This speech was the hardest one for me because I had to make people see how I interpreted things and that was scary. I did my speech on hunting in the U.S. I was pro. I feel that I achieved the purpose of my speech for the most part. I saw what the rest of the class had to say about my persausive value and was a little surprised that they were so generous about it. It made me feel like I really reached some people. I was so nervous right before the speech that since it was a controversial subject, everyone would look at me funny and not listen to what I have to say, but then when I finally did my speech, that all fell away and I was confident that what I was saying related to the audiene in one way or another. I was just worried that I would forget to say something important. In fact, at the end, I went over the time limit and just had to wrap things up quickly so I didn't have the full dramatic ending I wanted.
If I had to do it all over again, I would try to shorten my personal story in the introduction, and I would definatly make sure to set aside enough time, and a reminder, to turn my slides in for power point visuals. I know it looked terrible that I was taping paper to the board, but I figured it was better than not having a visual at all. This speech was definatly different than my last speech because it was controversial which made me a little hestitant even though I knew what I was talking about, but one good thing was that this speech was more open to interpretation so it really challenged you to address the audience correctly. Also, compared with my last speech, I said "um" a lot more and I think that was because my visual aids made me self conscious becuase I knew they were crappy and I would say my eye contact was a 7/10 this time becuase there were more statistics to read percisly. All in all, I would give myself a B or B+, which is exactly what I received because my visuals weren't that great and my eye contact was less than usual, but I had good, creditable information and gave emotional appeal to the audience. When compared to the last speech all around, I felt that I did better on the informative speech through my confidence, interest, and visuals. However, in both the speeches I did a good job at sighting all four sources while talking.
All in all, after all the speeches we have done through out the semester, I think I performed better on the informative, then the persausive, and finally, the demonstrative speech. I mean, I know they were very close in the end, but I just felt better about the informative speech and did not go over the require time limit as much as the persausive speech. With out a doubt, however, the demonstrative speech was the worst because I was not use to getting over being nervous, it was the first speech I had done in FOREVER, and it was complicated to get in to the routine of things.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
week 16 Discussion 3
What are you going to take from this class that you think will be helpful for the future?
I will pretty much take everything that I have learned from this class and apply it to any and every other presentation I may need to do in the future because it was truely helpful to me. I mean, especially the key points and tips about the presentation materials and main focus, are going definatly fall over into future presentaions. It is universal. Most of all, this class enabled me to come over my fear of talking in front of an audience. After the first speech, I no longer was shaky and nervous! I just told myself that I know what I am doing and so what if the audience thinks it's different or off. It never turned out that the audience did not like my speech, but knowing that they could have booed me or something or look at me funny made me so overwhelmingly nervous.
I will pretty much take everything that I have learned from this class and apply it to any and every other presentation I may need to do in the future because it was truely helpful to me. I mean, especially the key points and tips about the presentation materials and main focus, are going definatly fall over into future presentaions. It is universal. Most of all, this class enabled me to come over my fear of talking in front of an audience. After the first speech, I no longer was shaky and nervous! I just told myself that I know what I am doing and so what if the audience thinks it's different or off. It never turned out that the audience did not like my speech, but knowing that they could have booed me or something or look at me funny made me so overwhelmingly nervous.
week 16 Discussion 2
Which speech was your favorite and why?
My favorite speech was definatly the informative speech. It was the most interesting out of all the speeches, for me, because it was something that I was truely interested in and excited about. I did mine on the History of Disneyland because I want to work for Disney after college, in the animation department. I have always loved Disney, so it only made sense to me that I would do it on Disneyland. It was fascinating! I think that in order for a speech to really work, you have to really have an interest in what you are speaking about. That will in turn get your audience more enthused and want to listen.
My favorite speech was definatly the informative speech. It was the most interesting out of all the speeches, for me, because it was something that I was truely interested in and excited about. I did mine on the History of Disneyland because I want to work for Disney after college, in the animation department. I have always loved Disney, so it only made sense to me that I would do it on Disneyland. It was fascinating! I think that in order for a speech to really work, you have to really have an interest in what you are speaking about. That will in turn get your audience more enthused and want to listen.
Week 16 Discussion 1
What concept or concepts from the class that you thought was the most helpful in preparing your speeches?
I felt that the online speech buddy videos, available online, was awesome because they were always readily available for you at anytime. They went over the same key concepts in the book, but in a visual way. I am more of a visual learner so what ever I may have not picked up in the book chapter, I could SEE in the videos. Over all, the most helpful things were learning how to make a clear introduction with your main points, making your body flow, having the conclusion review what you said in the introduction, and finally, showing us what "good" visual aids were. The whole thing was very beneficial no matter what way you look at it. I definatly came away with a better understanding of how to give a speech and to be less hesitant and nervous about it.
I felt that the online speech buddy videos, available online, was awesome because they were always readily available for you at anytime. They went over the same key concepts in the book, but in a visual way. I am more of a visual learner so what ever I may have not picked up in the book chapter, I could SEE in the videos. Over all, the most helpful things were learning how to make a clear introduction with your main points, making your body flow, having the conclusion review what you said in the introduction, and finally, showing us what "good" visual aids were. The whole thing was very beneficial no matter what way you look at it. I definatly came away with a better understanding of how to give a speech and to be less hesitant and nervous about it.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Week 13 Discussion #3
Pick one concept from the reading and discuss it. How are you going to use it in your own speech?
I found that in chapter 15, the concept about the types of appeals was the most useful and interesting besides knowing when you are using fallacies. There are four types of appeals: logos, ethos, pathos, and mythos. (You can find a chart of these on page 397. Logos refers to using logical proof such as facts or statistics, ethos refers to using credibility from refrences to your own knowledge of the subject at hand, pathos refers to an emotional proof through a quote or story, and finally, mythos refers to your cultural beliefs by using a well known myth or fable. Each of these are also broken down individually in more depth through out the chapter. I feel that in my own speech, I will be using logos and pathos to try and reach or persaude my audience.
