Self Evaluation

For our demonstration speech my purpose was to explain the uses of magic cookie bars and demonstrate how to make them and I felt I achieved this purpose very successfully. I believe my success is due to the fact that I pretty comfortable and confident during this speech. The beginning I was a little nervous, so I looked down a lot and if I could have changed one thing it would be that I did not write anything on my note card for the introduction and first main point so I did not look down; thus would improve the delivery of my speech. I think that the note cards through me off a lot because I will be looking at my cards talking but I am not actually using them for reference at all I am just looking at them so I do not have to look at the audience. The only time I am actually successful at using my cards is when I really need the information in front of my eyes such as with sources. I also would have made a note card reminding me to cite my sources because I did awful with that. That leads me to my main goal which will improve my content of my next speech which will be to look more into my type of sources and exactly where they are coming from. Now that I have gone over what I felt I did right and wrong let’s go over what I remember I did wrong.

            The issues of my delivery were many I feel I make many mistakes still. The first thing I noticed was that I looked down for most of the beginning. I also shift side to side and play with the note cards which can be a small distraction. My eye contact was approximately a seven. I did not look up much in the beginning, but after the first point I kept great eye contact once the nerves were gone. I did not cite any sources verbally which was my biggest flaw. This big mistake would make me give myself a B on my speech overall. I thought I prepared nicely, had good organization, I used my visual aid effectively, and the only bad parts were I looked down in the beginning and did not verbally cite my sources even though they were cited in my outline. If I was to be in the audience during my speech I would say that I had good interest in my topic, had a decent amount of credibility, great presentation, well organized points, and a good attention getter and ending line. I would tell me to work on citing sources even though it does sound funny and start off with good eye contact from the beginning. Other than that I would just say stay focused on relaxing and not letting nerves get to me, just think of the people in the room as people and they are here to help me they do not want me to fail.  Overall I did better than average, but I have a few mistakes to fix before I would say it was excellent.

Topic of the week: transitions

There are different categories of transitions and we must keep that in mind when writing our speeches. I know there are many times when I overlook how my main points are flowing, but it is an important detail. There are six categories of different transitions and it is important to use the right category. Ordering is the first transition this is going to include words like first, second, next, then finally, etc. Then there are reinforcing transitions which are also, likewise, in addition, moreover, further, etc. Next is contrasting which includes however, yet, whereas, unless, etc. Fourth is chronology or time this category includes recently, then, during, late, meanwhile, etc. Then we have causality which uses words like reason, with this in mind, etc. Finally there are summarizing or concluding transitions which are review, as I've discussed. I keep saying words but you are able to use phrases also as you can see. Overall just remember to use the right category and have your speech flow because your audience will be thrilled your speech is not choppy.

Facts and Stats

According to the book the best time to use facts or statistics is "when making a logical appeal". I think that during a speech it is best to state facts or statistics when it enhances your point. If I was to say do not drink and drive it would be helpful to have statistics with graphs and such like the drinking speech buddy video did. Now if I was doing a speech on how to make cookies statistics are not very relevant. I think that it is most helpful to use statistics when trying to persuade or inform your audience. It is least helpful when doing a demonstrative speech. I think that facts are important in a demonstrative speech and less relevant when you are trying to persuade or inform because people do not need to know your observations from your own experiences they need to know the statistics that will convince them to do what you want them to; however, you can use facts always in your introduction because they give you credibility. Overall it is a personal judgement and facts and statistics will always enhance your speech if they relate correctly to your point.

Speech Buddy Videos 7.1,7.2,8.1,8.2

When watching the speech buddy videos I thought the most helpful part was when they said what each supporting material appealed to. For example using a definition is an emotional and logical appeal. The video for 7.2 went over using the media and making sure your source is credible, reliable, and relevant to your topic. For 8.1 it went over the types of organization one is able to use for a speech these are chronological. spatial, topical, narrative, cause and effect, problem and solution, and Munro's motivated sequence. I found this video helpful because it went over what you can use each organization for such as using chronological to show history or the steps f a process. The 8.2 video went over transitions. I found it helpful that they showed some of the words to use with each transition an example is for ordering you would say first, second, third. Overall these videos just show the reading in an audible and visual way which I find helpful.

