Over the course of these six weeks, I have learned so much in and out of the classroom.  In CAS 100, I have learned about public speaking as a whole, the many different components, the different types of speeches and all the aspects involved with them, and much more.  This class definitely made me open up to different people, and learn to not be as nervous to deliver presentations.  I was taught many strategies that would help improve my speaking overall, my nerves and anxiety, and my outlines and information presented.  As being previously exposed to a public speaking course, I learned so much more about the fundamentals about public speaking and about public speaking itself.  Before, I learned how to make an outline, give a speech, and some basic information.  After taking CAS 100, the information and techniques I have learned, can be useful in other courses that I take over the next four years in college.  As in individual, I feel that I have improved in some areas and still have room for improvement in others. 

My potential implications for my experiences at PSU include getting a degree in speech pathology, joining a sorority, making deans list, being apart of Four Diamonds, meeting a lot of new people, and more.  With my degree in speech pathology, I hope to go to graduate school and become a speech pathologist.  One day, I want to work with kids in an elementary school, a doctor’s office, or have my own practice.  Working with kids has always been a dream and something that I wish to pursue.  Keeping my GPA and grades up is something important to me.  I always try to do my best and put as much effort as I can into things.  Making dean’s list is something that I wish to make every semester.  Being apart of the Four Diamonds organization is something that I want to continue doing.  My high school took part of Four Diamonds, so I have been involved with it the past four years.  I cannot wait for THON and to be involved with all the activities.  I hope to make friendships here with people that will last forever.  Being in LEAP, definitely has helped with this.  I have met people that I know that I will continue to be friends with in the future years.

Reflection

When I look back at the beginning of the course, I had no idea what was ahead of me at the time. These past weeks have gone by so fast and I have learned so much from CAS 100A. When I was initially thinking about giving my first speech on the first day of class, I was so curious as to what it would be about and how I would do. That first speech seemed so far away at the time, but now that the course is almost over I realized how fast this summer semester has went.

From being nervous about my first speech in front of a class of students I didn't even know to now being able to call my classmates my friends has been an experience that I will not forget. My first blog post about FDR's address to the nation after the attacks on pearl harbor was my initial view on public speaking. After everything that I have learned, I still view that speech as a prime example of public speaking at its best. The way he spoke, organized his points, presented his message, and persuaded the United States citizens are all parts of speech that we learned about. I do understand the speech more clearly and I can imagine how he prepared for it.

My view on public speaking has changed throughout the course. When we began the course, I thought public speaking was almost an easy task that just took speaking from your mind, but now I appreciate good speakers a lot more than I did.

The things that I have learned will help me speak publicly in the future no matter what the situation. This was one of the most useful classes that I have ever taken and I am glad that I took it during the summer.

blog assignment #5

Over the time of the CAS 100 public speaking course, my ability of public speaking has become progressively more well rounded. Before entering the course and receiving education on this area of communication, I was seriously lacking the skills to deliver an effective public speaking presentation. By learning some of the basic keys to success in speech, I was able to put together my first presentation on my cultural object. This first presentation, however, lacked several elements mandatory for an ideal public speaking demonstration. The lack of proper and effective preparation was evident during the speech, as well as the high presence of filler words such as "like" and "um". Among these problems, there were also issues with my attention getter, as well as the lack of a sensible flow of content and an effective visual aid. These issues were all elements that I aimed to resolve in my second speech, the problem and solution presentation. To correct the problems with my preparation, I created an in depth outline of the material I was going to present. Then, based off of this outline, I made several note cards summarizing the speech's content. Along with these preparations, I also intended to solve the problem of an effective visual aid being excluded from my previous speech. To correct this issue I created a powerpoint that appropriately corresponded with the material in both my outline and my notecards. In addition to having better prepared the material of the presentation, I also practiced the delivery of the actual speech. After presenting the speech I was able to analyze components of the speech, such as fillers. Although the "likes" and "ums" were slightly less prevalent in my second speech, they were still noticeably existent. I identified for future presentations that this is an issue that must be worked on for the credibility of the speaker. The attention getter, on the other hand, was a problem I was able to solve in my second speech. Starting off the presentation with an effective attention getter helped to increase the interest of my audience. Although there was much progress made from my first speech to my second, there is undoubtedly multiple elements that I both need to and aim to improve for future presentations.

TTFN!

Coming into this semester, I have to admit I was not looking forward to this class at all. I don't want to have to give speeches in front of all of these people that I don't know! was the first thought that ran through my mind. I was never a big fan of speaking in public or in front of people in general, even though I am an actress (which seems COMPLETELY different for some reason...) So I was interested to see how this class was going to end up..

