Assigned Reading #2

I'll be upfront and say that my main objective for taking this class was that it was required and I hope to get a passing grade in the class. But by taking this class there are more things than a letter grade that I hope to get from it. I hope that once I'm done that I will at least be able to deal with public speaking better. I have never had to speak in front of a group of strangers before. I grew up in a small town school so when it came time to conduct speeches in high school it came fairly easy to me because I had been with that same group of 50 people ever since I was 5 years old. Once I have to get in front of a group of strangers though I have trouble with being nervous. I hope that when I complete this class I will have an easier time of coping with that problem. The other thing that I hope to get out of the class is the ability to put together an efficient speech. Most of the time when it comes to the point that I have to do a speech I usually end up pulling the whole thing out of my ass and wing it through. After doing the first speech that way I was able to see that I hadn't been very efficient on explaining myself in some areas compared to if I had maybe wrote some note cards up or if I had put together an outline like we are required to do in Speech 2. In the end though my main objective for this course is to get a passing grade and move on to the next required course so I can get that fancy piece of paper that says I'm educated.

Reflections on Speech #1

Well, this speech went very well for me I felt. One of the biggest things that I had problem's with was trying to figure out a way to make sure that my speech would last for the time limit. Another thing that helped out alot for me was taking the time to go through and formulate a game plan before I came to class to give the speech.

I think that in the eye contact department I did very well. I do think though that if I ever do a speech that I will use note cards on I will have some trouble keeping my eyes moving and on the audience rather than my not cards.

The last part was that I felt that I will have to work on using the podium. I probably should have left it off to the side so I could have had some more practice before I have to do the next speech. All in all though I think that the speech went very well.

Mike