COM 250 / Week 9 Discussion: Public Speaking: My Experience
Tell
us something about your public speaking experience. What is your major
accomplishment or stumble? Was your speech well-received or did it end in a fiasco; why? What lesson(s) did you learn from your experience?
When I usually engage in public speaking, I like the idea that "if I can make my audience cry, laugh, or think critically, then it was a good speech." I have had some very successful attempts at doing just that actually, all times were at the end of my senior year of high school. The reason being was because I was in charge of my high schools film-broadcasting club, as well as graduating high school. At the end of the year the broadcasting club had this "end of the year show" and I gave a speech to the entire club/class, and incoming students basically saying how I felt about the program, and what the incoming students should expect about it. I started off the speech thanking everyone who had been a significant help in this program (fellow leaders and teacher). Then I went in to say how I felt about the program itself, what it did to me as a human, and how it can dramatically effect someone's life. I shared memories and stories that I knew directly effected people on a nostalgic level. Then I realized, when I was sharing these stories, that I started to tear up because they were events that any of us would never get to experience again, and it was sad. I realized that to be an effective speaker, a person has to truly believe in what they say, and that the emotions, or pathos, shown in the speech can affect the audience as much as it can affect the speaker. The audience I was speaking too noted my sincerity, and emotions, and from that, they started to feel those same emotions, and we connected: speaker-audience.
At my graduation speech to my family and friends, I talked in the same manner. I used emotions to my advantage, and captured the audiences attention by hitting on points where I know would cause heavy emotional stimulus to some members of my audience.
Altogether I learned how to speak publicly from my time in Boy Scouts, and through practice in speaking in front of the broadcasting class constantly and becoming a leader in that community. I learned that a good speaker will strike emotional stimulus (good or bad) with their audience, and that every speech should leave the audience with something to think about, or reflect upon. I would say that I'm an adequate public speaker, though I know that practice makes perfect, and I need a lot more practice.
I love to talk in front of people. I have always loved having people listen to what I have to say. But, when I was in the fourth grade, there was a speech that I could never forget. I was running for class president, and I had a beautiful speech prepared. I had been practicing my speech for days, and my father even took the day off to support me as I gave my speech. When it was my turn, I walked up to the microphone, notecards in hand, and my mind went blank. I couldn't remember what I was supposed to say, so I ran off the stage as my classmates laughed at me. In my yearbook at the end of that year, my friend drew a reenactment of the day, as a friendly reminder of how embarrassing that day was for me. Needless to say, my first attempt at a speech didn't work out for me. When I got older, as a cheerleader in high school, I was always getting up in front of the crowd, and using my voice. Mostly I spoke to the crowd to introduce the team, or introduce the new routine we were doing. I have always thought that if I can cheer in front of a stadium full of people, why can't I give an effective speech? I always thought I did fairly well on presentations in high school. I was usually nervous at first, but once I got going, I always felt like I never had enough to say. So winter term 2013 when I decided that communications is my declared major, I took April's public speaking course. It wasn't until I had someone critique me that I knew I needed to work on my public speaking skills. I thought that after my mishap in grade school, being great at giving speeches would be a sort of do-over. So in high school I did my best to be the best. But last term April gave me a lot of great pointers, and I feel that I can effectively give a speech and interact with an audience the way a great speaker should be able to. Of course I still need practice, and I take every chance I can get, but I have definitely come a long way from running off the stage in fear.
You sound like a natural! I think public speaking and communication in general are in a constant state of flux and as we continue to grow and learn our styles will evolve. In other words, we always have something to learn.
For many years, public speaking was excruciating for me. I was an extremely shy child and even when I got older and began coming out of my shell, public speaking was still not for me. However, passing speech class in high school was a requirement. I passed the class because I could write well and turn in assignments, not because I could speak well in public. Standing at the front of the class, with my voice trembling and with my crush sitting in the front seat staring at me was traumatic.
When my daughter was in middle school I was asked to speak to the Multnomah County Board in order to convince them to keep a social program. This was another tragic instance for not only me but probably for the audience as well. Again, my voice trembled and speaking was difficult but then I started crying. I thought I was horrible but the teacher I went with said I did GREAT. I think I was definitely appealing to the pathos.
Fast forward to professional life and I realized that in order to really be able to move up in the company, I would need to learn to speak in public and do a good job. I took all the communication classes our organization offered and I began volunteering to do the presentations for our department. After about 2 years, I began to feel comfortable in front of my audiences. Until the day I had to speak to a large group of managers. Most were not engaged in the subject matter and the others were staring at me with what I can only describe as anticipated apathy. I had a microphone and within 3 sentences my voice had closed down. I could not talk, I was paralyzed. I started flushing, then sweating, and coughing-it was horrible. I passed the microphone to my colleague and had to leave the room.
