Reflect on the Portfolio
Recall your oral presentation and think about these questions. If your Learning Coach recorded your presentation, watch the recording. Write your reflections in your journal.
Was your topic appropriate for your audience? Do you believe that your presentation held the attention of the members of your audience and added to their understanding? If you were to change anything about your claim and findings, what would it be?
In your opinion, did your visuals and multimedia components help your audience, or did they get in the way of your presentation? Explain your thinking.
Dale Carnegie, the author of The Art of Public Speaking, once said, “There are always three speeches, for every one you actually gave. The one you practiced, the one you gave, and the one you wish you gave.” How does the presentation you gave differ from the one you practiced and the one you wish you gave? Why do you think that is true?
In my opinion, my topic was appropriate for my audience as it was relevant and engaging. I believe that my presentation held the attention of the members of my audience and added to their understanding as I received positive feedback from them. However, if I were to change anything about my claim and findings, I would have provided more concrete examples and data to support my arguments.
Regarding my visuals and multimedia components, I believe they helped my audience to better understand the information presented. They were used strategically to enhance my points and make the presentation more visually appealing. Overall, I think they added value to my presentation rather than getting in the way.
Reflecting on Dale Carnegie's quote, I can relate to it because there were definitely some differences between the presentation I practiced, the one I gave, and the one I wish I gave. The one I practiced was more structured and polished, while the one I gave had some stumbling points and moments of uncertainty. The one I wish I gave would have been more confident and impactful, with smoother delivery and more engaging visuals. I believe this is true because nerves and pressure can sometimes affect our performance, leading to variations between practice and actual presentation.