Techniques for speaking to diverse Audiences

This chapter is overall about how to target particular audiences, so I decided to address a few techniques that make it easier. One way to speak to a diverse audience is to find things that all the people you are speaking to have in common for example everyone likes cookies(well most). Make sure that you have credibility; which means being excited, friendly, and having experience, so for me I have been baking since I was three and I love it. Another thing is to include materials that will stand out to one particular group, but appeal to everyone, so in my case it will be using the ingredients to show how to make cookies. Last but not least use language everyone understands and do not ignore any audience member. Overall it is basic, but easy things to forget so I will try not to forget about you guys. Remember if you please your audience your speech will be successful!

Audience analysis is very important in speeches because you want your topic to be able to relate to the audience. You can not plan a speech that will relate to your audience unless you know your audience. That is why you should use a survey with open and closed ended questions to gather the information you need to in order to better prepare your speech. Try to know your audiences background; such as, ethnicity, morals, age, sex, and personal interests. Also use audience adaption during your speech which is when you make adjustments depending on how your audience is responding to you. If they are rolling their eyes or seem bored try to add tone or change your voice in order to keep your audience interested. For me I will use audience analysis in knowing that my classmates are college students and many of them are parents, husbands, or wives, so when writing my speeches I will keep that in mind. I will use audience adaption by trying to pay attention to their reaction to my tone and pace of the speech. Overall I think it is important to keep in mind who you are speaking to because if you can keep them interested you are bound to have a successful speech.

Speech Buddy Videos Ch 5

The best thing that all three of these speeches did was pick a subject that the audience can relate to. The speech about drinking was perfect for college students. After all I have heard it many times "I am in college it is time to party". I thought it was great that he addressed the statistics and the way it affects your health. He had good visual aids, and did not look down to much. I thought he could have worked on his volume and voice tone a little bit. The speech on light pollution needed more eye contact and she spoke to fast. The part she did right was making sure we knew the main points. For the volunteer speech I thought she did a great job she had a strong introduction and conclusion while also picking a subject directed to college students and made sure we knew how it would benefit us. Overall what I learned from these videos is first having a topic that everyone in the room can relate to is important, making sure to have a good introduction and conclusion, strong visual aids (otherwise the audience wonders why we even have them), and tone of voice and eye contact can make or break the enjoyment of watching a speech.

Speech Buddy Videos

The chapter six videos were just about fallowing the research guidelines. I find the videos kind of helpful, but it just is repetition of what we read in the book. I however find it easier to read the book and take notes, but seeing it a second time is always helpful because the more you use your senses to remember something the more that you remember. I thought the video on snails was a great speech in both of the presented speeches it showed great eye contact. I also noticed that in both of the speeches the topics I could relate to; everyone has interacted with snails and everyone can relate to speeches that relate to family in anyway even if you have not been through the exact event the speaker is talking about you can try to imagine what it would be like. Overall the videos this week were semi- helpful.

Subject of the week: Internet sources

Gathering information is probably the most frustrating and hardest part of writing a speech or an essay for me, so lets discuss how to do searches successfully. First you want to make sure the source is relevant to the keywords you type in. Also use meta search engines which will bring all the results together so you can look at everything at once. Use search engines like google or yahoo so they hunt through information for you. Web directories are also available which organize in lists so your able to narrow it down by category. There are many sources such as the deep web that holds special databases like the ones from the government. You can also use blogs which are updated weekly, but you want to make sure there is credibility in your sources so sometimes blogs aren't the best choice. To make searching the Internet easier just use all your resources. Remember there are many search engines google is not the only one.

Research Interviews

All through my schooling I have never conducted a research interview. This is actually sort of sad I will admit. I have talked to a lot of people and I have done a lot of research, but I have never talked to someone in order to complete research. This means I could not say what went wrong or right or give any advice. This chapter must be for me because it gives a lot of advice on how to go about performing a research interview. When I finally do obtain a research interview I will use the six steps: having a purpose, picking the person to interview, preparing questions, organizing interview, performing the interview, and using the interview information in my speech. I think the main points that will be difficult for me are keeping it in a formal format. I tend to start talking and next thing I know I am having a conversation not performing an interview. I believe the easiest part for me will be putting the information in my speech because I love to reference different points of view I have obtained from others even in daily conversation. Though I could not tell you the true easiest and hardest parts of conducting a research interview those are my guesses. I am sure you are all much more knowledgeable on this topic, but for whatever reason I have never been required to do this task, so it will be interesting to see how it goes when I do.