ethos has to do with the speakers credibility and focuses on referencing on own experiences. Pathos is emotional proof, and often uses motions such as humor in a story. Mythos refers to cultural beliefs and values, on example is using such stories as a well known fable. The final example is logos, which provides more statistical data. Logos mostly appeals to logical data is the most persuasive type when trying to make people side with your opinion. Ethos asserts how the audience perceives you. This has an impact on the validity of the speech. If people think that your speech is invalid, than it is mostly likely will not engage the audience from the start. To some extant, I think that asserting yourself as an expert on the topic is what will win over the audience in trusting you on the topic. I think that for my speech, I want to be able to use a majority of the types of evidences to assert that I am confident in what I am talking about. Reading about all the different types makes me want to use all the information and apply it accordingly so that people trust my judgement.

Trying to Persuade

Being 18 an living with parents, you definitely have to be able to use persuasive skills to get permission to do anything. For example, the idea of a tattoo. Everyone wants one, but so many of us have parents that are not willing to comply with our decisions. Despite being legal, I had to persuade my parents to allow me to get one. Its a really difficult topic to elaborate on, but with the right about of evidence, and a clear and cohesive answer as to why i should get one, my parents did ease up. It scary to have to persuade someone with such a made up mind, regardless of the topic. The one thing that is important to remember, is to always try to have enough amount of facts, that allows the person being persuade to feel as though you are informed, and know that you have enough details to make the decision. I take into account what my parents say, but most importantly, I care about their opinion. I also know what I want, and even though we might have differing opinion, having and knowing enough factual evidence on any topic will make me seem more responsible, and informative. I noticed that in any speech, it is important to know much about the topic, and have enough to rebuttle.