Final COMS 101 Post:
Taking COMS has been a great learning experience for me. As an engineer having good public speaking skills is very important while giving proposals and doing interviews. Going into this class I wasn't really sure what to expect but was keen on improving these skills. Now that the quarter has come to an end I can happily say that I have accomplished this goal. Before taking this class I would always get extremely nervous while presenting which led to me relying heavily on note cards and even having my arms and legs shake uncontrollably. Now I feel much more comfortable talking in front of an audience and rely on note cards very little. Part of what made this class so enjoyable was the fact that there were so many options when it came to the assignments so I could really choose a topic that interested me. My favorite assignment this quarter was the how-to speech. I was really able to personalize this by going home and actually changing my car's oil with my dad. After doing this I couldn't wait to share this with my classmates and this made presenting and writing a speech more fun than just completing an assignment. In close second was the impromptu speech. I felt like the class as a whole tackled this speech incredibly and I couldn't wait to hear what each student was going to come up with on the spot. My least favorite speech was the interview speech, but that's only because I liked all the other ones more. What I felt made this class more special than others is the bond that we form with our classmates because of all the personal stories that we shared with each other. What benefitted my learning the most was watching the YouTube videos linked on PolyLearn. I am a visual learner so having these as resources definitely helped improve my speaking skills. While conducting research for this class I found Statista and Academic Search Premiere to be the most helpful. Statista has data on almost any topic, and I was able to find a plethora of relevant articles on Academic Search Premiere. Overall, this has been one of my most enjoyed class because I actually didn't mind waking up early for it. Each and every day had something new and exciting to look forward to.
Sunday, June 5, 2016
Round 3 Speech: Monroe's Motivated Sequence
For the final speech round I wanted it to be my best speech to really reflect all that I have learned over the course of this quarter. Unfortunately I don't think it was my strongest speech because I had trouble finding enough data and facts to use. I chose to do a persuasive speech using Monroe's Motivated Sequence for the final round because I felt it would be the most interesting. My speech was on the blanket ban of skateboards here at Cal Poly, and how we need to make a change and allow skateboards back on campus. This is a very important topic for me being a skateboarder and not being able to ride whatsoever on campus. I tried to convey this in my speech, but feel like I could've done a better job by putting more emotion in my voice. My transitions between the five different sequences of the speech could have been better as well. Something I did well for this speech was bringing in my skateboard to use as a prop which also built my ethos showing I am a skateboarder. Overall this was a fun speech to write using MMS, but would like to next time chose a topic with more information on.
For the final speech round I wanted it to be my best speech to really reflect all that I have learned over the course of this quarter. Unfortunately I don't think it was my strongest speech because I had trouble finding enough data and facts to use. I chose to do a persuasive speech using Monroe's Motivated Sequence for the final round because I felt it would be the most interesting. My speech was on the blanket ban of skateboards here at Cal Poly, and how we need to make a change and allow skateboards back on campus. This is a very important topic for me being a skateboarder and not being able to ride whatsoever on campus. I tried to convey this in my speech, but feel like I could've done a better job by putting more emotion in my voice. My transitions between the five different sequences of the speech could have been better as well. Something I did well for this speech was bringing in my skateboard to use as a prop which also built my ethos showing I am a skateboarder. Overall this was a fun speech to write using MMS, but would like to next time chose a topic with more information on.
Sunday, May 22, 2016
Round 2 Speech: Informative (short)
For this speech to be successful I knew I needed to pick a topic that I was passionate about and was eager to learn more about. I found that Group B Rally Racing was just that. As I mentioned in my previous blog post, cars have always interested me and are something I love; so doing research about some of the most legendary cars to be built and raced in was no problem. In this speech I learned a lot about this era of rally racing and couldn't wait to tell my classmates about it. I think the speech went well, but I had a lot to say so at times I was speaking a bit too quickly. Also the conclusion of my speech was slightly abrupt and could have been formulated better. For the next speech I'll make sure to only cover a reasonable amount of information in and not try to cram in everything as well as making sure I have a solid conclusion. Things I thought went well were the images as well as the GIF of how a turbo works. Also, using a video as sort of an introduction and hook I felt worked to my advantage. Overall this was my favorite speech yet because doing the research for it was fun and didn't feel like work.
For this speech to be successful I knew I needed to pick a topic that I was passionate about and was eager to learn more about. I found that Group B Rally Racing was just that. As I mentioned in my previous blog post, cars have always interested me and are something I love; so doing research about some of the most legendary cars to be built and raced in was no problem. In this speech I learned a lot about this era of rally racing and couldn't wait to tell my classmates about it. I think the speech went well, but I had a lot to say so at times I was speaking a bit too quickly. Also the conclusion of my speech was slightly abrupt and could have been formulated better. For the next speech I'll make sure to only cover a reasonable amount of information in and not try to cram in everything as well as making sure I have a solid conclusion. Things I thought went well were the images as well as the GIF of how a turbo works. Also, using a video as sort of an introduction and hook I felt worked to my advantage. Overall this was my favorite speech yet because doing the research for it was fun and didn't feel like work.
Round 2 Speech: How To
This speech excited me because I was able to present about something that really excites me. I decided to present on how to change the oil in your car. Cars have been a big part of my life since a very young age, and maintaining them is a crucial part. For this speech I drove home and changed the oil with my dad and documented the steps. I think that doing this added a personal touch to the speech and made it much easier to present about after actually doing it. As far as the actual presentation went, I felt like it went well and I was much more comfortable. This resulted in me not shifting while presenting and talking more fluidly. For the next speech I am going to try and use better word choice. In this one I found myself using filler words more frequently and could have chosen better words to describe the process. This could have been solved by practicing the speech more which I will do for the next one.