I found that in chapter 15, the concept about the types of appeals was the most useful and interesting besides knowing when you are using fallacies. There are four types of appeals: logos, ethos, pathos, and mythos. (You can find a chart of these on page 397. Logos refers to using logical proof such as facts or statistics, ethos refers to using credibility from refrences to your own knowledge of the subject at hand, pathos refers to an emotional proof through a quote or story, and finally, mythos refers to your cultural beliefs by using a well known myth or fable. Each of these are also broken down individually in more depth through out the chapter. I feel that in my own speech, I will be using logos and pathos to try and reach or persaude my audience.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Week 13 Discussion #2
Reflect on a recent discussion you’ve had in which you tried to persuade others to accept your point of view. What type or types of reasoning did you use? How well did your reasoning work?
There are several different times that I have tried to persuade others to accept my point of few on the subject, but I can not reflect on any one in particular. I guess there has been a time when I wanted my cousin to try something new- a new food- I think it was something that was new to me too and I liked it so I wanted her to try it too. I told her I just tried it and it tastes really good... I know what you like and this is something that you will like for sure. I reasoned with her by asking her, "how are you going to know if you like it or not if you don't just try it?" "You have to try new things, there's nothing to lose...." My reasoning worked for the most part, but if I not told her what it was in the first place, or told her it was something she was familar with, she would have tried it with out hesitation. I would have told her after she tried it and said it was good. I know, it's kind of cruel... but it would have worked and it was harmless!
There are several different times that I have tried to persuade others to accept my point of few on the subject, but I can not reflect on any one in particular. I guess there has been a time when I wanted my cousin to try something new- a new food- I think it was something that was new to me too and I liked it so I wanted her to try it too. I told her I just tried it and it tastes really good... I know what you like and this is something that you will like for sure. I reasoned with her by asking her, "how are you going to know if you like it or not if you don't just try it?" "You have to try new things, there's nothing to lose...." My reasoning worked for the most part, but if I not told her what it was in the first place, or told her it was something she was familar with, she would have tried it with out hesitation. I would have told her after she tried it and said it was good. I know, it's kind of cruel... but it would have worked and it was harmless!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Week 13 Discussion #1
Speech Buddy: Review the following Interactive Videos 15.1, “Schooling: Pro” and “Schooling: Con” on the Interactive Video Website. Respond to the ideas in the videos. What did you learn that could be helpful in your speech? What types of appeals were used? How did the speaker connect with the audience?
In the three videos they talked about the 4 parts that make up an argument. The first was having a good thesis, a probable claim, suporting evidence, and reasoning to support your claim. In doing all these things, you will more than likely have a decent persuasive speech. In the first demonstration speech about the pros of home schooling Dixie first gives only the negatives of public schooling your kids and backs those up with only the positives of home schooling your kids- no violence, flexibility, builds family relationships. This is the approach I will take in my own speech. The only thing I did not like was the way she moved from one side to the other every minute or two. I noticed it and it became annoying because it wasn't like she was showing us any presentation media... she was just talking.
In the three videos they talked about the 4 parts that make up an argument. The first was having a good thesis, a probable claim, suporting evidence, and reasoning to support your claim. In doing all these things, you will more than likely have a decent persuasive speech. In the first demonstration speech about the pros of home schooling Dixie first gives only the negatives of public schooling your kids and backs those up with only the positives of home schooling your kids- no violence, flexibility, builds family relationships. This is the approach I will take in my own speech. The only thing I did not like was the way she moved from one side to the other every minute or two. I noticed it and it became annoying because it wasn't like she was showing us any presentation media... she was just talking.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Week 12 Discussion #3
Pick one concept from the assigned reading that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.
The part of the assigned reading that I found most interesting was when it explained the three types of persuasive speeches. The first is question of fact, the second if question of value, and the third is question of policy. There are specific purposes for each type of speech. The chart for this breakdown is on page 376. I think that the form of persuasive speech I am doing for my persuasive speech is the question of policy because I am trying to persaude my audience to support hunting in the United States. However, it may have a little of the question of fact part in it as well because I will be using facts to support my oppinion on the issue at home.
The part of the assigned reading that I found most interesting was when it explained the three types of persuasive speeches. The first is question of fact, the second if question of value, and the third is question of policy. There are specific purposes for each type of speech. The chart for this breakdown is on page 376. I think that the form of persuasive speech I am doing for my persuasive speech is the question of policy because I am trying to persaude my audience to support hunting in the United States. However, it may have a little of the question of fact part in it as well because I will be using facts to support my oppinion on the issue at home.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Week 12 Discussion #2
How are you immersed in a sea of persuasion? Give some examples of persuasive messages you’ve received in interpersonal, public speaking, and mass media contexts. What can you do to become a more critical consumer or persuasive messages?
We are all emersed in a sea of persuasion everyday everywhere. It is in commercials, television shows, movies, magazines, radio, and even at school. When we see advertismets- in any form- they are trying to persuade us to use or buy their product. Especially this year in the last few months with the presidential elections, their has been ads to persuade you what person to pick and what props to pass or not pass. What we can do to become a more critical consumer is be aware of when things are trying to trick us otherwise known as fallacies. We all learned this in philosophy to strengthen our own speeches and be aware of others.
We are all emersed in a sea of persuasion everyday everywhere. It is in commercials, television shows, movies, magazines, radio, and even at school. When we see advertismets- in any form- they are trying to persuade us to use or buy their product. Especially this year in the last few months with the presidential elections, their has been ads to persuade you what person to pick and what props to pass or not pass. What we can do to become a more critical consumer is be aware of when things are trying to trick us otherwise known as fallacies. We all learned this in philosophy to strengthen our own speeches and be aware of others.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Week 12 Discussion #1
Update the class on your speech progress. What are you researching? What are your main points? How do you plan on beginning and ending your speech? How are you going to persuade your audience towards your point of view
As far as my speech progress goes, the only thing I have really done is try to find as much research on both topics I was thinking about doing because I was not sure if I would be able to find enough information to persaude the audience with creditibility. I am researching on pro hunting in the united states. I think that we should be able to hunt as we do now during certain times of the season and in small quantities (tags/limits) so that it will keep the population steady and under control. It is also a hoppy that many enjoy and make a living on. I plan on beginning my speech with a story of me growing up with a dad who loves to hunt- my whole family grew up hunting, but with this generation is seems to be getting lost. For the ending, I plan on reviewing a shorter refrence back to my story and all my main points. I will tell everyone the pros of hunting in the united states to try and persaude the audience.
