Self Evaluation #2

Overall, I felt that I did well durning this speech. I think I significantly improved on certain areas that were not as great during my demonstration speech. However, their were some things that I would like to have changed or done differently.

First, thing that threw me was the presentation media. Although, I practiced my speech, didn’t practice it with the media primary because I didn’t have a large enough projector screen. This made it harder for me to quickly locate a particular portion of the slide that I wanted to direct my audience attention too. The other thing that was hard, was the location of the controls and the size of the screen. I noticed that I kept falling behind the desk, making it hard for me to connect with the audience. I only made eye contact with the side of the audience that could see me. This would have been easier to fix, with a laser pointer mouse. Allowing for me to not be so tethered to the controls.

Another thing to mention about my eye contact, was that I occasionally talked to my media, when I was emphasizing a point. So overall, I’d give myself a 5.

I did improve on some things from my last speech. I used less random hand motions, and I believe less fidgeting. I also, worked on my credibility, making sure to emphasize why I was an expert speaker on the subject. I did only use 3 oral citations, even though I had planned to use more. During the moment of the speech I forgot to insert the last one and could because I don’t really on notecards. I feel that they are distracting and only hinder me. 

Another thing I noticed about this speech, was that I was able to better stay in the timeframe. I was going to include much more information about my speech, however I realized that it would be too much and so I cut things out. This allowed for me to go into the proper amount of detail for the speech that was required for a basic understanding. This is something that I was failing to do in my last speeches.

Another thing to note about my speech, I had a better introduction and conclusion. I made sure I included a clincher, reviewed my main points, and reinforced the purpose in my conclusion. I had an attention getter, which I felt was a little weak, but I think did the job. I also, provided a thesis and clear agenda. Something that was possible only because I had a good outline.

I definitely did better than my last speech, even though I felt a little less, prepared I was more comfortable with the material. I knew more about DNA replication, and was able to find more research. Overall, I am very proud of the speech, despite having complications with my media material. If I had to grade myself, I would give my speech an 85. I know I made mistakes, I am not sure how obvious they were though.

I am excited and nervous about my next speech. I don’t know if I will be as connected to my topic, however, I want to really look into all arguments. I know that my audience will be extremely important to consider. I want to make sure I can touch on most people opinions, this should help me support me case for or against. As far as content, I am pretty confident that I will be able to included enough substantial support, evidence, fact, and logic to make my case meaningful. 

Don't. Please Don't.

Powerpoint Presentation, Keynote, whatever you use is amazing, until you forget to save or there is an error. However, the point I want to get across is, these programs are powerful and can make a great slide show, if done right. Now I know I already went on about slideshows early, but I really feel the need to get this point across. Slide shows are not notecard. Every time I am subjected to endless presentation with powerpoint, I end up leaving the class because these power points are usually annoying. I'd rather go get a latte.

So things to avoid:

1)Filling up the whole slide. I was talking with my friend who works in advertising, she told me that certain ads are made so overloaded, except for one part, so that the viewer is forced subconsciously to see the simple part. It is too much for the person to take in at once. So when I see a slide with 4 pictures all with captions and text, I find a simple spot. It is usually my phone.

2) Text. Slides are not book pages. A little text is cool, but if I am already reading the slide, why do I need to listen to you? I can probable read whatever you are presenting faster than you can tell me, I can hear and comprehend. I might as well cut out the middle man, and pick up a book from the library.

Plus, you'll look pretty stupid, sitting up there regurgitating.

It's the Right Thing To Do

No body is perfect and sometimes, people use poor sources. However most of the world is unforgiving and will crucify you for your mistake, especially on a professional level. That is why it is important to make sure you have a good valid source, especially on highly controversial stuff. If you have a video or digital recording that is going to rock the boat, ask yourself where did you get it? Perhaps find who recorded it, people who were claimed to be there, and get them to give you on the record quotes.

This will keep you out of trouble and also, make you seem like a good hearted person. You should also ask yourself is it worth using? Will it get me in serious trouble if I am wrong about it? 

Overall, your audience is looking to you to do the "right" thing. They want to know that you checked your sources and used something 100% legit because they hate to be duped intentional, or not.

re-gur-gi-ta-tion

I often find that using presentation media either help or hinder a speak on a massive level. I also typically find that people who are less experienced with speeches, tend to use presentation media poorly. For instance, a lot of times I have seen in class presentation by groups and singular people and they put all their information on the slides and read off the slide. It is particularly annoying because I then read the slide and I am waiting for them to regurgitate the slide to me, so I can read the next slide. When, the point is that the power points are suppose to help accent certain points. 

Like in a science class, teachers almost have to use them to help students understand difficult processes, otherwise they have to use a chalkboard, and unless they are super fast it will take them forever to draw out models and examples to explain. Typically they use these slideshows rather well, often adding in small clips that explain concepts, images, and charts. I remember one of my teachers added a small segment of a cell video, where the class was able to see what was happing to a real cell. It helped emphasized the point. 

So overall, speeches benefit from presentation media, as long as you do it right and DON'T regurgitate off the slide. It is super annoying.

Do you have purpose?

When I was reading about the introduction, one of the things that caught me eye was the consider your purpose section. It is easy to write down a general purpose for your speech, but if you don't connect with that purpose. If you don't like that purpose or believe in the purpose, it will be like you don't believe in your speech. It is easy for a lot of use to think we'll my real purpose for this speech is so I have something to talk about on speech day that will get me a good grade, and allow me to pass the class. However, from what I understand, in order to give a good speech, you must believe in yourself and the speech. You must want to make that connection to the audience. You really have to have a good purpose, otherwise why bother talking about it? If you don't feel the topic is that interesting, that relevant, or that meaningful, then why are you subjecting other to that torture?

Why should I listen?

Like I mention in my other post there are three main parts that go in to an introduction, the attention getter, a review of the main points, and something that provides credibility.

The attention getter is anything that will grab your audience and is used just to wake people up to the idea that you are talking. Short and simple.

Credibility is sort of like the attention getter in my opinion, it is just another way to reinforce the idea that people should listen to you speak. Just done in a more serious fashion. It says, yes I know what I am talking about. An example of credibility would be a question that I might use for my speech. “Have you ever wonder how we all got here?” or “Ever wonder why you have a different eye color that your family member?” (My speech is on DNA)

Review of main points, is something that I thought was silly until the other day. I was reading a book on more effective reading, and one of the things that it mentioned was that if you preview a books main points, you will be able to move through the content more quickly and comprehend it better. This is allows people to warm up to the ideas that will be presented.

Introducing...

The two main topics in these videos were about introductions and conclusions. These are important factors to help guide your audience through your speech, as well as, seem a credible speaker. 

Your introduction has three main parts, the attention getter, reviewing  the main points, and providing credibility. If you fail to have a good conclusion people may get confused and not know what you are talking about. So even if you had eloquently talked about each of your points people may not understand them, because they are trying to catch up to what you are talking about.

The other thing is the conclusion. Sums up everything you talked about and is really just important to help people understand that what you are talking about has a reason. It also helps people know when your speech is over, otherwise it just gets awkward. If you don’t have closure you end up saying things like “and that’s my speech” or “Okay, I’m done”.