Marcelo Sandoval - Reflection #1

 

Marcelo Sandoval

Introduction to Public Speaking

Reflection on Presentations About Chapters 1–17

Observing different presentations in the Public Speaking class gave me the opportunity to learn about the basic concepts and skills needed to make a public presentation, and I was able to put them into practice in my own presentation. In this reflection I gather what I learned from my classmates and how this experience helped me grow.

Group #1 presentation

Group #1 presented chapters 1, 2, 3, and 5, which focused on the basic foundations of building confidence in public speaking and offered practical advice on how to adapt to different types of audiences. The main emphasis of their presentation was to show that public speaking is not only about standing in front of many people but about delivering a clear and concise message while using different methods to connect with the audience.

They reflected on how public speaking is one of the most important skills anyone can develop, even though almost everyone feels nervous about it. They highlighted the importance of building a “confidence barrier” to overcome stage fright: practicing alone or with someone close can provide the initial push to get started. Confidence is not something people are simply born with; it is a skill that must be practiced and refined over time.

The group also highlight the importance of getting to know your audience and learning how to deal with different reactions. Sometimes the audience may not agree with you or may not even be interested in your topic, but it is the speaker’s responsibility to find ways to capture their attention. Keeping arguments strong and information clear helps the audience recognize the coherence behind your words, even if they do not fully support your point of view.

Although their presentation was not perfect, they applied many of the strategies they discussed. They showed confidence while speaking in front of the class and used a variety of resources, such as videos and images, which kept me engaged as a listener and helped reinforce the message they wanted to deliver.

Group #2 presentation

My team and I were responsible for presenting chapters 4, 6, 7, and 8, which showed us that public speaking is not about improvisation but about intentional planning. The purpose of our presentation was to explain the entire process that should take place before speaking in front of an audience, highlighting the importance of having a clear purpose and a thesis statement to guide the content.

We demonstrated that effective public speaking requires thorough research behind every topic we want to present. Following specific criteria to determine whether the information is appropriate is fundamental to building a strong speech. Being able to identify and separate the essential points from the less relevant or “boring” details is key to keeping the audience engaged. That is why it is important to know how to search for the best information, using libraries, interviews, and digital resources as reliable sources. We also emphasized the need to evaluate the credibility of sources and to cite them properly, which shows that you did your work honestly instead of simply taking credit for someone else’s work.

via GIPHY

Knowing how to use your resources can bring your speech to life. The audience does not need to follow every single word you say, instead, you can use quick illustrations to give them a clear idea of your point. In addition, sharing experiences, testimonies, or short narrative examples is essential to transmit emotions and make your message relatable, helping the audience connect with your presentation.

As one of the speakers of these chapters, I can say that what impacted me the most was the section on narratives. It helped me realize that a well-told story can make the audience remember your message much more than a long list of facts. This experience taught me that preparation and organization are the keys to delivering an effective public speech.

Group #3 presentation

The third group was responsible for presenting chapters 9, 10, 11, and 12, which focused on the power of language and the proper use of visual resources. Their presentation showed that public speaking is not only about what you say, but also about how you say it and the way you present yourself to the audience.

Words are not neutral and often carry both a literal meaning and a cultural or emotional one. It is important to choose the right words because this can make a message clearer for the audience and help them connect with what you are saying, while the use of slang or inappropriate expressions can easily confuse them. The group also explained that slides should support the message, not overload it. Too much text can be distracting, while a single image can sometimes be more powerful than many words.

I learned that preparing a strong introduction that captures attention and a conclusion that leaves a lasting impression is essential in a presentation. People tend to remember the beginning and the end of a speech more than the middle, and this structure allows the audience to follow your message even if they do not recall every single detail. 

This presentation taught me that every element plays an essential role in ensuring that the message I want to share is not only understood but also has a strong impact on the audience. Finding a balance between content and personal reflection, while using visual resources and clear language, helps make the audience feel comfortable and engaged with my presentation.

Group #4 presentation

The fourth group was responsible for presenting chapters 13 to 17, which focused on the different types of speeches and how to adapt to various situations when speaking in public. I learned that informative speeches are meant to teach the audience something new, while persuasive speeches aim to convince the audience to follow the idea being presented. For this reason, it is important to build strong arguments through clear claims, reliable evidence, and logical reasoning, supported by the pillars of persuasion: logos, ethos, pathos, and mythos. These pillars show us that we must use logic to strengthen arguments, credibility to build trust, and emotion to inspire. Together, they transform a simple speech into an experience that impacts and remains in the audience’s memory.

The group also explained how technology has transformed public speaking, since nowadays it is common to present remotely through videoconferences. It is very easy for an online audience to disconnect from a presentation because they can be distracted by their surroundings. Since there is no physical presence of the speaker, it is harder to maintain their focus. This requires clarity from the speaker, eye contact with the camera, and the proper use of visual resources to engage the audience, even if they are not physically present, while keeping their attention on the presentation.

Personal reflection

After analyzing all the presentations, I can say that this Public Speaking course is not only about learning theory but about living the experience of speaking in public and reflecting on how to communicate more effectively. It is not enough to simply transmit information, since anyone today can easily find information on their own. Instead, our responsibility as speakers is to captivate and inspire others so that they gain a deeper understanding and develop curiosity to learn more about new topics.