As far as my speech progress goes, the only thing I have really done is try to find as much research on both topics I was thinking about doing because I was not sure if I would be able to find enough information to persaude the audience with creditibility. I am researching on pro hunting in the united states. I think that we should be able to hunt as we do now during certain times of the season and in small quantities (tags/limits) so that it will keep the population steady and under control. It is also a hoppy that many enjoy and make a living on. I plan on beginning my speech with a story of me growing up with a dad who loves to hunt- my whole family grew up hunting, but with this generation is seems to be getting lost. For the ending, I plan on reviewing a shorter refrence back to my story and all my main points. I will tell everyone the pros of hunting in the united states to try and persaude the audience.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Week 11 Discussion #1
Speech Buddy Videos: 10.1-2; 12.1-3 Respond to the videos. What did you learn to be helpful in your speech?
All of the speech buddy videos talk about using language and vocabulary effectively in presenting your speech. At first I had some technical difficulties where there was no sound to the videos and then it finally worked today. Chapter 10 talks about how to speak correctly when presenting. It helps to make you sound more sophisticated to your audience. In the videos for chapter 12 it shows you how to physically deliver your speech with the right vocabulary and language choices. From these videos I will use the vocabulary words suggested in my own speech for the persuasive speech so that I can use more sophisticated words. This helps add to the creditbility of my arguments.
All of the speech buddy videos talk about using language and vocabulary effectively in presenting your speech. At first I had some technical difficulties where there was no sound to the videos and then it finally worked today. Chapter 10 talks about how to speak correctly when presenting. It helps to make you sound more sophisticated to your audience. In the videos for chapter 12 it shows you how to physically deliver your speech with the right vocabulary and language choices. From these videos I will use the vocabulary words suggested in my own speech for the persuasive speech so that I can use more sophisticated words. This helps add to the creditbility of my arguments.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Week 11 Discussion #2
Read the discussion on Flickr regarding sexist language. How do you respond to their comments in light of what your textbook says?
In the book, it tells you words you should use in place of other words that are too gender specific. For example, instead of using the word mankind, use the word humankind or humanity. But this could also be used in the wrong way... for example lady lawyer versus just lawyer. Sometimes it is ok to use gender nuetral words instead of singling out one gender or another, which is kind of what the discussion on Flickr was about. On Flickr, a lot of people did not mind girl or boy when refering to adult women and men because it has just been socially accepted. The english language has always has a differentiation between male and female and it has never been an issue. The discussion also said that it will take a long time to try and make the english language perfect- actually it's not even possible, but we can modify it to a reasonable extent.
In the book, it tells you words you should use in place of other words that are too gender specific. For example, instead of using the word mankind, use the word humankind or humanity. But this could also be used in the wrong way... for example lady lawyer versus just lawyer. Sometimes it is ok to use gender nuetral words instead of singling out one gender or another, which is kind of what the discussion on Flickr was about. On Flickr, a lot of people did not mind girl or boy when refering to adult women and men because it has just been socially accepted. The english language has always has a differentiation between male and female and it has never been an issue. The discussion also said that it will take a long time to try and make the english language perfect- actually it's not even possible, but we can modify it to a reasonable extent.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Week 11 Discussion #3
Pick one concept from the reading that you found useful or interesting.
The part of the reading that I found useful is on page 298. On this page, there is a chart that gives the different methods on how to deliver your speech to make it as effective as possible. The four methods are impromptu, extemporaneous, manuscript, and memorized. In the chart there is a brief definition of each method as well as their advantages, disadvantages, and the typical situation you would use the specific method in. I learned that the method most commonly used, for us as college students in a public speaking class, is the extemporaneous method where you give a speech that has been researched and practiced. However, it is the most time consuming of all the methods.
The part of the reading that I found useful is on page 298. On this page, there is a chart that gives the different methods on how to deliver your speech to make it as effective as possible. The four methods are impromptu, extemporaneous, manuscript, and memorized. In the chart there is a brief definition of each method as well as their advantages, disadvantages, and the typical situation you would use the specific method in. I learned that the method most commonly used, for us as college students in a public speaking class, is the extemporaneous method where you give a speech that has been researched and practiced. However, it is the most time consuming of all the methods.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Self- Evaluation #2 Informative Speech
For my informative speech we presented on Friday, October 26, I chose to talk about the history of Disneyland. I think that I had achieved the purpose of my speech very well by giving a very interesting and detailed history of the past to the present of what Disneyland has come to be. Since this was the second time giving a speech in front of a large audience, I think I did much better than last time. I was much more comfortable and- I don't want to say I did not care as much- but I guess it did not faze me like it did last time. I was number 5 on the list so maybe I did not have enough time to think about it and pyhic myself out.
Although I feel as though I did much better in the nervous sense of presenting my speech, if had to do it all over again, I would make sure to address my three main points clearly at the beginning and the end. I did that much better with the first speech. Also, I would make my last slide an audio of Walt Disney's opening day speech instead of me saying it aloud- it would have been catchier, but I would still keep the same organizational pattern.
For my next speech, I will improve the content of it by making sure to address the three main points VERY clearly as well as have a better introduction. As for improving the delivery of my next speech, I will have a more developed catch line to get the audience hooked. The differences between this speech and the last are that in the first speech, I did a better job catching the audience’s attention, viewing the three main points, and had a better intro and conclusion all together. This speech, I felt that I had better visuals and I was more confident in speaking in front of a large audience because in the first speech I was so nervous that I got a bad start and said "um" a little to much- not bad, but it was a little distracting. For this speech I did it again, but still not too bad and I made sure to cite all 4of my sources this time, which I had forgot to last time. Also, I did not have a great of eye contact as last time; I didn't hold my gaze as long at the audience and I was looking at the board too much. I would give myself a 6-7. Based on all of the above content, I would give myself a B. If only I had a better intro with my clear 3 main points, I would have given myself an A-. All in all, I felt that because of all the positives and negatives for both speeches, both speeches were about the same. In terms of how I felt when presenting the speech, I feel that this speech was better because I was more confident while speaking and then actually felt like I did a good job when I sat down, unlike with the first speech.
