Saturday, March 24, 2012
Week 9, Question 3
I particularly likes the small section where the book talked about making sure you speak to your audience (and not your media) during your presentation, when using media of course. I can see this being a struggle for new speakers, and possible even seasoned ones. It is very easy to get caught up in looking at whatever you are presenting and loosing sight of the audience. As the book states, the audience will feel ignored and get bored. It will also be hard for them to hear you if your back is to them. To avoid this, a new speaker is going to have to make a very conscious effort. It will be very hard because I assume it may be a magnetic comfort zone like a table or the white boards in the class room :) As with most things, practice! practice! practice! and this can hopefully be avoided.
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You may have nailed that one on the head referring to the slides as a “magnet” for a comfort zone. The first speech we had an object to hold, the second speech we had the table and objects, and this being the third speech we have our presentation media. I would imagine that this speech is going to make some of the speakers feel a little “naked”. It's amazing how something can make people feel more comfortable when giving a speech. I guess that the feeling of hiding or not being alone gives them comfort. I'm not mocking any one!! I also liked the point the chapter made that the power point will not give the speech for you. It was a good reminder as well. Good luck on your speech.
ReplyDeleteI didn't even think about that until reading this! I completely agree with you. I think that people use things like the podium, media or tables to sort of hide from the audience. It could make the audience not care what you have to say. They may think that you are not there for them. I also agree that you have to pratice a lot to help you become comfortable with your slides and not staring and talking to them. Get out of your comfort zone and on to a new one! It will make you and your audience a lot happier.
ReplyDeleteI am a little worried that come tomorrow night I will be one of those people zoning in on my slides for comfort. I honestly have not had time to practice as much as I'd like. Hopefully tomorrow I will get a chance. I have seen people speak who seem to just be reading their slides and it really takes away from their speech. Its funny to me how things that you know are annoying happen when you speak because you are so nervous you are not aware of what you are doing. Really your slide should not contain enough information to stare at them and read what they say anyway. You are so right about practicing! I hope I get a chance.
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