New Topics, New Stories

I had so much fun working with you and Edistorm today, and I hope you found the session helpful as you brainstorm ideas for your next speech. Here's a word cloud I created from our discussion on Edistorm:



Remember, the Informative Speech must be four to five minutes long and should inform us of a service, place, object, event, or phenomena here at EKU. There are many ways to structure your speech, but since we are focusing on storytelling, find or create a narrative that helps us connect with your information.

For example, the narrative of the search for information may be a useful way to tell us your story and to help you connect to your audience. The point is to focus on your audience and tell us a story. Don't tell us things that we can find on wikipedia or YouTube. That's boring. Collect and refine information that will enable you to deliver a speech that really excites and interests you, and your audience will enjoy listening.

You are in a tech-savvy room, so feel free to use the technology available: Prezi, PowerPoint, xtranormal, videos, music. Part of the rubric involves your presentation aids, but I reward calculated risk-takers when it comes to visuals. In other words, this is a safe class to take chances and create videos and have some fun with your visuals. Just make sure it's content you created or that I approve.

• The speech is worth 50 points. (Be ready to present on Feb 21)

• The outline of the speech is worth 25 points. (Due on Feb 14)

• After the speech, you'll watch a video of your speech and turn in a reflection worth 10 points. (Due before the Persuasive Speech)

For Thursday, read Chapter 4 and focus on the section we discussed in class. I also want you to watch this short video. As you watch, consider how Fabian is making technology adapt to the user and think about how we as speakers can adapt to our audience.



See you Thursday!

Intros complete, now let's think about topics for our next assignment

I really enjoyed getting to know you all a bit more through our first speeches. Congratulations on presenting in public and working in small groups with new people and new technology. Those are big challenges and I hope you are pleased with your work.

For Tuesday's class, read Chapter 5 in the textbook and watch the video below. Here's a link to use if the video isn't showing below.

Our next assignment will be to present an informative speech about a building, statue, historic marker or event, or place here at EKU. I'd like you to start looking around campus and see what you might be interested in. It could be a ghost story or the story behind a statue here on campus.

We'll talk about the assignment more at class on Tuesday, but I want you to begin thinking about something you may be interested in. You can post questions on our Facebook group if you want, but remember, I'll be out of pocket for much of the weekend.

If you have a topic in mind, post it on Facebook. I only want one person to do one topic. First come, first served.

As you watch this video of Eva, consider how she comes up with research topics.



Have a safe weekend. See you Tuesday.

You spoke today and so will the President

I learned so much about you today as you told us stories of the people you've lost, lessons you learned, and experiences that have shaped you as an individual. Thank you for sharing with us.

For Thursday, we'll be continuing our presentations. Be ready to provide comments and to present, if you didn't present today.

I also want you to read chapter 3 in our book and apply it to the President's State of the Union address tonight. Make sure you pull in what stood out to you in the book.

Once you've read the chapter and watched the speech, write some thoughts on our Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/165019053604145/

Be sure to leave a unique comment. Those who post first have the easiest time I would think. So don't put it off!



Have a great Wednesday!

Be ready to present on Tuesday

On Thursday's class we discussed ethics, the grading rubric used in this class, and how to stand with your group and with a clicker. We even had time to work on our Prezis. Looks like you all are getting the hang of it.

I hope you'll be able to find at least three approaches to determining whether you are making ethical decisions. I find the concepts of utilitarianism (best for the most), universality (if everyone did this, the world would be fine), and virtue ethics (who you aspire to be/who mom would be proud of)to work in many situations. Remember, a decision may not work for all approaches, but two out of three isn't bad. At least you'll be able to defend your actions.

Be ready to present on Tuesday. There is no other homework besides perfecting your Prezi and practicing for your presentation. Email me or your tribe members if you have any questions or post your question/comments on our Facebook page. (See link in post below.)

I'll be selecting tribes at random unless a tribe volunteers.

Have a great weekend. Until Tuesday, practice out loud and with your Prezi. I'm looking forward to hearing your stories and learning more about you.

