Speech Buddy Videos

Video 6.1-

This video briefly described the three phases of the research process. The first phase is preparing for the search. The second phase is gathering the information. The third phase is evaluating the information found.  The video then went on to discuss some different resources for researching your topic, like the library and web-based resources. 

Handed-Down-

The sample speech,  “Handed-Down” was an introduction given by a student named Dory. She was asked to tell a story that had been handed-down by family, a religious group, a club, or place of work. She decided to tell a story about her grandparents. The story began when her Great Grandfather moving in with her grandparents. Although he was a bitter and mean old man, her grandparents allowed him to live with them and took care of him for twenty-five years (long after they had children of their own). Although they didn’t particularly enjoy housing him, feeding him, and clothing him they did it because he was family and they loved him. Dory then went on to tell how the story influenced her ideas on family. She said that her family was very important to her and that if ever her father should need to be taken care of, she would do it…because that’s what family does.

Gastropods-

This was an informational/persuasive speech about the lives of slugs, and the ways in which they are disposed of. The speaker gave several facts about slugs, and described many ways in which they are helpful for the environment. Then she discussed humane ways of disposing of them (as opposed to horribly painful ones, like using salt). Her speech was informative in the way that she presented a lot of information about slugs and about alternative ways of getting rid of them, but her main goal seemed to be to persuade people to dispose of slugs humanely, or to simply deter them from specific areas.

What I learned-

The video that discussed the three phases of the research process was helpful because it briefly explained the research process. However, I feel that the video could’ve been more informative by giving examples and/or going a little more in depth about each phase. The second video I viewed, “Handed-Down” didn’t really make much of an impression to be honest. However, the “Gastropod” video was actually useful. I like that the speaker’s for sentence was a hook that grabbed the audience’s attention and held on to it. I also like that she was knowledgeable about her topic, and seemed very confident in her topic and speaking abilities. I also liked that she made eye contact with people around the room, used a lot of facial expression and hand gestures to emphasize her speaking, and that she injected humor in to her speech to keep the audience interested. I will definitely try and incorporate these techniques in to my own speech. Especially the hook and the injections of humor. What good is a presentation if no one is listening because they are all bored to tears? Just kidding ;)