Fortunately I was able to review where I went wrong and get back on the horse, so to speak. I learned that being a little vulnerable and avoiding constant eye contact with the audience was okay.
I've never really minded public speaking...I guess it comes naturally to me. With that said, I've ALWAYS to been "cursed" with having to gives speeches in school about whatever topic the teacher felt like...there was never any good topics and therefore, I wasn't passionate about what I was speaking about. Back in high school, when I took AP US History, we had to give a debate once a semester, in which we had a few months to prepare for. By preparing over the course of several months, I knew what I was talking about so it was comfortable to speak about.
This speech I gave, that was about "Sex, Drugs, and Rock-n-Roll" was the best speech I think I've ever given (as if I've been around for SOOOO long). When the day for the speech came, my partner and I got up in front of the class and spoke diligently and effectively. Our speech lasted at least 20-30 minutes. While public speaking is not all about length, and more about content, we were able to provide credible facts and documentation (proof) of what our thesis statement was.
I think what worked well in this case was the fact that I was comfortable with the subject I was speaking on. While most people would be uncomfortable to talking about explicit "activities," I didn't mind. I was able to incorporate much humor into my speech which helped persuade the class into believing "the 70s ruined America with sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll."
My only flaws, when it comes to public speaking, is talking WAY to fast and spending too much time on one point. To reiterate: I have always and will continue to be a good public speaker as long as I am speaking on facts, not opinion, and have had time to learn the subject inside and out, before I present it to people. I think that most of the time, people are too worried about what people will think of them, but in reality, there's nothing to worry about; if you know what you are talking about, who are they [the audience] to judge you.
My first public speaking experience went down in burning flames. was in the sixth grade and all of us had to read aloud a small essay about our lives. As the anticipation of my name being called grew stronger, I became more anxious. Would I mess up? Would anyone like what I would have to say? Would I look stupid? All of these questions and then some were whirling around in my mind. Then the moment happened, Mrs. Turner called my name. I stood in front of the entire class, paper in hand, and could not make a sound. I was so nervous that when I tried to talk nothing came out. One sound of laughter and then another chuckle, I was completely mortified. I had no where to run and hide so I had to stand in front of the class until the teacher said I could sit down. I am not a great public speaker by all means and as I get more nervous, my speech gets worse and worse as it goes. My first speech did not go well because I let my nerves get the best of and I had to learn to calm down and realize that the speech will not end my life. I am not in any danger and the speech is actually good. Having confidence when public speaking is key because you have to think that you made the speech and you have to be proud about it. You have to become proud of the fact that you made something for people to listen to and make opinions about it. Speeches are meant to be heard and remembering that is lesson that I learned from my first speech ever, the time that I could not even say a word.
My experience with public speaking has never been very successful. Starting when I was in middle school was my worst experience with publically speaking. I remember we had to present a book report and all I remember was looking at how many people were in the class room and freezing up. I remember stumbling back to my desk in shame and was beyond embarrassed. Since then I’ve improved with being able to stand in front of an audience and not be terribly nervous but than my second fault kicks in. When I’m speaking in front of others I tend to talking lightning fast. I already tend to speak more quick than the average person but sticking me in front of a group intensifies the problem, therefore my audience doesn’t understand what I was trying to get across. My only accomplishments that I can think of are being able to actually be able to write a good paper and present and answer any questions about my presentation. I’ve learned with my public speaking that I need to learn to slow down and enunciate my words more clearly. I’ve also learned that I need to work on my persuasion skills because it is an important part of public speaking. I want people to believe in what I’m presenting to them.
From my experience public speaking is one of the difficult things to do. For me talking to smaller groups maybe two to four people is much easy than standing in front of more than ten or more people. I has this fear for the longest time. I remember back in school I used to be so afraid to talk in front of class, my legs and will get weak as I would walk in front of the classroom. My mouth would tremble as I would being to utter the words. I would avoid eye contact at all the cost. Over time I got embarrassed more than few times, and was not able to give speech at all afterwards. But to overcome the fear of speaking I had to have my mindset and started to practice more. I started to practicing my speech in front of supportive people. Started to give short speeches whenever possible. From there I started to get more and more comfortable. What I learn from this is understanding the cause of my fear, which was being embarrassed. Once we can figure out how to overcome the fear than it get much easier to speak in public. To overcome this fear I really had to change my mindset, of how I can deliver the best message help me overcome my fears. And lastly I practice over and over in front of supportive group.
