As You Come To The End Of Com201 And Reflect On The Speeches You Deliv ✓ Solved

As you come to the end of COM201 and reflect on the speeches you delivered, which one did you think was most effective? Provide a thorough explanation for your choice. 1. Introductory. 2.

Informative. 3. Persuasive. 4. Special occasion.

Reflect on your previous speeches and self-reviews and consider your growth in effective speaking skills. In which one of the following areas do you feel as if you experienced the most growth? Provide specific ways in which you improved in this area. · Introduction (gained audience’s attention). · Conclusion (reinforced central idea). · Strong eye contact and expressive voice.

Paper for above instructions

Reflection on Speech Effectiveness in COM201

As I near the completion of the COM201 course and take the time to reflect on the various speeches I have delivered throughout the semester, one speech stands out as particularly effective: my persuasive speech. This particular speech was powerful not only in its content but also in its delivery. In this assignment, I will discuss why the persuasive speech was the most effective, along with my growth in effective speaking skills and the specific area where I have improved the most.

Persuasive Speech: A Powerful Choice

The choice of my persuasive speech as the most effective can be attributed to several factors that made both the content and delivery resonate with my audience. First and foremost, persuasive speeches are designed to inspire action and change in the audience's viewpoints. In this instance, I chose to address the critical issue of climate change and advocate for adopting sustainable practices. According to McCroskey (2014), a successful persuasive speech requires a blend of logical reasoning, emotional appeal, and credibility. I focused on these elements to create a compelling narrative.
The structure of my speech followed the classic persuasive framework: I began with a hook that would capture the audience's attention—an alarming statistic about the current state of climate change. Using data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), I emphasized the urgency of the issue, creating an emotional response among attendees (IPCC, 2021). This strategy aligns with the principles of pathos, ethos, and logos as suggested by Aristotle, where I established a logical argument backed by credible sources, as well as evoking an emotional connection with my audience (O’Keefe, 2015).
Furthermore, I utilized storytelling to illustrate the consequences of inaction, sharing personal anecdotes about individuals who have been directly impacted by climate issues. Research by Grimes (2018) emphasizes the effectiveness of storytelling in persuasive communication, as it fosters a sense of empathy in the audience and makes the message more relatable. This narrative aspect ultimately contributed to the persuasiveness of my arguments.
Engagement Techniques
In terms of delivery, my eye contact and vocal expressiveness played crucial roles in engaging the audience. According to studies by Hargie et al. (2011), maintaining strong eye contact fosters a connection with the audience, thereby enhancing engagement and attentiveness. I made it a point to look around the room and connect with various audience members as I delivered my speech, which helped create a sense of inclusivity.
Additionally, I modified my vocal variety throughout the speech to emphasize key points and maintain audience interest—something I had previously struggled with. Research by Dwyer (2017) indicates that varying pitch and tone increases audience retention and improves overall effectiveness. As I reflect on the positive feedback received, it is evident that this combination of content, engagement, and delivery made my persuasive speech the most impactful.

Growth in Effective Speaking Skills

As I look back on the various speeches I have delivered this semester—from my introductory speech to my informative and special occasion speeches—I can confidently say that I have experienced the most growth in my ability to captivate the audience’s attention in my introductions.
Enhancing My Introduction Skills
In earlier speeches, I often struggled to create an engaging opening that would draw the audience in. My intros were mostly straightforward and lackluster, which contributed to a disengaged audience. However, by the time of my persuasive speech, I had significantly improved in this area. I employed various strategies to enhance my introductions, as recommended by Allen and Atkinson (2016).
One technique was starting with a provocative question, which immediately compelled the audience to think and engage with the topic. For example, I opened my persuasive speech by asking, "Have you ever thought about the world we are leaving for the next generation?" Not only did this question capture attention, but it also established relevance and urgency regarding the subject matter. The effectiveness of starting with a thought-provoking question is supported by research by Levine (2015), who notes that such openings stimulate engagement and curiosity.
Additionally, I began incorporating quotes and intriguing facts that relate to the core theme of the speech. This approach is supported by the findings of Larson (2018), which reveal that starting with an interesting fact or quote can significantly capture the audience's interest.
The improvement in my introductions has not only made my speeches more engaging but also laid a solid foundation for the rest of my presentations. A strong opening piques audience interest, which, as demonstrated in my reflective practice, ensures better retention of the message and higher engagement levels throughout the speech (Beard, 2019).

Conclusion

In conclusion, my journey through the COM201 course has led to significant improvements in my public speaking abilities, particularly exemplified by my persuasive speech. The combination of effective content, strong engagement strategies, and enhanced delivery methods has contributed to its effectiveness. Moreover, I have experienced substantial growth in my ability to captivate the audience’s attention in my introductions, marking a notable advancement in my overall speaking skills. As I continue to practice and refine these techniques, I am eager to become an even more effective communicator in the future.

References

1. Allen, B. & Atkinson, J. (2016). Communication Skills for the Workplace. Cengage Learning.
2. Beard, R. (2019). Effective Public Speaking: The Complete Guide to Communication. Routledge.
3. Dwyer, K. (2017). Success in Public Speaking. Oxford University Press.
4. Grimes, C. (2018). The Art of Persuasion: Storytelling in Presentations. Journal of Communication Studies, 45(2), 1-12.
5. Hargie, O. et al. (2011). Skilled Interpersonal Communication: Research, Theory and Practice. Routledge.
6. IPCC. (2021). Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
7. Larson, C. E. (2018). The Speaker's Handbook: A Practical Guide. Cengage Learning.
8. Levine, R. (2015). Engaging Presentations: How to Captivate Your Audience. AMACOM.
9. McCroskey, J. C. (2014). An Introduction to Rhetorical Communication. Pearson Higher Education.
10. O’Keefe, D. J. (2015). Persuasion: Theory and Practice. Sage Publications.