Reflection on communication and public speaking

                A reflection on communication skills 

                                                            by Lys  Rodriguez 

  Throughout the presentations, I found out that good communication isn’t only talking in front of people. Connecting matters just as much. Being prepared plays a big role too, along with saying things with purpose. As we worked through the sessions, it became clear this skill mixes creativity with practice. Every set brought fresh ideas about staying calm and sounding sharp when sharing thoughts. Each team focused hard on knowing their topic, feeling sure about it, and getting ready for it. This showed me just how much effort it takes to share thoughts clearly. Listening helped me see the real time, structure, and attention needed to speak well in front of others.

  Group One spoke about basic public speaking skills. Building self-assurance, really hearing your listeners, and adjusting as you go. What stood out most was how they zeroed in on confidence, something I often struggle with personally. Turns out, being confident doesn’t mean doing everything flawlessly but it’s more about knowing your stuff so well that sharing feels easy. They shared practical tips to calm nerves, like rehearsing fully, staying locked onto the main point, while brushing off worries over messing up. On top of that, I realized good listening matters just as much as talking. Watching how people respond helps you adapt your voice, speed, or stories depending on the topic or crowd. That taught me sharing ideas isn't a one way street. It’s more like a back and forth chat. The bond between talker and receiver is what makes the messages stick.

  Group Two brought up great points about getting ready before speaking. It is always better to plan things early. They explained that digging deep into the topic, picking trustworthy references, going with solid structures helps make your topic stronger while keeping your thoughts on track. Knowing your stuff inside out brings peace of mind when you’re up there, cutting down stress and confusion. A logical flow keeps listeners engaged, helping them grasp main ideas more easily. What stood out was their take on doing the right thing. NO copying others’ work plus giving credit where it’s due, which felt both smart and necessary. This idea made it clear. Trust isn’t just about how you speak, but also whether you’re truthful and own up to your message. In general, this showed that putting in real work upfront is what makes a talk actually hit home, since careful prep often leads to smoother execution.

  My team focused on how talks begin and end, using words well, also adding videos or slides now and then. I really enjoyed doing this because it showed me just how much the beginning as well as the end stick in someone’s mind after listening. If you kick things off right, you grab people fast; wrap up strong and it stays with them longer. Picking simple, welcoming words helps folks feel involved, whereas skipping casual talk and confusing terms makes everything easier to get. We checked out how pictures, slides, or short clips should back up a talk instead of replacing it. Visuals ought to stay clean, straightforward, so people can grasp them fast without getting distracted. Running through the presentation helped me spot little quirks to fix like making steady eye contact, standing tall, and using hands in a relaxed manner. Doing this whole boosted my confidence during speeches, reminding me that how you present matters just as much as what you say.

  Group Four spoke into talks meant to convince, inform, or fit unique events. Their presentation showed how abilities like confidence, clear thinking, word choice, plus way of presenting come together in different real-life situations. I liked their take on convincing speeches because they broke down how facts mix with feelings to move listeners. All good speeches rely on sharp messaging, energy, and solid flow. Their talk pulled together earlier ideas well, showing how one speaking ability grows from another through clear links. Because of this,  I see that talking in public isn’t just about big events but good expression matters even in casual chats.

  Looking back at the four presentations, one thing’s clear. They all helped build a real grasp of public speaking. While Group One stressed being confident and tuned into listeners as key basics, Group Two showed solid prep in order to keep things sharp. At the same time, my group broke down how word choice, flow, and presentation work together to make messages hit harder and help maintain your audience’s attention. Group Four pulled everything together well, showing how it works in different kinds of talks and everyday moments. These insights, taken together, didn’t just make me better at delivering speeches - they sharpened how I listen and get my point across too. Confidence when talking? That comes from solid prep. Saying things plainly builds rapport. And linking up with listeners gives your words weight. What used to feel scary, I now see as a chance to exchange thoughts and connect more honestly.