Hannah Presentation Reflection

Hannah Hernandez - SPC2608 Blog Post #1


Sitting through a long block of student presentations usually feels like being stuck in a waiting room—you expect a lot of repetitive slides and that glazed-over "zoom fatigue" look from the audience. But honestly? This class of Public Speaking has not been that at all. I feel interactive and well-versed in this class. Instead of just reading the textbook, we were basically teaching it to each other, which made everything feel way more relatable and, surprisingly, kind of fun.

The whole thing was managed by Miley and Manuel, who kept us on track. Having project managers definitely took a lot of the stress of not knowing the order, and having that clear structure made the virtual environment feel a lot more manageable and less like a chaotic group chat.

Group 1: The Foundation

Group 1 started us off by covering the "foundational tricks." What I took away from them was that speaking isn’t just about the person at the front of the room; it’s about the people in the seats (or the squares on the screen). They talked a lot about understanding audience expectations before you even open your mouth.

Even though their slides were a bit light on visuals, their delivery was solid. They spoke with real emotion and purpose, which kept me locked in. If I had to nitpick, I’d say they could’ve bumped up the energy a bit more, but they set a great tone for the rest of us. They proved that if you know your audience, you're already halfway there.Group 1 started us off by covering the "foundational tricks." What I took away from them was that speaking isn’t just about the person at the front of the room; it’s fundamentally about the people in the seats (or the squares on the screen in a virtual setting). They talked a lot about the crucial step of understanding audience expectations, needs, and existing knowledge before you even open your mouth to formulate your message. This pre-presentation work of audience analysis is what truly sets the stage for success.


Even though their slides were a bit light on visuals, featuring more text than high-impact images or charts, their delivery was solid and highly effective. They spoke with real emotion and clear purpose, which created a strong connection and kept me locked in and attentive throughout their segment. If I had to nitpick, I’d say they could’ve bumped up the energy and dynamism a bit more during the presentation, but they set a great, professional, and thoughtful tone for the rest of us to follow. They proved conclusively that if you genuinely know your audience and tailor your message to them, you're already more than halfway to achieving your communication goals.

Group 2: The Prep Work (My Group!)

Then it was our turn. Our focus was "Getting Ready for a Successful Presentation," and man, did we live that title. Behind the scenes, we definitely hit some speed bumps during rehearsal, but it actually helped us find our rhythm. It made me realize that preparation is the "invisible" part of a speech—if you do it right, the delivery looks easy, but without it, you’re basically walking a tightrope without a net.

I was the fifth presenter, and I won’t lie—I was incredibly nervous. My heart was pounding while I waited. To cope, I kept a script in my notes app so I wouldn't just stare at the screen like a robot. Joel and I split Chapter 7, and I dove into the "backbone" of a speech: testimony, facts, and statistics. * Testimonies: Using expert or celebrity experiences to add weight.

  • Facts: The simple, verifiable observations.

  • Statistics: The numerical data that proves a point.

Our group focused on keeping our slides simple and clean so the class would actually listen to us instead of just reading text. We were worried about finishing too early, so I really focused on my pacing. We ended up using every minute we had, and our professor even told us we did amazing, which was the best feeling after all that stress.

Group 3: The Delivery

Group 3 covered "Getting Closer to that Great Presentation," which was all about the "how-to" of the actual delivery. They pointed out something I usually overlook: the power of the first impression. The way you greet the audience literally dictates if they’re going to pay attention or just check out mentally.

They used graphs and videos that were super eye-opening. It made me realize there isn’t one "perfect" way to give a speech. It’s more about choosing the right method for the moment. Their tips on body language and tone were definitely things I’m going to use for my next individual project.

Group 4: The Variety Pack

Finally, Group 4 wrapped things up by breaking down different speech types—informative, persuasive, and special occasions. They were incredibly cohesive and spoke with a ton of confidence.

What I liked most about them was how they integrated the media. They practiced what they preached by using videos that actually enhanced their message rather than just being a distraction. Even though some explanations ran a little long (it’s hard to stay 100% focused in a virtual setting!), their slides were visually balanced and super straightforward. They made it clear that public speaking skills aren't just for class—they’re for job interviews, work meetings, and everything in between.Group 4 concluded the presentations with a focused breakdown of different speech types: informative, persuasive, and special occasions. Their presentation was marked by strong cohesion and confident delivery.


A key strength was their effective integration of media. They successfully used videos to genuinely enhance their message, avoiding the trap of distraction. While some segments were lengthy—a common challenge in a virtual format—their slides remained clear, visually balanced, and direct. Crucially, they highlighted the broad relevance of public speaking skills, positioning them as essential for professional settings like job interviews and work meetings, not just for academic requirements.

My Final Takeaway

Reflecting on the day, the biggest "lightbulb moment" for me was that the best way to learn this stuff is to teach it. Deep-diving into Chapter 7 made the concepts of evidence and credibility second nature to me. It’s not just "school work" anymore; these are tools I’ll actually use to build arguments in the future.

Watching everyone else conquer their nerves made the whole process feel human. It created this safe space where we could all learn from each other's wins and mistakes. I’m actually walking away with a "live blueprint" of what works. That nervous energy I felt at the start? It’s pretty much turned into excitement for the next round. We can only get better from here.

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