This speech excited me because I was able to present about something that really excites me. I decided to present on how to change the oil in your car. Cars have been a big part of my life since a very young age, and maintaining them is a crucial part. For this speech I drove home and changed the oil with my dad and documented the steps. I think that doing this added a personal touch to the speech and made it much easier to present about after actually doing it. As far as the actual presentation went, I felt like it went well and I was much more comfortable. This resulted in me not shifting while presenting and talking more fluidly. For the next speech I am going to try and use better word choice. In this one I found myself using filler words more frequently and could have chosen better words to describe the process. This could have been solved by practicing the speech more which I will do for the next one.
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Round 1 Speech: Impromptu
This was my second speech and already I feel like I have improved. Although I was nervous again, having the experience of the first speech greatly eased my nerves. My delivery during this speech was better because even though I used the podium, I stepped to the side of it and this made body movements less noticeable and awkward. My sentences were also much more flowing and less choppy then my last speech. For this speech I felt like I was doing much more talking to the audience then reciting lines. I could've added more detail, but there was a miscommunication between me and my classmate who was in charge of the one minute warning. He told me I had just completed a minute but I thought he was telling me that I only had one minute left. For next speech I will make sure we are both on the same page to ensure I get maximum details in. For the next speech I want to continue being fluid and keep the shifting at a minimum.
This was my second speech and already I feel like I have improved. Although I was nervous again, having the experience of the first speech greatly eased my nerves. My delivery during this speech was better because even though I used the podium, I stepped to the side of it and this made body movements less noticeable and awkward. My sentences were also much more flowing and less choppy then my last speech. For this speech I felt like I was doing much more talking to the audience then reciting lines. I could've added more detail, but there was a miscommunication between me and my classmate who was in charge of the one minute warning. He told me I had just completed a minute but I thought he was telling me that I only had one minute left. For next speech I will make sure we are both on the same page to ensure I get maximum details in. For the next speech I want to continue being fluid and keep the shifting at a minimum.
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Round 1 Speech: Classmate Interview
As a whole, I felt that this first speech went well. I was definitely nervous because it was my first presentation in over a year and I happen to be the first one to go that day. But with all nervousness aside, I felt like I sounded confident, kept my voice steady, and also stayed within the time limit. I also felt like I painted a mental picture of Brandon's trip to China well and kept the audience engaged. Some things I'd like to improve for the next speech would be to not sway back and forth, use less filler words in the beginning, and to put slightly more emphasis on certain words when necessary. To stop the swaying I will try and use more of my space and walk a bit when switching topics. To use less filler words I will try and get into the flow of the speech and have more confidence right away instead of halfway through like the last speech. And finally to increase my emphasis on certain words when necessary I will practice doing so when preparing so it comes naturally when presenting. Overall I felt like this speech went well, but I definitely have places to improve for next time.
As a whole, I felt that this first speech went well. I was definitely nervous because it was my first presentation in over a year and I happen to be the first one to go that day. But with all nervousness aside, I felt like I sounded confident, kept my voice steady, and also stayed within the time limit. I also felt like I painted a mental picture of Brandon's trip to China well and kept the audience engaged. Some things I'd like to improve for the next speech would be to not sway back and forth, use less filler words in the beginning, and to put slightly more emphasis on certain words when necessary. To stop the swaying I will try and use more of my space and walk a bit when switching topics. To use less filler words I will try and get into the flow of the speech and have more confidence right away instead of halfway through like the last speech. And finally to increase my emphasis on certain words when necessary I will practice doing so when preparing so it comes naturally when presenting. Overall I felt like this speech went well, but I definitely have places to improve for next time.
Friday, April 15, 2016
COMS 101-24 OBJECTIVES
Objectives:
- Maintain eye contact with audience
- 8 presentation tips to make your eye contact more powerful: "http://www.speakingaboutpresenting.com/delivery/tips-eye-contact/"
- Public Speaking Tips - Using Eye Contact: Body Language 2: USING EYE CONTACT "http://www.artofcommunicating.com.au/public_speaking%20tips/body%20language_eye%20contact.html"
- By the end of this class, I hope to be able to effectively use eye contact in my speeches and not be afraid of it. I want the eye contact to be natural and not forced so I can relate to the audience and get a feeling of their reactions.
- Keep a good pace while presenting
- Speak For Success Speech Lesson 4: "http://sbinfocanada.about.com/od/speakforsuccesscourse/a/speechlesson4.htm"
- 5 ways to slow down your speech: "http://www.ragan.com/Main/Articles/5_ways_to_slow_down_your_speech_46775.aspx"
- After ten weeks I want to be able to present at a slow pace so that the audience is able to completely understand my message. Currently I tend to rush through what I have to say and I hope to end that. I will practice enunciating all my words and pausing for longer than normal at punctuation.
- Improve speech conclusions
- 10 Ways to End Your Speech with a Bang: "http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/10-ways-to-end-your-speech/"
- How to End a Speech | In Conclusion: "http://wittcom.com/how-to-end-a-speech/"
- By the end of this class, I want to have powerful conclusions for my speeches and essays. I want to leave the audience with something to think about and make sure my message was clearly communicated. To accomplish this I will make sure I don' t introduce new materials and repeat my thesis. I will also try and appeal to emotions.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)