Self Evaluation

Self Evaluation 1: How to Make a Caesar Salad

After completing the first presentation in front of class, I felt an array of different emotions. Both excited and relieved, I could not help but experience a rush of adrenaline as I concluded my demonstration. Like most of my fellow classmates, I was very nervous, however. All my classmates were very encouraging as well as welcoming. I fell like through out my speech, there were good aspects, as well as habits that could have been broken or improved. .
In watching my video, I learned that I did educate my audience on my three major points. Though I did reach my general purpose, I definitely feel that there are several improvements that could have been made. I did feel prepared because of the multiple times that I reviewed both my demonstration and speech, however. I felt as though by doing so, I simply over thought the entire demonstration. I think that my speech could have been less rehearsed and more real. After watching my video, I think that the way that I delivered my speech could have been more realistic and less rehearsed. Being in front of a crowd was both exhilarating and easy. I felt relaxed and I definitely felt that I did maintained eye contact through out the entire presentation. With a rush of different emotions, I did feel a bit nervous, and said a couple of unnecessary words such as “um”. I not only want to improve that aspect in my speech, but omit it from my vocabulary. I think that there were definite occasions that I felt very comfortable and enjoyed the public speaking process. This I noticed in my video. The only times that I felt most nervous was when my demonstration strayed away from the instruction s. This can definitely happen when conducting a demonstrative speech, and after practicing without any errors, coming upon a unexpected incident did shake my nerves. I did contort my face, and felt a rush of nervousness. In my next speech, I will be more aware of my surroundings. I was able to learn from this mistake, and use my energy to remain calm. Instead of thinking out loud, I need to remember to smile and know that not everyone is able to sense my nervousness.
The content for my speech could have been improved. I could have avoided the use of the word “um” by not only being more aware of my bad habit, but also talking more slowly in my speech. The use of the word “um” derives from a nervous pause. Next time, If I choose to take a pause I want to make sure that practice good breathing techniques. Slowing down is also helpful in that it will force me to manage my time in order to fit the assigned time frame. I noticed that I used my hands, which could be limited and easily avoided. I think that the overall delivery was adequate but needed to be slower. For my next speech I want to seem more at ease and not so mechanical. After watching my speech for the first time I felt as though it were to rehearsed. I really want my audience to feel as though I am comfortable. I felt that in watching my presentation, I was very dependent on my body, meaning that I used my hands. I need to make sure that I maintain a good posture and avoid overly using my body. I want to make sure to control my body and maintain any movement such as moving from side to side. In doing so I feel that my presentation will not be distracting but more formal.
Besides not focusing on my demonstration I felt that I maintained good eye contact. I feel that I scanned the room accordingly, but could have looked up when I demonstrated how to make the salad dressing. I think that maintaining eye contact was’nt as difficult. In fact, I felt most comfortable when addressing my audience. I think based on a scale from 1-10 my eye contact could receive an 8. Overall I felt that my voice projection as well as eye contact remained constant. I also sited all four of my sources through out the speech. This I made sure not to forget. For my next presentation, I want to strive to have overall good eye contact and remain confident in my speaking abilities.
This demonstrative speech allowed me to work on my speaking skills. I feel that my overall grade should be B+ for the simple fact that there were few instances were I did not keep my head up , and reacted in part from my nervousness. I want to continue perfecting my speaking skill, and improve immensely. Watching my video playback was very helpful, allowing me to find constructive ways to improve my speaking abilities. I cant wait for the next one.