Although I feel as though I did much better in the nervous sense of presenting my speech, if had to do it all over again, I would make sure to address my three main points clearly at the beginning and the end. I did that much better with the first speech. Also, I would make my last slide an audio of Walt Disney's opening day speech instead of me saying it aloud- it would have been catchier, but I would still keep the same organizational pattern.
For my next speech, I will improve the content of it by making sure to address the three main points VERY clearly as well as have a better introduction. As for improving the delivery of my next speech, I will have a more developed catch line to get the audience hooked. The differences between this speech and the last are that in the first speech, I did a better job catching the audience’s attention, viewing the three main points, and had a better intro and conclusion all together. This speech, I felt that I had better visuals and I was more confident in speaking in front of a large audience because in the first speech I was so nervous that I got a bad start and said "um" a little to much- not bad, but it was a little distracting. For this speech I did it again, but still not too bad and I made sure to cite all 4of my sources this time, which I had forgot to last time. Also, I did not have a great of eye contact as last time; I didn't hold my gaze as long at the audience and I was looking at the board too much. I would give myself a 6-7. Based on all of the above content, I would give myself a B. If only I had a better intro with my clear 3 main points, I would have given myself an A-. All in all, I felt that because of all the positives and negatives for both speeches, both speeches were about the same. In terms of how I felt when presenting the speech, I feel that this speech was better because I was more confident while speaking and then actually felt like I did a good job when I sat down, unlike with the first speech.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Week 10 Discussion #3
Pick one concept from the assigned reading that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.
The concept I found interesting about the reading was on page 280-284. Through out these pages, the book described several different forms of visuals that could be used effectively in your speech. The book also showed how some mediums of visual aides work better than others, jus depending on the situation and seriousness of the content in that particular speech. The mediums they decribed, with great examples of when and how to use them are; overhead transparencies, flip chart and poster, white board and chalk board, document camera, video, handout, model, audio media, digital slide, and finally, real- time web access. There is also a chart on page 279 that show the advantages and limitations of all these areas.
The concept I found interesting about the reading was on page 280-284. Through out these pages, the book described several different forms of visuals that could be used effectively in your speech. The book also showed how some mediums of visual aides work better than others, jus depending on the situation and seriousness of the content in that particular speech. The mediums they decribed, with great examples of when and how to use them are; overhead transparencies, flip chart and poster, white board and chalk board, document camera, video, handout, model, audio media, digital slide, and finally, real- time web access. There is also a chart on page 279 that show the advantages and limitations of all these areas.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Week 10 Discussion #1
Speech Buddy: Review the following Interactive Videos, 11.1 and 11.2 on the Interactive Video Website. Respond to the ideas in the videos. What did you learn that could be helpful in your next speech?
In the interactive video 11.1, it talked about how using digital slides can either enhance your speech or make it not as well thought out. The video let us know that when using digital slides, we should only use them to show the audience what we can't say in our speech. We should keep them simple, uncluttered, and readable because it can distract the audience if there are too many words, images or transitions between slides. It also says to only keep main points on the slide because when there is more than that on a slide the audience will be distracted by the wording and either try to read it instead of listening to you, or just not pay attention at all. In 11.2, they showed a speaker who used power point effectivley. She didn't over do it and kept them interesting... all though she did mess up a little through out her speech, she quickly recovered and continued with her presentation. For my next speech, I will keep in mind that if I am going to use slides, I will keep them simple and clear, and only where I need them.
In the interactive video 11.1, it talked about how using digital slides can either enhance your speech or make it not as well thought out. The video let us know that when using digital slides, we should only use them to show the audience what we can't say in our speech. We should keep them simple, uncluttered, and readable because it can distract the audience if there are too many words, images or transitions between slides. It also says to only keep main points on the slide because when there is more than that on a slide the audience will be distracted by the wording and either try to read it instead of listening to you, or just not pay attention at all. In 11.2, they showed a speaker who used power point effectivley. She didn't over do it and kept them interesting... all though she did mess up a little through out her speech, she quickly recovered and continued with her presentation. For my next speech, I will keep in mind that if I am going to use slides, I will keep them simple and clear, and only where I need them.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Week 10 Discussion #2
Reflect on a public speaking event that you have attended recently, or one that you recall particularly well, in which the speaker used presentation media. How effective was the speaker's use of presentation media? How did the media add to the speech? Were there ways in which the presentation media distracted from the speech? How might the speaker have improved his or her use of the presentation media?
The last public speaking event I attended was about 7 months ago... I know, that's a long time... but it was for my Asian American Studies class. The speaker used power point slides to further explain herself in the speech. It was used to show more of the statistics of Asian Americans in certain aspects of society- on campus, in the San Jose area, and beyond. The media helped, but also distracted me from listening to what she was saying because it caused me to look at the numbers and not the words associated with the numbers. The charts were not labeled clearly so I could not fully understand what it was showing. The speaker could have improved the use of the presentation media by labeling the charts to associate words with pictures. Also, there was SO many numbers that it was confusing and everything started running together.
The last public speaking event I attended was about 7 months ago... I know, that's a long time... but it was for my Asian American Studies class. The speaker used power point slides to further explain herself in the speech. It was used to show more of the statistics of Asian Americans in certain aspects of society- on campus, in the San Jose area, and beyond. The media helped, but also distracted me from listening to what she was saying because it caused me to look at the numbers and not the words associated with the numbers. The charts were not labeled clearly so I could not fully understand what it was showing. The speaker could have improved the use of the presentation media by labeling the charts to associate words with pictures. Also, there was SO many numbers that it was confusing and everything started running together.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Week 8 Discussion #3
Pick one concept from the assigned reading that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.
