Summary & Thoughts of Presentations

SPC2608- First Blog

Isaias Torres

I loved all our presentations, but I wanted to highlight a few that stood out. Group 3 did chapters 9, 10, 11, and 12. These chapters included the importance of beginning and ending a speech, the use of language, presentation usage, and delivery of a speech. Liz pointed out very early that gathering your audience for a speech is vital. This is fundamental in preparing for your speech. Without an audience's attention, you don’t have a speech. You do not want to be speaking to people who are not interested. The first impression and how a person can reach the audience are essential. Learning that the audience must know the purpose early on is critical in setting the tone of the speech. Liz also mentioned the many ways you can start a speech, such as asking a question or speaking about a story related to the speech. These are great ways to start a speech and have your audience connected from the start. The conclusion was explained as well. This is where the introduction can be restated and create closure to the speech. The presenter can also thank the audience for attending the speech. The video that Group 3 presented was terrific and very informative. Jimmy presented chapter 10 about using language effectively in a speech. Jimmy’s explanation about using language correctly was beneficial. Avoiding slang and jargon will help with a speech. This type of speaking is used more during everyday conversations with friends or family but should be avoided for a speech.

Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 5 presentations also explain other parts of what makes up a speech. Amaya explained the credibility of a speech is essential. The speaker must have reliable information and be kind, dependable, dynamic, and capable. Amaya also brings up again the importance of the audience and how they should be the main focus. The speaker should be able to create the feeling they are discussing with the audience to make them feel comfortable and engaged. The audience should always feel that they can be able to ask questions to gather more insight into your speech. Abigail presented the second part of Chapter 1 about speaking effectively in public. You can apply your speaking skills in the classroom, zoom, workplace, community centers, or social events. We also learned that employers look for future employees to have excellent communication skills. Andy had a very wonderful presentation with his chapter. Learning about speech anxiety was interesting. Andy explained that people can have many reasons for their speech anxiety. This can include stress over low knowledge of content, stuttering, fear of the audience asking questions, and fear of how the speaker's presentation was viewed. Preparing for a speech includes being knowledgeable about the content and learning to be comfortable in the setting in which the speech will be conducted. Also, learning and using any technology, such as a microphone or computer, would be very beneficial if setting up a video presentation. Daniel’s presentation on listening is significant as well. When a person is actively listening to a speech or normal conversation, this helps keep the focus on a conversation. There are situations where there might be barriers in a conversation, such as when someone is not interested in a topic, or background noise can prevent a person from taking in any information. Biante’s presentation was on the speaker and audience connection. Biante explained how it is crucial to be able to adapt and relate to your audience. This is essential when trying to create a connection with the audience. Learning the audience's body language and tone can help the speaker adapt to these moments when they occur. A speaker should be ready to answer any questions after concluding a speech. It is important to be level-headed after a speech. Suppose the speaker disagrees with a critique of the speech or some question. In that case, the speaker should always avoid using an angry tone when answering, especially when looking to gain credibility with the audience. Another way to gain credibility with the audience is always to use reliable sources and keep the speech factual. The speaker must gain the trust of the audience. Crystall added some information on adapting to a setting. Learning in advance where exactly the speaker with be presenting the speech and making sure that you are centered in front of the audience is important. In a noisy environment, the speaker must raise their voice to be heard. Situations like this can be avoided by preparing in advance. Maybe the venue can let you practice your speech before the event. This can help prevent any unusual or embarrassing moments. Acknowledging the time with an audience is essential as well. If the speech is held late at night, it would be nice to thank those who attended and apologize for the late meeting. This can show that the speaker understands and appreciates the audience.

These presentations gave great insight into what it takes to create and have a successful speech. There are a few things I heard repeatedly. One of these was the speaker needing to be prepared. Be prepared for yourself, your audience, and any reaction due to your speech. Preparation for a speech can go a long way and avoid any mishaps. These include having reliable sources, staying focused on your content, having a great introduction and conclusion, and understanding your audience. Staying focused on the content is very important. A speaker should never get off topic, which can cause the audience to lose interest in the speech. A great way to keep the audience engaged is by taking questions and being able to answer them with facts and confidence. A speech can be informative and fun as well. All my classmates did a phenomenal job taking charge of their chapter and explaining what makes a speech successful. This has taught me that there is more to a speech than a microphone and a podium. There needs to be a prepared speaker and an engaged audience.