Kayla+Emshoff's+journal

Journal Questions


 * First journal question:**

how did your group use the preparation time provided? did/would have a good plan make the building process easier? how could this help you write a speech? did your group hace any misunderstandings? if so, how did that affect the process?

In my groups preparation time we discussed on how to start. We all decided that froming a strong base would help us with the building process, because our plan to make the tower tall was roll news papers up and tape them with as little tape as possible to get them as high as they can go. So, we started with the base. Planning your method of work is easier. It helps with how your going to start things and knowing what is coming next. This project can help with writing a speech because it teaches you how to set something up. It gives you order. There were no misunderstandings that i could recall. We built our tower with "grace" and ended up winning the title "Most Stable!" Even though we had to rush at the end, our tower stood strong and stable.


 * Second journal question:**

Using what the book says about listening, explain specific ways to demonstrate good listening. In what ways are good listening skills different between interpersonal communication (one on one) and public speaking (one to group)? How are they the same? Use examples from your life to support your statements as well as quotes from the book.

There are many ways to demonstrate good listening, for instance some being, to identify the central idea or to identify the main points of the speakers speech. When you identify the central idea, what you do is: try finding the main point of the speakers speech. If the speakers speech has been "well prepared, the central idea should be stated in the introduction." Therefore, making it easy to understand what there telling you. Now, to identify the main points, what you do is to sort out the main points of the speaker's speech. Most effective speeches "involve a central idea supported by a number of main points", i you pick those main points out if help with better listening. When giving a public speech you are speaking to an audience, you dont interact with every single person. It's just a large group that you share your speech with. Now, with interpesonal, it is one on one. You are interacting with only one other person, speaking directly to them instead of sharing your opinion with a whole group. In interpersonal commuication the other communicates back to you. Both of you speak back in forth, instead of just speaking your point of view. The only thing that is the same between the two is this: your talking to an "audience".


 * Third journal question:**

Why does Mrs. James care so much about plagiarism? What can I do to make sure I don't show up in one of her examples in the future?

When you plagiarize, your stealing someone else's ideas. Your taking what they said and using it as your own which is against the law. It is a crime to do so, and Mrs. James doesn't want someone else's thoughts she wants your own. To make sure i dont plagerize i can cite the words that i choose to use from others or type in the sentence to make sure it is not a major quote or sentence.


 * fourth journal question:**

Watch the videos in the sidebar of the website for visual aids. Write a journal entry detailing good and bad examples in each of the videos.

I saw good and bad behavior. Some good behavior being: speaking and showing the visual aid, facing the audience and using the visual aid, and having eye contact while still using the visual aid. Some bad behavior being: completely ignoring the audicence while just focusing on your visual aid, having no eye contact, getting up close to your visual aid instead of just pointing or holding, not speaking and using the visual aid. Those were the good and bad behaviors i noticed when watching the videos.


 * fifth journal question:**

Reflect on the progress you are making during speaking. Write a journal entry entailing at least 3 ways that you have improved since your first speech in class.

In the beginning, when we first started giving speeches i had problems with saying "umm" or "like" constantly. When i got up in front of my peers i would stutter, as well as, was stiff. In my opinion now, i have changed these things at least a little. I dont say "umm" or "like", i dont stutter as much and im not as stiff as i once was. Everytime i go up there though i am still extremly nervous and tend to mess up alot. I know i am not THAT great of a public speaker, but i think i am improving some what.


 * Sixth journal question:**

As we finish up our final speech. Take this time to reflect on your semester. For your final Journal Entry (this makes #6), reflect. What did you learn? Is there something that you think is still missing? Did you enjoy this class?

I learned many things on how to properly give a speech. We talked about persuasive speeches, informative speeches, how to correctly use visual aids, how you shouldnt plagerize, how to handle your nerves, and many other things involving public speaking. I have learned public speaking is difficult for some and easy for others, it takes lots of practice to give a good speech. I know i am not a good public speaker! I will definetly need more practice. I'm not sure how i did in this class. I'm not ure there is anything missing. Then again, I'm not sure what you mean. I thought the class was fun. I injoyed it, especially compared to my dual credit history class, i loved taking speech.