Final Portfolio

Here is the Link to my final portfolio!!!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-IdQUcTyHTvNExxajJPdlYzbm8/view?usp=sharing

Thanks for a great semester!!! <3

PV

Start, Stop, Continue : Speech #4

Start :

• From the group presentation I learned that I need to speak more. I had never really presented in a group before, and I found it hard to find opportunities to speak. Especially because my the other members in my group are such strong public speakers. I need to start making more of a presence on stage, which will help my role in the presentation standout. 
• I think I also need to start looking more relaxed on stage. Especially during a group presentation where you are not always talking, it is important to stand still and confident on stage. 
• From the "Trax" group I was able to see the importance of attention grabbers in presentations. Their video at the beginning of the presentation was very dramatic and emotional which got the audiences attention and also got them thinking about the rhetorical situation and the product. In my speeches I think I need to start doing more in the beginning to get and keep the audiences attention. 
• From the "Tar Off" group, I admired their use of facts and data about the tar problems on beaches. It gave their product and rhetorical situation more meaning and also frames the purpose of their presentation. I think that when appropriate I need to start incorporating more data, facts and graphs to my speeches. 

Stop : 

• One of the things that I really need to stop doing is fidgeting on stage. I noticed when I re-watched the video that fidgeting can make your presentation try awkward, and make the presenter look nervous. As mentioned above, this is especially true with group speeches because their are going to be times in the presentation that you aren't speaking. 
• I also believe that I need to stop procrastinating and start actually giving myself adequate time to practice my speech. In group speeches this can be particularly hard because you have to work around different schedules. I think that if we put more practice into it we would have done a lot better on the delivery. 
• I admired how the boys in the "Ai" group, especially Taka, presented themselves on stage. Even when they were not talking they looked very confident and collected in front of the audience (and they were not fidgeting) ! 

Continue : 

• I need to continue making bad ass powerpoints. Although the group didn't agree fully on the positioning of the slides, I think that all in all our powerpoint looked very good! Eventually I should probably attempt to figure out prezi, but powerpoint for me is like second nature. 
• The "Party Bike" group, had a really good powerpoint and I really liked how it matched up well with their presentation. By practicing the presentation with the powerpoint a few times you can really get a good feel of what will look best for the audience. 
• I also think that I should continue making a strong presence on stage. I think that despite the fact that I found it challenging to talk sometimes amongst the group, when I did speak it was loud and strong, and hopefully left a good impression on the audience. 
• "The Dump" group did a really good job of speaking passionately about their idea! Especially McCool who spoke of how she has had the idea for the Dump for a very long time and how it will positively impact the Carp community. 

Start, Stop, Continue - Speech #2

In regards to speech #2 there were a number of things I found I need to start, need to stop, and need to continue.

Firstly, I found I need to am very reliant on my power point or notecards when speaking in front of a crowd. I think that if I start practicing a precise script of my speech I my mind will not wander as much while speaking. I also noticed that I need to start using more body gestures, in particular hand gestures. These gestures will add more energy to my speech, and help the audience engage in my presentation. Starting to pay more attention to the time limit is also important, especially when the time is limited. I think that having a memorizing the script will help with this. 

There are also a number of things I noticed I need to stop. I think the first would be saying "umm..." when I am lost or transitioning from idea to idea. I also think I need to stop over-generalizing, especially in speech #2, because it leaves the audience with unanswered questions. In my opinion, because of the time limit, I find it challenging to get my point across and sufficiently explain my main points. 

Despite the areas that show a need for improvement, there were a number of things I think I need to continue doing. I need to continue giving the audience a sufficient background and overview of the topic I am presenting on, however I need to this within the given time limit. I need to continue making good use of my visual aids, such as powerpoint presentations, although to be honest I thought my powerpoint may have been to boring. I also need to continue using appropriate transitions, an area in which I thought I did better then I actually did. 

Furthermore, I was happy that I improved on a few areas this time compared to the first speech. In speech #2 I used a steady pace while speaking, but also adjusted my voice at times so I did not sound monotone. I think these improvements are due to the fact that I was more comfortable in front of the audience this time. These improvements also helped me appear to be having fun up there, although I was still very nervous.


Some moves I noticed from other students were...

When Connor slammed his folder on the table when he was acting out a criminal interrogation. This got the audiences attention while also giving a perfect example of something an interrogator would do.

During Daisy's school tour speech, I loved how her energy and knowledge made it feel like she was actually giving us a tour. Energy and knowledge are obviously important moves to a school tour guide because they are introducing a crowd to a new place.

Speech #2 - Genre Outline

Genre: Waiting on a table at a restaurant.

(Informative/Persuasive)

Main Points

(Will be followed by slides)

These main points are the general moves servers make when interacting with their guests.

1. The Introduction (or greeting the table)
1. The server will start out by introducing himself/herself to the guests.
1. “My name is …  
2. Then they will make sure to let the guests know that they will be the server.
1. “ … and I will be your server this evening.
3. Good servers should be able to greet their tables within a minute or two, and because of this they usually will give their table a few minutes to decide on drinks.
1. “Can I get you water, or anything to start?”
4. If there is any happy hour going on now would be a good time to explain it. Point out there is a separate menu, etc.
5. “I will give you a minute to look at the menu.”

