Jonah

 September 22, 2009

Oral Interpretation #2: The Poem
After my last speech, I feel I have fixed some things in my presentation skills, and it turned out better than the last one. Of course, my introduction was much more well-organized and calmer, not exaggerated like my first speech. I feel that I have done a lot better from the last time, as I haven't tried to ad lib my introduction.

This time around, I found that my poise worked out well, as I noticed I stood up taller and straighter than the first time. Rate was moderately decent, as it went by a tad fast, although it made the time. Volume was adequate, as all of the people in the room could hear me. However, I feel that there also improvements to be made. Poise needs a bit less fidgeting, although the movements were made primarily to project the feeling to the audience, such as those various foot movements. The manuscript fidgeting wasn't necessary, as I constantly shifted the script between hands. Rate could have been just a tad slower, as some sentences did not flow smoothly.

Now, I feel that as a performer, I have drastically improved from my first time, as I have experience in the art of speaking now. However, there's always improvements, because it's not like I'm a speechwriter for a prestigious figurehead. I learned that I have to work very hard to make a good speech, and the presentation is the most important part in a speech, as how you do it has a lasting effect on your audience.

I hope that I can do better the next time around and actually get myself to stop moving around so much during my speeches. Maybe I might be nervous? I hope not. Self-Grade: B+

October 17, 2009

OI #3 Review Well, what to say on this speech? I must say, confidence levels really rose over my expectations. I felt less nervous, although the preceding poem left me not much time to rehearse. Honestly, I didn’t even get to finish my introduction.

However, I still managed to complete my poem with good eye contact, a rigid posture, and I did not fidget with my pants at all in this speech. That is a first, and I must say I am very proud, since that is a nervous habit of mine. The speed of the poem seemed appropriate, as I intended to recite it as if I were scared, trapped, or confused.

There are still many things that I needed to improve. Volume wasn’t exactly at my loudest or clearest, and it seemed as if I didn’t really know my poem too well, as I didn’t do too many gestures like I normally do. Eye contact actually could have been better, as I referred to my manuscript a bit much. Nevertheless, I did all right on my speech, compared to past attempts.

Finally, I notice that my skills in speech have vastly improved over the first attempt. I remember fidgeting all of the time, my volume was uncontrolled, and I remember playing with my pockets too much. That all went away in this oral interpretation, and I have to say this is my best speech yet.

Self-grade: A-

October 26, 2009 OI #4 Assessment This is the final oral interpretation for the rest of this year, so I figure that I can go out with some pizzazz. Unfortunately, maybe that day I couldn’t get out the right words. I seemed to forget parts of my intro, and I especially forgot the warning in which it says that the nature of the speech may be a tad graphic to the listeners. The length was also too short, and I fidgeted around a little bit. My manuscript definitely could have had more material, with only enough to make three minutes, even though the time limit was four to five minutes. I may have possibly rushed through the intro, since I forgot some of the words, and I also read my manuscript a tad fast.

However, looking at the positives, I notice my voice is clear, gestures are abundant and accurate, and I actually delivered the words in a manner where everyone could be satisfied. Even then, there were complaints, but that’s beside the point. The big point I wanted to make in the manuscript was that “there was always more hope in laughing,” which Richard’s mother constantly reminded him and his siblings. The story of the man falling down the stairs is another example, in which he can either just lay there in pain or hold it back for a minute, and maybe laugh a little, like he wasn’t too badly hurt.

Overall, I feel lately that my oral presentations have always shown new ways to improve, and tied up any loose ends in which my skills need improvement or building. However, there is always a problem with your speech to someone, and no one can be perfect. Even the smartest cannot always deliver the perfect words, much less the perfect pizza.

Self Grade: B+