Juan Soto - Reflection #1

    

 Seeing Speech Differently: A Reflection on the Presentations

                                 

Whether you’re preparing for a class speech, a job interview, or just learning to express yourself more clearly, one thing is certain: the way a message is planned and delivered can change how it’s received. The Matt Abrahams video sets the tone by showing how to stay calm, think clearly, and speak with confidence—even under pressure.

 Public speaking is something most people have to deal with at some point, and these presentations helped break down the process step by step.. It had initially seemed like it might just be going over material from the book, but each group taught something new. Each person approached presenting the topic of public speaking in a unique way, and the mix of visuals, definitions, and even a joke really pulled it together. Rather than merely going through rules, these talks made me see how every step within the process counts.

Laying the Groundwork: The Basics of Public Speaking

The First group covered the fundamentals of public speaking, and understandably so, as the foundation. A considerable amount of time was devoted to dissecting the initial stages—identifying who the people are that one is speaking to, getting across the key message, and getting over the fear involved with speaking in front of others. That portion really spoke to me because public speaking is something everyone is scared of. Their tips—like taking deep breaths or reading out loud—were actually useful, not just something which sounds good on paper.

They also taught us the Five Arts of Speaking: invention, arrangement, style, memory, and delivery. Before that, They had only been definitions of abstract vocabulary words, but the way they defined them made it obvious how they pertained to the process. They weren't just instructing me to "give a good speech" when they were showing me what it takes to build one. Then they introduced Aristotle's three modes of persuasion—ethos, logos, and pathos—ones which served to show how a speaker addresses his or her audience in terms of credibility, logic, and emotion. It was also a good reminder that much of speaking is actually listening, which they used the HURIER model to describe.

Communication is a shared experience between speaker and listener.

Knowing Your Purpose: Types of Speeches and Structure

The following session talked about the structure and purpose of different types of speeches. They defined informative, persuasive, and special occasion speeches and how each differs based on what you're trying to achieve. That was why some speeches made sense and others did not—it really is all about understanding what the purpose is.

What was most notable in their presentation was how they described how to select and narrow down a topic. They described how to transition from a broad idea to a specific topic, which can become frustrating at the initial planning phase. Their method of brainstorming and information organization was beneficial, particularly for anyone who has difficulty coming up with a place to start. They also promoted using correct sources and conducting research, which sounded like sound advice not just for speeches but for whatever else involves presenting facts or ideas.

Understanding the purpose of a speech helps shape how it's written and delivered.

From Words to Action: Language, Media, and Delivery

The third session brought more tips of a performance nature. They talked about language, media, and delivery. Instead of just writing a good speech, this portion was about how to actually do it. They talked about using plain, understandable language, which made total sense. The thought wasn't to be overly formal or "brainy," But to have the people actually understand the message.

They also showed how useful slides and visuals are. It was a nice reminder to not read from a script on slides. They don't function to read them. To have them keep slides simple and reinforcing what's being shown helped put things into perspective. They also talked about body language, tone of voice, and timing—things so easy to forget but can be made or broken by a presentation. Noticing how those facts impacted the message helped close the gap between delivery and writing.

Delivery isn’t just about words—it’s also about presence and expression.

Reading the Room: Adapting to the Audience and Setting

Finally, the last session talked about how to adapt speeches to audiences and surroundings. They framed everything back to the single key point of knowing whom you're speaking to. This wasn't about being courteous; it was about understanding the needs, interests, and expectations of different audiences. That was why a wedding speech would not be like a job interview speech or a conference speech.

They gave examples of how to shift the tone and style according to the situation, making the idea clearer. They even mentioned virtual presentations, which now felt quite relevant. Their main thesis—that great speeches aren't about the message itself but how that message speaks to people was the ideal ending to the series of talks.

Virtual presentations come with their own unique challenges and techniques.

Bringing It All Together: Visuals, Lessons, and Final Thoughts

Part of the commonality among all the presentations was that every group of presenters used visuals and videos to keep it engaging. These were not just gratuitous frills—instead, they were used in a way that made the points more understandable. Some of the videos were even very good, like the video by Matt Abrahams about how to talk smarter and think quicker. It was short but full of useful advice that has lingered with me.

There were some striking images shown as well. One team showed an image of hands forming a star, and it produced an aura of togetherness and collaboration—something that definitely conveyed the collaboration that was put into these projects. Another picture showed a spring being passed from one hand into another, symbolizing how communication is a two-way experience for both listener and speaker. A final was a photo of a drop of water surrounded by flowers, that seemed to take in calmness, clarity, and the growth that comes with effective

communication.

Effective communication brings clarity, calmness, and space for growth.

Each photo added something—either mood, impression, or even just a manner of remembering the lesson being taught. That was how much was taken into account in both what was being taught, and how it was being taught.

Together, these presentations turned what would otherwise have been another ordinary class assignment into something more useful and memorable. Instead of learning about theory in a vacuum, there was the chance to see how public speaking actually works—from the nervous planning process to the final confident presentation. The advice given wasn't only helpful for speeches, but even for life itself. Working through the process slowly enough to actually look at what constitutes a great speech—research, delivery, explicit goals, audience sensitivity, and media—showed just how hard the process is. It also made it viable. Every team showed that if the process is worked through with intentionality and effort, anybody can be a better version of what they are.

Collaboration played a big role in the effort behind each presentation.