When I usually engage in public speaking, I like the idea that "if I can make my audience cry, laugh, or think critically, then it was a good speech." I have had some very successful attempts at doing just that actually, all times were at the end of my senior year of high school. The reason being was because I was in charge of my high schools film-broadcasting club, as well as graduating high school. At the end of the year the broadcasting club had this "end of the year show" and I gave a speech to the entire club/class, and incoming students basically saying how I felt about the program, and what the incoming students should expect about it. I started off the speech thanking everyone who had been a significant help in this program (fellow leaders and teacher). Then I went in to say how I felt about the program itself, what it did to me as a human, and how it can dramatically effect someone's life. I shared memories and stories that I knew directly effected people on a nostalgic level. Then I realized, when I was sharing these stories, that I started to tear up because they were events that any of us would never get to experience again, and it was sad. I realized that to be an effective speaker, a person has to truly believe in what they say, and that the emotions, or pathos, shown in the speech can affect the audience as much as it can affect the speaker. The audience I was speaking too noted my sincerity, and emotions, and from that, they started to feel those same emotions, and we connected: speaker-audience.
ReplyDeleteAt my graduation speech to my family and friends, I talked in the same manner. I used emotions to my advantage, and captured the audiences attention by hitting on points where I know would cause heavy emotional stimulus to some members of my audience.
Altogether I learned how to speak publicly from my time in Boy Scouts, and through practice in speaking in front of the broadcasting class constantly and becoming a leader in that community. I learned that a good speaker will strike emotional stimulus (good or bad) with their audience, and that every speech should leave the audience with something to think about, or reflect upon. I would say that I'm an adequate public speaker, though I know that practice makes perfect, and I need a lot more practice.
I love to talk in front of people. I have always loved having people listen to what I have to say. But, when I was in the fourth grade, there was a speech that I could never forget. I was running for class president, and I had a beautiful speech prepared. I had been practicing my speech for days, and my father even took the day off to support me as I gave my speech. When it was my turn, I walked up to the microphone, notecards in hand, and my mind went blank. I couldn't remember what I was supposed to say, so I ran off the stage as my classmates laughed at me. In my yearbook at the end of that year, my friend drew a reenactment of the day, as a friendly reminder of how embarrassing that day was for me. Needless to say, my first attempt at a speech didn't work out for me. When I got older, as a cheerleader in high school, I was always getting up in front of the crowd, and using my voice. Mostly I spoke to the crowd to introduce the team, or introduce the new routine we were doing. I have always thought that if I can cheer in front of a stadium full of people, why can't I give an effective speech? I always thought I did fairly well on presentations in high school. I was usually nervous at first, but once I got going, I always felt like I never had enough to say. So winter term 2013 when I decided that communications is my declared major, I took April's public speaking course. It wasn't until I had someone critique me that I knew I needed to work on my public speaking skills. I thought that after my mishap in grade school, being great at giving speeches would be a sort of do-over. So in high school I did my best to be the best. But last term April gave me a lot of great pointers, and I feel that I can effectively give a speech and interact with an audience the way a great speaker should be able to. Of course I still need practice, and I take every chance I can get, but I have definitely come a long way from running off the stage in fear.
ReplyDeleteHi Goldie,
DeleteYou sound like a natural! I think public speaking and communication in general are in a constant state of flux and as we continue to grow and learn our styles will evolve. In other words, we always have something to learn.
Take good care,
Colleen
Public Speaking Experience
ReplyDeleteFor many years, public speaking was excruciating for me. I was an extremely shy child and even when I got older and began coming out of my shell, public speaking was still not for me. However, passing speech class in high school was a requirement. I passed the class because I could write well and turn in assignments, not because I could speak well in public. Standing at the front of the class, with my voice trembling and with my crush sitting in the front seat staring at me was traumatic.
When my daughter was in middle school I was asked to speak to the Multnomah County Board in order to convince them to keep a social program. This was another tragic instance for not only me but probably for the audience as well. Again, my voice trembled and speaking was difficult but then I started crying. I thought I was horrible but the teacher I went with said I did GREAT. I think I was definitely appealing to the pathos.
Fast forward to professional life and I realized that in order to really be able to move up in the company, I would need to learn to speak in public and do a good job. I took all the communication classes our organization offered and I began volunteering to do the presentations for our department. After about 2 years, I began to feel comfortable in front of my audiences. Until the day I had to speak to a large group of managers. Most were not engaged in the subject matter and the others were staring at me with what I can only describe as anticipated apathy. I had a microphone and within 3 sentences my voice had closed down. I could not talk, I was paralyzed. I started flushing, then sweating, and coughing-it was horrible. I passed the microphone to my colleague and had to leave the room.
