Classroom Activity "Selling an exercise" UPDATED 

Hello everybody, 

Last class my group tried a new area which is selling. I had a card with an activity, which I had to "sell" (to introduce and explain how to organize it) to the audience, so that my groupmates could choose it for their future work.

I am glad to share my video and reflection on it with you. 

Evaluating speech content component:

1. Introduction (10 points max)

I do not think that any special techniques were used in the introduction. There was no thesis statement.  I would give 3 points out of 10 for the effectiveness of the introduction. 

2. Body (10 points max)

There was some speech organization. I would give 4 points out of 10. I do not know much about organizational structure of the body, so I cannot comment on it. I think that general information was clearly explained, but the way I did it was not perfect. I would give 6 out of 10. As for quality of support, I would give 5. Also, I did not use any illustrations, stories, etc. - 1. Despite all disadvantages my speech was coherent enough - 6 points.

3. Conclusion (10 points max)

Frankly speaking, I think that conclusion was not effective - 3.

It is very hard for me to point out strongest part of the speech, because I do not know how to create a good one.


Now I would like to evaluate my speech with the help of the chart 10.7 "Know Thyself".
1. Did you make an effort to gain the mental attention of your audience in the introduction to your speech?
No, I do not think so.
2. Did you clearly state your topic or question?
Yes, I did.
3. Did you map the direction your speech was taking?
No, I did not.
4. Did you support the major ideas with examples, instances, facts, quotations, or proof?
Yes, I supported it with examples. 
5. Did your speech have a conclusion (summary, action, appeal)?
Yes, there was something like summary and appeal.
6. List three areas of your speech that you believe were the most effective. These may include organization, content, or delivery of the speech.
1) support 2) the speech was quite fluent 3) gestures 
7. List three weaknesses of your speech.
1) conclusion 2) anxiety 3) content 
8. Pick one area of organization or content that you desire to improve in your next speech.
I desire to improve clarity of body.
9. Pick one area of delivery you desire to improve in the next speech.
My physical presentation. 

Confidence is crucial to any undertaking

Dear readers,

Today I have a great chance to share my opinion with you on the importance of confidence.

To start with I would like to answer the question: “What is confidence?”.  As I see it, the belief that you are able to do things well/ knowing that you are good at something/ knowing that you can do and will do something better after your efforts stands for confidence. It is worth saying that we should not confuse confidence with the feeling that you are better than others (but it is another food for thought).

I am convinced that confidence is crucial to any undertaking because the success of your work is influenced by this belief/ this knowing. 

To prove my point of view I have decided to provide the example based on my own experience. I was not a top-student and I did not get straight “A”s. Moreover, I did not succeed in Math at all, when I studied in the middle school (from 5 to 9 grade in Russia). But at the end of the 8^th grade I made a decision that I wanted to get rid of problems with Math and graduate from the middle school with honours. I started to work hard, but instead of supporting words I was receiving only “It’s impossible” even from my Mom. It was only my confidence that influenced the success of my work; that helped me to achieve my desired goal.

Concluding, I advise you to work on your confidence by practicing performance and public speaking whenever the opportunity arises. They say that the more confident you are, the more risks you are going to take, and the more you are going to eventually achieve.

Questionnaire "Your level of oratory"

Hello everybody,

I had to complete questionnaire "Your level of oratory" as a homework at my University that will help me to assess my proficiency in giving a speech. It was a very important and interesting task for me because I know that I am not really good at going about speech writing and speech organizing. 

I'd like to share my result with you and it is not a surprise for me that it is not as high as it must and could be. I have only 55 points. It means that I encounter some difficulties when I try to convey my ideas to  the audience. It goes without saying that this course will help me to improve my oratorical skills and strengthen the positive aspects of my communication style because...

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3. No cursing and expressing offensive opinions. 
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5. Write clearly, concisely, and on the subject. 

Summer Vacation

3 strengths in my speech: 1. I was quite emotional 2. My gesticulation 3. My speech was short, but informative enough

3 weaknesses in my speech: 1. Pronunciation 2. Fluency 3. Presentation 

https://youtu.be/HKdwTeNcjp4