Melissa Gonzalez- Post 1

Watching the first two presentations in class gave me a better understanding of public speaking, but it also showed me how much the delivery of a presentation can affect the audience. Both groups presented useful information from the textbook, but they had different strengths and weaknesses. The first presentation covered Chapters 1 through 4, including the fundamentals of public speaking, speech anxiety, listening, and developing a purpose for speech. The second presentation covered Chapters 5 through 8, which focused more on understanding the audience, researching a topic, using supporting materials, and organizing a speech. Even though both presentations taught important information, I found the second one easier to follow.

Presentation 1 introduced many basic ideas that we will probably continue using throughout the course. One topic that stood out to me was speech anxiety because nervousness is something almost everyone experiences when speaking in front of a group. The presentation explained that being nervous is normal and that confidence can improve with preparation and experience. I also thought the section about listening was important. We normally think public speaking is mainly about the person talking, but being a good listener is also a major part of communication. Another important idea was developing a c lear purpose and thesis. Having a specific purpose can help speakers stay focused instead of jumping between unrelated ideas.

Although the information in Presentation 1 was useful, I felt the delivery was somewhat stiff and boring. At times, it felt more like the information was being read to us instead of being explained naturally. Because there was so many topics bing discussed, having more energy or interaction with the class could have made the presentation more interesting. This connected to what we are learning because a speaker can have great information, but the audience still needs to be engaged. Using more real-life examples, asking the audience questions, or speaking more conversationally could have made the information easier to remember.

Presentation 2 improved on some of these areas. This presentation discussed adapting a speech to an audience, researching credible information, using supporting materials, and organizing ideas. I especially liked the idea that speakers need to adapt to their audience because the same presentation will not work equally for every group. The section about supporting materials also showed how examples, facts, statistics, testimony, and narratives can strengthen a speech. These ideas demonstrated that a successful speech requires more than simply knowing your topic.

Compared with Presentation 1, Presentation 2 felt more concise and easier to follow. The information seemed organized and did not feel as dragged out. However, I still thing the presenters could have brought more energy to their delivery. They explained their information clearly, but more enthusiasm and watching both groups, I learned that having accurate information and good organization is important, but the way a speaker delivers that information matters just as much.

After watching the first two groups, it was finally time fort my group to present and I did so with my section about language. My presenting focused on language fundamentals, language and culture, language and gender, and the differences between spoken and written language. Preparing for this presentation made me realize how much language affects public speaking. Before working on this topic, I mostly thought about language as simply choosing the words you want to say. However, I learned that speakers have to think much more carefully about their word choices because different words can affect how an audience understands and responds to a message.

One of the main topics I covered was the fundamentals of language. Language can be arbitrary, ambiguous, abstract, and active. One idea I found interesting was ambiguity because words can have both denotative and connotative meanings. A word might have one dictionary definition but create a completely different feeling for someone because of their experiences. I also explained that language is active because it constantly changes and can influence how people think, feel, and behave. This helped me understand why speakers need to choose clear and specific words instead of assuming everyone will interpret their message the same way.

Another section of my presentation focused on language and culture. I discussed slang, jargon, idioms, euphemisms, and clichés. This section felt especially relatable  because these are things we hear and use all the time. For example, slang might sound completely normal when talking to friends but could be inappropriate or confusing during a formal speech. Jargon can also create problems when a speaker uses specialized terms that the audience does not understand. This connected with Presentation 2 because that group discussed adapting a speech to the audience. Speakers have to consider who is listening before deciding what type of language they should use.

I also talked about language and gender. This included powerful versus powerless language, gender-fair language, and avoiding stereotypes. Powerful language sounds confident, while powerless language can include uncertain phrases such as "maybe" or "I guess." This section made me think about my own speaking habits because sometimes people use certain language without realizing how it affects their message. Using confident and inclusive language can help a speaker communicate more effectively while also showing respect toward the audience.

Finally, we discussed the differences between spoken and written language. Spoken language should sound more natural and conversational because an audience cannot go back and reread what a speaker just said. Speakers may need to repeat important ideas and explain information clearly. This was probably one of the biggest lessons I took from all three presentations. A presentation should not sound like someone is simply reading an essay out loud. 

Looking back, watching the other groups before giving my own presentation helped me notice things I wanted to do differently. Presentation 1 showed me what can happen when a presentation feels too stiff, while Presentation 2 showed me that being concise makes information easier to understand, although energy is still important. For my own presentation, I wanted the language to be simple enough for the audience to follow without leaving out important information. Overall, these presentations taught ,me that successful public speaking involves a combination of preparation, organization, audience awareness, clear language, and confident delivery. Most importantly, I learned that knowing the information is only one part of giving a good speech. The speaker also has to make the audience want to listen.