From the Podium to the Page: What I Learned About Public Speaking

Last week in my SPC class, we wrapped up one of the most dynamic and collaborative assignments of the semester: our textbook chapter presentations. Each group was assigned a set of chapters from Public Speaking: The Evolving Art and was responsible for teaching the class the key concepts from their section. I was part of Group 4, which presented the final five chapters. This project helped me learn much more than what’s written in the textbook—it pushed me to become more confident, collaborative, and intentional as a speaker. It also taught me how to listen more actively, to observe delivery styles, and to reflect on what resonates with an audience.

Group 1: Chapters 1, 2, 3 & 5 – The Important Tricks for a Great Presentation

Group 1 kicked things off with a powerful overview of public speaking fundamentals. Chapter 1 explained why public speaking matters in both academic and everyday contexts. Chapter 2 covered communication anxiety, which was extremely relatable. It was reassuring to learn that even experienced speakers get nervous—and there are real strategies to manage that anxiety.

Chapter 3 focused on the ethics of speaking. One point that really stood out to me was the importance of being truthful and giving credit to sources. The last chapter from this group, Chapter 5, was all about audience analysis. They explained how to tailor your message based on demographics, values, and prior knowledge. I had never thought so much about adjusting a speech based on who’s listening—it’s not just about what you say, but how and to whom you say it. I think this chapter taught me that knowing your audience is just as important as knowing your content.

Group 2: Chapters 4, 6, 7 & 8 – Getting Ready for a Sucessful Presentation

Group 2 focused on preparing and organizing content. Chapter 4 helped us understand how to select topics and write strong specific purpose statements. Then Chapter 6 explained how to conduct research using both library resources and online databases. They even gave us a quick demo on using Boolean operators for advanced searches—something that could come in handy across many classes.

Chapter 7 introduced the idea of using narratives, statistics, testimony, and examples to support our main points. This helped me realize that effective public speaking is part storytelling, part evidence-based communication. Lastly, Chapter 8 showed us how to structure speeches with organizational patterns like topical, cause-effect, and Monroe’s Motivated Sequence. Their examples helped clarify when to use each one. Their presentation made me reflect on how structure affects clarity—without it, even the most interesting speech can lose direction.

Group 3: Chapters 9, 10, 11 & 12 – Getting Closer to that Great Presentation

This group really brought their chapters to life. Chapter 9 focused on crafting introductions and conclusions that stick. They showed us the power of a strong hook—like asking a question, sharing a surprising statistic, or telling a short story. They also reminded us that conclusions need to do more than summarize—they should leave the audience thinking or feeling something.

Chapter 10 was all about language—how to make speeches vivid, inclusive, and engaging. Then Chapter 11 explored presentation media like slides, images, and video. One key point was to avoid overloading slides with text and instead let visuals do some of the talking. Finally, Chapter 12 focused on delivery techniques, including vocal variety, body language, and eye contact. Their demonstration of good vs. bad posture was both funny and helpful!

This was the group that showed me how much delivery matters. It’s not just about what you say—it’s how you say it. Watching them helped me pay more attention to my tone, pace, and volume in my own presentations.

Group 4 (My Group!): Chapters 13–17 – The Different Types of Wonderful Presentations for Us to Learn

Our group had the final stretch, and the chapters were a perfect summary of everything we had learned.

Chapter 13 covered informative speeches. We discussed how to raise awareness and increase understanding without persuading. It’s harder than it sounds—you have to stick to facts while still keeping your audience interested. Chapter 14 moved into persuasion, where we talked about propositions of fact, value, and policy. One of our classmates gave an example about banning plastic bags that really tied ethos, pathos, and logos together effectively.

In Chapter 15, we explored how to build strong arguments with clear claims, reasoning, and credible evidence. I especially liked learning about common fallacies like red herring and slippery slope—they’re easy to fall into without noticing. Chapter 16 focused on distance speaking and media appearances, which is increasingly relevant in today’s world. We talked about video call etiquette, lighting, and speaking clearly on camera.

Finally, I presented Chapter 17, which covered special occasion and group speeches. I enjoyed researching formats like tributes, toasts, and elevator speeches. It was also cool to reflect on our own presentation format—symposiums—where each group member speaks on a subtopic. I found that organizing our group flow and sharing responsibilities helped us stay cohesive while showing our individual strengths. This chapter also reminded me that not all speeches are formal or academic. Many are celebratory, emotional, or spontaneous—yet they still require preparation.

Reflection: A New Perspective on Speaking

This project wasn’t just about memorizing definitions or standing in front of a class—it was about finding my voice and respecting the voices of others. Watching the other groups present helped me notice things I wouldn’t have learned on my own, like how a powerful tone can make a simple message impactful, or how visuals can either support or distract from your message.

I also realized how collaborative public speaking can be. Even though we each had our own part, we depended on one another to stay on time, transition smoothly, and support each other’s ideas. That teamwork built my confidence and reminded me that communication is about connection—not perfection. We weren’t just learning public speaking—we were practicing leadership, coordination, and trust.

Conclusion: A Journey I’m Proud Of

Looking back, I’m proud of how far we all came. Some of us started nervous, unsure of how to even structure a speech. By the end, we were analyzing fallacies, speaking on camera, and engaging with the audience like pros. Public speaking is more than just a class—it’s a skill that will serve me throughout life, in interviews, presentations, and moments when I need to advocate for myself or others.

If I had to sum up what I learned, it would be this: great speaking isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being prepared, being present, and being genuine. And perhaps the most valuable thing I gained was the courage to speak up—whether it's in front of a classroom, a future workplace, or any room that needs a voice.

Ruth Rebarter Martinez