Regardless, I hope you all enjoying talking about and practicing public speaking and presenting through the various class activities we undertook on Tuesday. If nothing else, I hope you came away with two key points:
1) Becoming a good and effective public speaker takes effort, time and lots of practice (so take every opportunity you can get to speak in public).
2) Being a strong effective public speaker will be KEY to your success in whatever industry you have chosen to work within!
For this week's blog, I ask that you thoughtfully reflect on the following:
- What have you learned about public speaking that you didn't know before and how do you plan to incorporate this new knowledge into your presenting and public speaking efforts?
- What do you think it means to speak with confidence? What might you do moving forward to ensure that you are presenting and speaking in front others in a more confident manner?
- What is your biggest fear as it relates to puiblic speaking? What strategies do you use to overcome this fear when speaking front of others? If you have never found public speaking to be daunting, why do you think that is? What would be your advice to others who struggle with public speaking?
- What was your favorite activity in class? Why?
This weeks lecture taught me the importance of staying sober for making toasts and speeches. It never occurred to me that one may need to be lucid to give an appropriate speech.
ReplyDeleteTo speak with confidence would mean to speak with a comfort level brought by an understanding and fluid expression of content. Also, feeling comfortable with dress wear and the individuals comfort with their own speaking abilities.
My biggest fear relating to public speaking would be freezing or finding myself highly intoxicated while about to give a grand speech. Granted, I have the habit of staying sober for important events, but you never know when someone is going to give you a really well mixed drink or slip you some drugs ( I only bring up the latter because I've actually had to give a speech after being dosed with drugs at my high school graduation before my address to the student body. It went interestingly to say the least).
The only times I have seen public speaking as a daunting task is when I am not proficient with the material, making me uncomfortable because I know that the audience knows that I have no idea what I am talking about. To combat this, I have taken up the habit to practice my speeches and become proficient with the material beyond what the speech finds necessary, just incase I find myself digressing to a topic that needs to be addressed per the audience's request.
Loved the object game. Any impromptu acting/silliness is always appreciated regardless of the situation.
Since being in school, I haven’t spoken in front of anyone in a while, other then a brief presentation for a class or my public speaking class in high school. Nonetheless, I was able to recall pretty accurately on what public speaking is all about; practice makes perfect! The in-class exercise was very helpful and it always interests me to hear other’s thoughts.
DeleteI personally think, as long as one have enough or more knowledge on the topic of what they’re speaking, confidence will come naturally and also practicing plays an important role of gaining confidence in public speaking.
My biggest fear relating to public speaking is forgetting my thoughts in the middle of speaking. That happened to me once during a public speaking class and what I have learned from it is, even if you forget something, you must remain clam and keep the flow going. The thought may or may have not come back to you, but it’ important not to stop in the middle of sentence.
My favorite activity in class was coming up with a concept by using a random picture. Not only that it helped me practice speaking in front of the class, yet I also enjoyed exploring my imagination and we got to play with creativity.
soo i may have missed your tyraid on being punctual and on time to class, but I'll be sure to be on time this week so as to not miss out. anyways...* What have you learned about public speaking that you didn't know before and how do you plan to incorporate this new knowledge into your presenting and public speaking efforts?
DeleteI have learned that people use filler words to kill time alot more than i realized they do. that activity where we had to go without saying um or like or anything tore us apart! In a good way though. like i said, I learned something from it.
* What do you think it means to speak with confidence? What might you do moving forward to ensure that you are presenting and speaking in front others in a more confident manner?
I think speaking with confidence is to really be behind what you're trying to talk about, and it really showing. it makes or breaks a speech or toast or whatever, and if you don't show that you believe in what you're saying, it won't work out. on the opposite hand, even if you don't believe in what you're saying (like last weeks activity of arguing for both sides of an argument. loved that by the way) apply a little confidence, and noone would ever know.
* What is your biggest fear as it relates to puiblic speaking? What strategies do you use to overcome this fear when speaking front of others? If you have never found public speaking to be daunting, why do you think that is? What would be your advice to others who struggle with public speaking?
I don't think public speaking is scary. I'm never afraid to do it or go through with it, although for some reason i do get shaky when it's actually happening. i don't think it's a matter of being nervous, so much as just way too much attention being directed at me. i never was good with attention, but that being the case, i do find it easy to adapt to after a few moments.
* What was your favorite activity in class? Why?
My favorite activity in class was when we had to talk about the items that were in the random paper bag, if for no other reason than the laughs. a little laughter is the best thing.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI've learned that you need a lot of confidence and responsibility. Before I was thinking of presenting and public speaking as just "talking in front of people cause you HAVE to" but it's a lot powerful and satisfying if you do it with confidence.
