COMM 201 Bryant and Stratton College Wk 4 Public Speaking Discussion Questions

PART A 

 Below is a list of topics to choose from. Choose one and then, use what you have learned about interesting introductions to illustrate an effective introduction for the topic.

Topic choices:

How to choose a college

Diabetes

• Middle child syndrome
• Apple vs. Android
• Controlling anxiety
• Privacy and social media
• In your initial post, address the following:
• Begin by stating the topic you chose.

Explain how you would introduce this topic to catch the audience’s attention and keep them engaged in the presentation.

Justify why you would take this approach with the topic.

PART B 

• Watch the following 7 minute, 53-second video of Dananjaya Hettiarachchi during the 2014 World Championship of Public Speaking with Toastmasters International.  As you watch the video, please consider the following:
• What approach does he take to catching his audience’s attention? How does he carefully circle back to that introduction at the end?
• Consider his approach to the organization of his speech.  What clues does he give that he is moving on to the next topic?  What organizational pattern does he use?

How do his movements throughout his speech reinforce what he is saying and support the connection to the audience? 

In a multi-paragraph essay, a minimum of 750-words, consider the characteristics of Dananjaya Hettiarachchi’s winning presentation.  In your essay, be sure to discuss the following:

Consider Dananjaya’s use of a prop to catch his reader’s attention in the introduction, and his careful return to the prop in his conclusion.  Describe how he used this technique to win his audience over. Explain why this was such an appealing approach to his presentation.

• Consider his organizational structure and the ways he signals his transitions.  Give examples of the most important skills for you to develop during this course.  Discuss how he uses verbal and visual cues to indicate that transition. 
• Consider his movements throughout the speech.  Discuss how these movements reinforce what he is saying and support the connection to his audience
• PART C

Before you begin practicing your presentation in preparation for the rough draft,One more important step  it is important, to begin with, a Preparation Outline to focus your speech on the important main points.

• Use the Preparation Outline Template provided to complete this step of the presentation process.

PART D 

• The early planning stage for a presentation requires you to focus in on your topic and purpose statement and to begin gathering research and support for that purpose statement.  In a multi-paragraph reflection, a minimum of 150-words, reflect on the skills you used as you started to prepare for your Portfolio Presentation.
• In your reflection, be sure to discuss the following:
• Consider your skills in research and planning. Give examples of the research and planning process you used to prepare for your Portfolio Presentation.

Describe your strengths and the areas you struggled with during this process.

Discuss how the development of this skill will help you as you move forward in your education and career.