For the final post, revisit the cartoon character of yourself that you described at the start of the course. What has changed about this character in regards to public speaking? What new habits has your character formed? In what kinds of situations do they exhibit changes?

Then leave this character, and respond to the following: As the course draws to a close, what do you think are the most important characteristics of effective public speaking? What is one observation about public speaking that you developed over the course of the semester that surprised you? How will you continue using the skills from this course in the future?

For post #2, you have two options of prompts to choose from.  Post #2 is due before class on Monday June 16.  Blog posts should be between 250 and 400 words.

Option 1.  Post an image (photographic or otherwise) that conveys a speech situation you have encountered in which you think a speaker has a powerful and positive impact on an audience or individual listener. What is the nature of the speaker’s impact? How does the speaker achieve this impact? What does this image demonstrate about the nature of the relationship between audience and speaker?

Option 2.  Describe a situation you have experienced or witnessed recently in which a failure of communication, or poorly developed communication skills, caused a problem. Include an image or photograph that conveys something about this situation. Can you identify what went wrong? What can you learn from this incident about a particular skill or communication strategy?

We’ll use this site to share thoughts and experiences related to public speaking and the power of effective communication over the course of the semester.

You can find important documents for the course under the tab “course documents” above.

I look forward to our semester together!

Blog posts should be between 250 and 400 words (longer isn’t always better!).

Reflect on your own skills and habits as a public communicator, by describing a made-up cartoon character that embodies these characteristics (if you wish, in an exaggerated way). Give your character a name.  Use the following prompts to guide your writing:

• What are your experiences with public speaking (for example, giving class presentations or presenting something at work) generally like? Have you ever enjoyed them?
• What kind of participant do you tend to be in class?
• How would you describe your general speech communication skills in professional and personal situations? What kinds of habits and characteristics do you demonstrate in getting your ideas across?
• In terms of oral communication, when are you at your best? Your worst?