Speech Presentation Reflection
The first group focused on the idea that public speaking is more than just speaking. They discussed preparing a message, understanding your audience, adapting to different situations, and the importance of knowing what your audience expects. They also talked about the foundations of public speaking, different ways of appealing to an audience, and building confidence while managing anxiety. I thought their presentation was very informative, and I especially liked the visuals they used. Since they were the first group to present, their presentation actually helped me get a better idea of what I could do with my own presentation. Seeing their visuals made me think more about how I could make my powerpoint interesting instead of just putting information on each slide. I also thought their timing was good because they did not feel like they were rushing, but they also did not take an unreasonable amount of time. 
Group two was the group I presented in, and I think our presentation was probably the most interactive. We covered many different topics, including speaking to inform and persuade, different types of speeches, determining a purpose, choosing a topic, ect... We also included a Kahoot activity, which was the most fun part of our presentation. I think the Kahoot activity helped keep everyone involved and engaged instead of having them sit and listen to information the entire time. At the same time, I do think my group could improve on our timing specifically. We had so much information and included an activity, our presentation felt longer than the others. However, I liked that we were able to make the presentation interactive.
The third group stood out to me because their chapters taught me the most about actually delivering a speech. They talked about ending a speech, connecting the intro to the conclusion, delivery methods and body language. I noticed that they did not seem rushed while presenting. They spoke clearly and at a speed that allowed me to actually understand and process what they were saying. They also included a small activity, which gave the audience a chance to participate. Their presentation made me realize how important delivery is. You can have good information, but if you speak too quickly, look nervous, or do not communicate clearly, the audience may not receive the message the way you intended. Their presentation made me want to work more on my own pacing, confidence, and delivery.
Group four also covered some topics that connected with information from group two, but they went into more specific areas. They discussed arguments, interview preparation and self review. My favorite part was their explanation of persuasion versus coercion and manipulation. I liked that example because it showed that persuasion is not simply about getting someone to agree with you. There is a difference between influencing someone through communication and trying to pressure or manipulate them. I also noticed that their Powerpoint, like group 3's, sometimes had more words than I think were necessary. That made me realize tha even when you have a lot of useful information, putting too much of it on the slide can make it harder for the audience to focus on the speaker.
The project managers also gave their own reflection on all four groups. They talked about what they liked from each presentations and gave feedback on things that could be improved. They chose group 2 (my group) as the presentation they liked most, which was definitely nice to hear, but I also appreciated the constructive feedback they gave us. A lot of their observations were similar to things I also noticed, especially regarding timing and areas where we could improve. Hearing their perspective was helpful because they were able to look at all four presentations and compare the different approaches.
Overall, this project taught me that everyone has different strengths when it comes to public speaking. Some people were strong with visuals, some with with delivery, some made their presentations more interactive and some others explained their information in a way that was easy to follow. At the same time, every group had something they could improve on, wether it was timing, the amount of information on the slides, confidence, or delivery. That actually made me feel better about my own presentation because I realized that becoming a better speaker is a process. My biggest takeaway from all four is that knowing the information is only one part of being a good speaker. How we organize, explain, and deliver that information determines how well the audience receives it. Moving forward, I want to become more confident, rely less on my notes, make better eye contact, slow down when necessary and reduce my filler words. Most of all, I want my presentations to feel natural, interesting, and engaging. I want my audience to feel like I am actually teaching them something and communicating with them, not just standing in front of them and reading a Powerpoint.
This is absolutely the most amazing reflection!! Love your ideas!
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