ReplyDeleteyou enjoy and you feel good about it while you're speaking. you know what you're talking about. dress appropriately and have an eye contact with the auditions.
My biggest fear is the whole quiet attentions I get as I speak. I don't mind getting attentions when it's loud like at a party or something but when it's all silent, it's too awkward to handle and I hate awkward moments... Surprisingly, I was a class leader in Korea in 6th grade and I had to lead all the meetings and stuff, it was fun at that time but as I get older, the topics get harder... you have to be knowledgeable..
I shake too much when I'm nervous and I try to calm myself before I speak by thinking about other stuff..
I enjoyed the object game. very funny how people came up with random stories that don't make sense at all haha great speeches.
Well I missed class on tuesday so I was not there for the lecture.. But I have learned a little bit about public speaking, when I took a speech class a couple years ago. I know you just have to go up there, stand tall, make your voice be heard, and try not to look down too often. speaking with confidence to me means to speak loudly, not yelling, but projecting your voice. Not stuttering would be good too. sometimes you make a mistake, and when it happens don't make a big deal about it, just quickly correct it and move forward. When I am up speaking in front of a group of people, I know i have to practice what I am going to say. Almost to the point of memorization, but not to the point where it sounds robotic. lots of practice is key. I have always had a fear of going up in front of a big group and messing up, my face will turn all red, and i get all sweaty. Ever since i took that speech class Ive actually been better at presenting.
ReplyDeleteI didn't come to class last week but there are a few things that I have learned about public speaking. I try to approach every presentation with confidence because that's where the impression starts. I can speak and get what I want to say out but, I would like to do it more professionally.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking with confidence means fearlessly presenting a product or idea. Speaking in a professional manner exercises your etiquette along with helping you become more involved with the topic being spoke upon. Studying the presentation also helps with confidence and motivation.
The biggest fear I have about public speaking is the fact that my voice can tremble at times. A lot of times I don't feel nervous but when I step in front of an audience this weird thing happens. The only time this doesn't happen is when I review and study my presentation thoroughly. That seems to be my only remedy when it comes to study habits and public speaking. I'm pretty sure all the activities in class would have been my favorites!
I learned that public speaking is a skill that is developed over time and that it does not come naturally for most people. With knowing this I will make sure to practice my speeches or presentations before my class and make sure that I am knowledgable in the things that I am asked to speak about. If I make sure that I am prepared then I will speak with confidence. Speaking with confidence means that I have practiced my speech and I know more about the topic then what I am presenting that way if people ask questions I can answer them effectively. In order for me to speak confidently I will, as mentioned before, make sure that I practice, I know my audience and that I am knowledgable in the field that I speak for.
ReplyDeleteMy biggest fear for public speaking would have to be making a mistake or stumbling over my words I would hate to be embarrassed in front of a large crowd of people. To over come this fear I can practice in front of my peers and constantly ensure myself that I will do a good job no matter what. I've always found public speaking to be daunting unless I am speaking in front of people who I know don't have more knowledge than me or people whom I don't really care what they think about what I have to say. My advice for people who struggle with public speak would be to just relax, be knowledgable and start preparing as soon as you find out that you have to speak to the public.
Although I enjoyed every minute of the class and I can't really say that I had a favorite moment but for the sake of choosing I would say the toast was the best part because I had Q cards which made it easer for me to speak with out stumbling over my words. I was more confident at that time because I was not searching for things out of the sky I knew exactly what I was going to say.
1. What I came to realize gradually about myself and public speaking is that I must constantly remind myself that my audience is not trying to block me out. That must sound obvious, but for a certain period of time at home I was not well acknowledged when I spoke. Either I said something and there would be little to no response, or someone would change the subject, and eventually people would talk over me. It put me out of the habit of speaking at all until I exploded one day about something I couldn’t leave ignored. To this day, I have an irrational feeling that although I am talking and making sound, nobody can hear it, that I am really talking to myself. But things as simple as making eye contact or creating laughter remind me that this is indeed not so. Just this year I have been going out of my way to speak with people around my home town, so I am not as socially defunct as I have the potential to be. Although I have a lot of room for improvement, I’m more comfortable with myself in the position of speaker or leader than I ever was at any other point in my existence.
ReplyDelete2. For me confidence in speaking comes from saying exactly what I think needs to be said rather than just saying what people want to hear. Only weariness causes me to employ the latter tactic, and for that reason its imperative that I be somewhat hyper to deliver a thorough and integral speech. When I give up and start saying things to appease people I know I’ve lost my message and therefore the point of speaking in the first place.
3. I believe I talked more about my fears in the first point, but I also have a fear that I will not be able to empathize with my audience. That is, it freaks me out that I can’t feel what they’re feeling, I don’t really know if they’re following me or not.
