Camila Martino Public Speaking Elements Blog Post

 Camila Martino Blog Post

Dear future me, in the first week of class, during the Public Speaking lecture, we discussed the process of writing a public speech. I never expected that this experience would make me reflect so deeply on how people communicate. Before starting this class, I thought it would just focus on how to deliver speeches in front of a group of people without being nervous, but it’s actually made me more aware of details such as the importance of listening, adapting to your audience, and building your confidence, which can affect how effectively you deliver your message. Once I became aware of how important they are in day-to-day life, I developed a deeper understanding of how communication works. It's something that can be applied in everyday activities, such as conversations, presentations, interviews, and even the way we express our ideas online in mediums like this one.

The group presentations helped me realize this. Watching each presentation showed me how an individual's communication style can affect how a piece of information is presented and understood by the audience. Some people tend to organize their speeches more formally, while others deliver them in a casual tone, showing the different ways people can talk about a topic. Moreover, I also realized how much a group’s preparation and teamwork can affect the final product of a presentation. These types of speeches are not only about memorizing information, but also about delivering it in a clear manner that keeps your audience engaged. Details such as the transition between speakers, your tone, or body language, changed the way the audience received each presentation.

The first group discussed the evolution of public speaking, building confidence, listening, and adapting to your audience. These are all skills that heavily impact how effectively the speaker communicates and help them connect better with the audience. In my opinion, the group presented their topics in a very organized and engaging manner. The slides were visually attractive and helped make the information easier to follow and understand. I particularly liked how one of the speakers connected their personal life to their speech. It made me feel more engaged and easier to relate to their message. In addition, the speakers communicated confidently and coherently, which showed that they understood their subjects well.

The second group discussed nonverbal communication, language, delivery methods, and the different types of public speaking. I found these topics very important since they discussed how delivering a message can affect the overall engagement of a speech. One of the most important discussions was about how elements such as body language, tone of voice, facial expressions, and word choice can strongly affect the audience’s understanding of a speaker’s message, which in my opinion, are important topics because they demonstrate that effective communication is not only about having good ideas but also about presenting them clearly, confidently, and in an engaging manner. I also liked how the team organized and designed their slides in their own style, adding visuals that made their presentation feel more interactive, colorful, and unique, which helped maintain the audience’s attention throughout the presentation. In addition, the use of videos and images made the topics more interesting and easier to understand. I also appreciated that after the videos, the presenters would connect them to the overall topic that they were discussing. Overall, the presentation felt creative, organized, and effective at keeping the audience engaged while still clearly communicating the information.

The third group discussed how to effectively begin and end speeches, use language clearly, integrate presentation media, and improve speech delivery. This group’s topics are important steps a speaker must take when creating captivating speeches. The group explained how strong introductions and conclusions affect the way an audience can perceive the speaker and, if done correctly, create a strong persona. Another thing that the group explains is how important it is for the speaker to choose the appropriate language for their speech. They also showed how presentation media, such as visuals and videos, can improve communication when used correctly. In my opinion, this group shows that in order to successfully deliver a message, it does not only depend on the speaker’s information but also on their ability to deliver, organize, and support the information in a way that keeps their audience connected and interested throughout the presentation.

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The fourth group discussed informative speaking, persuasive speaking, understanding arguments, distance speaking, media appearances, and special occasion and group presentations. I found that these topics can be applied to various ways public speaking is used in daily interactions. One of the most important lessons that the group discussed was the different types of speeches. The group also explained the difference between informative and persuasive speaking: during informative speeches, the speaker aims to educate the audience about a certain topic, while in persuasive speeches, not only does the speaker inform, they try to influence the audience and convince them to adopt their opinion. Moreover, they discussed how online environments change how the speaker communicates with their audience, and how it is important for them to learn to adapt their delivery in order to maintain their audience’s engagement. In addition, the group demonstrated the importance of teamwork, communication, and organization in group presentations. Overall, these topics showed that effective public speaking requires preparation, adaptability, and the ability to communicate clearly in different contexts and environments.

In conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed working alongside each team, I felt they were not afraid to ask questions and made sure they understood the assignment. I feel that everybody got prepared for the presentation and learned their topics very well. I learned of the importance of details such as the transition between speakers, your tone, and body language in public speaking.

Sincerely,

Your past self