Elizabeth Spataro blog 1.


 

Public speaking has been part of my life ever since I can remember. From a very early age, theater has played a big role in my life, helping me build confidence and feel comfortable speaking in front of others. On top of that, talking is something I do every day with my friends and family, so being able to use my voice has always felt pretty natural to me. Because of this, I never saw speaking itself as difficult. However, being comfortable speaking does not always mean communicating clearly or effectively. Over time, I realized that public speaking requires more than just confidence. it requires clarity, organization, and intention.

Growing up, I was always very talkative, but my mom would often remind me to slow down and organize my thoughts before speaking. Many times, I would talk so quickly or jump from idea to idea that it became hard for others to understand what I was trying to say. Because of this, I decided to take a public speaking course at MDC with Professor Sherri Sinkoff. Through our first project, I realized that public speaking is not just about confidence, but also about clarity, organization, and intention. This course gave me the tools to take the natural confidence I had and channel it into effective communication.

Our first project was based on our required textbook, Public Speaking: The Evolving Art (5th ed.) by Steven J. Coopman and James Lull. For this project, my class was split into four groups, and my team worked on chapters 13 through 17. Since we were the last group to present, my team and I got the chance to see all the other presentations beforehand. This experience allowed me to see how communication, clarity, organization, and intention are non-negotiable when it comes to making a strong impact as a speaker. Observing different styles and approaches helped me understand that there is no only one right way to speak publicly, but certain principles are essential for being understood and making a connection with the audience.

However, what works for one speaker might not work for another. Each group brought their own energy, personality, and presentation style to the material. Some speakers were more energized and expressive while others kept it simple and clear. Watching these presentations showed me that there are many ways to capture an audience’s attention, but clarity and organization are always important.

Group One was in charge of chapters 1, 2, 3, and 5, which explain that public speaking is about sharing ideas clearly and confidently. These chapters focus on managing nerves, listening effectively, and adapting your message so your audience can understand and enjoy it. I personally think Group One did a great job explaining the material, and their PowerPoint highlighted strong communication and creativity within the team. Observing their presentation helped me see how preparation and thoughtful visuals can enhance a speech. I realized that even when you are confident, without structure and visual support, it can be hard to fully engage your audience. This taught me to be more intentional in how I organize my own presentations and how to use visuals effectively to support my points.

Group Two worked on chapters 4, 6, 7, and 8, which focus on choosing a good topic, finding strong supporting information, and organizing a speech so it makes sense. The ideas they talked about were important, and I could understand what they were explaining. However, the presentation itself made it harder to follow along. The slides looked nice at first, but they were messy and hard to read. Because of this, it was easy to lose focus. Seeing this taught me that even good information can be confusing if it is not presented in a clear and organized way. For my own work, this reinforced the importance of simplicity and clarity in visual aids, as well as pacing when delivering information so the audience can absorb it.

Last but not least, Group Three was in charge of chapters 9, 10, 11, and 12. These chapters cover starting and finishing a speech in a way that grabs attention, leaving a lasting impression, using clear and interesting language, incorporating multimedia, and practicing delivery so the audience understands and enjoys it. They did an amazing job their visuals and PowerPoint were great. I think they did a good job explaining everything they needed to explain. Observing their presentation helped me see the importance of strong openings and closings in speeches. I also learned how using multimedia thoughtfully can enhance a message rather than distract from it. This inspired me to think more carefully about how to capture and maintain my audience’s attention throughout a presentation.

Finally, there was Group Four, my group. Although I think our PowerPoint was great in terms of content and timing, we had people missing, which made us look unorganized. Thankfully, one of my teammates was able to pick up the slack and ensure that things ran smoothly. Despite this, I think we did a great job explaining the different types of presentations. Participating in this group taught me valuable lessons about teamwork, adaptability, and resilience. Even when things don’t go perfectly, being prepared and supporting each other can keep a presentation on track. It also highlighted how important it is to practice ahead of time and have contingency plans in case unexpected issues arise.

Overall, seeing all the different presentations helped me grow as a public speaker in multiple ways. Group One reminded me about the importance of communication and creativity in connecting with the audience. Group Two highlighted the role of organization and clarity in delivering ideas effectively. Group Three showed me how energy, language, and multimedia can enhance engagement and leave a strong impression. And my own experience in Group Four taught me lessons about teamwork, adaptability, and staying composed under pressure. Together, these experiences emphasized that public speaking is not just about what you say, but how you say it, how you organize it, and how you connect with your audience.

In conclusion, this public speaking project allowed me to reflect on my own strengths and weaknesses as a speaker while learning from others. I have always been comfortable speaking in front of people, but now I understand the value of clarity, organization, and intentionality. Watching my classmates’ presentations gave me practical insights into how to improve my own speaking skills, and participating in my group reinforced lessons about preparation, teamwork, and adaptability. Ultimately, this project showed me that public speaking is a skill that can always be developed and refined, and that being an effective speaker means combining confidence with careful planning and thoughtful communication. I feel more prepared and empowered to use my voice in a way that is clear, engaging, and impactful.





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