I felt that the one concept that really helped me from this reading was from chapter 13 on page 337. On this page there is a chart that gives examples of the 5 different types of common informative speech topics. These 5 are: objects and place, people and other living creatures, processes, events, and ideas and concepts. For each of them there is the topic, specific purpose, and thesis statement, which helped me when doing my outline because I was a little confused about how to state my purpose and thesis statement. I think that the examples through out the chapter really made a difference between not understanding and understanding something.
I felt that the one concept that really helped me from this reading was from chapter 13 on page 337. On this page there is a chart that gives examples of the 5 different types of common informative speech topics. These 5 are: objects and place, people and other living creatures, processes, events, and ideas and concepts. For each of them there is the topic, specific purpose, and thesis statement, which helped me when doing my outline because I was a little confused about how to state my purpose and thesis statement. I think that the examples through out the chapter really made a difference between not understanding and understanding something.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Week 8 Discussion #2
What components, according to your book go into your Introduction and Conclusion? How are you going to use these ideas in your Informative Speech?
In the book, the components that make up your introduction are getting your audience's attention using creativity, review your main points of the speech, and indicate your purpose/thesis. These were also talked about in the Speech Buddy videos. Also, you must establish your creditability almost immidiately so the audience will actually listen to what you have to say and not think that your just full of it. The components that make up your conclusion are, again, reviewing your main points, reinforce your purpose, and then provide closure. If you do not provide closure then your audience might feel that the speech is not complete or finished. I am going to use these ideas in my informative speech to make sure I have a successful one. I need to work on my conclusion the most so I will make sure to express all the components listed above to work on it.
In the book, the components that make up your introduction are getting your audience's attention using creativity, review your main points of the speech, and indicate your purpose/thesis. These were also talked about in the Speech Buddy videos. Also, you must establish your creditability almost immidiately so the audience will actually listen to what you have to say and not think that your just full of it. The components that make up your conclusion are, again, reviewing your main points, reinforce your purpose, and then provide closure. If you do not provide closure then your audience might feel that the speech is not complete or finished. I am going to use these ideas in my informative speech to make sure I have a successful one. I need to work on my conclusion the most so I will make sure to express all the components listed above to work on it.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Week 8 Discussion #1
Speech Buddy: respond to the ideas in the videos. What did you learn that could help you in your speech?
After watching the videos I thought that they were all very helpful. Video 9.2 about conclusions was probably the most helpful for me becuase my last speech did not have a well rounded conclusion, it was not developed enough so this video gave me more insight into how to do it effectively. After watching the two examples of the informative speeches given, they gave me good ideas of how to draw the in the audience and then lead them out at the end. These examples gave good eye contact and lots of interesting information that made me want to keep listening. I will try to use an interesting story for the introduction of my speech and work on my conclusion.
After watching the videos I thought that they were all very helpful. Video 9.2 about conclusions was probably the most helpful for me becuase my last speech did not have a well rounded conclusion, it was not developed enough so this video gave me more insight into how to do it effectively. After watching the two examples of the informative speeches given, they gave me good ideas of how to draw the in the audience and then lead them out at the end. These examples gave good eye contact and lots of interesting information that made me want to keep listening. I will try to use an interesting story for the introduction of my speech and work on my conclusion.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Discussion Week 7 #3
Pick one concept from the reading that you found useful and discuss it.
The concept from the reading that I found most useful was the patterns for organizing your main points. This is useful for me because I wanted a new way to word things and organize them. I know that you can organize by chronological order and problem- solution, but I never thought about using spatial, topic, or narrative patterns. I have never even heard of these patterns before I read this chapter so it was interesting to learn theses new ways. I love how the book breaks down, on a chart, all of these patterns with its definition and examples. It makes it much easier to understand. This is in Chapter 8 on page 200 if anyone else would like to look at it.
The concept from the reading that I found most useful was the patterns for organizing your main points. This is useful for me because I wanted a new way to word things and organize them. I know that you can organize by chronological order and problem- solution, but I never thought about using spatial, topic, or narrative patterns. I have never even heard of these patterns before I read this chapter so it was interesting to learn theses new ways. I love how the book breaks down, on a chart, all of these patterns with its definition and examples. It makes it much easier to understand. This is in Chapter 8 on page 200 if anyone else would like to look at it.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Week 7 Discussion #2
When do you find facts and statistics are most effective in a speech? When are they no as effective?
I find that facts and stats are most effective when you want to show your creditability to the audience. You should be aware of how many you are using so that you do not overwhelm the audience and overload them with a whole bunch of numbers and percentages. If you do not use enough, the audience will not believe anything you say. If you back up your stats with a personal experience that ties in with the data presented, then you will become more in touch with your audience. You will appeal to their emotions which will increase their interest in what you have to say. Stats and facts are not as effective when you use too many to the point where the audience does not here anything that corresponds with the numbers and gets, instead, lost in the jungle of numbers on the screen.
I find that facts and stats are most effective when you want to show your creditability to the audience. You should be aware of how many you are using so that you do not overwhelm the audience and overload them with a whole bunch of numbers and percentages. If you do not use enough, the audience will not believe anything you say. If you back up your stats with a personal experience that ties in with the data presented, then you will become more in touch with your audience. You will appeal to their emotions which will increase their interest in what you have to say. Stats and facts are not as effective when you use too many to the point where the audience does not here anything that corresponds with the numbers and gets, instead, lost in the jungle of numbers on the screen.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Week 7 Discussion #1
Speech Buddy: Review the interactive videos. Respond to the ideas in the videos. What did you learn that could be helpful in your speech?
The first video disuses how you can use presentation materials, statistics and testimonies to make your speech more reliable and interesting. The second video I watched discussed the different sources you can use to make your speech creditable. They suggested a book as being the easiest to know if it is creditable or not. The internet is probably the hardest to know if it is creditable or not. The third video discussed how to use different patterns of organization to help state your main points in your speech such as, cause and effect or chronologically. The fourth and final video discussed how to use effective transition sentences to smoothly address your speech. They suggested using words such as, first, second, and finally, in conclusion, and so on.
