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 oral presentation, I talked about the impact of social media on mental health among teenagers. Looking back, I believe my topic was appropriate for my audience, as it is a relevant and important issue in today's society. I think my presentation held the attention of the audience and added to their understanding of the topic. However, if I were to change anything about my claim and findings, I would have included more specific examples and statistics to support my points.
In terms of visuals and multimedia components, I believe they helped enhance my presentation rather than getting in the way. I used graphs, charts, and images to illustrate my points and make the information more engaging and easier to understand for the audience.
Reflecting on Dale Carnegie's quote, I do think there were differences between the presentation I practiced, the one I gave, and the one I wish I gave. The presentation I practiced was more structured and concise, while the one I gave had some moments of hesitation and could have been more fluid. The one I wish I gave would have included more personal anecdotes or real-life examples to make the topic more relatable and impactful. I think the differences stem from nerves and the pressure of speaking in front of an audience, which can affect delivery and confidence. Overall, it's a good reminder of the importance of practice and preparation in public speaking.