When I first started this speech class, I was extremely nervous. In my introduction video
the challenges I faced were easy to identify. My body language, hand movement and lack of
expression, show my nervousness. I also lacked confidence in the beginning. The first few
videos also took a lot longer to make because I was constantly redoing them.
Throughout the last eight weeks I’ve learned the importance of interpersonal
communication. I have learned that body language can either enhance or hurt your speech. In
daily conversations I am relaxed and able to express my thoughts fairly easily but it is not as easy
when having to address more than one or two people at a time. After having completed several
speeches now, I am able to change the tone and volume of my voice in order to stress certain
areas of my speech in order to affect my audience. For example, in my informative speech when
I was talking about how cross pollination can contaminate a non GMO farm. I was able to
change my tone and volume to show how disturbing it is that a farmer could be sued for
something he has no control over. My confidence in speaking has grown and as a result I feel I
am better able to communicate my thoughts, ideas and feelings now. I know I still have areas
that I will need to work on. My nervousness and anxiety still show in my body movement and I
feel the only way to overcome it is to keep practicing and make sure I am fully prepared before I
give a speech.
Additionally, working in small groups, like the UMUC online classrooms, allows for
interpersonal communication between the students. I have received both positive and negative
feedback in response to my speeches as well as some comments about free speech. This has been
very helpful in improving my speeches. I have also improved upon my ability to provide both
