COML Practicum: Speaking Quiz and Assignment

Name: Ashley Erin Anderson

Date:

Please provide complete and succinct answers informed by the video presentation and reading.

1) What are the important components that an effective introduction should contain?

An effective introduction must preview the main points of the speech and transition into the body of the
speech, but most importantly it must “provide an opening that is catchy, establishes credibility, and/or
gives the audience a reason to listen” without announcing the topic right away.

2) What are the important components that an effective conclusion should contain?

An effective conclusion must summarize the main points, while not introducing any new ideas, and signal
the end of the presentation. “Leav[ing] the audience with a story, quote, and/or though that captures the
overall purpose of the speech” will make a conclusion more effective than a generic wrap-up or recap.

3) Define the components of ethos.

Competency – Expertise; Knowing what you’re talking about; Confidence

Integrity – Trustworthiness
Rapport – Likability; Relatability

4) How can the different components of delivery effectively convey ethos?

Five main delivery components (eye contact, projection, rate, inflection, and body language) can all be
used to convey ethos. Fidgeting, speaking too quietly or too fast, and reading directly off of notecards can
convey a lack of competency and integrity, which would damage the presenter’s rapport with the
audience. Speaking in a conversational tone and at an appropriate volume, making eye contact with
members of the audience spread around the room (if appropriate for the sociocultural setting), and only
utilizing notes or visual aids when necessary, can positively convey ethos.

5) Why, in general, is a memorized delivery discouraged

Memorized delivery is generally discouraged because it comes across as inauthentic, which negatively
impacts the presenters’ ethos. It is difficult to be deliver a memorized speech or presentation in a
conversational tone, or be relatable, as it tends to require a more precise and formal language.

6) (There is no right or wrong answer here.) Considering the suggestions for how to write and organize a
speech presented in the reading, how does your own presentation preparation process to date differ?
Which elements of the preparation process presented in the reading appeal most to you? Which elements
of your own process would you like to continue using?

My personal presentation process differs because the presentations I prepare for are not typical – on-
field hosting a promotional theme night at a ballpark or hosting a fundraising event is quite different than
a board room presentation or classroom speech. I also loathe hearing myself recorded, so while I know
that may be one of the most helpful preparation tools, I tend to avoid it at whenever possible.
I prefer to focus on the process of presentation preparation of concentrating on the details, researching
statistics and background information (including anecdotal stories or examples) and having those well-
known so as not to rely heavily on written material. Also, putting work into the visual aids helps alleviate
the anxiety around the presentation. I also write drafts and key points on notecards so that I can play
with the order easier, rather than in a single written document, to fine tune the best outline.

7) Insert a basic outline of your own introductory speech.

a. Stepping Up to the Plate
b. Life Throws You a Curveball
c. Unforced Errors
d. Rounding Third
e. Leave Everything on the Field
i. “Life is too short to take fastballs down the middle”