Blog Reflection on Class Projects Presentations

 Iliana Reyes Araman

Blog Reflection on Class Projects Presentations

    One thing I really enjoyed in this Public Speaking class was the group presentations and the strong support our professor gave us each time. That support made us feel comfortable and confident. These presentations allow us to share what we know and demonstrate how creative and resourceful everyone is. I liked that each group brought something unique. I'm not saying it was perfect, but even though we all faced some challenges, such as my group’s minor issue with visuals, it was inspiring to see everyone work together and understand the material. These projects taught me that teaching and speaking are more than just reading from a script. It’s about teamwork, creativity, and connecting with others. I want to share my thoughts on each group, what I liked, and what I learned from watching them.

Setting the Stage: Group 1’s Foundation

    Group one started things off with some of the most essential skills in public speaking. They reminded us that communication is a lifelong tool that grows with us and can influence others. What I liked most was how they broke down the importance of confidence, listening, and adapting to your audience. The part about building confidence stood out to me because it showed that being prepared and organized really helps calm nerves. I’ve noticed this myself: when I prepare well, I feel more confident, and my delivery gets better. Their explanation of listening was also strong. We often focus on speaking, but listening is just as important for respect, connection, and clear communication. Their point about adapting to the audience reminded me that every speech is different, and a good speaker knows how to adjust. This project gave us a strong foundation and set the tone for the rest of the class.

Facing My Own Fears: Group 2 and the First Speech

    Group two focused on how to create and structure a strong speech. Their presentation was clear, organized, and easy to follow. They explained how to choose a purpose, research effectively, support ideas with examples, and then bring everything together in an outline. I liked how they explained the purpose and topic. It’s not just about what you want to say, but also why you’re saying it. That idea made me think more about my own speeches. Their explanation of the research was also excellent. Good speeches need more than just opinions; they need strong evidence, and this group made that clear. The part about using stories and examples reminded me that people remember more than just facts. They remember feelings, images, and things they relate to. Their focus on outlining demonstrated the importance of staying organized. Without an outline, even good ideas can sound messy. After this presentation, I gained a better understanding of how to plan and build my speeches from the start.

Building the Roadmap: Group 3’s Organized Approach

    Group three’s presentation, "My Team Yayy," focused more on delivery and presentation style. They talked about how to start and end speeches, how language shapes our message, how to use media, and how to deliver with confidence. What stuck with me most was the idea that audiences remember the beginning and ending best. We learned about this in class with the primacy and recency effects. It reminded me that my opening and conclusion are the most essential parts. Their section on language and culture was eye-opening. They showed how words reflect who we are, but can also confuse or exclude people if used the wrong way. Their visuals about diversity and culture made this point clear and relatable. I also liked their section about using media in presentations. Since I had trouble with my own visuals, this part encouraged me to practice more so I can use slides and images as real support, not distractions. Their explanation of delivery, including voice, body language, and preparation, was a great way to end. It reminded me that delivery is where all the planning comes together.

The Big Picture: Group 4’s Integration

    Group four covered the last chapters and ended the presentations on a strong note. They focused on the basics of informative speaking, evidence, and appeals, and explained these topics clearly and practically. The section on informative speaking highlighted the importance of selecting effective topics, organizing ideas logically, and maintaining audience engagement. I liked how they connected this to delivery, because even the most well-researched speech can fall flat if it isn’t engaging. I also liked their section about evidence. They showed that evidence is the backbone of any strong speech. I liked how they explained the four types of appeal—logos, pathos, ethos, and mythos—and how each one connects with different parts of the audience. This was one of my favorite moments because it reminded me that persuasion is about more than just logic. It’s also about emotions, credibility, and culture. Their visuals were fun, colorful, and easy to understand. They made the material memorable, which is exactly what good presentation media should do.

To Conclude

    Looking back at all four groups, I feel like we covered a significant portion of public speaking, from confidence and listening to organizing ideas, doing research, delivering with style, and using evidence and appeals. Each group brought their own creativity, and together they made the material easier to understand. What I liked most was seeing different personalities and approaches in each presentation. Some groups were more structured, others more visual, but all were engaging in their own way. Watching my classmates reminded me that public speaking isn’t about being perfect. It’s about sharing your ideas with honesty, preparation, and creativity. In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed the presentations and felt that I learned not only from the textbook but also from how my classmates explained and presented the material. This experience showed me that when everyone contributes, we create something bigger. Whether it's a classroom in person or by Zoom, it's full of growth, creativity, and support.

" If you like public speaking and enjoy networking like I do, I suggest checking out Toastmasters speeches. They are a key part of the Toastmasters International Program, a nonprofit organization. "  

Give it a try!