2. Getting Drink/Appetizer Orders
1. When getting the drink/appetizer orders they will ask for them separately to avoid confusion.
1. “Can I start you out with something to drink?”
2. Then the server may ask for IDs which requires a few extra moments.
3. Then they will ask about appetizers or small bites.
1. “Can I start you off with any apps?”
4. They may also indicate that now is your time to ask any questions about the menu.
1. “Do you have any questions about the menu?”
2. “These are our specials for the evening...”
5. They will then let you know they are going to put in the orders and be back in a bit.
1. “I am going to put these orders in and I will be back to take your order.”
3. Getting the Main Course Orders
1. Assuming the guests have their drinks/apps the server will then expect to take your main course order.
1. “Are we ready to order?”
2. Many guests will ask for their recommendations, in which case they give them.
3. Then they put your order into the chefs.
4. Check up
1. After you have your food the server will come over to check on the table.
1. “How is everything tasting?”
2. “Can I get you anything else? More drinks?”
2. You may not hear from your server for sometime after this.
5. Asking About Dessert
1. They will come back over and ask if you would like any dessert in which case they introduce the dessert menu.
6. Dropping the Check
1. When they notice the table is done they may come over and ask…
1. “Can I get you a box?”
2. At which point the guest may ask for the check. Once the check is dropped if it is a credit card the server will run it and bring it back, thank you
3. If you are paying with cash they may ask for change, and then thank you.

Conventions/Moves:

1. Being friendly and enthusiastic.
2. Being persuasive.
3. Being knowledgeable about the menu.
4. Dressing clean and presentable.
5. Using restaurant jargon.
6. Being able to hold a number of trays.
7. Remembering orders.
8. Recognizing special occasions.
9. Being organized.
10. Understanding the POS system
11. Being timely.
12. Remembering happy hour and specials.
13. Communication with other coworkers.
14. Being quick.
15. Not looking stressed when you are.
16. Not looking bored when you are.
17. Try to get a tip.
18. Connect with guests.
19. Try to sell more expensive items.
20. Not have tables linger.

Elavator Speech: Start, Stop, Continue.

I need to start:

• Explain how/why the audience should listen to me. I did not do a good job of introducing myself as the speaker. I should have given the audience more information on why I am speaking on the topic, which would give them more reason to listen and take in what I am saying. For example why should I be advocating eating meat? How has eating impacted my life? I need to establish my credibility.
• Aside from needing to establish my own credibility, I also needed to do a better job of giving background to my story. In my speech I did not do a good job of explaining why I was in the elevator with my friend at the specific restaurant. I feel like I need to take a few moments in my speech to contextualize and explain the general purpose of it.  
• Using body language and gestures in my speech. It makes the whole thing seem boring when I am just standing up there reading off of a note card. It doesn't sound natural and may make it hard for my audience to pay attention. Also using gestures may help me feel more engaged in my presentation.
• Watching the pace of my speech. I think at times I began talking a little bit too fast for the audience and because of this they may have become confused and lost interest in my speech.

I need to stop:

• Using a notecard in my actual presentation. I feel like during practice and while I am still in my earlier stages of my speech it is fine, but during the actual presentation in front of the class it may make it more difficult. I noticed that when I was looking off my note card I lost my place multiple times and that showed in my speech with a pause or an “umm”.
• Just listing off facts that I have memorized, this can make my speech sound computerized and not natural. This also hurt me when it came to the elevator speech because it did not seem like I was actually talking to my friend Alexa.
• Talking so fast, especially when the person held up the 1:30 sec marker. I feel like when I saw this cue, I got a little stressed out about time and therefore lost control of how fast I was talking.

I need to continue:

• The way I prepared for my speech. Although you can never make it perfect, by utilizing the communication lab, and a few friends I was able to practice my speech for speech day. No matter how much I practiced though I noticed that when you are up in front of the class, performing is going to be a challenge. Freezing and forgetting your place in your speech I noticed was a common mistake of mine.
• Making an organized outline that is easy for me to follow and memorize. I am usually really good at making outlines for papers, so making one for the speech was rather easy. It is crazy that no matter how clear and easy your outline is, it is still very easy to mess up in front of an audience.
• Making eye contact with the audience. I know I didn't use enough hand gestures and body language, but I felt like for the most part keeping eye contact with the audience was easy. I think that not using a note card will also help with keeping eye contact because you will have no reason to look down.
• Being passionate about my topics and the speeches. When as a speaker you are passionate, some of the passion may rub off on your audience. If both you and your audience are engaged in the presentation/speech then the experience will be much more enjoyable.
• Giving both sides of a specific topic. So in my speech I was trying to convince my friend to know longer be a vegetarian, and in order to do this I had to be convincing. When I am persuasive it is important I give both sides to particular issue, which is what I did in my speech. Once the audience is familiar with both sides, then it is your job to convince them to agree with your stance.
  Staying on time with my speech. This time my elevator speech was right on time. I had to speed up a little bit at the end but overall I think that I was pretty punctual.

Elevator Pitch.

I am stuck in an elevator with my best friend Alexa on our way to a very fancy dinner in Hollywood. Alexa is a strict vegetarian, and I am trying to convince her why it is good to eat meat.

Wow Alexa, I am so excited to go to dinner! I think I am going to get the steak, because I heard it was the best around. Eating at least SOME meat is important for humans because meat contains protein which our body needs. It is true you can get protein from foods that aren't meat, but meat provides an important chunk of the food pyramid. Since the beginning of human existence humans and their ancestors have been killing and eating animals. It is still important that the animals that which are providing food aren't tortured and do not suffer during any point of the process. Choosing organic, grass fed, open range meat is also very important.

About Me :)

My name is Polly Victoreen. I am originally from Scottsdale, Arizona, however I have lived in Santa Barbara for almost 5 years. it is very beautiful here, but there are times I miss the desert. Most of the time you can find me working, at The Boat House at Hendry's Beach, or doing school work. When I am not working or studying I like to do things outdoors like go to the beach or go for a hike. I also love to go on road trips to visit friends and/or unfamiliar places. I have a pet cat named Mr. Beans and he is my favorite thing in the world.