For the final task of the unit, it’s time to bring all that you have learned to play by delivering a thoroughly researched and well-written speech to an audience. Feel free to use the material you’ve already written in previous units; the most important thing to concentrate on here is presentation. Before you begin, practice the mindfulness and positive thinking techniques we discussed in the previous unit and make a conscious effort to improve your sense of self-efficacy. Then, practice the body language of confidence and read through your speech several times using a powerful, resonant, and clear voice. Remember to read with energy and vary your emphasis to avoid monotony and to fully engage with your audience. Finally, deliver your speech to at least a room of people. Try to include more people if possible. These people shouldn’t be just your friends and family members because the whole point of learning to speak publicly is that it’s public, not private.

Question

For the final task of the unit, it’s time to bring all that you have learned to play by delivering a thoroughly researched and well-written speech to an audience. Feel free to use the material you’ve already written in previous units; the most important thing to concentrate on here is presentation. Before you begin, practice the mindfulness and positive thinking techniques we discussed in the previous unit and make a conscious effort to improve your sense of self-efficacy. Then, practice the body language of confidence and read through your speech several times using a powerful, resonant, and clear voice. Remember to read with energy and vary your emphasis to avoid monotony and to fully engage with your audience. Finally, deliver your speech to at least a room of people. Try to include more people if possible. These people shouldn’t be just your friends and family members because the whole point of learning to speak publicly is that it’s public, not private.

Afterwards, write a short piece of around 500 words on your experience, considering how you felt, where you felt you were strong, and where you need a little more practice.

Answer 1

Delivering my final speech was definitely a nerve-wracking experience, but I was determined to put into practice everything I had learned throughout the unit. I started by practicing mindfulness and positive thinking techniques to help calm my nerves and boost my confidence. Taking deep breaths and visualizing myself delivering a successful speech really helped me to focus and feel more prepared.

As I began speaking, I made sure to use confident body language and maintain eye contact with the audience. I tried to vary my tone and volume to keep the audience engaged and emphasize key points effectively. I also made sure to project my voice clearly and confidently, which helped me to come across as more authoritative and engaging.

Overall, I felt that I was strong in delivering a well-researched and organized speech. I was able to convey my ideas clearly and cohesively, and I received positive feedback from the audience on the content of my speech. However, I did notice that I could use a little more practice in controlling my nerves and maintaining a steady pace throughout the speech. There were moments where I felt myself rushing or stumbling over my words, which I believe impacted the overall delivery of the speech.

In terms of engaging with the audience, I found that it was easier to connect with them when I was speaking from a place of authenticity and passion. Sharing personal anecdotes and experiences helped to make my speech more relatable and engaging for the audience. I also received feedback that I could work on my transitions between different points of the speech to make it flow more smoothly and keep the audience engaged.

In conclusion, delivering my final speech was a valuable learning experience that helped me to grow and improve as a public speaker. By practicing mindfulness, positive thinking, and confident body language, I was able to overcome my nerves and deliver a well-received speech. Moving forward, I plan to continue working on controlling my nerves, maintaining a steady pace, and improving my transitions to become an even more effective and engaging speaker. Public speaking may be a daunting task, but with practice and dedication, I know that I can continue to improve and grow in this skill.