Future Endeavors

From this class I will take a little bit of experience speech writing and talking in front of an audience, and a whole lot of confidence. I cant believe the difference in my confidence level from the beginning of class until now. I really like how we started with topics that were more comfortable to us that allowed us to work on our speaking confience. By the time we got to the informative and persuasive speeches I felt like I could tackle more complex topics. I am a talker and have learned in this class how to organize my speech to make it more effective and have time control. The outlines helped me to develop my speech pattern to deliver the most pertinent information and not get sidetracked, which could confuse my audience and cause me to run out of time. I feel that I am a better speaker, with a lot less ums and fidgeting than when I started, which will help me be successful in my future endeavors.

Concepts for preparing my speeches

The concepts I  found to be most helpful in preparing my speeches were getting to know your audience, finding a common ground, and the importance of thorough research. Knowing your audience was particularly helpful because it really makes you think about who your speaking to. By doing this I can customize my speech and the wording I use to have a more successful speech. Not everyone receives information the same so this concept was very helpful to me. Finding common ground was a very helpful concept for me that works with all types of speeches, not just persuasive. With my informative speech I also needed to establish common ground for the people who might not believe in global warming or climate change. If common ground is established then my audience might be more open to listen to the information I am speaking about. The importance of being thorough in my research, especially making sure I have the most up to date statistics, was very helpful. This is particularly true for my persuasive speech because it involved laws that change and vary from state to state, as well as numbers.

My favorite speech

My favorite speech would probably be the demo speech. Although the informational and persuasive speeches were topics I was more passionate about, I had fun with the demo speech. I like teaching people how to do things, so this was right up my alley. Additionally I have an extensive amount of personal experience with the topic I chose for the demo so I was very comfortable. I think when you really feel like the expert on the topic the comfort level increases greatly. For me, I know that I have so much knowledge and experience on my topic that it was easier to speak comfortable and fluidly. I fully researched my other topics as well but the topics were a little more on the serious side. I actually enjoyed all of the speeches once they were over. I liked researching the topics and putting together the presentations. The worst part was the anxiety at the beginning of the speeches and the pressure to stay on time with such a short time limit.

Evidence

The topic I chose to focus on this week was evidence. Evidence is something I think is very important, especially in persuasive and informative speeches; it is also something I seem to fail to incorporate fully into my speeches. I do the research making sure to find the most currant and relevant information from credible sources and try to use a variety of  diverse sources. I may have five or six sources, but once I start speaking I'm lucky if I verbally site one or two of them. I think I get caught up trying to deliver all of the information and forget just how important evidence is to the audience in supporting my claims. With out siting my sources, the audience has to take my word for it. If I use my evidence properly I will appear more credible and have a more successful speech. This is something I intend to really work on for my persuasive speech.

Speech Buddies - Homeschool

The speech buddy videos this week were helpful to identifying some successful ways of being persuasive and some not so successful methods. By paying attention to not only what is being said, but also how it is being said, I notice a difference in the impact it has on my as an audience member. Both Dixie and Robert seemed to be well informed. In my opinion Robert seemed a bit more credible than Dixie due to the methods he used. Some of the tactics Dixie used actually had an opposite effect. When Dixie was trying to prove her point by bashing public schools it turned me off some because you can't discredit all public schools in blanket statements like that  and not expect to alienate some people. Many people, such as my self, had great experiences with public school and turned out just fine. When trying to be persuasive it is important not to bash the other side, but to focus on why your opinions are valid and a better choice.

Reflection

Reflecting on a recent discussion I have had in which I tried to persuade my teenage son that it is unsafe for him to be driving around at night. I used example reasoning along with statistics to try to prove my point logically. I used a presentation media to support my point of view in the form of a state farm video that had stories from other teens regarding he dangers of driving at night, with friends, speeding etc. One of the main points was that teens are far more likely to have fatal accidents at night and when other friends are riding along. I think the examples and real life stories had a deeper impact on both his logical and emotional reasoning than if I were just nagging him as Moms tend to do. Over all I think my persuasive conversation was successful. Although I can't expect that he wont be out driving at night, my point was to make him aware so he will be more cautious of not only his driving but others as well. He also understands why I want him in before the bars and clubs close when people are more likely to be out drinking and driving or riding with friends that might cause distractions.

