Be yourself, listen to others and love, love, love~~~~

This class has really made my time at Southern State worth while.  I always had a great time in this class.  It was so fun getting to know everyone and listening to their speeches.  Candee taught us through a variety of ways, and one of the best ways she has taught us was by her own example.  Every time someone gave a speech she was always interested in what they had to say.  She would always actively listen to our speeches.  One of the biggest parts of this class was learning to listen with an open-mind, and our teacher was a great example of this.  Candee also taught us by her loving, joyful, and kind-hearted spirit.

In this class and in life, we just need to be ourself.  Candee taught us to be ourselves by being her own self with her kind attitude.  On the very first day, I remember Candee sharing a quote with us.  I can’t remember the exact words, but it went something like, “All human actions come from either love or fear.”  After she said that, I realized that a lot of the things I did came out of fear of my own failures.

Candee let us know that she loved us and that was why she does what she does.  Even though I already knew the importance of love, Candee reminded me that our motives need to be out of love.  I am really glad that I took this class.  I really appreciate my teacher and all the other students in my speech class.  I have learned basic things like be prepared and relax before your speech, but Candee really  taught us important life skills.  Be yourself.  Listen to others.  And love, love, love.

Mary

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

Life’s lessons aren’t always easy

Going through one of the hardest times in my life and hitting rock bottom made me, and still is making me, stand stronger than ever before. I hope that I can be just that little bit of encouragement or motivation for someone else way out there that thinks there is no hope or that nothing is ever going to be any different to stand back up and dust off and realize that we get one chance at this thing we call “life.” And, the only person that can define you is ”you”.

Sometimes we get caught up in a routine that the days just pass us by, then one day things come to sudden stop. Could be tragedy or devastation or waking up in critical care or many, many, other situations. It’s then we do the “looking back at time that has passed” and wonder just where the time has gone and how did we get ourselves in such a fog.

We will never get that time back but we can sure make tomorrow worth while, there is hope for a better tomorrow whatever walk of life you are in. Don’t take anything for granted, never give up  and each day cherish a little more and love a little deeper.

kristin

The Golden Rule

I loved sharing with you about the Golden Rule.  Do unto others as you would have done unto you.  I am thankful for all of you listing so intently during my speech.  So many times we are so busy and are always late for something because we have so many activities planned in our day, that we just pass people by as if they were not even there.  We don’t make eye contact with people  we pass by because we don’t want them to stop and try to have a conversation with us.  That would take up too much time and I’m already late for something is usually our excuse. 

Our genetic make up is to be with people.  Not just people who you sit next to who we don’t even know their name.   Think about how good it makes you feel when you are talking with someone instead of sitting all alone somewhere.   When you take a few minuets out of your day and do something for someone or just listen to them talk, it does wonders for the other person. 

I like spending time with an elderly lady in my neighborhood.  We go grocery shopping together, run errands, and sometimes we just put puzzles together.  I enjoy listening to her stories and she gets to re-live the best times of her life.  My friend thinks I am stupid and a sucker for doing it but I don’t look at it that way.  I am only giving a small part of my myself to her and who knows but maybe she enjoys my visits also. 

Just look around and smile or say hi.  Get involved and BE THE CHANGE!

 

Tina

Our Voices…

As far as demonstration speeches go, they were all wonderful and very interesting. I believe we all done a terrific job.

This class as taught me so much about myself this quarter. This week has been rough for me. I missed class Tuesday and missed all the visual reflections of what everyone has felt they learned the most. I feel my voice and stepping up is what I have got from this class the most. My sister just delivered her baby 3 months early. Not only is she in an abusive relationship and the beating was part of the cause for the premature delivery but the use of drugs also had to do with it. This class has given me the courage to use what I have learned to step up outside of class and in this situation to speak out for my sister and that precious baby that is in the NICU at UK. She is strong and a fighter. At only 2 lbs 2ozs right now she is going to pull through and make it!

I am very grateful for this and for the opportunity to learn everything I have in this class. It is a shame that many more students will not have the opportunity to have Candee as a teacher to learn this same thing.

-Ashley

“Coming together, sharing together, working together, succeeding together” (author unknown)

As I reflect upon my experience in Speech class, this quote sums up how I feel.

We have formed a very supportive unit during this quarter.    As we went through the introduction process, we all had varied explanations as to why we were taking Speech.  Some were excited about the class while others were apprehensive.