What I learned from these videos are some more words I could use for transitioning from main idea to main idea. I already knew some of them, but others I was not as comfortable with using because you don't here them that often.
The first video disuses how you can use presentation materials, statistics and testimonies to make your speech more reliable and interesting. The second video I watched discussed the different sources you can use to make your speech creditable. They suggested a book as being the easiest to know if it is creditable or not. The internet is probably the hardest to know if it is creditable or not. The third video discussed how to use different patterns of organization to help state your main points in your speech such as, cause and effect or chronologically. The fourth and final video discussed how to use effective transition sentences to smoothly address your speech. They suggested using words such as, first, second, and finally, in conclusion, and so on.
What I learned from these videos are some more words I could use for transitioning from main idea to main idea. I already knew some of them, but others I was not as comfortable with using because you don't here them that often.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Self- Evaluation Assignment- Demo
When I got up to present my demonstration speech I was so nervous that a lot of what I had practiced kind of just went out the window it seemed like. I felt like I did not cover everything that I wanted to talk about, which was true. I only verbally cited two sources, but I had four in my speech. It seemed to me, at the time, that I was all over the place and didn't make any sense. After I presented my speech, I thought I did terrible and was going to receive a bad grade, but after reviewing the tape, I actually found that I did a lot better then I initially thought. I was not all over the place like I thought I was before, and besides not mentioning the two other sources, I said everything I wanted to say. I just wish I had practiced a little more with the projector! I actually did the transparencies at the last minute because I realized no one would be able to see what I was doing, so I did not get a chance to see how it worked. I also wanted to do more of a demo, but 5 minutes was not enough time to get a decent drawing. My speech, when I practiced it at home, was over 5 minutes, but I knew that when I get up in front of people I tend to talk faster, so fast that I cut off an entire minute.
The other thing I noticed was that I said "um" a lot, but I gave decent eye contact, an 8/10, and spoke clearly. I think that if I just practiced a little more in front of people, it would have been much better, and my delivery would have improved. I think I deserved exactly what I got for a grade. A B was perfect, because I was not perfect, but I was not terrible. I could have worked on eye contact and I needed to cite ALL of my sources, as well as give more of a conclusion, but all in all, I had a good flow in my speech and I spoke clear and said the most important things. I actually found the time cards a little distracting. I saw myself in the video look up at it when I was demonstrating how to draw Scooby Doo. I mean I like knowing how much longer I have, so I would not go to the extreme of getting rid of them all together, but maybe have them on plain white paper and only every 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, and 5.
If I had to do it all over again, I would have maybe done an easier character because of the time limit for the complexity of the character was too much, but I am glad, however, that I drew the in betweens for the character because with out them I would not have been able to draw the character as well as would have wanted to and it would of turned disastrous.
The other thing I noticed was that I said "um" a lot, but I gave decent eye contact, an 8/10, and spoke clearly. I think that if I just practiced a little more in front of people, it would have been much better, and my delivery would have improved. I think I deserved exactly what I got for a grade. A B was perfect, because I was not perfect, but I was not terrible. I could have worked on eye contact and I needed to cite ALL of my sources, as well as give more of a conclusion, but all in all, I had a good flow in my speech and I spoke clear and said the most important things. I actually found the time cards a little distracting. I saw myself in the video look up at it when I was demonstrating how to draw Scooby Doo. I mean I like knowing how much longer I have, so I would not go to the extreme of getting rid of them all together, but maybe have them on plain white paper and only every 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, and 5.
If I had to do it all over again, I would have maybe done an easier character because of the time limit for the complexity of the character was too much, but I am glad, however, that I drew the in betweens for the character because with out them I would not have been able to draw the character as well as would have wanted to and it would of turned disastrous.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Week 4 Discussion #3
Pick one concept from the assigned reading that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.
I thought that the most interesting concept from the assigned reading was the part on page 102 about "adapting to a diverse audience". This was the most useful thing for me to learn becuase when I thought about it, every audience you speak to is not the same and with in that audience are people with different characteristics and feelings. Because of this you have to make sure that the content in your speech will not affend someone in your audience.
A subtitle from this concept on page 103 talks about some key points to "meeting the challenges of audience diversity". Maybe these key points will help the rest of the class as well.
-make a "climate" that allows people to relate with different perspectives on the issues in your speech
-get information from several different sources to make sure it can relate to as many people as possible
-foster positive intergroup relationships in a cooperative fashion
-look at how your diversity would react to better understand those around you
-acknowledge the diversity and respect them
Hope this helps someone else as well.
I thought that the most interesting concept from the assigned reading was the part on page 102 about "adapting to a diverse audience". This was the most useful thing for me to learn becuase when I thought about it, every audience you speak to is not the same and with in that audience are people with different characteristics and feelings. Because of this you have to make sure that the content in your speech will not affend someone in your audience.
A subtitle from this concept on page 103 talks about some key points to "meeting the challenges of audience diversity". Maybe these key points will help the rest of the class as well.
-make a "climate" that allows people to relate with different perspectives on the issues in your speech
-get information from several different sources to make sure it can relate to as many people as possible
-foster positive intergroup relationships in a cooperative fashion
-look at how your diversity would react to better understand those around you
-acknowledge the diversity and respect them
Hope this helps someone else as well.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Week 4 Discussion #2
Discuss the importance of audience analysis and audience adaptation in the speech development process. Also discuss how you plan on using audience analysis in your speech.
The importance of audience analysis in your speech is great. If you know your audience then you can relate your speech to them in the form of how you address the speech (or the way you talk to them) and how you choose what topic your speech is going to be about. It would not make sense if you talked to a group of 80 year- old grandparents about the new generation of ipods or apple computers. They, as a majority, have no use for it and it will not be relevant to them. On the other hand, if you had a group of young adults, it would be more relevant and interesting to them. Knowing your audience is key to a well- written and addressed speech.