Understanding How to Reach Your Audience Effectively

Of the five common audience types discussed in this weeks reading, I think a negative or a divided audience would be the most difficult to deliver a successful persuasive speech to. With a negative audience a speaker would need to be extremely prepared, having done their research in depth on both sides of the issue. In order for a negative audience to even hear what they speaker has to say, he or she would need to establish credibility and find common ground quickly. If a negative audience does not view the speaker as being credible, they will not only not listen, but it will reinforce their position on the opposing side of the issue. In addition to being credible, the best way to get someone who opposes your position to be open enough to be persuaded is to find a common ground and build on it. With a divided audience, both of these points are still a must, however you have to be more aware and careful not to alienate either side.

Monroe's Motivated Sequence and the Problem/Solution organizational pattern

Monroe's Motivated Sequence was designed by Purdue University Professor, Alan Monroe. The sequence consists of five steps designed to use the psychology of persuasion to develop a persuasive speech. Step one: get attention; this step is part of your introduction. It can be a joke, story, or other attention getter to grab the attention of your audience. Step two: establish the need; this can be done by showing the audience how an issue directly affects them. Step three: satisfy the need; this is where you introduce your solution to the issue. Step four: visualize the future; this is where the speaker paints a picture of what the outcome is by not taking action and how much better it is if they do. Step five: Action/actualization; this is the final part of the speech where you leave the audience with instructions of how they can make a difference. The problem/solution organizational pattern has less steps but is equally effective when presented correctly. With this speech pattern you present the problem to the audience by explaining it in detail and giving proof. Once the audience is convinced there is a problem the speaker can then offer the solution. It is important to be specific and show practicality so people leave knowing what they can do about it. I think this is the type of pattern I will use for my final speech topic. The issue I will be discussing will be more effective if addressed using the Problem/Solution organizational pattern.

Sea of Persuasion

I would have to say that I am immersed pretty deep in a sea of persuasion. From the moment I wake up my children are trying to persuade me about what they can wear to school, eat for breakfast, etc. When I start driving I see billboards along the road telling me I need something or to vote for someone. I turn on the radio to hear advertisements or talk radio trying to persuade me to see their view point on a subject. When I get to work I open my email and am swarmed with news emails, which are usually bias in some way. In my personal email I am constantly receiving emails with special savings today only! My customers are usually trying to persuade me to make arrangements on their account in some way. When I go home to relax, you guessed it tv commercials and bias news programs. It is hard to resist all persuasion that comes from people and media. To be a more critical consumer I weigh my options before making purchases. I make sure I am informed and not buying on impulse.

Personalize your language

I this weeks reading, the idea of personalizing your language to your audience really stuck with me. Personalizing your language is one of the five strategies in developing audience centered language for your speech. If I think about speaking to a group of young people, teenagers for example, I might use some slang terms to appear more credible to that particular audience. On the other hand, if I am speaking speaking at a professional function or to an older audience, it would be better to avoid slang as these types of audiences might take it as unprofessional or uneducated. The concept of personalizing your language is crucial to a successful speech. Instead of following blanket rules such as no slang or acronyms, I think you should first consider your audience. To one audience certain verbiage might be offensive but an audience of a different age group, or gender, or culture might appreciate it.

Speech Buddies 10 & 12

By watching the speech buddy videos I learned more about the importance of proper speech while giving a speech. When speaking to an audience, one needs to not only be conscious of what they are saying, but also how they are saying it. If you make a statement using slang, you might not sound as credible as you would using correct terminology. If you make a statement using correct terminology but you have several uhms in between words, or do not make eye contact, or are fidgeting, you may not appear as credible as if you deliver the words with confidence. Speech and language can be tricky, especially when talking to a mixed group of people. Generation gaps could completely change the meaning of a word or phrase. What I think will be the most helpful in my speech is trying to refrain from using uhm when ever possible and remembering to use correct terminology so I sound more professional and less like a casual conversation.

