Speeches are never easy to compose or deliver. Each speech subject has its own challenges and requires a different attitude to process. Overall, I have been very impressed with the quality of the speeches our classmates have given. Across the board the civic artifacts have been different and interesting. I love how people were able to take the most common posters and analyze them in a way I would have not been able to see before. Even the media platforms of our civic artifacts have been varied from posters, to pictures, advertisements, videos and songs.
I believe that when presenters aren’t behind the podium they feel closer and more accessible to their audience. It gives the audience the feeling they are included in the conversation instead of being talked at. It also makes a big difference when students amplify their voice to give the idea their topic is relevant and important and must be heard. Another great quality I have noticed is hand gestures. Hand gestures provide a great deal more of personality and life to the speaker. It is also a great way to emphasize different points. Voice inflection is another great way to emphasize certain points. Speaking softer, louder, faster, or even slower, provides a different dimension to the speech. Stylistically, these are main points that I have seen through the speeches, that have proven to exemplify certain speeches. I have noticed that slideshows are great presentation tools because they keep the audience engaged.
Qualities I think everyone could work on is exuding confidence while speaking. It is hard speaking in front of an audience you still don’t know very well, but feeling confident helps you with speaking louder and in a more consistent tone. Other improvements include using less notes while speaking, it can be slightly distracting to the audience when you look at your notes, however I think most people have been handling that pretty well. I realize I put this in the paragraph above, but I think it can also be included in here. Inflection is a key point when it comes to speech delivery, and therefore is a attribute I think everyone, including me, could work on.
On the whole , I have learned a lot from the speeches given so far and can’t wait to hear the rest!
My family loves road trips, so I’m always looking for new, interesting trips. I recently found some, however they are a bit far away. It turns out Norway is a country full of scenic roads, and are known for their unique road trips. The most fantastic road in Norway is the Atlantic Road. It is a 8 km road the bridges the gap between the two cities of Kristiansund and Molde. It was named “Norway’s Construction of the Century” and is now a national tourist route. The Atlantic Road crosses low bridges and protrudes over the sea. When the seas are calm you are able to see whales and seals. The entire trip takes about thirty minutes to complete, but I can guarantee you will spend more time because you will want to stop to see the many breathtaking views along the way. Worried about stopping traffic, don’t be! There are four rest areas which allow you to relax and take in the beauty around you. Other sites along the way include the Kvernes Stave Church, a church from 1300 AD, The Bremsnes Caves, and the Kvernes Rural Museum. Fishing and diving are two of the most popular recreational activities to do by the Atlantic Road. The Atlantic Road is a magnificent site, crossing over islands and connecting seven bridges!
