Reflection on Public Speaking 1 Edie Oliva

The conventional concept of public speaking as just getting up in front of an audience and speaking has been misunderstood. Public speaking is an ever-changing and adaptable process that incorporates self-awareness and preparation, as well as connection to an audience through communication with a purpose. These four elements combined suggest that public speaking is not about being perfect but instead focuses on intention, adaptability, and growth.

Through the discovery of an evolving art form, public speaking represents how communication has changed over time due to changing cultures, advancements in technology, and changing audience expectations. For example, what worked 20 years ago may no longer work today. Today's speaker has to navigate their way through both traditional and alternative formats, along with their new virtual and multimedia audiences. This evolution illustrates that public speaking continues to be a changing discipline that requires ongoing education and flexibility. Once we understand this concept, the pressure to "master" public speaking lessens and is instead viewed as an ongoing journey of development.

In this same light, confidence is an integral part of this process. While confidence does not equate to the absence of anxiety when speaking, confidence can stem from being able to manage your anxiety about public speaking, confidence comes primarily from preparation, experience, and trusting yourself. It is not a trait of only a small percentage of the population but rather a skill that can be acquired through practice. Additionally, by recognizing that even the most accomplished speakers experience anxiety prior to delivering a speech, this allows us to view this anxiety in exactly the same manner we view all other aspects of public speaking as a normal part of the public speaking process.

It’s essential to listen when you communicate effectively. Not only does a good speaker take note of the feedback they receive, but they also consider reactions from the audience and various ideas on how to communicate their message effectively and thoughtfully.

Effective speakers shape the way they present content to address the purpose of their speech, tell the audience what the subject is, and ensure that they are adapting the content for the listeners' benefit. A clear understanding of the audience helps the speaker ensure that the content is part of the audience experience. It’s important to keep the audience engaged or they won’t retain any of the information you tell them (if your speech is informative) or they won’t be persuaded (if your speech is informative)

A good presentation has sufficient research behind it to provide credibility for the speaker and self-confidence. A speaker can make their ideas easier to communicate, understand, and remember by providing supporting evidence (for example: statistics, examples, and stories). But it is also important to not fully rely on those but use them when necessary. Too much examples and statistics could overwhelm the audience. But also it’s very important one does include some examples to help explain your subject.

Good organization of similar ideas allows the audience to follow along the presentation better, therefore making it easier to understand. A good organization means a good presentation and helps the speaker express themselves in an effective way as well meaning a good organization can help both the presenter and the audience. 

Working on the introduction and the conclusion of a presentation is important for creating a first impression and a final impression. In my personal opinion the introduction is not a big issue but the conclusion is. More often than not I will personally not conclude a presentation but always just drop a “thanks” at the end. That issue is rather common and something a lot of speakers do, so a focus on a conclusion could help the presentation.

When it comes to language, the speaker's tone, clarity, and presentation media will affect the way the audience perceives the message, subsequently. The use of presentation media must improve the presence of the speaker, but they should not provide the primary focus of the speaker's presentation. The speaker should engage the audience with their communication mostly. A common mistake is that the presentation includes big written parts of the subject  which in return makes the speaker read along instead of speak to the audience.

Delivery is very important when it comes to presenting delivery comes from the use of voice, non-verbal communication, and presence. An informative presentation is designed to teach, whereas, a persuasive speech attempts to encourage and influence the audience to act ethically and logically. It is very important you don’t mix up the both of them. In both instances, however the use of technology, including virtual speaking and group presentations, will help with your presentation as long as there is flexibility and cooperation among teammates and audience.

Thus, public speaking is not only an activity that is meant to be performed. It is also about providing clear, ethical, and thoughtful communication with the audience to build relationships, build understanding, and build trust within the people there. This will help not only get your point across better but also feel more confident on what you’re talking about.

To add onto this and elaborate more on my theme of the presentation. To be an effective informative speaker requires a commitment to education versus persuasion. Your job as a speaker is to share information accurately, fairly and clearly enough for your audience to comprehend. This may involve simplifying complex concepts or defining words that the audience doesn't know, providing examples in order to clarify the information, rather than trying to convince them of your opinion; and using neutral rather than biased statements. The conclusion of a successful informative speech should be that your audience has a greater knowledge and confidence in their understanding of the topic than they had before your presentation.

  

To conclude with my reflection it’s important to keep calm when presenting and work with your teammates an audience to improve your performance. Be clear and if your objective is to inform then be brief.