Sexist Language

After reading the flicker post, I have to say I agree with some of the points and disagree with others. I like the response of Dancing Deer Photography. I am not sensitive to the use of girl versus woman, etc. I don't think it is demeaning to refer to a woman as a girl or man as a boy unless you are using it in the context where you are insinuating they are behaving as a child. I have many friends that might say hey girl, girlie, chic, lady, etc. It really makes no difference to me. While that is my opinion, it obviously matters to some people, eye eye eye for example. When speaking to an audience it is important to know who you are speaking to and try to refrain from using any words that may come across sexist or offensive in any way. Because we live in such a diverse country, it can be challenging to know the correct terms in an ever changing politically correct society. I can't help but think of the movie Bullworth when discussing this topic. While he may have alienated some of his supporters with his use of slang and sexist remarks, he gained a whole new fan base. I think when all is said and done, if you know your audience and know your topic, you should be ok.

Self Evaluation 2

In the informative speech I feel like I achieved the purpose of my speech, which was to inform the audience of the destruction of coral reefs and what is being done about it. I felt more comfortable and confident during this speech, however I tend to get caught up discussing the issue and forget to site all of the sources I used. I was happy that I was able to stay on time during this speech. If I had it to do over again, I would bring a pointer so I wouldn't have to turn and point at the power point. I might also have tried to play with the powerpoint a little more and figure out how to have the pictures pop in one at a time, that way I wouldn't have to point either. Although it is technically  delivery issue, it goes into the preparation and organization of the speech as well. The one goal I have for improving the content in my next speech is to make better use of my sources. By incorporating the sources into my presentation more it will give more credibility to my topic. The one goal I have for my delivery next speech is to make better eye contact with the audience by turning around and pointing at my powerpoint presentation less. I think I can easily make this adjustment by purchasing a pointer or clicker to use with my presentation media. The thing that was specifically different this speech from my last speech was my timing. I split up my time among my main points so as to stay on time and have better flow overall. I think that was a good approach for me. The bad thing that was different this time was tuning away from the audience as I was trying to fully incorporate my slide show, which ended up detracting a bit from my delivery. I felt like I had a better connection to the audience in the las speech, however I felt like my content was better in this speech. Turning away from the audience, even though it was to point at specific photos that illustrated my point, was distracting. The improvement from my las speech as far as distractions go is I didn't fidget with my hands as much. I would rate my eye contact at about a 6. While I was facing the audience, I made good eye contact, however turning away from the audience to point at specific photos was not the best way to present the material. Overall I fell like I deserve a B on the informative speech. I did the research, put together what I think was a good powerpoint presentation, rehearsed, and stayed on time, however I verbally sited only two or three of my sources and I didn't have all the tools I should have had for my slide show. Overall I think this speech was more successful than my last speech. I think I am feeling more confident going in which helps tremendously.

Smiplicity

One thing that stood out to me in this weeks reading was about when using presentation media to keep it simple. The goal of presentation media is to enhance your speech, not the other way around. If your powerpoint or other material you are using is to involved or cluttered you could potentially loose or confuse your audience. I have been an audience member at speeches where the media was either jumbled or full of words, to the point wher I was trying to read everything and found myself tuning out the speaker. I think bullet points can sometimes be useful to help a speaker stay on topic or identify something on the slide for the audience. When you put full sentences or paragraphs in your slideshow, the audience cannot fully concentrate on both the speaker and reading at the same time. Additionally many of the presentations I have seen like this, the speaker ends up just reading the slides. The speeches usually either end up confusing or boring.

Ethical Responsibility When Developing Presentation Media

When using visual and audio files, it is the speaker's responsibility to verify the media is accurate. If something is digitally altered it should only be for restorative or quality purposes. Images should not be altered to enhance to speakers stance on an issue or falsify data. This goes to the speaker’s credibility and over all accuracy of the speech. Additionally presentation media should be up to date and not taken out of context, such as a partial recording. When you take something out of context to prove a point, it will come back to haunt you eventually. If a member of the audience has knowledge on the topic, they may call you on it and destroy your credibility. Once that happens, your audience will become fully disengaged as they will not be able to trust you are providing them with accurate information. Digital media should be used to enhance your speech but should never be altered to falsify information. A speaker should always be mindful of their audience and be sure presentation media used for the speech is appropriate for the setting.

