SELF-ANALYSIS MEMO

TO:
FROM:
DATE:
RE:

Sarah Billington
Julia Nurmukhamedov, comm 1020
4/26/2015
Self-Analysis

I reviewed all 4 of my speeches plus impromptu speech. I noticed some improvements in organizing and
delivering my speeches. I will discuss it in self-analysis paper.
Also, I reviewed the peer review of my classmates to my speeches. It gave me some understanding, how
other people perceived my speeches.
Organization of ideas:
At first, I was confused because I had no idea where to start my speech, how to organize it. So the modules to
this class helped me to start. And textbook gave me more understanding of how to organize the speech. A
speech structure is simple, composed of just three general parts: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion
(OHair, 2013, p. 93). So I knew where to start. I needed introduction, thesis statement, body with 2 or 3 main
points and then conclusion.
Use of Supporting material:
I heard a lot before that it is very important to support the material (speech, text, article etc.) using logos, ethos
and pathos. But I didnt look deeply in that. So when I had to read about ethos, logos and pathos and learn why
it is so important to use all of them in the speech.
Logos:
Logos is the logic side of the speech. Applying reasons, argumentation, facts, figures, statistics - is very
important. Right structure of the speech is also very important. Also, when I used statistics in my
speeches, I tried to find the newest information. Outdated statistics would not make the speech good.
The most helpful logos for me were facts and figures. Using facts it was easier to prove some points
and using figures it was easier to deliver my points to audience. For example in applied speech, when
we used PowerPoint presentation, it was much easier to deliver speech, because I had figures and fact
visible on the screen for everyone.
Ethos:
Ethos apply to the credibility, truth worthiness, reputation. When I research my topics for the speeches,
I tried to find most authorised references. For my informative speech it was easy to find authoritative
sources (I made a speech about vegan diet), and for the persuasive speech (About reading) it was a
little bit harder to find authoritative sources, because there is not much of scientific research on that
topic. I had primary ethos and secondary ethos. Primary ethos I used for my main references, to
support the main points. I researched the primary ethos to have better understanding of the topic, to
have some facts and figures. The secondary ethos were useful to know about what counterpoints
could be, or to add some information to the main points I had.
Pathos:

Pathos apply to imagination, emotions, stories.

I think Pathos was my weakness. I dont think I used enough pathos in my speeches. The structure of
my all speeches contained mostly from logos and ethos, and a few pathos. My first speech, when I
talked about my story, how I came to Utah, I used enough pathos. But the speeches when I needed
research the sources, I mostly paid attention on logos and ethos. I should work on applying ethos,
pathos and logos all the time.
Delivery
The big part of the speech is to write and organize a good speech. Also the big part of the speech is to deliver
the speech. I understood, even if you wrote a perfect speech and didnt deliver it good - its not a perfect
speech anymore. So before delivering my first speech i had to practise in front of the mirror. Connect with
listeners by being direct: Maintain eye contact, use a friendly tone of voice, animate your facial expressions,
smile, and get physically close to the audience (OHair, 2013, p. 140) - these all tips I had to practise. I was
very anxious and nervous before my first speech. Even the tips how to overcome anxiety didnt help me. Every
next speech was better and better. The last speech I didnt have anxiety at all.
I practised speeches for the timing also. And I noticed, when I practised at home, my speeches were longer
than when I presented them in front of the audience. Probably when I delivered speeches, I just spoke a little
bit faster than when I practised sitting on my couch at home, or in front of the mirror. Also, I have an accent,
and I need to work on my pronunciation. I am pretty sure, sometimes audience had difficulties understanding
what I am saying because I pronounce word incorrect or with an accent.
Audience Assessment and Adaptation
For the first speech I was very anxious, I didnt know what to expect from audience. Especially, It was my first
speech with unknown audience when I presented in English. I gave couple speeches in russian language (it is
my native language), but not in English. Then, after my first speech I realized, they are all same students as
me. They dont judge me, they listen to me, they ask questions sometimes. So it was nothing to be nervous
about. I think I adapted to the audience pretty well. When I chose topic for my speeches, I was trying to think
not only about my interests, but also whether my topics will be interesting for the audience. Taking the
measure of the audience is critical because people tend to evaluate messages in terms of their own, rather
than the speakers perspective. (OHair, 2013, p.37) It was kind of challenging to choose a topic, what I can
have enough knowledge and authority in, plus what my audience will be interested in.
Lessons Learned:
This class gave me a lot of learning and hopefully improvement. My first speech differs a lot from my every
further one. I could see improvements by reviewing my speeches. I think we can apply public speaking skill in
a lot of areas. For example, at my work I will need to do speeches and presentations all the time. (All
supervisors do it, and I got promoted to the supervision position recently) So the staff what I have learned in
this class will definitely help me in making the speeches at work.

Works Cited
O'Hair, D., Rubenstein, H., & Stewart, R. (2013). A Pocket Guide to Public Speaking (4e). Boston: Bedford/St.
Martin's