Effective statistics in a speech?

Any time I have used statistics, if any, in a speech, they are usually found at the beginning in the introduction.  I find they are good attention getters and help justify what I am saying.  I also include them at the end as a tying up tactic in the closing statement.  The introduction may include things are proven and the ending statistics maybe things that need to be accomplished, but haven't gotten to that point yet.  They are helpful in painting an image for the audience too.  When numbers are given, it makes the topic seem more real and the audience begins relating their own life to the topic in comparison.  I find them most useful in speeches that involve populations because they split larger groups into smaller groups and help analyze individual things that must be studied.  I honestly haven't done a lot of speeches that needed statistical data as proof, but I find listening to speeches that have it are easier to understand.

Demographics?

Honestly, I did more speeches in high school than I have in two years of college.  I find this shocking.  I never used statistical data in any of my speeches in high school or college.  I was always scared of not finding accurate information and ruining my presentations.  I never used data in any of my high school English classes either, but have in college.  Some of the the sites I come across are obviously not correct and wish I would have had someone to point me in the right direction.  I wish I would have used demographics in those speeches.  Demographics are important characteristics of populations.  Whenever I hear statistics and data information in speeches, it brings a certain professionalism to the topic.  By using information that has been tested and recorded into a survey can be useful at engaging the audience.  By showing facts, the speech will provide more knowledge and hopefully engage the audience to listen.  Verifying the demographics from a reliable source is the most important thing though.  The information that is used must be accurate or the speech will be unethical to use. 

Importance of audience analysis and adaptation?

If you want to deliver a speech that everyone will want to listen to, then the speech needs to be interesting and about something that is somewhat familiar to people as a whole.  When I listen to someone give a speech, the first thing I want to know is the topic.  If the topic is something that I am interested in, I am more likely to stay focused.  By adapting to the audience and what they like, you are more likely to have a positive feedback.  I find medical-based speeches are my favorite because I work in the medical field and am always wanting to expand my knowledge on the subject.  I also believe that if a person grasps the audience in a unique way, a boring topic can go to an exciting topic.  It's all in the approach and how well you present the information at hand.  Being familiar with the audience is extremely important, but delivering a fantastic speech take it to a whole new level.

2) More Detail?

When I have done research projects in the past, whether it be for English, history, or other subjects, most of my information comes from the internet.  I am sure a lot of students can agree with this.  As a technology based society, we as a culture have grown up with the internet.  When my mom was going through college, she never had access to the internet.  It hadn't been created yet.  All of the research she did was from books.  This has given us an advantage and a disadvantage.  I feel like students today rely way too much on the internet and less on books.  The searches become repetitive and boring.   After reading chapter six, my future internet research will change dramatically.  I never knew there were so many databases full of information just waiting to be read.  The term "deep web" threw me through a loop because I never knew how much more there truly was.  Different sites are aimed for different topics.  For example, USA.gov is centered towards U.S. government websites whereas NewsVoyager.com is aimed towards newspapers. With all these new search sites, my research will feel fresh and new without the constant repeating of old sites. There is so much more out there than meets the eye and I can't wait to discover more.

1) Research interviews?

Honestly, I have never conducted a research interview.  I have never taken a class where it has been necessary to conduct an interview.  I would probably start with a basic idea of the topic.  Whatever topic I chose, I would do extensive research online first.  I don't want to conduct an interview with no previous knowledge on my topic.  How can someone ask a question without knowing some basic information first?  I can't.  I would organize the information I gathered and create an outline of the most important things I have found.  Off of the outline, create questions that haven't been answered or if they have, maybe expand the information in more detail.  Ask the questions in order of importance for the specific ideas needed in the speech.  After seeking the answers needed, include them excerpts in the speech.  I feel like a live interview is more informative and personable.  On the internet, the sources are by people that you may never have the opportunity to meet therefore never knowing why they say or believe the things they write.  By conducting an in person interview, questions and answers might be different than on the internet. 

1.) Apprehension of Public Speaking?

When I was in high school, I loved giving speeches in front of the class.  I felt confident in my abilities.  One day, I gave a very important speech in my government class.  After I delivered the speech, my teacher informed me that I had issues with keeping the audience interested in what I was saying.  That meant I was putting everyone to sleep and was boring to listen to.  Everyone, including my friends, began to laugh at me.  Ever since that day, my anxiety increases at just hearing the word "Speech."  In chapter 2, it states, "The less confidence you have in your speaking skills, the more apprehension you will feel about public speaking" (27).  The teacher who criticized and humiliated me in front of my friends and classmates destroyed whatever confidence I may have had then.  I finally have the courage to step up to the plate and regain that confidence I once had and prove to myself that it wasn't me being boring, but her being mean.

Introduction

Hello! My name is Kayla and this is my fourth semester at Sierra College.  I am currently working as a caregiver full time, but am a trained medical assistant by trade.  I am enrolled in an EMT course to begin the process of becoming a paramedic in the near future.  I am currently enrolled in 12.5 units, so my schedule is very packed.

My hobbies are dancing and running.  I am preparing for a 5K in January and hope to be ready by then.  I am looking forward to this class and the semester.