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.