As the weeks went by and we began to deliver our individual speeches, we learned that listening was just as important as delivering the speeches.  From what I read in the posts of others, it seems the majority agrees that the atmosphere is one that is safe and accepting.  Some expressed concerns as to how their speeches would be received and afterwards discovered thru the evaluations that what they had to say was embraced (ability to listen without pre-judgment and be open-minded).  All seemed to agree that their classmates were supportive.

I have learned thru researching one of my own speeches that when we give a genuine smile to others, it sends a non-verbal message to the recipient that they are accepted, and they fit in.   I found this to be true for me when I was on the receiving end of my classmates’ smiles.  I think this is part of what Candee was trying to get across when she was talking about our responsibilities as listeners.

In the classroom before class begins you might hear us supporting and encouraging each other.  Sometimes we try to help each other come up with an idea for a speech.  Sometimes we share experiences, thoughts and reservations about upcoming assignments.  Sometimes we just socialize.  No matter what the conversations are, they are friendly and engaging.  To me, this is speech at its best:  relating to each other, communicating, sharing.  The bonus is that it is all in a safe and positive atmosphere.

As this class draws nearer the end.  We are all delivering speeches and we are all “succeeding together”.

“Coming together, sharing together, working together, succeeding together.”

Pamela B.

My first speech – “A Letter to My Birth Father”

The day I gave my speech I was shaking like a leaf in a strong wind. Through tear filled eyes I read a letter that I had written to my birth father who laid dying in the hospital. I was concerned that the class would think I was cold and heartless. But,  all that I had written was truth as far as I know it to be.

When I was through with my speech the class all clapped and I got all my fellow classmates’ feedback. It was all positive, telling me how strong they think I am. Some had hoped that I could forgive him. And to that I say that is exactly what I did. The very next day I went to the hospital and said my goodbyes, feeling better that I had shared my story with the class, I was able to tell him I forgave him for never being there for me.

I know this is a speech class not therapy but that day was very therapeutic for me. Just wanna say thank you to Candee and my fellow classmates for the kind feedback.

Christina

A journey of a thousand miles…

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

– By Confucius

Whenever I think about Speech class, I keep finding myself returning to this quote.  Then I think about my walking stick.  Okay, maybe that doesn’t quite make sense.  Let me back up a little to explain.

I have a plain, simple wooden walking stick that my sister, Sharon, made for me two years ago to represent the journeys taken in my life and the future ones I will take.  She had cut down a young sapling and used a pocketknife to etch a few references to bible verses on it.  As she presented it to me, she encouraged me to continue etching encouraging words on it.  I have.

To me, it is beautiful and holds great value.  It has many scars from the etchings, but they are scars created as a result of love and a desire to encourage.  When I hold it in my hands and fix my gaze upon it, my fingers always seem to tenderly caress its surface.  Each etching reminds me that my life has purpose and that there is a reason for my existence. I am reminded that often the things in life most worthwhile are accompanied by difficult times.   I am also reminded that if I trust the Master’s plan and trust in the process that “all things work together for good”(Romans 8:28)—not necessarily in the timeframe I want, but in the timeframe that He knows will allow the most growth.

When I registered for Speech Class, a new journey had begun in my life:  A journey that reveals my scars through the nervousness and self-doubt, a journey in which discomfort is felt.  I am gradually learning this, too, is a process and that, if  I thru trust,  place myself in the hands of the Master who has graced my life with a capable instructor, by the name of Candee, that all things can and will work for the good.  I am learning that, as I see the beauty in my walking stick, there is beauty to be discovered in me—scars included; however, any journey must begin with but a single step, then another and another, until one day (no matter how small the steps may seem) you can look back and see just how far you have come.

I have only taken just a few steps on this journey called Speech, but I know, like all other journeys traveled thus far, it will lead somewhere.

Pam

Breaking News…

Breaking news…Geologists have confirmed rumors that a major fault line runs directly under the speech podium at Southern State Community College.

A reporter was sent to the southern branch of SSCC today to interview people who may have heard about this phenomenon.  One woman by the name of Pamela Burton was reported to have said, “It doesn’t surprise me at all.  When I stood behind the podium today, I felt the tremors.  When I placed my hands on the podium, my entire body began to shake, and I feared for my life, afraid that the ground just might go ahead and swallow me up!”

This wasn’t really what happened and there was no breaking news today about a fault line, but to some extent it felt that way.

