Presentation Reflection

Shantal Zakaria

My Experience with Our First Presentation

As soon as I started this semester, I knew that public speaking would probably be one of the hardest parts of this class for me. For years, I have experienced a fear of speaking in front of people (stage fright), and speaking in front of people makes me nervous, even when I know exactly what I am going to say. Therefore, I did not know how I would deal with our first presentation. We did our first presentation online. I thought this would make it somewhat easier than doing it in person in a traditional classroom setting. In some ways, it did seem less scary. However, I remained extremely nervous as I realized that I would have to speak in front of everyone in the class and articulate my thoughts clearly while everyone watched. Although I was at home, the pressure seemed real because I knew that I was being graded and aware of my communication style. We focused on different chapters from the book. The subjects discussed were about different ways to improve your communication skills, such as improving your confidence, listening actively, organizing your speech, using persuasive language, delivering informative speeches, using visual aids during presentations, and understanding arguments. Although this was only the first presentation of the semester, I learned a lot just by hearing my classmates explain their chapters. This helped me to see that there are many different approaches to complete the same assignment. 

I got to present Chapter 14, Persuasive Speaking. Initially, I felt quite overwhelmed as I began preparing for it. I continually wondered how I would deliver it and if I might appear anxious or overlook my arguments. I dedicated time to arranging my thoughts logically to avoid getting confused while talking. The most challenging aspect for me is consistently the start of a presentation. Just before I begin to speak, I often overanalyze everything, and my anxiety increases significantly. I begin to stress over my voice, my rhythm, and even minor errors I could commit.

By the time it was my moment to present, I could certainly sense that anxiety, and I simply wanted to move through the initial moments as fast as I could. I was highly conscious of my own presence, and it seemed as if time was passing more slowly at first. However, something shifted once I began speaking, after I completed the introduction and initial concepts, I started to feel more at ease. I concentrated more on my words rather than on my nervousness. The anxiety never vanished entirely, yet it became easier to handle as I progressed.

I was reminded by this experience that the majority of my fear arises before I even speak. Usually, the anticipation is worse than the presentation itself. As soon as I get going, I see that I can truly finish it and express my thoughts. It seems as though my imagination makes up a greater fear than what truly occurs.

The subject of persuasive speaking also piqued my interest. I discovered that persuasion involves more than just getting others to agree with you. Building trust, comprehending your audience, providing evidence to back up your claims, and communicating effectively are more important. We constantly encounter it in our daily lives; on social media, in commercials, in discussions, and even in unconscious decisions. This opened my eyes to how frequently communication affects us, even in tiny ways.

It was also enjoyable to listen to my classmates' presentations, everyone's unique styles made everything seem more genuine and approachable. It demonstrated to me that many people, not just myself, find public speaking uncomfortable. Because we were all going through the same learning process at the same time, the atmosphere felt more encouraging overall.

My group's support was a crucial component of this experience. The process felt much more comfortable once I got to know my group members. Despite the fact that each of us was creating our own presentations, there was mutual support and understanding. I felt less stressed knowing that other people were anxious as well. I didn't feel entirely alone during the experience because of the support, which improved the atmosphere.

During the presentations, I observed that speaking online presents certain difficulties. On the one hand, it can be more comfortable to be at home or in a familiar place. However, it is more difficult to read the audience or get feedback while you are speaking. It takes some getting used to, but sometimes it feels like you're just speaking into a screen. Additionally, I saw that maintaining concentration on the camera and avoiding distractions is a crucial ability for virtual presentations.

This experience also taught me how crucial preparation and organization are. Clear and organized presentations were the easiest to follow. It helped me realize that a well-prepared presentation can still be very successful even if the presenter is anxious. Additionally, I observed how slides and images can keep viewers interested and facilitate understanding of the material. Clarity, timing, and transitions are examples of small details that have a big impact.

Being a student of interior design actually helped me a little with this presentation. I've had to showcase my design work more frequently lately, giving others an explanation of my concepts and creative process. I believe those experiences made me feel a little more at ease this time, even though I'm still anxious. I noticed that I wasn't as frozen as I might have been in the past because I'm gradually getting used to talking about my work in front of others. I also learned how to communicate my ideas more confidently and clearly from those design presentations.

Overall, I believe the first presentation was an excellent starting point for the semester. Although I was anxious at first, I overcame my anxiety and eventually felt more at ease. It demonstrated to me that I am more capable of handling public speaking than I sometimes believe.

Even though I still have stage fright and know I need more practice, this experience made me realize that progress is gradual. Starting is always the hardest part for me, but once I get past that initial phase, I can usually move forward with greater assurance. I'm hoping that by giving more presentations this semester, I'll continue to get better and become more at ease speaking in front of people.

In the end, this experience didn’t just teach me about public speaking, it also taught me about myself, how I react under pressure, and how I can slowly build confidence through practice and repetition. The support from my group and getting to know them also made this first experience more positive and less intimidating than I expected. Attached it's a TED Talk I found really interesting about overcoming the fear of public speaking.