Recent Speech

Recently I attended a speech on power theft given by representatives of a local utility company. The speaker used presentation media in the form of power point. The speaker's use of the presentation media was well done in my opinion. He used the slides to transition between main points. He also used photos to illustrate technical examples for things that the common person may not know. The media added to the presentation by giving great visuals for events that occurred. Parts of the presentation media detracted from the speech by having old photos that were out dated, such as old style meters that are no longer used. It would be more effective to have changed out those slides with updated photos and examples. Although the speech went smoothly, the speaker might have improved his use of presentation media by not only updating the photos, but also organizing the slides in the appropriate order for better flow. There was one small part of the speech where he was talking about a particular panel and had to forward through a couple of slides, then had to back track. It wasn't a big deal, but it detracts from the organization of the speech and might make a less experienced speaker loose his/her train of thought.

Speech Buddies 9/13

The speech buddy videos were very helpful in seeing not only the importance of a good introduction and conclusion, but also creative ways of opening a speech. Some of the techniques used for introducing a speech, such as a story, was a good way to draw the audience in and provoke thought. For my speech, I think I might incorporate statistics into the opening statement of my introduction.I am hoping the statistics will be shocking enough to be an attention getter and grab the audiences attention. I think if people are interested in what is being spoken about, the will be more attentive to the speaker. The challenge for me will be to inform the audience without trying to persuade them. I think the speech buddies help make the information in the text book come alive so to speak. The videos reinforce the importance of having all the components of an introduction and conclusion along with a structured mid section filled with clear main points.

intro/conclusion

According to the book there are several components that go into an introduction and a conclusion for an informative speech. The introduction must get the attention of the audience, indicate the purpose of the speech and thesis, establish credibility, and preview the main points of the speech. In my speech I will use these components in my introduction: Coral reefs are the largest structures of biological origin on planet Earth; sadly one third of reef building corals are facing extinction (attention getter). Today I would like to inform you of the importance of coral reefs, some of the reasons we are loosing these amazing ecosystems and what is being done about it (purpose of the speech/thesis). The author of the article, "1/3 of reef-bulding corals face extinction" addresses the issues that are identified to be the main threats to corals which include "climate change and localized stress resulting from destructive fishing, declining water quality from pollution, and the degradation of coastal habitats," today we will discuss these issues along with what efforts are being made to prevent extinction (credibility and preview of main points).
The conclusion must include a review of the main points, reinforce the purpose of the speech, and provide closure. I will use these components in my conclusion:
To review, we have talked about coral reefs and the main causes for their extinction, including, climate change and localized stress resulting from destructive fishing, declining water quality from pollution, the degradation of coastal habitats, along with what efforts are being made to prevent extinction (review of main points). The purpose of this speech was to inform you of the importance of coral reefs, how they are being threatened and some of the efforts being made to save these habitats (reinforce the purpose and provide closure.)

Concept of Organizational Patterns for Informative Speeches

Different organizational patterns can be used when putting together your informative speech to ensure successful delivery. If you are speaking about a topic that has developed over a period of time or has stages, then you may want to consider using the chronological pattern. With this type of pattern you would usually want to start at the earliest time or stage and work your way current. According to the book, you should be sure to "highlight the importance of each step" in the time line or stages you are discussing. The spacial pattern can be useful if you are discussing a topic that requires you to describe a specific relationship between places or objects. This pattern might work if you are speaking about locations or spaces. Another useful pattern of organization is the Topical pattern. In this method you can divide your topic up into smaller sub-topics to make the subject easier to discuss. This particular pattern can work well for almost any informational speech. The narrative pattern is a more relaxed approach in my opinion. It allows you to discuss a topic by telling a series of short stories. Lastly, the cause and effect pattern might be right for you if you speaking about how an outcome is produced by a specific action. I will likely be using this type of pattern for my informational speech regarding the extinction of coral reefs.