Fortunately I was able to review where I went wrong and get back on the horse, so to speak. I learned that being a little vulnerable and avoiding constant eye contact with the audience was okay.
Thanks for reading,
Colleen
I've never really minded public speaking...I guess it comes naturally to me. With that said, I've ALWAYS to been "cursed" with having to gives speeches in school about whatever topic the teacher felt like...there was never any good topics and therefore, I wasn't passionate about what I was speaking about. Back in high school, when I took AP US History, we had to give a debate once a semester, in which we had a few months to prepare for. By preparing over the course of several months, I knew what I was talking about so it was comfortable to speak about.
ReplyDeleteThis speech I gave, that was about "Sex, Drugs, and Rock-n-Roll" was the best speech I think I've ever given (as if I've been around for SOOOO long). When the day for the speech came, my partner and I got up in front of the class and spoke diligently and effectively. Our speech lasted at least 20-30 minutes. While public speaking is not all about length, and more about content, we were able to provide credible facts and documentation (proof) of what our thesis statement was.
I think what worked well in this case was the fact that I was comfortable with the subject I was speaking on. While most people would be uncomfortable to talking about explicit "activities," I didn't mind. I was able to incorporate much humor into my speech which helped persuade the class into believing "the 70s ruined America with sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll."
My only flaws, when it comes to public speaking, is talking WAY to fast and spending too much time on one point. To reiterate: I have always and will continue to be a good public speaker as long as I am speaking on facts, not opinion, and have had time to learn the subject inside and out, before I present it to people. I think that most of the time, people are too worried about what people will think of them, but in reality, there's nothing to worry about; if you know what you are talking about, who are they [the audience] to judge you.
My first public speaking experience went down in burning flames. was in the sixth grade and all of us had to read aloud a small essay about our lives. As the anticipation of my name being called grew stronger, I became more anxious. Would I mess up? Would anyone like what I would have to say? Would I look stupid? All of these questions and then some were whirling around in my mind. Then the moment happened, Mrs. Turner called my name. I stood in front of the entire class, paper in hand, and could not make a sound. I was so nervous that when I tried to talk nothing came out. One sound of laughter and then another chuckle, I was completely mortified. I had no where to run and hide so I had to stand in front of the class until the teacher said I could sit down. I am not a great public speaker by all means and as I get more nervous, my speech gets worse and worse as it goes. My first speech did not go well because I let my nerves get the best of and I had to learn to calm down and realize that the speech will not end my life. I am not in any danger and the speech is actually good. Having confidence when public speaking is key because you have to think that you made the speech and you have to be proud about it. You have to become proud of the fact that you made something for people to listen to and make opinions about it. Speeches are meant to be heard and remembering that is lesson that I learned from my first speech ever, the time that I could not even say a word.
ReplyDeleteMy experience with public speaking has never been very successful. Starting when I was in middle school was my worst experience with publically speaking. I remember we had to present a book report and all I remember was looking at how many people were in the class room and freezing up. I remember stumbling back to my desk in shame and was beyond embarrassed. Since then I’ve improved with being able to stand in front of an audience and not be terribly nervous but than my second fault kicks in. When I’m speaking in front of others I tend to talking lightning fast. I already tend to speak more quick than the average person but sticking me in front of a group intensifies the problem, therefore my audience doesn’t understand what I was trying to get across. My only accomplishments that I can think of are being able to actually be able to write a good paper and present and answer any questions about my presentation. I’ve learned with my public speaking that I need to learn to slow down and enunciate my words more clearly. I’ve also learned that I need to work on my persuasion skills because it is an important part of public speaking. I want people to believe in what I’m presenting to them.
ReplyDeleteFrom my experience public speaking is one of the difficult things to do. For me talking to smaller groups maybe two to four people is much easy than standing in front of more than ten or more people. I has this fear for the longest time. I remember back in school I used to be so afraid to talk in front of class, my legs and will get weak as I would walk in front of the classroom. My mouth would tremble as I would being to utter the words. I would avoid eye contact at all the cost. Over time I got embarrassed more than few times, and was not able to give speech at all afterwards. But to overcome the fear of speaking I had to have my mindset and started to practice more. I started to practicing my speech in front of supportive people. Started to give short speeches whenever possible. From there I started to get more and more comfortable. What I learn from this is understanding the cause of my fear, which was being embarrassed. Once we can figure out how to overcome the fear than it get much easier to speak in public. To overcome this fear I really had to change my mindset, of how I can deliver the best message help me overcome my fears. And lastly I practice over and over in front of supportive group.
ReplyDelete