Mya's Blog

 

Mya McMurray

Blog 1: Reflection on the Public Speaking Presentations

Going through all of the presentations in class honestly made me look at public speaking in a completely different way. Before this class, I thought public speaking was mainly just standing in front of people and talking without being nervous. But after hearing everyone’s presentations and learning through each chapter, I realized there is way more that goes into being an effective speaker. Public speaking is not just about talking, it’s about confidence, preparation, understanding people, communication, organization, and learning how to connect with an audience.

Overall, I think everyone did a really good job with their presentations. You could tell people put effort into researching their chapters, creating slides, and preparing information for the class. Even though everybody had different presentation styles and personalities, each group still explained their topics clearly and helped the class understand the material better. I liked that everyone stayed professional and tried their best, especially because public speaking can make a lot of people nervous.

One thing I liked about the presentations was how organized most of them were. The slides usually followed the chapters clearly, which made the information easier to understand and follow along with. I also liked when groups added visuals, pictures, examples, or creative slides because it made the presentations feel more interesting and less overwhelming. Some speakers sounded more confident and comfortable while others were quieter, but overall everybody contributed important information to the class.

One of the presentations I enjoyed the most was Chapter 2 about building confidence. I liked this topic because confidence is something almost everybody struggles with, especially when speaking in front of people. Hearing about ways to manage nervousness and prepare better made the presentation feel relatable. It also helped me realize that confidence usually comes from preparation and practice instead of people just naturally being outgoing.

Another presentation I found interesting was Chapter 3 about listening. Before this chapter, I never really thought about listening as an actual skill. The presentation explained the difference between hearing somebody versus actively listening and paying attention. I think this is important not only for speeches but also in everyday conversations, relationships, school, and work. The examples about distractions and people losing focus easily were realistic because that happens a lot today with phones and social media.

I also enjoyed the presentations about adapting to your audience and using language effectively. Those topics made me realize how important communication really is. Different audiences respond differently depending on age, personality, culture, and interests, so speakers have to think carefully about how they present information. The language chapter also showed how word choice, tone, and wording can completely change how a message is received.

One of the chapters that probably helped me the most personally was Chapter 12 about delivering your speech. Delivery is usually the part people fear the most, and throughout the presentations I could see how delivery affected the audience’s attention and interest. Some speakers sounded very confident and engaging, while others were more reserved, but each presentation still helped explain important concepts about public speaking. That chapter helped show how eye contact, tone of voice, posture, pacing, and confidence can make a presentation stronger.

I also thought the chapter about integrating presentation media was useful because visuals can really improve presentations when used correctly. Most groups used slides to organize their information, and some added pictures or examples that helped explain the topics better. I learned that visuals should support the speaker and make the presentation easier for the audience to understand.

The persuasive speaking and argument chapters were also interesting because they connect a lot to real life and social media today. Everywhere online people are trying to persuade others, whether it is advertisements, influencers, politics, or opinions. The presentations explained how speakers use emotion, evidence, and credibility to convince audiences, and I think understanding that is important in everyday life.

One thing I appreciated overall was seeing everybody’s different presentation styles and personalities. Some people were more serious and informative while others tried to sound more conversational and relaxed. Even though everyone presented differently, each presentation still taught something valuable. It showed me that there is not just one perfect way to present in front of people.

If I had to say one thing I did not enjoy as much, it would probably be that some presentations felt a little rushed at times. Because there was so much information to cover from the chapters, it could sometimes feel repetitive or hard to stay fully focused for long periods of time. Still, I understand there was a lot of material to explain, and I respect everyone for getting up in front of the class and presenting.

Overall, I think these presentations helped me grow both academically and personally. I learned that public speaking is something that improves with practice instead of something people are simply born good at. I also realized communication affects almost every part of life, including school, careers, leadership, and relationships. These chapters gave helpful advice that I can use in the future, especially because I want to pursue nursing and eventually open my own cosmetic practice doing Botox, fillers, and non-surgical procedures. In careers like that, communication and confidence are extremely important when interacting with patients and building trust.

By the end of these presentations, I feel like I gained a better understanding of what makes a speaker effective. I also gained more confidence in myself when speaking in front of people. Even though public speaking can still feel intimidating sometimes, I now understand that preparation, practice, and understanding your audience make a huge difference. Overall, I enjoyed learning from everyone’s presentations and feel like the class taught skills that will be useful for me in the future.