Tonight I actually came to class with two manuscripts.  One was an excerpt from the book entitled, Don’t Miss Your Life, by Charlene Baumbich.  The other was my own journal.  You see I had completely prepared and practiced the first one, made delivery cues, and had everything timed.  Something kept bothering me about it.  The book, Don’t Miss Your Life is about learning to accept and embrace the ‘real’ you.  The entire time I was practicing this reading,  Candee’s words kept echoing in my mind about being earnest, honest, and talking about something you are interested in—being authentic.  In fact, the handout for tonight mentioned, being authentic—it doesn’t get much clearer than that for me.

During the period prior to my speech, I was actually quite comfortable.  The other speakers made it easy for me to forget about my issues.  They were interesting and I loved listening to them.  That is my favorite part, listening.

Then came my turn.  Reality hit me hard.  I began to sweat, my mouth was dry, and I could not stop my hands from shaking.  As I approached the front of the class I had not one but two prepared speeches in my hand—be yourself—be earnest—be authentic.  My inner voice was having an argument trying to rationalize why I should not make my self so vulnerable as to let people see who I really am.  Then I looked at Mark, the one introducing me, and somehow felt reassured that it would be okay.  So, I set the first speech down on the front table and continued toward the podium with only my journal in hand.  He probably doesn’t know just how important it was for me to see a supportive face at that moment.  Thank you, Mark, for being you.

As I began to talk I could feel my voice quiver and my hands began to shake again.  Thanks to the text and Candee, I had written two very large delivery cues on the first page:  Breathe and Relax.  I also put red dots throughout my paper to remind me to keep breathing and to make eye contact, because for some odd reason, I cannot think straight or read simple sentences when I am in front of a group.  This helped me tremendously; I would see the cues and stop for a second to take a breath.  When I looked at my classmates, I was so thankful for the friendly faces and supportive atmosphere.  Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart.

Thanks to my classmates and a supportive teacher who has somehow found a way to make her words echo in my mind long after class, I made it through my first speech.  I was still very nervous during the speech, my hands still shook, and by the time I walked back to my chair my shirt was wet half way down from sweating so much.  But, nonetheless, I made it–with help from my new friends.

Pam

Spiders Scare Me

Hello my name is Clinton McFarland, I’m 19 years old.  This is my second year at Southern State and this will be my final quarter.  I’m not sure at all what to write about, so I thought maybe ill just talk about myself.  I’ve lived in the same house my whole life, outside of Decatur on a 100 acre farm.  I’ve been farming my whole life, we have cattle, and we’ve had pigs, goats, chickens and horses.  I’m a self driving person, maybe not when it comes to school because you don’t see the fruits of your labor in the near future, but if there is something I won’t bad enough I will work my hardest to get it. I’m not scared of many things except for maybe spiders, them dang things may be small but scare me to death.  You don’t know where they might be, they can be anywhere.  I would say that my a outgoing person when I need to be, but at times I can be shy, and self kept.  I enjoy being outside and playing sports when I get the time.  I also enjoy watching sports, I think my T.V. only stays on ESPN most of the time.  Except for when my Girlfriend comes over, in which it gets changed to something stupid that no one ever wants to watch, like Teen mom or something.  But I’ve been with her going on 4 years so I’ve dealt with it for a long time.  And that’s about all there is to me. I work hard and when its my weekend off I play hard. And, if you haven’t noticed that why I’m missing half of my eyebrow.

Clinton

Skills For Life

As my time here at Southern State is winding down, I find public speaking to be one of the most important skills you can have. I am sure algebra has its place in the educational system. But I feel the skills that we achieve in this course will stay with us for the rest of our lives. It isn’t just about standing in front of the class and talking. It is about forming thoughts and opinions. Gathering facts. Letting your audience inside of your head for a brief period of time. This class is about taking our thoughts and conveying them in a way that people can understand them just as clearly as the speaker. It is also about getting a better understanding of those who speak before you as well.

Listening in my opinion is far more important than speaking. The things I have taken in from others help shape who I am today. Speakers give me the content I need to help form my own beliefs and opinions. I have felt passionately about things only to have someone make me take a second look and possibly change my way of thinking. This class to me is far more important than most due to the fact that this is a life skill. This is up there with reading, spelling, driving. Skills that you will take with you wherever you go, and whatever you do. I have given my share of speeches. Some in front of a few, and a few in front of a hundred or more. I consider myself lucky because the nerves are gone. Once you achieve this, you can take the next step and focus solely on your structure and content. That is my goal for this course.

Andy

Farewell

Our speech class ended yesterday. I truly feel like I learned a lot. Each and every speech each of you did, brought out a little more of you guys as each speech was spoken. I never realized how much speaking can bring out someone. I know each speech I did, you all learned a little more about me. Every one of your guys’ speeches brought something new, different, or something enhanced from yourselves.

