Starting off Public Speaking in my POV - Nel Ryan Philippe Abella

 The art of verbalization by Melissa Larramendi

Group one started presented information about chapters one, two, three and five of our textbook. An informative presentation emphasizing the importance of public speaking in any setting in our everyday lives. This is a great point considering we use verbal means of communication in all areas including casual and informal settings but also in formal ones such as school and work. They stated it builds confidence and helps us speak clearly in general. They also touched upon factors like adjusting to your audience and presenting and answering questions to build that speaker-audience connection. Important facts they touched on were how public speaking skills are held up as a value even higher than most other workmanship qualities. Social engagement was also mentioned as one of the most important pillars of speech giving because through it, we push for change in our communities, and honor people at events like celebrations and ceremonies. On another note, social anxiety was another focus of their presentation bringing attention to the cruciality of being knowledgeable about the subject one is speaking about so that factors such as being in an unfamiliar setting, accents, fluency, and eloquence in the language you’re speaking in, don’t hinder a positive response from your audience members. This all ties into practice and preparation which they also touched base on. Being enthusiastic and passionate about the topic with a positive disposition and making sure your points were clear at the end make for an interesting and memorable speech. Marking a tone of respect inspires the audience to mutually grant that respect back to the presenter especially by practicing empathy and professionalism. Making eye contact, providing undivided attention and accepting different points of views all sum up to that mutual respect. They also stated that using pedagogical tactics to make the audience more engaged and understanding your presentation is a great way to ensure your message is a lasting one. To establish credibility, they marked that being mindful of body language and facial expressions as well as providing reliable sources and proof of them, can make your purpose stronger and would make the audience take you and your information more seriously. Group two tackled chapters four, six, seven and eight by explaining how imperative it is to be organized, research thoroughly, review copyrights, avoid plagiarism, and use transitional words to make your sentences and slides flow. They also expanded on where and how to gather credible sources such as books, reliable websites, taking notes from a conversation with a subject expert etc. Their information on how outlines make for a polished presentation especially appealed to me because they brought up relevant points such as time limitations and nerves that may harm your presentation. Copyright and plagiarism were also touched upon as two things that can legally and professionally hurt you. Group three spoke about chapters nine, ten, eleven and twelve. Taking a dive into the primacy and recency effect, they taught how to make a great first impression with a statement that’ll hook your audience and ending with a one that’ll make a lasting impression. Tricks that almost always secure your audience learned something new and will take your viewpoint into consideration. In addition, establishing a connection with the audience helps with engagement and attention. For instance, the ways the audience relates to the specific information given and how it benefits them. They commented on the dangers of jargon, slang and improper grammar saying that these all make take away from your credibility. Another chapter spoke about media as an anchor of speech presentations. Using graphs, brief videos, music, pictures and physical models assist getting your purpose across in a better understandable way and leaves a lasting image for audience members to take away with them. Simple tones and hues like the six colors of the rainbow make your vision clear and easy to comprehend. They additionally focused on how you say things versus what you say. Being mindful of articulating your words and using body language to help you get your points across also influences the attention given to your speech. Something I found interesting was that they mentioned how you need to tailor your speech to the type of audience you are speaking to, for instance, presenting to a group of kindergarteners versus adults. Molding your words and the way you present yourself so that they understand. Being respectful of people’s time and being inclusive to their conditions such as waiting for a person that stutters to finish asking their question. Preparedness with flash cards or a tablet with letters large enough to not strain your eyes, read quickly, and not lose eye contact with audience also are elements that aid your presentation. Group four spoke about chapters thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen and seventeen. Focusing on showing an interest in the topic you’re presenting and or are linked to, they stated these two things make the audience trust you know what you’re saying because it usually prevents misinformation. Organizing your points in chronological order and sticking to mainly necessary information to avoid rambling and making the audience lose interest were pieces of useful advice they also presented. The art of persuasion was also touched upon. They said that stating a positive goal with a positive outcome and remaining positive are ways to strategically convince without being forceful and always respecting other stances and viewpoints. The part they presented about using effective arguments was especially important because it is in fact true that using valid, supportive, factual and or personal statements and laying a foundation for your claim and incorporating solid evidence without forgetting to take conditions and specific situations into account make for a strong base. My favorite quote that stuck with me throughout this group’s and all the presentations I've reflected about is “Fear stands for false evidence appearing real.” This is something I will never forget because it serves as a backbone to uplift hope and remove anxiety. This is considered a "soundbite” which is a catchy phrase or punchline that resonates with people. Soundbites, group four stated, are especially used in media for company exposure and advertising along with a friendly demeanor and choosing your words carefully. They mentioned that when being interviewed in the media, it is a good idea to be on the same page as the interviewer so that unexpected curve balls aren't thrown in your direction. Showing confidence and looking presentable both display a strong presence so that you and your words are remembered. They emphasized networking too. Always answering emails in a timely manner and showing interest in proposals that will help you achieve career goals. Staying attentive for potential job opportunities and building relationships for positive exposure so that doors open for you. The last presentation was about the different sorts of speeches. We have the introduction speeches which are those in which the main speaker is presented and “hyped up” by another person. Then we have the nomination speeches which are those that emphasize why someone is deserving of recognition or leadership. Next, acceptance speeches which are those that are typically marked by gratitude towards a person or a group of people. We also have tributes, toasts and roasts which honor and uplift notable figures and their works. We have after-dinner speeches which are made with the intent of entertaining and giving meaning. Testimonies which are nonfictional experiences that’re meant to gain support and credibility. Lastly, we have what are called elevator speeches which are quick presentations of oneself to build connections and gain opportunities. Types of presentations were also spoken upon mentioning symposiums; when a group of people present their ideas and concerns on a certain topic (typical in job meetings). A Team report, which is a divided group each focusing on a different area to give feedback on their findings. A panel discussion is when a moderator questions experts who may share similar or different viewpoints. Roundtables are informal and have a conversational tone. Forums involve audience participation and are more spontaneous as subjects are prone to shift. Overall, I learned many new things from each group’s presentations and gained insight on the factors that influence speech, why speech is so important, and how to handle it in a skilled manner. These are notable facts that will stay present within me every time I give a speech in the future. Thank you classmates you all did a great job!