Facebook Group

Here's a link to our class facebook page. Feel free to use it as a sounding board when you have questions.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/165019053604145/

Speech Anxiety and our First Speeches of the Semester

Today we discussed techniques for overcoming speech anxiety. (Here's a link to the Prezi I used to frame our discussion.) I hope you found the discussion helpful and that you are able to transfer that extra energy your body gives you to help you prepare and feel confident about your first, introductory speech.

Speaking of which...For your first speech you will be sharing a story with the class. Here are some guidelines:

1. Tell us a story about yourself, your pet, your relative, a struggle you overcame, a victory in your life, a place you've visited, a religious experience, anything that is important to you as a person. Pick one main story. 
2. You have 2 to 4 minutes to share this story with the class. Do not go over 4 minutes.
3. Use Prezi to visually tell your story while you speak. You can use pictures, words, a short video, colors, shapes, whatever helps convey your story visually. Do not put paragraphs in your Prezi to read to the class. 
4. Your story should apply to the class. Tell us the "moral of the story" or the lesson we could all learn from your experience. 
5. If you have any questions, email me (shawn.apostel(at)eku.edu) and/or ask your tribe for help. In addition to public speaking tips, I can help you think through the visuals you want to use or work through any issues you have with Prezi.
6. Help your tribe. The class will be evaluating your speech. The tribe with the best reviews will get bonus points on the speech grade. (We can talk about this in class. Just ask.) The point is, make sure your tribe members are getting the feedback they need.

For Thursday, I want you to read Chapter 2 in the textbook. Focus on the section we discussed in class and see how it applies to the video below. We'll also be finalizing our Prezis, so make sure you've got the images/videos you'll need. 



Here's a link to the video just in case: http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_ariely_beware_conflicts_of_interest.html

Hope you enjoy your Wednesday.

Developing our Stories and Prezis

Well, we had our first real encounter with technology today, and I think we came out ahead. I hope you enjoyed playing with Prezi and getting a feel for it. There are not many times in your adult life that you can play; enjoy the times you get in this class. I know I do.

Today we talked about the way Lewis used his story to encourage his audience to reconsider their thinking about the environment. We talked about how effectively Lewis related to his audience, how he built up his story with visually-evoking language, and how his ending offered suggestions to deal with climate change.

As you consider your story, think about ways to relate to your audience. How can you set the stage to get us excited about what you learned? What visuals can you explain, or show, with the Prezi going on around you? Remember, you'll have 3 to 4 minutes to tell us your story. You must use Prezi. And you will be presenting with your tribe standing with you.

For Tuesday, I want you to read Chapter 1 in your textbook (Public Speaking: An Audience Centered Approach, 8th edition). If you were in class and paying attention, you know the section I want you to focus on. As you read, consider how it applies to the video below:



If you are having trouble understanding William's accent, click on the "languages" button and choose a language you feel comfortable reading. If the video isn't showing up, follow this link: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/william_kamkwamba_how_i_harnessed_the_wind.html

Have a great weekend.

First Ted Talk of the Semester

Welcome to the class blog. This is where you will find a quick summary of what we did in class and assignments to complete before we meet again. Notice the "FOLLOW ME BY EMAIL" sign at the top right portion of this blog--just above the class mascots. I suggest entering your favorite email address. Every time I update the blog, you'll be notified the morning after.

So today we found out that many of you don't like tomatoes, that Seattle is a cool city, and that we can roughly divide our class into two sections: those who like sushi and those who don't. We also talked about using Prezi in this class (www.prezi.com) and the topic of our first, informal, speech. Since we will be discussing storytelling in this class, I want you to think of a story you can share with the class about your past. It could be about an event that changed the way you see something, a memory from your childhood that brings you joy, a friend who overcame great adversity ... you get the idea.

Come up with a few ideas and bring them to class on Thursday. We'll also be playing with Prezi. I think you'll like it. Our speeches will begin on January 24.

For Thursday I also want you to watch this Ted Talk below. It's about Lewis Pugh's swim across a lake on Mt. Everest. Consider the way he tells his story as well as the approaches he takes to address a difficult situation. Consider what you found effective, and perhaps not so effective, in his presentation. Be prepared to talk and write about it in class.



If the video doesn't work, follow this link.

Hope you have a great Wednesday.