hilary berlanga
fear of public speaking
“How cool this is going to be—learning to speak without anxiety and build genuine connections.” As I reflect on this experience, I realize how much I learned about effective speaking, teamwork, and personal growth.
Diving into Chapters 1, 2, 3, & 5: The Tricks of the Trade The first segment of our presentation covered foundational techniques: grabbing attention, organizing ideas, and using effective delivery. I remember reviewing Chapter 1 and being struck by the emphasis on knowing your audience—something I’d never really thought about before. By Chapter 3, which stressed voice modulation and body language, I practiced in front of my bedroom mirror, exaggerating gestures and varying my tone. Those little rehearsals saved me from being a monotone robot in the final video.
Preparing for Success: Chapters 4, 6, 7 & 8
Next, we moved into the preparation phase. Chapter 4’s breakdown of research techniques helped me discover credible sources for a speech on “Overcoming Stage Fright.” I unearthed scholarly articles about cognitive reframing, which I wove into our script. Chapter 6’s advice on outlining speeches—using the “I – G – C” (Introduction, Body, Conclusion) framework—felt deceptively simple, yet when I tried to outline a two-minute persuasive talk, I realized how easy it is to get lost in details. Chapter 7 taught me to craft transitions so listeners don’t feel jolted from point to point; I practiced by saying, “Having discussed X, let’s now consider Y,” until it felt natural. By the time Chapter 8 encouraged practice in front of friends or family, I’d already roped with my boyfriend for a mock presentation. he gave me feedback that I spoke too quickly, so I consciously slowed down.
Getting Closer: Chapters 9–12
Chapters 9 through 12 were all about refining and polishing. The section on handling visual aids (Chapter 9) prompted me to redesign slides so they were less text‑heavy and more image‑driven. I learned that pictures can sometimes say more in a fraction of a second than paragraphs of bullet points. Chapter 10 urged speakers to anticipate questions; I drafted a short Q&A script on “How to manage nerves,” which later became a part of our group’s supplementary materials. Chapter 11’s focus on rehearsals under realistic conditions led me to record myself pacing and speaking into my phone; reviewing that footage was a bit cringe‑worthy, but it revealed my habit of saying “um” whenever I lost my train of thought. Finally, Chapter 12 covered coping strategies for unexpected hiccups—like technical failures or memory lapses. I practiced a brief apology-and-move-on script (“I seem to have lost my place; let’s continue from here”) so I wouldn’t freeze on camera.
Exploring Styles: Chapters 13–17
The last section took us through different presentation formats: informative, persuasive, demonstration, and so on. Chapter 13’s discussion of informative talks inspired me to research a mini case study on a famous TED Talk—an example of how a structured narrative can transform data into a compelling story. Chapter 14 on persuasive speeches got me brainstorming rhetorical appeals; I drafted a short persuasive speech about “Why Everyone Should Learn Public Speaking,” peppering it with ethos, pathos, and logos. Chapter 15’s step-by-step demo format gave me ideas for future classes: imagine demonstrating posture exercises live, guiding viewers through breath‑control drills. Chapters 16 and 17 introduced me to special occasion speaking and multimedia-enhanced talks. I laughed when I realized how I’d once undervalued a well-timed video clip—I’d never thought to break up a dense lecture with a two-minute inspirational montage. Now I see how each format suits different goals and audiences..
Personal Takeaways and Overcoming Anxiety
Before this project, the mere thought of public speaking made my heart race. But as I crafted content, practiced transitions, and watched teammates present confidently, I learned that nervousness is just energy waiting to be channeled. Seeing my teammates roll through their parts—some joking about initial jitters—helped me normalize the anxiety instead of fearing it. I now understand that a few “butterflies” can be a good sign: they let me know I care about delivering something meaningful. Although I haven’t yet presented live, I feel mentally prepared. I can almost see myself stepping onto a stage, taking a breath, and using the techniques I studied: a clear outline, purposeful gestures, and a conversational tone.
Agreement with the Content
I wholeheartedly agree with everything our presentation covered. Whenever someone insisted on the importance of audience connection, I nodded along—it’s the heart of any speech, after all. When we emphasized practice under realistic conditions, I was reminded of the old saying: “Practice makes perfect,” though in reality it makes you proficient. And the idea that each speech is a conversation, not a lecture, resonated deeply. By treating listeners as co‑creators of meaning, we avoid the trap of one-way information dumps. That principle has already improved informal conversations I’ve had with classmates: I now pause to gauge understanding rather than barrel through my points.
Looking Ahead
This project didn’t just teach me about presentations; it taught me about collaboration, self‑discipline, and the power of thoughtful practice. In future group assignments, I’ll remember the value of clear roles and regular check-ins. In my personal life, I’m eager to volunteer for class debates or social events where I can apply my new skills. Most importantly, I’ve shed some of my fear: public speaking no longer feels like an insurmountable mountain but rather a series of manageable steps. Each chapter we covered was like a stepping-stone toward confidence.
