Week 15, Question 3

I think I have learned most in this class that the audience is a lot less judgmental than the speaker thinks.  As a speaker we are our own worst critics.  The listeners are human and they understand.  I have really enjoyed the vast variety of students in the class and I have learned so much from all the speeches and presentations.  My favorite things to learn was the audience adaptation section and I also think that is probably the most important in everyday life.  Regardless of the event, I believe the audience factor needs to be considered.  When you think about it, we make many audience adaptations in life on a daily basis.  If we go to a 'nice' restaurant, we dress differently than normal.  If we are seeing grandparents, or other 'respectable' people whom we may hide our normal selves from, we dress and act different :).  For an interview, or when addressing a person of some authority, we act and speak different.. I feel like audience adaptation is basically everywhere.  If you have a planned argument with a best friend or boyfriend, and it plays out a little differently than expected.. you make changes in your counter attack.. hahaha..I hope everyone had as great of a semester as I did, regardless of any struggles.  I am sure we are all a little better than we were when we started. 

Week 15, Question 2

If I had to choose one speech as a favorite, I would probably say it was the persuasive speech.  I enjoyed seeing the passion everyone had along with the media presentations.  It gave me an opportunity to see a more personal side of people as well as a little insight into their lives.  I also enjoyed how the class had different perspectives on things like the issues involving marijuana.  I thought the audience listened to both sides very well and I thought that both sides has very valid arguments.  I also really liked the presentations involving the drinking and driving.  The personal stories some of the students used in the speeches were really touching as well as educational and added greatly to the validity.  A close second was the tribute speech.  I really really liked those as well.  Though they were a less formal presentation, they were very enjoyable for me.  I have to admit I did cry a little, but that made it all that more enjoyable to me.  I am a sucker for an emotional story.  Great job everyone and I hope you have all learned a lot.  I have been glad to watch everyone improve so much.  I know there are so many who started this class wondering how on earth they would ever give a speech.  Well, now you have done it.. 5 times :) and we all did very well.