Final Self-Reflection

TO: Professor Billington

FROM: David Timpson COMM 1020
DATE: [08/03/2018]
RE:Final Self-Reflection

Throughout the length of this course, I have learned what it takes to be an effective orator. Below
I will discuss a few of the cornerstones of this critical craft.

Organization:
In this class I learned that the best way to get your thoughts organized is to create an outline
(Rothwell, 2017, p. 130). We have been required to create a rough and a final draft of an outline
in every one of our speeches. This has really helped me to organize my thoughts regarding a
speech topic. I also really appreciated the provided templates for this course. It really helped me
to stay as coherent as possible. We were required to write our outlines in full sentences and that
forced me to make my thoughts complete.

We also went over different organizational patterns in Chapter 8 of our textbook. This was while
we were preparing for our “Informative Speeches”. I picked the Chronological Pattern for my
speech after learning that a chronological pattern of organization is effective for showing events
that take place over time (Rothwell, 2017, p. 140). This helped me organize my speech properly.

Appeals and Integrated Evidence

Logos: When using an appeal to logos, it is logic, specifically numbers that are important
(Rothwell, 2017, p. 269). I learned that using statistic and numbers count when trying to
present a point. Logos is using the logical side of the brain, namely reasoning, to present
a point so that people think that is a smart idea. In my speeches I have used numbers,
such as dates, statistics, percentages and logical statements to make appeals to logos. I
learned about a bunch of logical fallacies to avoid that will destroy my logos. The type of
logos I like most are solid logical arguments and statistics based on surveys. That being
said, I need to make more certain that the numbers that I am using are accurate.

Ethos: An appeal to ethos basically means establishing credibility (Rothwell, 2017, p.

51). I have improved my ethos in this class by learning to verbally cite people. Also, if I
ever have to give a speech on public speaking, I will be able to cite this course, and thus
lend me more credibility. I have incorporated ethos into my speaking by figuring out
what I already knew about the subject, why, and then naming credible sources for the rest
of the information. I did this with many of my speeches. I establish my own ethos so that
the crowd will want to listen to anything that I say. After that I can use the credibility of
 others to propel myself farther. In my speeches I cited my sources by saying everything I
could about the source they come from. I always cited at least the minimum number of
sources. The audience knew my sources were authoritative by how I cited them and
where they came from.

Pathos: Appeals to pathos are emotional appeals (Rothwell, 2017, p. 270). In my

speeches this semester I used personal stories to make appeals of pathos. I think that I
used the proper amount of pathos for my speeches. The concept that helped me the most
was that I could relate to the audience and they would almost automatically respond
emotionally. I could probably open up a bit more emotionally in my speeches. I wish I
had used more emotion in my persuasive speech.

Delivery and Visual Aids:

I learned from this class that a visual aid has to be just that: an aid (Rothwell, 2017, p. 181). I
also feel that I did well in all of my speeches with my nonverbal delivery. That being said I don’t
think I got progressively better. Right before my informative speech I drank a cup of coffee
which made my anxiety much worse. I learned that I did best on my speeches that I practiced in
front of my wife. I should have picked a better visual aid for my last speech. It was only used for
a second and didn’t do that much. All that being said, I feel great about my first visual aids and I
got a lot of experience with using visual aids.

Audience Assessment and Adaptation:

My favorite thing that I learned about audience identification was about “transactional
communication” in which even though only the speaker is talking they are communicating with
each other (Rothwell, 2017, p. 47). One of the best examples of audience adaptation I can think
of is when I was preparing for my demonstrative speech. I wasn’t sure which quote to use from
my source, until I found something containing mildly dirty humor. I knew that my wife’s family
would love that so I put it in my speech and they loved it. Definitely the who the audiences
determines a lot about the speech, or it should, anyway.

Speech Anxiety Management:

The best advice I learned about stage fright is to prepare and practice (Rothwell, 2017, p. 30).
My mild anxiety about giving speeches went down a ton since I started taking this class. I was a
little worried to begin with but I am not worried anymore. All that being said, I only gave
speeches to family members. Had I given speeches to people I didn’t know I probably would’ve
worried a lot more. In that care I would not drink coffee before and remember to take deep
breaths.

Lessons Learned:
I learned about the idea of a true believer from this class (Rothwell, 2017, p. 206). These are
people who I know many of and who I never want to be. In short, this class helped me to be a
free thinker. I learned a lot about logic, and how to analyze credibility. These are things that will
help me the rest of my life, in all aspects. This class will also help me as I continue my academic
career by helping me give presentation and what not. I really appreciate the opportunity of taking
this class.

Works Cited
Rothwell, J. D. (2017). Practically speaking. New York: Oxford University Press.