Speech Presentations Blog - Abigail Nunez

Speech Presentations Blog

September 24,2026

    After watching all three groups present, I realized that group presentations can be a lot more interesting than I originally thought. Each group covered different chapters and topics, but there were also a lot of ideas that connected with each other. We learned about things like how to start and end a speech, how to use language, how to persuade an audience, how to use presentation media, how to speak online, and how to work together in a group. Watching everyone present also made me think about what makes a presentation enjoyable to watch and what can make it difficult to stay focused.

    One thing I really liked about the presentations was that everyone had their own way of presenting. Some people were more confident and comfortable speaking, while others seemed more nervous, but I actually liked seeing the different personalities come through. It made the presentations feel more real instead of everyone sounding exactly the same. I also liked that some people gave examples instead of just reading information from the slides. For example, when the group talked about persuasion, they explained the difference between persuasion, coercion, and manipulation. That made the information easier to understand because it connected the textbook ideas to situations that could actually happen in real life. 

    I also liked the presentation about special occasion speeches. The example of Chadwick Boseman talking about Denzel Washington was probably one of the most memorable parts for me. Instead of just explaining what a tribute speech was, they actually showed us an example. I thought that was a good way to keep people interested because sometimes listening to someone explain a definition for several minutes can get boring. Seeing an actual example helped me understand what a tribute speech is supposed to sound and feel like.

    Another thing I liked was learning about presentation media. I agree with the idea that slides should help the speaker instead of becoming the entire presentation. I have seen presentations where the slides are filled with huge paragraphs, and then the person just reads everything word for word. When that happens, I honestly lose interest pretty quickly. I liked the point that pictures, charts, videos, and other media should have a purpose. The presentation about media also explained that sometimes using less is actually better. I definitely agree with that because having too many things on a slide can be distracting.

 The presentations about delivering speeches also stood out to me. I liked learning that there are different ways to deliver a speech, such as speaking spontaneously, using a script, or memorizing the speech. I personally think using notes or an outline is probably the most comfortable because memorizing every single word can make someone sound less natural. I also noticed during the presentations that eye contact, tone, pacing, and body language really do make a difference. Even when someone knows the material, it can be harder to stay interested if they are constantly looking down at their notes or speaking in the same tone.

    Something else I found interesting was the section about language and culture. I think this is something people sometimes forget when they are speaking to an audience. Not everyone understands slang, jokes, expressions, or certain words in the same way. The presentation explained things like slang, jargon, idioms, euphemisms, and clichés. It made me realize that just because something makes sense to me does not mean everyone else will understand it the same way. Speakers really have to think about who they are talking to.

    I also liked the information about persuasive speaking because it showed that persuading someone is not the same thing as manipulating them. I thought that was an important difference. If someone is trying to convince an audience of something, they should still be honest and give people enough information to make their own decision. The section about arguments and fallacies was also useful because it showed how easy it can be to make a weak argument without realizing it. Things like attacking the person instead of the argument or making a conclusion based on only a few examples can make an argument less convincing.

    The part I probably liked the least about the presentations was that some of them felt like they were reading directly from the slides or from their notes. I understand that presenting in front of people can be nerve-racking because I would probably be nervous too, but when someone reads everything word for word, it becomes harder for the audience to stay engaged. Sometimes it also made the presentations feel longer than they actually were. I think the information would have been easier to follow if more people had spoken naturally and looked at the audience more.

    I also noticed that some presentations had moments where people seemed unprepared or were unsure about what they were supposed to do next. There were a few times when people were figuring out the slides, asking who was going next, or having problems with cameras and videos. I don't really blame anyone for that because technology can be unpredictable, especially during an online presentation. Still, it showed me how important preparation is. Testing the microphone, camera, videos, slides, and internet connection ahead of time could make the presentation go much more smoothly.

    The group presentation itself also taught me something about teamwork. A group presentation is not just about dividing up the chapters and having everyone talk about one section. The presentation should feel like one project. I liked the point that everyone should know what the other group members are talking about, not just their own part. That makes sense because if one person is absent or something goes wrong, the rest of the group should still understand the overall presentation.

    If I could improve these presentations, I would focus on making them more interactive and less like reading from a textbook. I think using more examples, short videos, pictures, questions, or even asking the audience for their opinions could make a big difference. I would also try to make the slides simpler and use them as reminders instead of putting all the information on them. Another thing I would work on is transitions between speakers. Instead of suddenly stopping and having the next person start a completely different topic, the group could connect the sections together so the presentation feels more organized.

    Overall, I actually enjoyed watching the three groups because I learned more than I expected to. I also learned a lot just by watching other people present. Seeing what worked and what did not work made me think about how I would want to present in the future. The biggest thing I took away is that giving a good presentation is not only about knowing the information. You have to think about how you say it, how you connect with people, how you use your slides, and how you keep the audience interested. I also realized that nobody is going to give a perfect presentation, and that is okay. The important thing is to prepare, be yourself, and try to improve each time. If I have to do more group presentations in the future, I think I will feel more prepared because now I have a better idea of what makes a presentation feel natural, interesting, and easy to follow.