I plan on using audience analysis in my own speech, by possibly having a few people from the audience participate with me while I am drawing Scooby Doo. I understand Scooby Doo is a little young for this group of people because it is a cartoon, but I think that there is a big kid in all of us, especially me! So I think it will relate to everyone for the most part.
The importance of audience analysis in your speech is great. If you know your audience then you can relate your speech to them in the form of how you address the speech (or the way you talk to them) and how you choose what topic your speech is going to be about. It would not make sense if you talked to a group of 80 year- old grandparents about the new generation of ipods or apple computers. They, as a majority, have no use for it and it will not be relevant to them. On the other hand, if you had a group of young adults, it would be more relevant and interesting to them. Knowing your audience is key to a well- written and addressed speech.
I plan on using audience analysis in my own speech, by possibly having a few people from the audience participate with me while I am drawing Scooby Doo. I understand Scooby Doo is a little young for this group of people because it is a cartoon, but I think that there is a big kid in all of us, especially me! So I think it will relate to everyone for the most part.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Week 4 Discussion #1
Speech buddy:Review Drinking and Light Pollution videos... Respond to each video. What did the speaker do well? What can you learn from watching these videos?
After watching the Speech buddy videos for chapter 5, I felt that the first video on drinking was not done as well as I thought it would be. He seemed pretty nervous and a little unorganized. He made a lot of gestures and noises that distracted me from what he was saying. He also had a very monotone voice that made it boring. He did, however, have a lot of good information. I learned how you don't look very appealing when you do not have good pressure. The light pollution video was much better, but it was too short and she was little too infomal when talking to the audience. I thought that her voice was more interesting to listen to and that her posture was very good, but she needed to speak up a little bit more. I learned that if you make your appearence proper and your voice interesting, that the audience will be more intriqued about what you are saying.
After watching the Speech buddy videos for chapter 5, I felt that the first video on drinking was not done as well as I thought it would be. He seemed pretty nervous and a little unorganized. He made a lot of gestures and noises that distracted me from what he was saying. He also had a very monotone voice that made it boring. He did, however, have a lot of good information. I learned how you don't look very appealing when you do not have good pressure. The light pollution video was much better, but it was too short and she was little too infomal when talking to the audience. I thought that her voice was more interesting to listen to and that her posture was very good, but she needed to speak up a little bit more. I learned that if you make your appearence proper and your voice interesting, that the audience will be more intriqued about what you are saying.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Discussion Week 3 #2
Pick one concept from the reading that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.
I felt that page 143 had some good information on "Maximizing Your Search of Internet Resources". When I write a research paper, I always cringe at the idea of having to make sure I find creditable resources on the web, plus there is just so much information to sort through that it's hard to find the thing you are looking for. You might miss the perfect article that could have made your paper that much better. This section in the book breaks down how to better your results and use your information more effectively. It also tells you what to watch out for; creditable versus noncreditable or sponsored links. The most useful part of this section to me was the part about using a variety of key words because I am bad at trying to find multiple words with the same meaning to get different results. Some examples are given to show how one key word can be linked to another that might come up with better results.
I felt that page 143 had some good information on "Maximizing Your Search of Internet Resources". When I write a research paper, I always cringe at the idea of having to make sure I find creditable resources on the web, plus there is just so much information to sort through that it's hard to find the thing you are looking for. You might miss the perfect article that could have made your paper that much better. This section in the book breaks down how to better your results and use your information more effectively. It also tells you what to watch out for; creditable versus noncreditable or sponsored links. The most useful part of this section to me was the part about using a variety of key words because I am bad at trying to find multiple words with the same meaning to get different results. Some examples are given to show how one key word can be linked to another that might come up with better results.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Discussion Week 3 #3
Update the class on your speechpreparation progress. What topic have you chosen? What have you been researching? What are your main points in your speech? What are you planning to use as a visual aid?
For my demonstration speech, I am demonstrating how to draw Scooby Doo. He is my favorite cartoon character, and being an animation/ Illustration major and all, I thought this would be perfect. I never actually sat down and tried to draw Scooby Doo before so I researched some pictures of him. I went to the Cartoon Network website and found some interesting pictures of Scooby Doo and even found a link that broke down how to draw a certain pose of him. I found a better pose that I liked and I have been practicing how to break it down in parts so that it comes easily for the day of the speech. My visual aid is an original picture of Scooby then me drawing Scooby and then a finished, colored drawing (showing how it would look in the end with out spending too much time coloring it in person).
I need your opinions on if I should have the whole class draw Scooby Doo while I am demonstrating it or not. I know some one was showing us how to tie a tie... are you going to have the whole class follow along with you?
For my demonstration speech, I am demonstrating how to draw Scooby Doo. He is my favorite cartoon character, and being an animation/ Illustration major and all, I thought this would be perfect. I never actually sat down and tried to draw Scooby Doo before so I researched some pictures of him. I went to the Cartoon Network website and found some interesting pictures of Scooby Doo and even found a link that broke down how to draw a certain pose of him. I found a better pose that I liked and I have been practicing how to break it down in parts so that it comes easily for the day of the speech. My visual aid is an original picture of Scooby then me drawing Scooby and then a finished, colored drawing (showing how it would look in the end with out spending too much time coloring it in person).
I need your opinions on if I should have the whole class draw Scooby Doo while I am demonstrating it or not. I know some one was showing us how to tie a tie... are you going to have the whole class follow along with you?
Monday, September 8, 2008
Discussion Week 3 #1
What experience do you have with conducting research interviews? What went well? What needed improvement? Share your advice.
I do not have a lot of experience with conducting a research interview besides what I did in high school for a paper. Before hand, I thought about what questions I wanted to ask the person I was interviewing and wrote them out so I would not forget during the interview. I made sure to ask questions that went with my research. The part that needed improvement was the way I talked to the person I was interviewing. I mean, I had all of the questions I wanted to ask before hand so that I wouldn't forget, but because I didn't know the person very well, I was very nervous and stumbled a little over my words. It just didn't go as smooth as I wanted it to.