This was an adventure. You didn’t know what to expect each day. Some days it was :Cupcakes, EDIBLE clay, rainbow cupcakes, horses, etc.

I never knew a college class could be so creative. I’m just used to normal lectures and finals. There was no final or mid-term, but our speeches were about US and not just what we learned. I definitely feel like I’ve improved on my speaking and preparing speeches. It seemed like the quarter went by so fast.I enjoyed all of it. Nichole’s horse, the food, & everything else. I bet everyone else learned new things from other speeches too.

Colleges need more classes like this. Because, you can be yourself and you will actually look forward to coming to class! It’s not like me to miss any classes, but I missed two. I missed out on a few speeches that had to have been excellent! But, I know a lot of you are graduating with Ashley and I want to let each and every one of you guys know that I wish you good luck. I thought this class was going to difficult, but I was wrong. I didn’t realize at the beginning that there were no limits to what you could speak about. Even if it was controversal, negative, or positive. I enjoyed telling you guys a little more about me since I don’t talk very much. I am shy as all of you know. Thanks for all of the support. Farewell and good luck again – even to the ones who aren’t graduating.

Dylan

Demonstration Speech

Today I gave my demonstration speech on how to icing cupcakes. I feel like I did a horrible job. I know it wasn’t long enough. I didn’t plan it out right. I thought I would be able to get up there and take my time to show everyone. Instead I rushed through it because I was so nervous. I hope that when I give my persuasive speech that I am not as nervous. I thought by taking this class, even though it is required, that I would come out not being so nervous about giving speeches or getting up in front of people, but it seems I just keep getting more nervous if possible. I really wish I would be able to overcome this fear I have. I also fear that I am failing this class because I feel like my speeches suck. I hope I can pull my grade up in the next two weeks in order to pass this class. This class is really fun but I don’t think I could take it again if I fail because I just don’t like getting up in front of crowds and speaking. I like to talk to people one on one. That’s my thing. Not getting in front of people. I hope by the end of this class that I am passing and maybe not so nervous anymore.

 

Amber

Maybe I Picked The Wrong Topic (for me)

I am very thankful that speech number 2 is over. I do think that I am learning a little about myself from trying to give a speech. Besides the fact that I truly get scared to death at the very thought of standing and talking in front of a group of people, I think that picking the right topic to speak about is extremely important. In my case, I picked a topic that I thought was interesting, did lots of research, and in the end I feel as if I chose a topic that wasn’t right for me. After practicing this speech many times, I still felt as if the flow wasn’t exactly right. And then when I actually stood in front of the class, my note cards seemed to go blank in my hands, and I was just thankful that I remembered enough information to make it through the speech.

Another weird thing happened with my voice. I could not seem to get any volume or excitement-I don’t know.  But with all this being said, I know for sure that preparation is sooo important, that way when note cards look blank you can still have something to say on the topic you are speaking about. Thanks Candee and class for great eye contact, smiles, and support!

Melinda

My First Speech!

So I gave my first speech the other day in my speech class, and it was very exciting yet nerve racking at the same time!  As most of you know I read two poems; one I wrote for my sister’s wedding and another that I found on the internet that I thought said a lot about sisters and how important one is to the other.  I know I already told you some things about my sister and me but I thought I would tell you a little bit more.  So my sister is AWESOME!  Yes, she has her flaws but I hardly see them.  She has always been there for me and I have a feeling that she always will be there in the future.

This past year has been difficult for my family and I. My sister was always there to pick me up if I ever got down about something!  I have always looked up to her for advice, a role model, and so much more!  The year I turned a freshman was the year that Beth went away to college, needless to say that was really tough on me.  I went from seeing my sister 24-7 to seeing her maybe once a week.  In years past we would call each other daily, and I would always hit her up on facebook just so I could talk to her some more.  A couple of years later, and a couple of boyfriends later she met her “prince charming.” They had known each other for years but had never really talked until my cousins decided to set them up.  Not but a few months later were they talking about getting married and even then it scared me to death!  So many things were running through my mind when I found out, I never really thought I would see the day that my sister would walk down the aisle!  The big day finally came and it was a very beautiful wedding, however it was all coming to an end for me!  My sister would soon be married to a man and I resented him for taking her away from me.  I am still dealing with the fact that my big sister is married, I just can’t seem to wrap my head around it but I guess that is a lesson I am learning as we speak, that life will go on, things change and people change.  I can’t stop and watch the scenery I have to go along with life and wherever it many take me!