Self Evaluation 1

In evaluating my performance on the demonstration speech, I have identified some strengths and opportunities to help my self better my performance in the future. Overall, I think I did well at achieving the purpose of my speech which was to provide history, demonstration of technique, and my personal experiences to my audience. I felt confident during my speech because I am very familiar with the topic. I felt uncomfortable at the beginning because being on the spot I was blanking out on some of the names and sources for historical facts and found my self having to rifle through my note cards. As the speech progressed into my experiences and the demonstration portion, I began to find more at ease and comfortable speaking to the audience. If I had to deliver the speech over again I would make changes to my preparation by practicing with a timer a lot more. As for organization, having neater more organized note cards would have helped be to recall some of the facts a lot easier and would help me to relax a bit more. I don't think I would make any changes to support and delivery, except maybe pay more attention to the time keeper to stay on track. The one main goal I have for improving the content of my next speech is to really look at the information and only use what is pertinent to my topic. This way I will not get side tracked and loose track of time. The one main goal I have for improving the delivery of my next speech is to practice a whole lot more with a timer. Separating each main speaking point and assigning a time value to it will help me to not go over on my time. The first thing I noticed about my delivery was that the information I was most comfortable with flowed a lot more easily and I did not need my note cards as much. I need to spend more time memorizing names and sources to back up my information so I will not need to rely on my note cards so much. For some reason when I am on the spot in front of an audience the note cards just look like a big jumble of letters. I might have to try a color system or make better use of bullet points. The only thing distracting I noticed about myself while giving the speech is I tend to clasp my hands together when I am nervous or uncomfortable. Also, I could limit my use of ums. I mentioned all four of my sources during my speech however, I neglected to fully name one of the web sources for historical information. On a scale of A to F, I feel like I deserved a B for this speech. I think if I had better memorized the factual data and stayed on time, then it might have been an A delivery. I will work harder on the next speech to hit those marks.  

Speech Buddy videos

This weeks videos were helpful in many ways for improving performance of speech delivery. In particular what I learned that could be helpful in my speech was the different types of supporting materials to use. By using a variety of supporting materials it will keep the speech interesting and lend further credibility to the topic, and to me as the speaker. If I only have one source or only use one method of supportive materials, I may not appear to have fully researched the topic and might leave my audience wondering if there is more to the subject then what I have presented. In order to have a successful speech where the audience can feel fully informed at the end, I must be able to incorporate a variety of support materials. It is also important not to overload the audience with only facts, or statistics, or examples; the blend of these types of supporting materials will keep the speech flowing better and not overwhelm or turn off the audience.

Developing your main points

The topic I chose to discuss this week is the importance of developing the main points of your speech. When fine tuning this very important part of your speech, it is important to identify clarity and relevance in the materials you are preparing to present. You can ask your self, "does this bring clarity to my topic?" or "does this confuse the issue?" Chances are you will be able to weed out a lot of unnecessary information during this process. Looking at relevance of information goes hand in hand with the prior step. If you can eliminate non relevant information then the overall speech will be less confusing to your audience and you will be more likely to stay on point in your delivery. As a speaker, you will appreciate taking the extra time to perform these steps when the delivery of your speech goes smoothly and your audience leaves with a clear sense of your topic as well as the information you have presented.

Effectiveness of facts and statistics

Giving facts and statistics are most effective when giving educational or informative speeches. It helps to have the numbers and data to back up your stance on the topic. Because your audience is there to learn from you in one way or another, they will be appreciative of your knowledge of current facts and statistics on the subject matter at hand. Knowing the information will also lend to your credibility as a speaker and as a trainer. Giving facts and statistics may be less effective when giving a opinionated speech or talking about a subject that doesn't have a lot of research. If you are giving a speech on an idea or concept, then chances are there might not be many facts or statistics to use, or they might not support your views on the topic. If you find yourself on the opposite side of a topic that has research against your viewpoint then it would be in your best interest to not use that data.

