Recently I did a persuasive speech on voluntary euthanasia. The main reason I choose this topic was to raise awareness with my audience the importance behind supporting the legalization of voluntary euthanasia. I feel that I was able to achieve my purpose for the most part. I felt that my attention getter was effective in capturing my audience attention t listen to what I had to say. I was still a little nervous standing in front of the class, however, I felt that I was my most comfortable when giving this speech as apposed to my other two speeches. If I had to do it all over again, I would probably include some recent cases involving voluntary euthanasia. I feel by having these cases to reference to might have helped me to persuade my audience more to understanding the importance of being able to make the decisions to die instead of suffering or living in a vegetation state. Nobody wants to think of him or herself as dieing, but unfortunately it is a fact and it can happen to anybody at any time.
My persuasive speech differed from my last speech, which was an informative speech in a crucial way I now can see. During my informative speech, I had more facts and information to share with my audience, and I had utilized my entire time allotted for the speech. During my persuasive speech, even though I had done extensive research, I had a hard time organizing all my ideas and information, therefore, not providing much fact or information to help support my position on voluntary euthanasia. In addition, because I felt more comfortable during my persuasive speech, I was able to maintain eye contact with the audience a lot more and better than what I had done during my informative speech. I would have to rate my eye contact with a nine. I do not feel that I had done anything distracting during my persuasive speech and I could be wrong but from what I reviewed, nothing stands out to me.
Based on my performance in regards to body language and eye contact, I would give myself a B. I was not fidgeting or playing with my hands behind my back and even better, I was not cracking my knuckles, which is a bad nervous habit I have. I thought my eye contact was great and my hand gestures were good. In regards to the presentation of my speech I would have to give myself a C only because my visual aid was not great, in fact, it was an after thought when I remembered that I had to have at least one visual aid for my speech. Another flaw in my presentation was the lack of facts I could have shared with the audience to better persuade them to understand my position and in addition to the lack of facts, I forgot one of my main points while I was speaking. I cannot expect my audience to remember important details of my speech when I cannot remember them myself. It is because of this reason I feel I did better with my informative speech than with my persuasive speech. I had a lot of information I was able to share with my audience and I did not forget any of my main points or important information in regards to my informative topic.
Even though I had only verbally cited two sources, I did inform my audience that the research material I used could be found in the database CQ Researcher which has all the full articles I referenced to in order to try to put some facts and information together for my speech. Should any of the people in the audience get curious and want to learn more about what voluntary euthanasia is they will be able to find all the information they need in the CQ Researcher database.
It has been a long semester and a learning process as well. Preparing and giving a speech is never easy, at least not for me. This semester I gave three speeches and I would have to say I performed my best during my second speech. I base my decision on the grade I received for my second speech. Even though I might have gotten my best grade doing my informative speech, I do have to comment that I did have good qualities in all speeches that I did not consistently show in every speech.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Posting #3 12/7 - 12/13
Good Afternoon,
I will be taking the relaxing breathing techniques that were introduced to us at the beginning of the book. I think these techniques can not only be used when having to give a speech, but can also be used when going to an interview or any other situation you might feel a little anxiety over. Another thing I am going to be taking is the tips given on how to effectively use digital media. In my job, I do encounter many times a presentation is needed. Therefore, this will help me to use PowerPoint slides or any other type of digital media in an effective way to get my points across without distracting the audience from what the main point of my presentation is.
I will be taking the relaxing breathing techniques that were introduced to us at the beginning of the book. I think these techniques can not only be used when having to give a speech, but can also be used when going to an interview or any other situation you might feel a little anxiety over. Another thing I am going to be taking is the tips given on how to effectively use digital media. In my job, I do encounter many times a presentation is needed. Therefore, this will help me to use PowerPoint slides or any other type of digital media in an effective way to get my points across without distracting the audience from what the main point of my presentation is.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Posting #2 12/7 - 12/13
Good Afternoon,
I have to say that the informative speech was my favorite speech to do. The demonstrative speech on how to make macaroni salad was not that fun because there was not any research information to use so it was difficult to put together. When preparing for the persuasive speech, even though there was extensive research material available, it was hard for me to do. I did not anticipate running into the problem I did and by then, it was too late to switch topics and start over. It was hard for me because of the personal experience involving my grandma and I am still dealing with losing her. I had a fun time doing the informative speech because it is a tradition that is fun to get involved in and it is part of my culture. While I was researching, I learned a lot more about the origin of the tradition than I had known.
I have to say that the informative speech was my favorite speech to do. The demonstrative speech on how to make macaroni salad was not that fun because there was not any research information to use so it was difficult to put together. When preparing for the persuasive speech, even though there was extensive research material available, it was hard for me to do. I did not anticipate running into the problem I did and by then, it was too late to switch topics and start over. It was hard for me because of the personal experience involving my grandma and I am still dealing with losing her. I had a fun time doing the informative speech because it is a tradition that is fun to get involved in and it is part of my culture. While I was researching, I learned a lot more about the origin of the tradition than I had known.
