Morgan McShan - Reflection #1

Morgan McShan

My Reflection on Class Presentations

    I was initially nervous about the idea of giving presentations, but as we learned different aspects of public speaking, such as organizing a speech and adjusting to an audience, I realized the lessons went beyond the classroom. The experience not only helped me grow as a speaker but also taught me to listen and appreciate the work of others. In the end, I found the talks far more enjoyable than I expected, as each presentation was unique, sometimes humorous, inspiring, or even uncomfortable, but always authentic and meaningful.

The Changing Craft of Oral Communication

    Before this session, I thought public speaking was just reciting notes and trying not to look foolish, but after watching my peers, I realized it is much more dynamic and impactful. Many used personal stories, humor, or visuals to connect with the audience, showing me that public speaking is about leaving an impression rather than just sharing information. One presentation that stood out was a student’s story of overcoming adversity; it was simple yet so powerfully delivered that it captured the entire room’s attention, making me see public speaking as a true art form.

Boosting My Self-Confidence
   At first, I was nervous about presenting, but seeing that even skilled speakers admitted to feeling anxious reassured me that confidence comes from overcoming fear, not avoiding it. Remembering that preparation builds confidence, I rehearsed and organized my ideas, which helped me feel more comfortable during my presentation. By the end, I was proud of myself for pushing through, and I know the confidence I gained will stay with me beyond this session.

The Value of Paying Attention
    I didn’t expect listening to be such an important lesson, but by paying close attention to my classmates’ presentations, I was surprised by how much I learned. Some shared perspectives I had never considered, while others offered new insights into familiar ideas, which made me more understanding and appreciative of the effort behind each talk. Listening also helped me recognize the courage it takes for anyone to speak in front of an audience, even if the delivery isn’t perfect.

Making Adjustments for Your Audience

    I noticed that effective presenters paid close attention to their audience, using strategies like eye contact, questions, or humor to keep us engaged, which made a big difference. For example, one student began with a question that immediately captured everyone’s interest and kept the audience attentive throughout. Watching this showed me that adjusting to your audience is like tailoring your message—you need to think about what will keep them truly engaged.

Putting a Speech Together and Outlining It
    I realized that organization often made the difference between a strong and weak presentation, as those with clear outlines, introductions, key points, and conclusions were much easier to follow. In contrast, disorganized talks were harder to focus on, which showed me the value of outlining. When I presented, using an outline kept me from straying off topic and gave me a sense of control, proving that organization benefits both the audience and the speaker.

Making Use of Language and Media In an efficient manner
    During the talks, I also became aware of the power of words. Some people made their arguments easily understandable by using straightforward language. Others described things vividly or with analogies that helped me see them. The presentation's level of memorability can be entirely altered by the way things are phrased.

    Visuals were as important as words. While some students included charts or films, others utilized slides with strong visuals. Visuals that complemented the message rather than detracted from it were the most successful. I discovered that media need to be an asset rather than the main attraction.

Speaking in an Informative or Persuasive Way
    I found the difference between persuasive and informational presentations fascinating, as persuasive ones encouraged me to see issues from new perspectives, while informational ones gave me knowledge I didn’t have before. Personally, I was more drawn to persuasive talks because of the passion behind them, but I still valued the informative ones for expanding my understanding. This showed me the importance of knowing your goal as a speaker—whether to inform, persuade, or combine both.

My Overall Thoughts

    Despite my nerves and challenges, I genuinely appreciated the presentations, especially seeing each person’s unique style, which kept the discussions engaging and diverse. Through the experience, I learned that I am capable of presenting despite my anxiety, that my strengths lie in organization and planning, and most importantly, that public speaking is more about making connections than simply delivering words.

In conclusion
    I didn't believe I would get much from presentations outside of the typical stress at the beginning of this session. But now that I think about it, I see that these events gave me lifelong talents. I improved my ability to listen, arrange my thoughts, and adjust to an audience. Most significantly, I became more self-assured.

    I was reminded by these talks that public speaking is more than just a school assignment. It's a life skill that will benefit me in interviews, at work, and in any other circumstance when I have to express my opinions. I may never like the anxiety that comes with giving a presentation, but knowing that I can manage it today makes all the difference.