Speech Buddy: Drinking and Light Pollution

In the Speech Buddy "Drinking" video, the speaker did well in the area of research. He seemed to have a lot of knowledge on the subject even though he didn't exude confidence in his delivery. I think if he were to ditch the note cards and perhaps practice his delivery more, he would have a more engaging overall speech. Another technique that might help him with his delivery of the information is to use bullet points instead of sentences so he has to speak more freely on the subject instead of reading or trying to decipher through a bunch of notes. In the Speech Buddy  "Light Pollution" video, the speaker did well in the area of confident delivery. I felt like she knew her topic well and didn't have much difficulty speaking about the topic. She appeared to be much more comfortable speaking than the speaker in the "Drinking" video. The difference in delivery could possibly be related to practice, or note organization, or both. From these videos I can learn the importance of being well prepared in all aspects of the speech before delivering the speech. I can take away valuable lessons from watching both. I will try to be organized in my thoughts and delivery, and not rely so much on notes.

Importance of audience analysis and adaptation

Audience analysis is a crucial element to the success of your speech. By being able to analyze the audience you can gage how you r speech is going and will be better able to adapt to your audience. By analyzing your audience prior to your speech you can anticipate their interests and adapt your speech accordingly. During the speech you can look for audience non-verbal feedback such as smiling, frowning, or nodding in agreement. By recognizing these signs from members of your audience you can respond by continuing on the same path or adjusting your speech in response to the needs of your audience. Non-verbal feedback can be even more helpful than verbal in many cases as long as you pay attention to the signs. For a speech to be successful you have to be able to effectively connect with your audience. In order to do this you have to hold their interest or intrigue them in some way. I plan on using audience analysis during my speech to determine if the audience is engaged in my speech or bored. By doing this I can make adjustments to try to capture their interest.

Techniques for speaking to a diverse audience

This week the topic I chose to discuss is techniques for speaking to a diverse audience. I think the biggest key to relating to a diverse audience is finding a commonality. It is especially helpful if you can find commonality amongst the audience pertaining to the topic of the speech. If the audience can relate back to the topic and all have a common interest the speech will likely be more successful. If I am speaking to a group at work for example, even though it is a diverse group, they have a commonality of working for the same company and industry. Regardless of the topic, I can use the commonality to tie into my speech to hold the interest of the audience. Additionally, having extensive knowledge of a topic will make you more credible when your audience is diverse. Some of them will have a lot of knowledge on the subject matter and others might have little. By doing your research and making sure you have the most up to date facts your audience will be more receptive of your speech.

Evaluating Your Research Materials

Evaluating your research materials prior to using them as actual sources of information is a wise decision. Whendoing this, you should use the following three evaluation criteria, reliability, validity, and currency. To determine whether a source is reliable, you should consider the consistency and credibility of the information researched. For example, if the information you find on your topic varies from source to source then it is not consistant. If you are getting your information from a source who has no data or sources to back up their claim, then it is not considered credible. To determine validity you would want to look at the over all logic of the information being provided. This can be accomplished by taking into consideration the authors conclusions and any evidence to support their claims. Currency refers to how recent the information is you are using. When doing research it is important to look at the most recent information available. Even if you are researching a topic that is old, such as dinosaurs or ancient Egypt, you would want to look at the most recent findings to ensure you have the most up to date information on the subject.

Acknowledging Your Sources

The chapter 6 topic I chose to discuss in further detail is acknowledging your sources. The book talks about it briefly and gives examples for APA and MLA formatted written citations. It is important to not only site your sources of information in your written bibliography, but also verbally during your speech. Credit should be given where credit is due. Additionally, verbally citing sources from your research during your speech makes you, as the speaker, sound more knowledgeable about the topic and gives your speech credibility. Anybody can talk about a subject but if they have credible sources to back up their information, the information they are providing can be taken more seriously. As a speaker it is imperative that your audience view you as being an expert on the topic, otherwise you are just a person talking with no real impact. Having done research on a topic and being able to quote the sources for that research makes the information you are providing have more of an impact. In other words, don't just take my word for it.