The best speech I ever made was about George Orwell’s essay “Politics and the English Language”. Later, in trying to understand what I did right I realized that my need to get the message across was so strong, it dwarfed my nervousness and caused me to reach out to classmates in a very sincere manner. I could also see in their faces that they felt the import of what I was saying during the speech, so again (note to self) eye contact is crucial for me to help myself stay connected.
4. My favorite activity was where we gathered in a circle to talk about random topics and to try to avoid filler words. That one felt the most relaxed for some reason, and it has been reminding me all week to pause, breathe, and collect thoughts, rather than rushing on with a handful of um’s and so’s.
PS: Isn’t it tirade? ;]
Devin Dubovsky:
ReplyDeleteWell I dont mean to answer the first question in a snide way but I took 2 years of public speaking classes in high school so our last lesson was nothing but a recap. However Im very rusty and got nervous when it was my turn so I was happy public speaking was covered in this class.
The best way to speak with confidence is to actually know what your talking about. And a good way to at least look like you know what your doing is to practice out loud beforehand.
Im not really sure what I find so terrible about public speaking but I do get real shaky and nervous. I worry ill forget what I need to say. I personally just make sure to practice a whole lot beforehand. I find a good way to deal with forgetting your lines is to simply "know" what it is your talking about, that way even if you forget your next point your mind will most likly remember a different point.
My favorite activity was the object one. I liked how it was optional and I didnt feel nervous due to not feeling like I had to perform.
1. What have you learned about public speaking that you didn't know before and how do you plan to incorporate this new knowledge into your presenting and public speaking efforts?
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I didn't really learn anything new about public speaker. I took a speech class in high school, and my teacher pretty much taught me everything there is about it.
2. What do you think it means to speak with confidence? What might you do moving forward to ensure that you are presenting and speaking in front others in a more confident manner?
I think speak with confidence stems from knowing the material. As long as I practice and rehearse before hand, and really research the matter, I should be a-okay.
3. What is your biggest fear as it relates to puiblic speaking? What strategies do you use to overcome this fear when speaking front of others? If you have never found public speaking to be daunting, why do you think that is? What would be your advice to others who struggle with public speaking?
I don't really have a fear with public speaking. When I was little (Elementary school), I participated in school plays when I went on stage in front of hundreds of people. I also hosted class events etc infront of a smaller audience. I just think that I got used to it. I still get nervous before hand, but when I'm on stage/speaking, the nervousness just goes away. I think peer pressure is the main reason people find public speaking to be daunting, we all want to excel in something, especially when we're under the "spotlight" in front of an audience. My advice to those who struggle with public speaking is to just relax, and practice before hand.
4. What was your favorite activity in class? Why?
My favorite activity was count the "um"s. I am good with following a script, but I can't really give a speech out of the blue, I need some time to organize my train of thoughts and figure out what I'm going to say, it could as little as thirty seconds, but I need to time. So when I was ask to talk about The Hunger Games (Great movie BTW, it was a very good reflection of the book), my thoughts can't keep up with the speed which I talk at, so I add "um's without even knowing it.
well, from the state of being i was in at the time, you know that I missed a lot of information. while you were talking, all that i could think about was how bad i will screw up when i start talking in front of all these people. it very may well be my worst fear. sorry i couldnt contribute more to the class
ReplyDeleteI've learned some really good tips and things about public speaking form this class. I was very pleased how interactive everyone was with this class topic and activities. and this class was a really good lesson especially for me because I'm not the best in public speaking. honestly i suck at it, and it gets to me a lot.
ReplyDeletewhat i think it means is to talk with a certain attitude, voice, and presence. like a strong one. it always helps to talk about something you already know about.
my biggest fear would have to be standing up in front of everyone and totally forgetting all my lines, forgetting what i have to talk about. some strategies that i could use to overcome this fear is to prepare notecards when ever i can, also to just practice over and over again. and my favorite activity for class would have to be the impromtue speech about the picture, and the object activity. those were my favorites because they were on the spot, and i feel like those are some fun waYS to practice to just get up and talk in front of people and to practice public speaking.
I've learned very useful tips about public speaking. Since, I'm really bad at speaking in front of people, I get to know some good suggestions of being good public speaker. I really enjoyed last tuesday's class.
ReplyDeleteI think to speak with confidence is to know the topic what you are talking. If you haven't searched enough informations or something that's not interested, than I don't think I can talk for a long time or I won't be confident. However, if the topic was something you know well, I will be very comfortable and maybe I might say some humors.
My fear is what if people laugh at me when I say the wrong thing. And somehow I just get very nervous then I forget what i have to talk about. Well, practice, practice, practice. It's the best way to do.
My favorite activity was the object one where you have to make up story. Though I didn't participate, I really liked others story, fun and great ideas. :)