Moving along, now that you know a little bit more of how I feel about my sister and what we have gone through I will tell you how this all ties in with my speech!  When I was trying to decide what I wanted to read I didn’t put very much thought into it!  I just figured I would pick up one of my little cousin’s books and read it.  However the class we had before our first speeches Mrs. Basford explained to us that what we choose to read should mean something to us, it should be something we are interested in!  Then I really started to think about what I wanted to read and I thought about my sister and what she means to me!  So that is how I came to the idea that I would read the poem about my sister and the memories that we have shared!

Now that I finally have my first speech done with and it wasn’t all that bad I did learn a lot!  The feed back I got from the students in my class helped tremendously!  I learned what I could work on and what I did good on!  The comment cards really work good and I think they will help me a lot when I am preparing for my next speech!

In return for everybody listening and reading to what I have to say I would like to say thank you for the comments you all left me and you all did an awesome job with your speeches as well!

Kate

Goodnight Little Bear

There was quite a few things that I liked about this presentation, what I could have improved on, and what worked for me. I think the first thing I really liked about this presentation that it was a new book that I had never read and it was a good one. I had a lot of fun with it and I think that it fit me pretty well, it kind of makes me think I could be a little kids teacher, but don’t think that’s going to happen. I tried to make the sound effects that were in the book like (weeee, and squeak) but it didn’t go over so well and I sounded stupid but at least I tried. What worked for me was the timing, it wasn’t the shortest presentation that we had and it honestly may have been the longest but I still got into the time limit and thought I ended up finishing it. Next time what I think I can improve on is being a little more prepared because I picked up the book five minutes before I had to read it and had no idea what it was going to be about.

From all of the evaluation sheets that I have received, stated that I need to speak up a little bit, from up there I felt like I was talking pretty loud and in all reality it wasn’t loud enough to spread completely around the room like it needs to. I’m not for sure how clear with my words I was, but most likely I should probably have to make them clearer. From where it was a reading and I didn’t know the book at all I kept on having to look down to see what was coming next, but I think in the next speech I have I’m going to prepare more so that way I’ll be able to make more eye contact with my audience. When you keep eye contact with your audience it shows them that you’re talking to them not just talking to hear yourself talk.

I learned that Little Bear was on Papa Bear’s shoulders the whole time when he was looking for him to try to make him go to bed.

My next speech will be more prepared and it will come out a lot better, if I use all of the information on my feedback and apply it, I believe it will come out helping me and making my Public Speaking trait better.

Booker

I Borrowed the cookie from the ‘Cookie Jar’

The fundamental madness has begun! Our reading was due starting last week and it has been a steady flow of amusement since. I chose a piece of lyrical writing by musician Jack Johnson. His off beat music and quirk keeps me smiling, although his message in this particular song is quite stern. I enjoy the aspect of making people think and think on a deeper level. I’m no Yoda by any means, but I am a single mommy and responsibility on a whole has forever more loomed over my head. I take life with a grain of salt, while trying to juggle the reality of a job, school, bills, and most importantly my son. This song speaks to me because there is such an enormity of excuses in life as to conditions or reactive behavior. It’s okay to make mistakes, and stumble or struggle, and when those inevitably happen, I believe in assessing what I personally could’ve done differently. Blaming others for an inward inability, to me, seems biased. I’ve always heard ‘the definition of insanity is doing the same process over and over but expecting a different result’. That is my ‘bigger-picture’ thought here. Stand up for your choices, whether good or bad, and believe that every opportunity in life is a learning experience.

Standing up and doing my reading was actually very nice. I was nervous as anyone would be, but I feel it went well. In hindsight, a better introduction would have made it more memorable. Alas, to err (pronounced err, hehe) is human and the ability to adapt is beautiful:)

Trish

First Speech Went Well

Well, last week I gave my first speech that I absolutely dreaded. It went very well and I was pleased with how I did. I picked two of my favorite poems to read -”Sick” and “Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out” written by Shel Silverstein. I have loved Silverstein ever since I was young. When I first picked them I was afraid what people might think or how they would judge me but these two poems are meaningful to me and represent the type of person that I really am so I went ahead and stuck to my choice. It turns out that everyone thought I did a pretty good job.

