Introduction
This paper presents my reflection on the speeches that I have already delivered on various topics. Basically, the speeches were of three categories: persuasive speeches, informational speeches, and impromptu speeches. I also participated in a group problem solving activity which gave me a chance to engage team work skills. In general, from the group activity and the speeches that I have given, I have learned how to organize my speeches and thus communicate effectively and attract the attention of an audience I am addressing.
Main Body
Over time I have noticed that effective communication is a function of detailed plans. To effectively communicate especially when giving a public speech one needs to plans all the details of the speech: the language to be used, the tonal variation and even the sign language to be used. It is very significant that one learns how to speak audibly. Mumbling of words is the best way to make a speech most ineffective. You have to get the pronunciation of words right. You also need to be interactive and use your body well to compliment your speech; this can be done through sing language and gestures. I also found that using relevant examples and anecdotes makes delivery of a speech effective; however, one needs to pick the relevant examples which are appropriate for the age group being addressed.
Apart from communicating effectively, I have discovered that connecting with the audience is equally significant. In order to connect with the audience, one needs to understand what the audience expects. A speaker has to make himself/herself relevant in the eyes of the audience by communicating at the level of the audience. The language that one may use to address fellow students definitely will be different from the language that will be used to address parents even if it is the same issue being addressed.
I have learned to organize my speech in a logical and coherent manner. This is very significant because it makes the delivery of the speech very effective. For a speech to be logical and coherent, one has to engage in detailed planning and researching deeply on the topic of speech. While delivering a speech, it is important that the speaker analyses the audience to determine whether his/her speech is being understood well.
A general attention by the audience is a show that the audience is interested in the speech. Other signs to show that the audience is moving along with the speaker are nodding of heads in agreement with what the speaker is saying, and making of notes. A speaker must learn to read the audience all the time such that he/she does not leave them behind as speech progresses.
Conclusion
The speeches that I have already delivered have assisted me to learn more about effective speech delivery. I have also noted that one has to be completely convicted of the argument that he/she is making in order to convince the audience to take his/her stand. Being confident is of great significance in speech delivery; confidence especially when delivering impromptu speeches assists the speaker to display initial credibility which is quite significant in attracting the attention of the audience.
I have not mastered the art of speech delivery and thus I plan to prepare to give more speeches on various topics to my friends. I believe this will enable me to refine the skills that I have learnt.