I never had to do another research interview, so I was never able to practice to make it better; the only advice I can give to someone is make sure you write out your questions before hand.
I do not have a lot of experience with conducting a research interview besides what I did in high school for a paper. Before hand, I thought about what questions I wanted to ask the person I was interviewing and wrote them out so I would not forget during the interview. I made sure to ask questions that went with my research. The part that needed improvement was the way I talked to the person I was interviewing. I mean, I had all of the questions I wanted to ask before hand so that I wouldn't forget, but because I didn't know the person very well, I was very nervous and stumbled a little over my words. It just didn't go as smooth as I wanted it to.
I never had to do another research interview, so I was never able to practice to make it better; the only advice I can give to someone is make sure you write out your questions before hand.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Discussion Week 2 #2
Speech Buddy videos:
The interactive video that showed Jessica giving a speech was very useful. She seemed very confident, projected her voice well, and gave a personal experience that made her and the audience connect. You really "felt" and understood what she was saying.
The other videos that gave some tips on how to give a speech and how to relax were also helpful. I am more of a visual learner; reading how to do something will not always work for me, so actually seeing how to do the breathing exercise and being visually shown how to stand and make a speech really made all the difference. I was surprised that the videos were so short, but I think they still got the point across with out making it boring. They were easy to watch and understand.
The interactive video that showed Jessica giving a speech was very useful. She seemed very confident, projected her voice well, and gave a personal experience that made her and the audience connect. You really "felt" and understood what she was saying.
The other videos that gave some tips on how to give a speech and how to relax were also helpful. I am more of a visual learner; reading how to do something will not always work for me, so actually seeing how to do the breathing exercise and being visually shown how to stand and make a speech really made all the difference. I was surprised that the videos were so short, but I think they still got the point across with out making it boring. They were easy to watch and understand.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Week 2 Discussion #3
Pick one concept from the assigned reading that you found useful or interesting and discuss it.
I felt that when Coopman broke down the key components on how to confidently deliver a speech, it was the most helpful for me. The book talked about 1.) planning and preparing early with a topic you truly care about so that you will be more excited and determined to work on it, 2.) Do as much creditable research that you can so you really know what you are talking about, 3.) learn your audience because it will help address your speech in the correct, reasonable manner so that the audience can relate and connect to what is being said, 4.) practice your speech aloud so you can become comfortable with timing and see if the wording flows, and finally 5.) make sure that the introduction and conclusion coexist and help support the point you are trying to put across. The book even gives some exercises to help relieve stress and anxiety, and help bring your confidence level up. The part about knowing your audience is something that I never really thought about, but after reading it, it seemed so obvious that it would only make your speech better and you be more confident.
All of these key points basically mean that the more you know your subject and the more you practice, the more confident you will be.
I felt that when Coopman broke down the key components on how to confidently deliver a speech, it was the most helpful for me. The book talked about 1.) planning and preparing early with a topic you truly care about so that you will be more excited and determined to work on it, 2.) Do as much creditable research that you can so you really know what you are talking about, 3.) learn your audience because it will help address your speech in the correct, reasonable manner so that the audience can relate and connect to what is being said, 4.) practice your speech aloud so you can become comfortable with timing and see if the wording flows, and finally 5.) make sure that the introduction and conclusion coexist and help support the point you are trying to put across. The book even gives some exercises to help relieve stress and anxiety, and help bring your confidence level up. The part about knowing your audience is something that I never really thought about, but after reading it, it seemed so obvious that it would only make your speech better and you be more confident.
All of these key points basically mean that the more you know your subject and the more you practice, the more confident you will be.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Discussion for week 2- #1
What makes you apprehensive about public speaking?
Public speaking makes me a little apprehensive because speaking in front of a live audience makes me extremely nervous. I feel self- conscious about how the audience will react and respond to what I have to say- negatively or positively. I feel a lot of pressure when it is just me- one person- against an entire crowd. I know I have to be creditable for the audience to believe my speech, which is easy, but hard at the same time. I still feel that even with hard evidence and reliable facts, an audience might be too narrow minded, or too determined of their view of the subject being presented, to listen to what I have to say to at least here me out.
I found later in the reading, some helpful hints on how to feel more confident in front of a large crowd which will be very helpful for me and anyone else who feels the same way about public speaking. (pages 41-44)
Public speaking makes me a little apprehensive because speaking in front of a live audience makes me extremely nervous. I feel self- conscious about how the audience will react and respond to what I have to say- negatively or positively. I feel a lot of pressure when it is just me- one person- against an entire crowd. I know I have to be creditable for the audience to believe my speech, which is easy, but hard at the same time. I still feel that even with hard evidence and reliable facts, an audience might be too narrow minded, or too determined of their view of the subject being presented, to listen to what I have to say to at least here me out.
I found later in the reading, some helpful hints on how to feel more confident in front of a large crowd which will be very helpful for me and anyone else who feels the same way about public speaking. (pages 41-44)
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
HELLO!
My name is Rachael- pronounced "ra-kel"... I know it's a wierd way to spell it, but anyway,I am from Sacamento originally, then moved to San Jose for school. I am an animation/Illustration major at SJSU and currently in my 3rd year. My dream job is to work for Disney.
I have many hobbies (besides drawing) that include snowboarding, wakeboarding, dirt biking...and so on.
I do not have a lot of experience with public speaking besides what was required in high school, so this class will certainly be a challenge, but I look foward to it becuase I do like to be argumenative about certain ideas/topics. I hate standing up and speaking in front of large crowds, but my goal is to get over that fear with the help of this class. This should be interesting!
So that's me... can't wait to here back from everyone!
I have many hobbies (besides drawing) that include snowboarding, wakeboarding, dirt biking...and so on.
I do not have a lot of experience with public speaking besides what was required in high school, so this class will certainly be a challenge, but I look foward to it becuase I do like to be argumenative about certain ideas/topics. I hate standing up and speaking in front of large crowds, but my goal is to get over that fear with the help of this class. This should be interesting!
So that's me... can't wait to here back from everyone!
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