When we got the topic for our first speeches I didn't know what to do, I didn't think that I had a culture. Once I figured one out, though, I thought I would be fine. I was most concerned about the time limit and either being under or going over. Overall, though I felt very confident about this speech because it was on a topic that I knew a lot about and felt very comfortable talking about. But when it came to the speech day, I wasn't sure how I felt. When I knew my turn was coming up, I could feel the butterflies in my stomach and my heart started racing. I don't know exactly why this always happens, you'd think I'd be over this by now considering I should be used to being on stage and stuff, but nevertheless it does. However, I realized once I got to the podium I was fine! I found the same to be true for the next speech, as well. The only difference between the two speeches was that I was not nearly as comfortable with the second one. I was fairly apprehensive when it came to thinking about giving that speech. As opposed to the first one, it was on a topic that I haven't been immersed in since a young age, and most of it was new material that I was researching. I've found that it's easier to talk about something that's more familiar to you on a personal level than something that has been researched.

However, this class has really taught me how to present myself in front of an audience. I have come to find that when I speak in front of people, my voice is no longer quivery and I'm able to keep it at a consistent inflection and tone that is easy to listen to and not distracting. I'm also getting better at controlling my movements and making them less distracting and awkward as well... In the long run, knowing how to speak in front of people will really be beneficial to my line of work, going into management. So in leaving this class, I'm leaving with a stronger sense of confidence and I had a great experience overall. And there's no one else to thank other than Mia and my LEAPers! Thank you, everyone! :)

Not so scary after all!

Entering CAS100a the first day of the semester, I really had no clue what to expect. Public Speaking was not something I was born with a great natural talent at and every time I used to hear the words "Public Speaking" I would cringe. I was expecting this class to be us speaking all the time and not as much learning how to produce the speeches. Luckily, The Art of the Speaker offered many strategies and tactics we could use, along with class discussions, to help us prepare for all of our speeches.

Looking back at my first speech, the Cultural Object Speech, then on to my second speech, the Problem-Solution Speech I saw great improvement in many areas. There are definitely still some areas that need some work as well though. From the first to the second speech, there was a major increase in my confidence level. I believe part of this has to do with the use of note cards as opposed to the use of a preparational outline. At the beginning, I had always done speeches with note cards before so I figured that would be my best choice for my speeches in this class as well. Unfortunately, after my first speech I realized that they may not be my best option so for the second speech I switched to using my preparational outline. This helped me keep track of where I was better and I flowed into my points more easily. Another thing that was better in my second speech was my stage fright. In my Cultural Object Speech I had many awkward leg and body movements that didn't look natural or planned. They were obviously stage fright. In my second speech I stood behind the podium because I needed to use the computer but it helped my stage fright and even added to my confidence during my speech. All in all, my second speech was better but I still need to work on the speed at which I deliver my speech. I talked extremely fast in both of my speeches but that is because one, I talk fast in person and two I talk even faster when I'm nervous. It's just another thing I need to work on as I continue to better my public speaking skills.

Not only will I be able to use the public speaking skills I learned in this class throughout my years at PSU and even in the future but my research skills that I developed as well. The visit at the library learning how to use the databases and relying a great deal on sources throughout our second speech, I developed great researching skills that will assist me in being successful as a Penn State Student as well as in my following years acting out in the community or at my job.

All in all, CAS100a has provided me with a wonderful experience. I'm very glad I took this course and I will now take what I have learned and use it in my everyday life. Thanks Mia & the rest of my LEAPers for making it a great CAS class :)

See Ya Later CAS

For my first blog assignment in CAS 100A I chose William Wallace's speech from the movie Braveheart. At the beginning of the year I thought that this speech was the best understanding of public speaking. After six weeks of learning the inns and outs of public speaking I have found this speech not to be the best example of public speaking. In fact, it is only one aspect of public speaking. The speech from Braveheart was a motivational speech. After taking CAS 100A I now think of public speaking as public advocacy. I think of people speaking for a cause whether it be political, for charity, etc. This class has made me realize the challenges of public speaking and how much thought and preparation really goes into communication. I also think about how persuasive these public speeches can be and how effective for a cause that they can be if you are an effective speaker. This class has taught me how to be an effective public speaker. Thanks CAS.

Goodbye CAS

I’ll admit, this speech class was a much better experience than my previous public speaking class. My first experience in ninth grade left me a little scarred, but all in all, this class, as well as my own speaking experience, was not as terrible as I had expected. At the beginning, just the thought of having to give any type of speech nearly had me shaking already. As I prepared to give my first speech, I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I was. I practiced a lot, but I was still able to keep my anxiety under control. When I got to class on my speaking day, that’s when all of my nerves really hit me. I was shaking a bit and I read most of my speech right from my outline, as well as speaking too quickly. I didn’t really carry this over to the second speech, as it was about the same.

I do feel like I learned a great deal from this class. I’m always extremely anxious and I criticize myself too harshly, which I’ve learned not to do. I’ve gained some experience speaking in front of a group of people which will help me later in my college career. I have also learned that public speaking is in fact a large part of our lives and the skills I’ve learned will carry over to anything that I choose to do in my future.