God Speed

I agree with what a lot of my fellow classmates have said regarding the respectful team work of this class. I can not remember when I have been in a class that sparked so much emotion, but no ill will towards anyone. I believe our fearless leader (Candee) helped set the tone for this atmosphere of mutual respect. It could have easily been contentious if it were not for the class as a whole, allowing everyone the right to belief and express what ever their point of view might have been. I hope everyone can keep this open-mindedness as we move forward in our respective fields, and each and every person their due right of free expression. These are the things this magnificent nation was founded on, let freedom reign now and forever.

 

God bless too all, and God Speed.

 

Mark

“A Christian Nation” was the topic of my persuasive speech

As I began the process of choosing a topic for my persuasive speech, I wanted to make sure I was better organized this time. I chose my topic and started writing it down on my note cards, but when I went to give my speech I realized I had lost half my note cards. So as I was giving my speech I would use the “pause” to try to remember what I had lost. Luckily this was a topic I truly believe in and was able to improvise and remain calm when I would struggle to bring to memory my speech. This kind of topic is always a scary one to talk about, but even though our class is some what diverse when it comes to religion, I knew no one would take offense to it. I am proud to be part of a class that is tolerant to rights of everyone’s point of view, and I believe Candee helped to set that kind of tone early on in the quarter. Once again I want to thank everyone for the encouraging comments, and without this kind of support I would not have been able to grow as a public speaker. Thank you all!

Mark,

Demonstrative speech

I have made it through another speech and live to tell about it. Each time I get up in front of everyone it is easier, and this is mainly due to the respect given by the class. I am glad that I have been able to take this class, it will make speaking so much easier. I’m hoping that before the quarter is over I’ll be able to properly organize my speech, I guess I have a disorganized thought process. I am glad that I was able to be in Candee’s class and her departure from SSCC will be a loss for the students, but a bright new page in a this chapter of her life. I will try to do a better job on my persuasive speech, but I am very grateful for all of the kind and encouraging responses to my previous speeches. Thank you all very much and good luck on the remainder of the quarter.

Mark

Room to grow

I made it through my informative speech, not flawlessly, but made it. I know that there is plenty of room for me to grow and improve as a public speaker. I truly appreciate the kindness and respect shown to me from my fellow class mates, your remarks were uplifting as I felt as though I really flopped. And Candee has made this process a lot more fun than I thought it would have been, and that is a blessing within it’s self.

Good luck to all on our next speech and God bless.

Mark

Just try to Relax

I am becoming more comfortable getting up in front of class, of course it has been with four other people so far. I hope as I become more familiar with everyone in class and less like a stranger, I will be able to relax more. I am finding every class I learn something new that helps me feel more confident about giving a public address. Candee seems to do everything she can to help us become more and more confident in our own ability to speak in public, and not pass-out. From time to time I have had to get up in front of my Church and give a talk, every single time I am so nervous I stumble through it, no more.

I will use the skills be taught us in this class to make sure I never stumble through another talk, or at less often. I also think that being an older student can be a benefit and a stumbling block for learning to speak in public effectively. The benefit comes by not caring as much about what other people think of you, as you did when you were young. On the other side, we older students have had years to grow use to our flaws in speaking and it makes it a little harder to unlearn. They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, I don’t believe that, I think you just have to do some unlearning first. All in all I’m glad I’m taking this class, even though I avoided it until my last quarter; Candee has helped to take away some of the fear of failure and replaced it with optimism.

Being an older student I know there will be a lot I can learn from the younger students in class, and hopefully they can learn a little from us “Ancient ones”. And when it’s said and done, I can just try to relax.

Mark A