Conceptual Concepts

          In the first few weeks of class we covered a lot of concepts and key facts. We learned things from the way you stand to the way you project your voice. One of the most important things I learned was that I need to open my mouth more and project my voice to the audience. Another thing I learned was to make eye contact with the audience. This is important because it shows the audience that you aren't just reading off of the paper, you know what you're saying and you're well prepared. Another thing is that you need to use tones in your voice. When reading the monologues we were like actors and actresses. We got to play a different person and act just like them. We used tones in our voices to keep the audience interested and not make them fall asleep. Also, we learned how to relax before giving a speech. If you're too nervous then you will speed up your words and you will mess up easier. When you're relaxed you go slower and it is easier. All of these things are important because they help to make a perfect speech even more perfect. If you have an amazing speech written but don't do all of these things, then your speech has a lower value. It doesn't matter whats written on the paper necessarily. It matters how you present it. All of these things we learned will help us to a better presentation to go along with the speech.
          Even though no one pointed it out, I realized that I am opening up more and becoming less shy. Not only in this public speaking class but also in my other classes. This was one of my goals. Typically I get really nervous to speak in front of any group of people even my friends or family. But now I can't shut up. I love talking in front of them and expressing my ideas. Even though we've only been in class for a short amount of time, I feel like it has already helped me with my public speaking abilities and this will help me a lot in the long run. It was one of my goals to not be as shy and to project my voice more and WANT to go make a presentation in class and just be more confident about it. This will help me in my career later in life being a business woman, making presentations in front of a company board or my co workers. This class has taught me a lot so far and I can't wait to learn more to help me with my everyday life.