Posting #1 12/7 - 12/13
Good Morning,
Once concept I thought was the most helpful was the section about addressing difference audience types. This concept will not only help me when preparing to give a speech, but will also help me when I have to do training sessions at work. It is important that when ever you are going to be addressing a group of people that you consider who you might be speaking to. For me, this would mainly apply to training. I need to consider there are different styles and ways that people learn. Therefore, when I have to do a training session, I need to try to incorporate the different styles of learning that may apply to my audience.
Once concept I thought was the most helpful was the section about addressing difference audience types. This concept will not only help me when preparing to give a speech, but will also help me when I have to do training sessions at work. It is important that when ever you are going to be addressing a group of people that you consider who you might be speaking to. For me, this would mainly apply to training. I need to consider there are different styles and ways that people learn. Therefore, when I have to do a training session, I need to try to incorporate the different styles of learning that may apply to my audience.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Posting #3 11/16- 11/22
Good Afternoon,
I found it interesting that my public speaking book had a chapter about arguments and some of the terms were familiar to me. This is only because I am also taking a critical thinking class this semester and we learned about deductive & inductive arguments and proving their validity. It is actually quite boring but also interesting in weird way. I find it interesting that two different classes I am taking have some of the same lessons. Another interesting thing I say was the section about fallacies. I have also just spent a few weeks in my critical thinking class about different fallacies that people do. Therefore, when I read the fallacies mentioned in the public speaking book, it was not new information to me because I already learned about them in my other class.
I found it interesting that my public speaking book had a chapter about arguments and some of the terms were familiar to me. This is only because I am also taking a critical thinking class this semester and we learned about deductive & inductive arguments and proving their validity. It is actually quite boring but also interesting in weird way. I find it interesting that two different classes I am taking have some of the same lessons. Another interesting thing I say was the section about fallacies. I have also just spent a few weeks in my critical thinking class about different fallacies that people do. Therefore, when I read the fallacies mentioned in the public speaking book, it was not new information to me because I already learned about them in my other class.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Posting #2 11/16- 11/22
Good Morning,
I am not one to care if somebody shares my point of view or not. I will however try to persuade somebody to accept a reasoning only if it is because I want them to do something for me or with me. It does not really matter to me if they do not agree with me, it only matters that they give in and do what I want. I used to convince some of my friends to cut school with me. It did take some persuading to convince them why they should risk being caught or getting in trouble just to skip school with me. One of the ways I would get them to go along is called circular reasoning. I said the same thing repeatedly but in different ways, which would eventually confuse them and they would end up just giving up trying to understand and skip school with me.
I am not one to care if somebody shares my point of view or not. I will however try to persuade somebody to accept a reasoning only if it is because I want them to do something for me or with me. It does not really matter to me if they do not agree with me, it only matters that they give in and do what I want. I used to convince some of my friends to cut school with me. It did take some persuading to convince them why they should risk being caught or getting in trouble just to skip school with me. One of the ways I would get them to go along is called circular reasoning. I said the same thing repeatedly but in different ways, which would eventually confuse them and they would end up just giving up trying to understand and skip school with me.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Posting #1 11/16- 11/22
Good Morning,
I found both arguments of pro and con schooling interesting. During the pro speech, the speaker mentioned violence in the public school, and how home schooling could help protect your child from the violence. I do agree there is violence in public schools having witnessed a friend being stabbed on campus during my sophomore year of high school. However, shielding your child from violence in my opinion is not possible and not beneficial for them. Violence is not just contained in schools, but is very much part of our society outside school walls. I believe people need to grow up knowing how to defend themselves if need be, so sheltering your child from violence will not help them learn how to survive in the real word once they have grown up.
During the con speech, the speaker mentioned the fact that parents are not better qualified to teach their child than a credential teacher in a public or private school. I agree with this statement based on my own personal experience. Had my parents’ home schooled me, my education would have been limited. I have surpassed the level education that my parents received themselves, and they are not qualified to teach me anything above what they only know. That is what professors and teachers are for; to help those of us who excel in education, and they are a lot more patient than any parent is when it comes to teaching something step by step to a student who may need the extra help.
I found both arguments of pro and con schooling interesting. During the pro speech, the speaker mentioned violence in the public school, and how home schooling could help protect your child from the violence. I do agree there is violence in public schools having witnessed a friend being stabbed on campus during my sophomore year of high school. However, shielding your child from violence in my opinion is not possible and not beneficial for them. Violence is not just contained in schools, but is very much part of our society outside school walls. I believe people need to grow up knowing how to defend themselves if need be, so sheltering your child from violence will not help them learn how to survive in the real word once they have grown up.
During the con speech, the speaker mentioned the fact that parents are not better qualified to teach their child than a credential teacher in a public or private school. I agree with this statement based on my own personal experience. Had my parents’ home schooled me, my education would have been limited. I have surpassed the level education that my parents received themselves, and they are not qualified to teach me anything above what they only know. That is what professors and teachers are for; to help those of us who excel in education, and they are a lot more patient than any parent is when it comes to teaching something step by step to a student who may need the extra help.
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