Self Critique (#11)

Post a self critique of yourself in this blog. Discuss your three strengths and three improvements as the course winds down. Expand on a course of action for making necessary improvements in the future.

Networking in the Elevator (#10)

Reflect back to the comments shared during your elevator speech in class. What would you do different in organizing your 30 second talk in the elevator. Rewrite your speech here with the suggested changes in class. Do not change the scenario or talk from class. Rewrite the talk using the same scenario.

Impromptu Speeches

Please post your critiques for the impromptu (elevator speeches) here.

Persuasive Speech Critiques

Please post your critiques to the persuasive speech here.

Networking (#9)

We discussed in class the mechanics of impromput speaking. It is time to make application to a networking situation. What would your 30 second commercial sound like if you unexpectly meant someone who could help you network yourself in a professional matter? Be sure to be clear about your objective. Promote yourself by illustrating a past experience, knowledge, skill or ability that you could bring to the situation. In what ways could you be sure to keep the contact vital after the conversation?

What's Your Speaking Perception?

What kinds of perceptions are created in your speech? Can you discuss a time when someone judged you or created a false perception of you based on your speech? Was it your accent or some other quality of the tone of your voice (rate, pitch, volume)? Was it your word choices? Vocabulary? Sarah Palin, a 2008 Republican Vice President Nominee has an Alaskan accent? Will you judge her capability or credibility for the role of Vice President by her voice qualities? Do you automatically jump to conclusions or have preconceived perceptions about someone based on a person’s speech qualities? Share with us briefly the situation, what was the incorrect perception, and your self-reflective thoughts on the incidence? Could you have created a different perception by changing your speech? Comments due Nov.12

Creating An Impact with Visual Aids

We have discussed how to use powerpoint correctly to contribute to producing an effective message. What other types of visual aids could be used in a speech to creae an impact. Think outside the box and past the list of visuals that we dicussed in class and are mentioned in the text, eg., models, charts, etc. What creative ways could technology, and the internet sites be used? Or, what other types of visuals can you come up with has examples? Give two hypothetical situations and the type of visual aid that would be utilized in each speech. Comment due Nov.5

Informative Speech Critiques

Post your comments to our first informative speech here in this blog post. Be sure to include three strengths and three improvements. The comments must details and include both delivery and content comments. I am looking for depth in your responses. Be sure to include in your critique suggestions for how to make needed improvements.

Toastmasters

What is toastmasters? Toastmasters ia an organization that has been around for 84 years helping people develop and practice their speaking skills. This international organization offers chapters in many places including corporations to help their employees enhance their leadership and communication skills. Check out this link to visit the toastmasters web site for background information.

Then, check out this ">youtube clip of a winning toastmaster speech.

What makes this speech a winning speech? Apply the criteria of effective communicators to this speaker. Is it style? Substance? Both? What works for you as the listener? What ways does he engage his audience in his speech? Breakdown the elements of delivery and content to illustrate the elements of a winning toastmaster speech.

Checking out the messages in the Presidential Debate on October 15, 2008

Please post a blog critique for each of the candidates in this week's blog. Listen to more than body language in this last and final debate before the election. Check out the verbal messages shared by both the candidates. Which messages are factual and which are just spin? Take one message from each candidates message in this debate and research it. Then, post your research findings in comparison to how it was stated by the candidate. Is it okay, if a candidate isn't totally honest in debates? Which is more important to you when choosing a candidate? Competence or Character?