The Verbal and Non-Verbal Speaking Anxiety Signs

Public Speaking Self-Reflection

The Verbal and Non-Verbal Speaking Anxiety Signs

On the opening day of the course entitled as, “COM/218: Public Speaking for the IT Professional” I had the opportunity to deliver a two-minute presentation entitled, “How to Print a Document in Duplex.” When using the Microsoft Word 2010 application. The main objectives of my presentation were (1) duplex printing would reduce paper costs for my fellow students by using both sides of single sheet of paper, (2) duplex printing could reduce over consumption of our country’s natural resources (trees), and (3) that duplex printing could provide significant financial savings in an unlimited number of environments (both personal and professional). In this self-Reflection I will document those areas my instructor scored as “average” (a score of three or below) and below and will also incorporate the observations of my fellow classmates. Both the instructor and peer evaluations indicate that I did experience some anxiety in the delivery of my presentation. The observations were that first, I need to work on using pauses effectively and avoid the use of the dreaded “Umm and Ah” words. Second, I must communicate an ending my audience will remember and take act on. The third, the body of my presentation must connect more with my main ideas for the presentation. The fourth and fifth items are to “preview better” the topic body at the start to communicate why the presentation is worth listening too, and last, to pace myself so as not to rush my departure from the stage.

The Specific Areas I Intend to Work on in this Class

The specific areas I intend to work on in this class are:

• Mastering the processes of creating a collegiate-level presentation outline

• Properly previewing the body of my speeches

• Connecting the main ideas of my speech back to my thesis

• Maintaining proper eye contact with all of my audience members

• Developing a memorable ending that will stay with my listeners beyond the live original date and the venue it was given in.

• Using pauses effectively to avoid the “Umm and Ah” words

• Improving