In summary, working on “The Art of Public Speaking” presentation was a transformative experience. I learned concrete tricks for structuring and delivering speeches, I practiced strategies to manage anxiety, and I discovered the strength of teamwork through our WhatsApp group and diligent managers. Watching my teammates present on Panopto was inspiring, and it cemented my belief that careful preparation and authenticity are the keys to connecting with an audience. I’m grateful for this assignment—not only because it expanded my skill set, but because it taught me to view speaking as an opportunity for meaningful connection rather than a source of dread. I look forward to applying these lessons in every future talk, whether it’s a formal presentation or an everyday conversation.
Next, we moved into the preparation phase. Chapter 4’s breakdown of research techniques helped me discover credible sources for a speech on “Overcoming Stage Fright.” I unearthed scholarly articles about cognitive reframing, which I wove into our script. Chapter 6’s advice on outlining speeches—using the “I – G – C” (Introduction, Body, Conclusion) framework—felt deceptively simple, yet when I tried to outline a two-minute persuasive talk, I realized how easy it is to get lost in details. Chapter 7 taught me to craft transitions so listeners don’t feel jolted from point to point; I practiced by saying, “Having discussed X, let’s now consider Y,” until it felt natural. By the time Chapter 8 encouraged practice in front of friends or family, I’d already roped with my boyfriend for a mock presentation. he gave me feedback that I spoke too quickly, so I consciously slowed down.
Chapters 9 through 12 were all about refining and polishing. The section on handling visual aids (Chapter 9) prompted me to redesign slides so they were less text‑heavy and more image‑driven. I learned that pictures can sometimes say more in a fraction of a second than paragraphs of bullet points. Chapter 10 urged speakers to anticipate questions; I drafted a short Q&A script on “How to manage nerves,” which later became a part of our group’s supplementary materials. Chapter 11’s focus on rehearsals under realistic conditions led me to record myself pacing and speaking into my phone; reviewing that footage was a bit cringe‑worthy, but it revealed my habit of saying “um” whenever I lost my train of thought. Finally, Chapter 12 covered coping strategies for unexpected hiccups—like technical failures or memory lapses. I practiced a brief apology-and-move-on script (“I seem to have lost my place; let’s continue from here”) so I wouldn’t freeze on camera.
The last section took us through different presentation formats: informative, persuasive, demonstration, and so on. Chapter 13’s discussion of informative talks inspired me to research a mini case study on a famous TED Talk—an example of how a structured narrative can transform data into a compelling story. Chapter 14 on persuasive speeches got me brainstorming rhetorical appeals; I drafted a short persuasive speech about “Why Everyone Should Learn Public Speaking,” peppering it with ethos, pathos, and logos. Chapter 15’s step-by-step demo format gave me ideas for future classes: imagine demonstrating posture exercises live, guiding viewers through breath‑control drills. Chapters 16 and 17 introduced me to special occasion speaking and multimedia-enhanced talks. I laughed when I realized how I’d once undervalued a well-timed video clip—I’d never thought to break up a dense lecture with a two-minute inspirational montage. Now I see how each format suits different goals and audiences..
Before this project, the mere thought of public speaking made my heart race. But as I crafted content, practiced transitions, and watched teammates present confidently, I learned that nervousness is just energy waiting to be channeled. Seeing my teammates roll through their parts—some joking about initial jitters—helped me normalize the anxiety instead of fearing it. I now understand that a few “butterflies” can be a good sign: they let me know I care about delivering something meaningful. Although I haven’t yet presented live, I feel mentally prepared. I can almost see myself stepping onto a stage, taking a breath, and using the techniques I studied: a clear outline, purposeful gestures, and a conversational tone.
I wholeheartedly agree with everything our presentation covered. Whenever someone insisted on the importance of audience connection, I nodded along—it’s the heart of any speech, after all. When we emphasized practice under realistic conditions, I was reminded of the old saying: “Practice makes perfect,” though in reality it makes you proficient. And the idea that each speech is a conversation, not a lecture, resonated deeply. By treating listeners as co‑creators of meaning, we avoid the trap of one-way information dumps. That principle has already improved informal conversations I’ve had with classmates: I now pause to gauge understanding rather than barrel through my points.
This project didn’t just teach me about presentations; it taught me about collaboration, self‑discipline, and the power of thoughtful practice. In future group assignments, I’ll remember the value of clear roles and regular check-ins. In my personal life, I’m eager to volunteer for class debates or social events where I can apply my new skills. Most importantly, I’ve shed some of my fear: public speaking no longer feels like an insurmountable mountain but rather a series of manageable steps. Each chapter we covered was like a stepping-stone toward confidence.
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