Cara

11/1/09 Hands Only Assessment My performance was “How To Change A Lightbulb.” This performance was difficult because of the lack of props and only imagination. I thought that this was a good performance that was easy because you didn’t have a manuscript which you would have to follow. Only using your memory, and key points was easier, because it allowed me and my fellow classmates to become relaxed and not as “robotic” during our speeches. Throughout my performance, I displayed a good amount of volume, except that I was talking to the ground more than to my audience. I shouldn’t have moved as much, because when I became relaxed I tended to move my feet, which drew the attention away from my topic. Instead, I should have been still and gone directly to hand movements. I was talking slightly faster than normal. My rate could have slowed down, because I was definitely under time. Also, I could have done more hand motions, to take up time. The good things about my performance was that I was keeping good eye contact with my audience, and looked around the room to make sure I was looking at someone everytime I talked. Posture is important in a performance because it shows that you, the performer are confident. My posture was decent, and I kept my back straight. My articulation, and enunciation in my words were very clear, because my audience knew what I was talking about and each word even if I my face was faced towards the ceiling. Overall, this performance has shown me that I can actually perform something without a manuscript infront of me. I feel that I achieved raising my volume, and becoming confident in talking to people. Looking back to the beginning of the school year, I have come a long way from being a statue, to actually conversing with the audience in front of me.

OI4 10/26 I chose this passage from the book, //Twilight//, written by Stephenie Meyer because I thought it conveyed good feeling from both Bella and Edward. It showed the true colors of each individual. Also, I chose this passage because I thought I could use my phrasing and hand motions. I think that at the end, I could have paused instead of just walk off. Also, my volume could be louder; however it was louder than before. I fidget around, making my audience’s attention on my feet, instead of my words and gestures. Eye contact is important and something that I slack on. I tend to look at my paper for a long time just reading the lines instead of looking up and connecting with my listener. I think that I could have done better in making my hand motions more fluent and not just a jolt with my arm. However, I think that I had good phrasing and although I went a little fast in some areas, it was a good because my volume raised and made my audience listen to that particular part which was the climax of the line. Overall, my performances are getting better, I think. in the beginning of my performances my volume was going up and down because I was so nervous. Now, I learned to keep it in and talk with a louder voice. I think that my grade was a B+ because I did a better job than last time and I phrased well in the areas that were needed.

9/23 Self Assessment: OI #2 In our presentation for our poems, I think that I could have done better expressing the poem with better feeling and hand motions. I chose, “Caged Bird,” by Maya Angelou because I thought it was a poem that was pretty fun at some times and not fully serious. This poem was about the differences between a caged bird and a free bird. In my poem, I think that I did well in verbal expressions in some parts, like the end. My posture was almost always straight and not slouching which was a plus because you always want to have good posture. I think that the speed that I said my poem was overall the same. I especially liked the end when I was supposed to slow down and make a closing, which was definitely there. My volume was clear and loud so that everyone could hear. I think that The most important skill that I could have done better was eye contact. I looked down at my manuscript too much, causing no eye contact to come to my audience. If I didn’t look down as much, my poem would have made a far greater impact. Also, articulation in my words could have been better because in a couple of lines I mumbled. My impact to the audience was okay, because I know I could have done far better. I’ve learned that I need to make better eye contact with my audience, which will improve my performance greatly. However, I did well making a better closing. I feel that I deserved a B- because my first performance was better and I could have practiced my poem more.