Research Interviews

My experience with conducting research interviews is limited to college English courses. Things that went well during my interviews was the comfort in the question and answer part of the interview. By meeting and getting familiar with the interviewee prior to getting down to business, it was not as awkward as it might have been. I enjoy talking with people and I was interested in the topics, which helps if you have to conduct a research interview. Something that needed improvement was the amount and types of questions I asked. When I went back after the interview to type it up and write the paper, I found my self wishing I would have asked more questions or asked for more elaboration on some of the answers given. My advice would be to think about what information you want to gain from the interviewee about the topic and how it will relate to the speech. That way you can formulate questions in advance to fill those requirements. Also, relax, don't be afraid to ask the questions you want to ask, and always smile!

Strategies for managing speech anxiety

Three strategies a person can use to manage speech anxiety prior to delivery are visualization, relabeling, and relaxation. These strategies can help build confidence and in turn have a more successful speech. When you visualize how the speech will go you can walk through the steps in your mind from start to finish. It is important to focus on the positive aspects of how the speech will go and not dwell on negativity. Relabeling involves using positive words instead of negativity when talking or thinking about the speech. The idea behind this method is mind over matter. You can convince yourself out of being nervous and be excited instead. Relaxation can be achieved by using breathing techniques to lower heart rate and relieve anxiety. It also helps to research your audience and practice your speech multiple times prior to giving it. On the day of your speech it is important to arrive early so you have time to get to know the environment and visualize giving the speech. Having all your materials organized will also help to make you feel more comfortable. During your speech it is important to have a confident attitude. This will help you control those feelings of anxiety. Focus on the audience and do not apologize or make excuses for mistakes, simply make the correction and move on. After the speech it is important to reinforce your confidence. When you think back about your speech, you should review the whole speech in your mind to identify things you did well and identify opportunities to improve for your next speech.

Concept

I chose to discuss the concept of dressing for the occasion. When a person is well dressed and put together, they will have more confidence. When it comes to public speaking, dressing for the occasion is much like the saying "dress for success." Part of having a successful speech is not just what is said, but also how it is delivered. Appearance is part of the delivery. If a person is poorly dressed or has a thrown together appearance, they might not be taken very seriously. In addition to the perception of the audience, dressing nice makes a person feel good about themselves and their appearance, which can reduce some of the anxiety. When speaking in public, a speaker should dress both professional and appropriate for the occasion. According to our text book, if you are unsure of what to wear, you should "think of how a speaker would dress to gain your respect." This is an important point. You want to dress appropriate for the topic and the setting. For example, if you are giving a business speech you would want to appear very professional, however if you are speaking at a surfing convention you still want to have that professional image but with a little looser attire.

What makes me apprehensive about public speaking

Public speaking can be intimidating. If I screw up, everyone will notice. My biggest apprehension about speaking in front of large groups of people is forgetting facts, such as names, or getting tongue tied. It takes me a while to learn names so I tend to be real nervous calling someone by their name or mentioning them by name and getting it wrong. This anxiety is amplified if I am in front of people because the pressure to get things right is even more important. I think this is associated with uncertainty reduction theory, as discussed in chapter two of the book. Basically, an individual's level of anxiety increases when they are faced with an unfamiliar or uncertain situation. I agree with one of the points the book makes about confidence. The more confidence I have about a topic, the less apprehension I feel about speaking in front of others. For me, if I know a topic well or have a lot of experience with something, I feel much more comfortable speaking about it in front of others.

Introductory Post

Hi, my name is Rachel. I have seven children ranging in age from 1 to 19 years old. I enjoy having an active role in my kids' interests, which include boxing, gymnastics, dance, and music. In addition to my full time job and my children's sports and various extra curricular activities, I am working towards my degree in Family and Consumer Science. This semester I am taking public speaking and statistics and have applied for transfer to University in the Fall. My communications experience is limited. In prior employment I have hosted regional meetings and training seminars which required me to talk in front of small to medium sized audiences. This is my first blogging experience and I look forward to getting more comfortable with both public speaking and blogging throughout the semester.