Self-Evaluation: Cultural Artifact

Sitting in class waiting to find out when I was presenting was the most nerve-racking feeling ever. When we pulled our numbers, I was relieved to see that I was going fourth because I wanted to get the speech over with as soon as possible. Before I knew it, I was standing in front of the class giving my speech. It seemed like it all happened in the matter of seconds and looking back on it, there are many things that I know that I need to improve on for the next speech.

I think that I achieved the purpose of my speech. I stated my main points and went into full detail about each of them and I related my topic to why it is considered a cultural artifact. However, while giving my speech I didn’t feel all that confident. Going into it I knew that I had memorized my speech by heart but once I stood up in front of the class, I froze and it seemed as if everything I had memorized left my brain. I know that I didn’t seem very confident and I thought everyone could tell that I was shaking and my voice was trembling.

If I had to do the speech all over again, I would definitely prepare more. Instead of practicing in front of one person, I would practice in front of a group of friends or in front of my whole family. I think I did well supporting why it was a cultural artifact but I know that I could have cut more from the types of surfboards and put more information into my support. I think my speech was organized well but for delivery I would definitely have practiced more so I could be more confident and not rely on my note cards to help me through.

One goal that I have for improving the content in my next speech is to do more research and apply it to the topic. With this last speech, I did say why it was a cultural artifact but I could have expanded on that. For the next speech, I am planning on focusing more on informing people about my topic. One goal that I have for improving the delivery of my next speech is to have more eye contact. I did look around but I noticed that I also looked at my note cards a lot as well.

After I watched the video I noticed that I tend to talk with an upward tone and I sound like I’m asking a question when I’m really making a statement. Someone on the note cards had said this as well. I think that the only distracting thing that I did was that I moved around a lot and didn’t stand very still.

On a scale of 1-10, with “1” being the worst and “10” being the best, I would rate my eye contact a “4.” I knew my information but you could not tell that I did in the video. I had a lot of quotes so that might be a reason why a lot of people said that I did read off my note cards too much, but I definitely could have looked around and scanned the audience a little more.

During the speech, I mentioned six source citations. On a scale from A to F, I would give myself a B+. I had an organized speech that included three main points that in the end, related to why surfboards were a cultural artifact. I also cited sources in my speech. I spoke loud and clear which is what many said on the comments from other classmates. They also noted that I had a good attention getter and had good transitions between my topics. The reason I am not giving myself an A is because of my lack of eye contact and confidence that I had in myself.

All in all, I think that I did a pretty good job for my first speech. I now know what needs to be improved on for my next speech but I also know what I did well. I hope that on my next speech I give better eye contact to the audience and am much more confident!