Mrs. Koontz,
Last year, when I signed up for Speech and Composition, it didn’t seem like much of a difference than the classes Speech and Fundamentals of Writing. However, I know now that I made the right choice to have a year round class than just a separate units for each topic because I practiced and attained valuable skills such as communication and 10th grade level writing simultaneously instead of a semester at a time.
My time spent in your classroom has prepared me for the classes I will be taking next year and beyond, as proper communications and proficient writing skills are required for future pursuits in further education and careers. Below I will be explaining what I have learned and achieved in this class using specific examples on communications, listening, creative nonfiction, literary analysis, persuasive writing, and researched writing. I used to be so insecure about my public speaking skills and would dread going to school because of a project I had to present. But thanks to this class, I find myself volunteering to go first in speeches and participating in class. For example, on the first speech of the year (Me in a Bag), I went first, much to my surprise. I have grown so much since then. I can look people in the eye and speak clearly. I can communicate. Others have seen a change in me as well. My friends take me seriously now because I look them in the eye. My archery coach has notice a difference in me since the day I gave a speech to the school board about supporting archery club as a shy 8th grader girl. I have used the feedback others have given me such as tips on distracting habits and a louder voice to make myself a better public speaker. I still struggle with filler words and body posture sometimes and I still get nervous when presenting, (Ahem. The time I presented the “fizzle sprung” in a group infomercial was a flop because I had to do all of the work and I got so nervous I had a laugh attack during my part to talk) but it has occurred less and less. My strengths include at least 90% of eye contact, annunciation and an audible voice, less nervous habits such as running my hand through my hair or examining my hands. Overall I find when giving a presentation, I do not do all of the distracting and unflattering things I shouldn’t do and find I myself doing more of the professional things I should be doing. Though I still struggle, I have learned, observed, listened, and practiced and I am well on my way to becoming a proficient and exceptional communicator. I have always been a grammar and punctuation freak because I had train myself how to spot out typos due to my dyslexia. When I’m writing an outline or paper, I have no problem finding mistakes. I also read aloud the paper to myself to see if it makes sense or practice my speech at least once before I have to present. I always go over in head what I must …show more content…
Even if sometimes the topic doesn’t relate to me and I am bored out of my mind, I try to give the speaker respect by listening to them and maybe giving them feedback. Sometimes I can be distracted by my friends in class but for the most part I try to put away distracting things and focus on the people who are communicating to me as an audience member or as an individual.If the person is speaking on a topic I don 't relate to or don 't agree with, I still try to at least listen to what they have to say. I know how it is like to be nervous before a presentation or not have someone listening to be because they don’t agree with me, so it isn’t hard at all to listen to others and what they have to say.
Media is a helpful way for people to get their message across whether by a visual aid or a video or private message. In class, we were encouraged to add a vial aid for video to enhance the communication process. For example, in the Demonstration Speech I brought physical objects to put my point across, while in my Destination speech I used a Powerpoint which was less of a hassle and enhanced my speech to a maximum. It gave pictures and short phrases that could help “convince” the audience to go on that
Last year, when I signed up for Speech and Composition, it didn’t seem like much of a difference than the classes Speech and Fundamentals of Writing. However, I know now that I made the right choice to have a year round class than just a separate units for each topic because I practiced and attained valuable skills such as communication and 10th grade level writing simultaneously instead of a semester at a time.
My time spent in your classroom has prepared me for the classes I will be taking next year and beyond, as proper communications and proficient writing skills are required for future pursuits in further education and careers. Below I will be explaining what I have learned and achieved in this class using specific examples on communications, listening, creative nonfiction, literary analysis, persuasive writing, and researched writing. I used to be so insecure about my public speaking skills and would dread going to school because of a project I had to present. But thanks to this class, I find myself volunteering to go first in speeches and participating in class. For example, on the first speech of the year (Me in a Bag), I went first, much to my surprise. I have grown so much since then. I can look people in the eye and speak clearly. I can communicate. Others have seen a change in me as well. My friends take me seriously now because I look them in the eye. My archery coach has notice a difference in me since the day I gave a speech to the school board about supporting archery club as a shy 8th grader girl. I have used the feedback others have given me such as tips on distracting habits and a louder voice to make myself a better public speaker. I still struggle with filler words and body posture sometimes and I still get nervous when presenting, (Ahem. The time I presented the “fizzle sprung” in a group infomercial was a flop because I had to do all of the work and I got so nervous I had a laugh attack during my part to talk) but it has occurred less and less. My strengths include at least 90% of eye contact, annunciation and an audible voice, less nervous habits such as running my hand through my hair or examining my hands. Overall I find when giving a presentation, I do not do all of the distracting and unflattering things I shouldn’t do and find I myself doing more of the professional things I should be doing. Though I still struggle, I have learned, observed, listened, and practiced and I am well on my way to becoming a proficient and exceptional communicator. I have always been a grammar and punctuation freak because I had train myself how to spot out typos due to my dyslexia. When I’m writing an outline or paper, I have no problem finding mistakes. I also read aloud the paper to myself to see if it makes sense or practice my speech at least once before I have to present. I always go over in head what I must …show more content…
Even if sometimes the topic doesn’t relate to me and I am bored out of my mind, I try to give the speaker respect by listening to them and maybe giving them feedback. Sometimes I can be distracted by my friends in class but for the most part I try to put away distracting things and focus on the people who are communicating to me as an audience member or as an individual.If the person is speaking on a topic I don 't relate to or don 't agree with, I still try to at least listen to what they have to say. I know how it is like to be nervous before a presentation or not have someone listening to be because they don’t agree with me, so it isn’t hard at all to listen to others and what they have to say.
Media is a helpful way for people to get their message across whether by a visual aid or a video or private message. In class, we were encouraged to add a vial aid for video to enhance the communication process. For example, in the Demonstration Speech I brought physical objects to put my point across, while in my Destination speech I used a Powerpoint which was less of a hassle and enhanced my speech to a maximum. It gave pictures and short phrases that could help “convince” the audience to go on that