Public Speaking and your personal bottom line

This is a portion of an email that went to the Night Speech class following the last class on Thursday night. This is just sort of a reminder of some of the many things discussed during the class over the past eight weeks, and 15 two and half hour classes:

-- Self evaluations remain important so everyone who spoke on Thursday night with a persuasive speech is due to give me a self evaluation either by email or dropped off in the office.

-- While the exam you have is the last "exam" in this course, you will find that in public speaking you are getting regular assessments, even if they are not called exams. You will be evaluated on your presentations and your presentations will reflect on your overall performance so you owe it to yourself to know what your audience needs from your message and prepare thoroughly to provide them the critical information. That is how you will continue to enhance your personal bottom line.

-- In your classes at Coker that are not called "Public Speaking" you will find that public speaking still counts. When you have a class presentation your instructor will expect you to be prepared. Your professor will expect your presentation to be well organized. Your audience will engage with you if you make a good connection by looking at them, by using vocal variety to show your own interest in your subject matter. You will feel accomplished after a good presentation. And, it is a good bet that a good presentation will enhance your grade.

If you have found that you might not totally hate public speaking but that you do want to continue improving keep looking for opportunities. Every time you say yes to an opportunity you are getting much needed practice. Remember, even Tiger Woods continues to practice on the golf course. To keep up your speaking skills you need continual practice or you will get rusty. Toastmasters, after you have finished your Coker degree work, is a great organization for keeping sharp in public speaking.

Those of you who are still nervous when you speak -- Good. Remember, it is positive nervousness that helps us prepare for our best presentations.

7 -- Those of you who say there is nothing positive about my nervousness need to keep in mind that a presentation is not about YOU. The presentation is about the MESSAGE you are sharing with the AUDIENCE.