1). Have you ever been influenced by a speaker? Think of the best speaker you've ever heard. What was it about that speaker that made his or her communication memorable? Think of the worst speaker you've ever heard. What do you remember about his or her message?
In all honesty, the last time I have been influenced by a speaker besides President Obama was just last week. I’m taking Comm 157—a class that requires us to volunteer at a specific location during the semester. Five places were presenting to a class of more than 80 people and I was sure that I was going to be bored by what was going on. Each presenter took their time and just rambled on and on why we should volunteer at that particular location. I was not sure as to which one I wanted to devote my time too because none of them sounded too appealing. However, the last speaker, Joy, woke me up and presented something out of the blue. Yes, all of the presenters were either speaking about a community center or an elementary school but Joy was able to speak and open my eyes allowing me to choose her particular location. She spoke with enthusiasm, and had a passion for what she was talking about—which is why I chose the location. Having enthusiasm and passion to me is the key to a successful speech because it allows the audience to know that you too are impressed with what you are talking about. Helping kids get the best education despite the budget cut was her main goal and that was what interested me into volunteering with her.
The worst speaker I had was also one that I experienced last week as well. It was another presenter, Melanie who just spoke in a mono-tone voice without any enthusiasm or charisma at all. A little smile would have made her a bit interesting but we didn’t even get that. In all honestly, I do not remember her message, the only reason I remember her was because I started to doze off into my own zone and a classmate of mine woke me back up!
Your comment in really funny to me because I am in the class and thought the same thing!! The last speaker that was talking about her site and she did such a good job capturing our attention when we were all at our last bit of patience in that class. There were so many speakers, one right after the other talking about topics that were less than stimulating so it took a real speaker to pull us all out of that rut. You are totally right about how some of he speakers were monotone and didn’t even seem interested in their own topic. How can they expect us to be interested if even they seem bored?!
ReplyDeleteHi Goober,
ReplyDeleteI have to say I started to laugh regarding to your post to question #1. First, I agree unless a speaker is enthusiastic or portrays some sort of passion in their presentation, I’m sorry they probably are not happy about what they do. I too would probably fall asleep or I would get out my blackberry and start answering emails or text messaging.
Next, I totaling can feel for you and your reaction when Melanie spoke in a monotone voice with no enthusiasm or charisma at all. I would be so bored myself. I think I would have fallen asleep or I would again start playing with my blackberry
Hey girl...
ReplyDeleteThis made me laugh as well loll. I can identify with you as well about a good speaker to be enthusiastic and charismatic at the same time. I can get like that too, where I zone out because of a boring speaker. I’ve heard a lot of speakers in my college career and it is really hard to take people seriously when the speaker themselves shows no passion for their topic. I feel like to be a great speaker you need to have a little something else others don’t have. It could be anything but people need to see it come from you when you speak. A speaker that I admire is Dr. Martin Luther King. His speeches that I have heard are so powerful especially during the time of racial discrimination. People needed to listen and hear someone like that to be uplifted and shown that there is hope for the future.
gOOd pOst!
Hello Goober! When you were listening to the 'bad speaker', what was going through your mind? What suggestions would you be able to give this person to make their speech, and/or speaking presence better? Was it the content, the way it was presented, or both?
ReplyDelete