I received a lot of positive feedback from my fellow classmates. My feedback consisted mostly of great eye contact, nice tone and volume, great choice of reading, my facial expressions were positive, and that I was humorous. There were a lot of things that I was worried about like making eye contact and speaking loud and clear but I made it a point to make sure that I did those things and I succeeded at that. Of course no speech is perfect and one of the things that I need to work on or improve is pausing when necessary and to have more enthusiasm. This is what I hope that I can bring with me when I give my next speech and hopefully improve on. I was really surprised when I was reading.  I felt less nervous as I kept going and I was really happy about that. I was also given feedback that I should not be nervous and that will certainly help me through my next speech. I am very proud of myself and how I delivered my very first speech and look forward to improving on the rest of my speeches that I will be giving soon.

Lindsay

Speech #1.. done, but okay? About reading speeches

So last Wednesday I got to give my first speech in our public speaking class.  Thank goodness it was a reading, because I always feel most comfortable with notes in front of me (even though I never seem to use them).  I think Professor Basford even said we were going to practice giving speeches extemporaneously, so I will have notes anyway.  I’m not entirely sure of the delivery of my speech though.  I mean, I believe I mentioned in my last post about being involved in acting a lot and the comparison between the two, but it always seems harder when you are getting a grade for it for some reason.  I was not surprised that I was not really even nervous.  I think I was more nervous about it even making sense to the audience than the idea of speaking in front of mostly my classmates, all of whom I know well by now.  For any who do not know I chose to read a monologue from the Two Towers movie by Samwise Gamgee at the climax of the film (and conveniently stuck the print out in the book for effect).  However it was too short for the time allotted so I had to give an intro and conclusion about what I felt the message of the monologue meant.  To my surprise it fell together better than I expected, however I also thank my peer mentors for the suggestions for future speeches because there was a lot I could have done to make it better.

I have to say though, I enjoyed the Reading Speech.  This is the closest form of speech to theatre that I have  learned of so far, because it is easy for the reader to get into the story or work.  I think I really found my element.  I have seen readers who read for hobby and professionally. One of these is known as “reader’s theatre” where the whole story is portrayed in the reading.  A lot of you may also be familiar with the art of storytelling.  This is not only a form of reading but also a way to maintain culture.  So whether we realize it or not, in learning how to give a reading, we are learning how to play a part in what makes our culture by the tradition of sharing it.  I look to this section of the quarter as not only skills development but cultural development as well…

Carrie Chalker

My First Speech Class

Giving speeches has never really been my thing, so I never even gave it a thought to take a speech class and I never wanted to take one. Multiple people told me over and over that taking a speech class was a good idea, so finally I caved in. I’ll admit, I was definitely nervous and scared about this class, but even though our class hasn’t met very much yet, I can already tell it’s going to be a lot of fun. (I never thought I’d say that about a speech class.)

Going into this class I expected that I would be required to give a lot of hard speeches, and I was really nervous about giving my speeches, but that is not the case. In this class we have done and are in the process of doing really fun things. I love the group activities like when we discuss with our peers what we are learning and then,  we make posters to share with the rest of class. Not only do I learn a lot from these activities, but also enjoyed them!

And I think it’s really cool that for our first speech we get to read a story because we all get to bring back a story from our childhood, or read a story that shows what kind of person we are, or share a message that means a lot to us. It also makes the first speech fun and not scary at all! Surprisingly, I feel confident about my first speech, and I can actually have fun with it.

Another thing that I love about this class is the people in it. All the students in this class are great. We all have a fun time in the class and everyone is so nice. We always have great class discussions that I learn a lot from too. I feel like almost everyone is on the same page when it comes to the nervousness that comes with new speakers. This definitely boosts my confidence knowing that most everyone else in the room gets nervous like I do when giving a speech. By the end of this course, I can see all of us doing great with our speeches and getting over our nervousness.

Even though we haven’t had too many speech classes yet, I have already learned so much valuable information. Everything that we have discussed in class has already helped me become a better speaker, even though I haven’t given my first speech yet, I just know it has. I’d say the most important things I have learned is to turn my nervousness into excitement and every negative thought in to a positive one. Also, making a speech somewhat like a conversation with a friend helps ease my nerves. How easy is it to just have a conversation with a person? Easy. So if I take that advice and use it when making a speech, I feel more confident in giving a good speech. Some of the things I find challenging is making eye contact with the listeners and keeping my voice at a not too fast, but not too slow pace. Even though I still have some faults to work on, I feel that in this class I will learn to overcome them and become a great speaker.

I’m excited for this class and am excited about giving my first speeches. As long as we all have fun, it’ll be a good time for everyone!

Ally