Presentation reflection- Nicholas Albaladejo

After going through the presentations, I came to realize how in depth public speaking actually is. My original thoughts were much similar to something akin to theater, and while they overlap and share qualities, public speaking a different animal altogether. Before having read the first chapters, as truthfully I had to overview the first chapters myself, I firmly believed that giving a “good speech” was almost entirely dependent on pure confidence alone and memorization but that’s only part of it. Those aspects still play an important role to be sure, however reviewing the material showed to how much more takes place behind the scenes and in the moment. Planning and organization are critical in public speaking with every part of a speech needing careful consideration to be effective. Chapters four and six emphasized starting with purpose, essentially don’t go into a speech halfcocked. Intention is something I never really considered in speeches. The speaker must have stake or a goal to relay to the audience and its important the audience as well as yourself know exactly why the speech is being given and what they are supposed to get out of it. As a speaker brainstorming first and then tightening down what you are speaking about not only helps the performance but the listeners as well. ‘Good speeches’ don’t usually come from the first idea that pops into your head, and unlike theater improv is something to be avoided, you don’t want to say something that isn’t factual or true as it might do more harm than good to the point you are trying to get across. Taking time to appraise diverse selections assist in ensuring the subject matter is impactful, applicable, and interesting/entertaining for the viewing audience, you don’t want them to get bored. Writing something akin to a ‘purpose statement’ and/or a thesis are steps the chapters recommended, these actions act like an anchor for the speaker, keeping the focus and preventing the actual performance from derailing into something completely different. Researching isn’t something you just have to do for work assignments, not only will research help in constructing integrity in what’s being said, and truthfully this goes for most of life in general. When using reliable sources, it indicates the effort put into the work you are doing and assures the audience can more than likely trust what they are being taught. Another important aspect is the focus on avoiding misinformation. Inaccurate information spreads easily, and speakers are especially susceptible to it as they are usually taking what you are saying at face value. When doing any form of speech whether it be congratulatory or informative you have an unwavering obligation to ensure your facts. Ill be the first to admit to the tedious nature that is research and fact checking, quite frankly is annoying. However, it is integral to your performance that you compare sources and make sure their material is current, relevant and most importantly true. Learning to judge whether information is trustworthy or not is a practice like any other and can become obvious in time. Being aware of how vigilant you need to be when gathering information is more than integral, its necessary. I can appreciated the indication that research should be organized as that’s not something I am particularly amazing at. Focusing on the strongest points and elaborating those points concisely and clearly shows respect for the audience and makes the message easier to follow. Properly citing sources also stood out to me, since it reinforced that honesty and giving credit are just as important as being persuasive. Not to toot my own horn but I feel our group was probably my favorite because it focused on storytelling and supporting materials such as videos, and while we weren’t able to see all of them in class I do feel like our choices made the presentation fun and entertaining. I studied how storytelling can be a very powerful modem in speaking. As demonstrated by group 3: they connect ideas to real experiences and emotions; A well told story can capture attention whereas straight hard facts alone can sometimes bore the audience. However you cannot start rambling about any topic that comes to mind. Stories need structure, balance and of course like everything else in a presentation it needs to pertain to the topic at hand and assist in the message being told throughout the presentation. helped me understand why some examples are more effective than others. There was a particular section on definitions in public speaking terms. I’d wager to say that for most it’s easy to assume everyone understands certain terms, and for some terms might mean something completely different outside of public speaking. Taking the time to explain them clearly helps avoid confusion and keeps everyone on the same page. We also got to see some of group 3’s presentation, I particularly draw myself to bias when speaking as most of us do in normal day to day conversation. However not all opinions carry the same weight and credibility must be maintained throughout, this also plays a major role in whether testimony actually strengthens an argument. The discussion of facts and statistics reminded me that balance is important. While numbers can be convincing, too many can overwhelm listeners or make a speech feel dry.  Learning about the four main parts of a speech made the process feel much more manageable. Each section serves a clear purpose, and when they work together, the speech feels smoother and easier to understand. I also liked learning about different ways to organize main points, such as chronological order, cause and effect, or problem and solution. It showed me that there isn’t just one “right” way to structure a speech, as long as the organization fits the topic. The section on outlines was especially helpful. Understanding the differences between working outlines, full outlines, and speaking outlines showed me how useful they can be for staying organized and confident. These presentations showed me public speaking as a process rather than just a performance. A strong speech isn’t only about sounding confident in front of an audience; it’s about preparation, clarity, and respect for listeners. These chapters showed me that when a speaker plans carefully, researches responsibly, organizes ideas clearly, and supports points effectively, communication becomes more meaningful. Unfortunately, I was unable to access group 1’s presentation and I was sadly unable to attend their live performance due to issues of my own, however I like to believe they did great, just as the rest of the groups did. I am positive we as a collective will only grow in our strengths as we continue forward in our public speaking endeavors. And once moreover; I’m glad we know now how preparation truly makes all the difference.