Sam's Ramblings

Marilyn Monroe Mistakes?

2006-02-26T19:07:00.000-08:00

As for the speech I will be giving on Wednesday, I am fearful of the following:
1. That my visual aid will malfunction and I will have to use the back-up--which is not nearly as cool. Also, I'm afraid I'll have trouble fiddling around with the technology available.
2. That I will lose my place in the middle of my speech and have to awkwardly pause in order to locate where I am in the chronology of her life.

It also just occurred to me that I'm not exactly sure how long this speech is supposed to be. I'm going to go check that out. I'm really not afraid of not knowing enough on this topic. It should be fine.

Narrative: Rhetorical Review

2006-02-14T17:29:00.000-08:00

So, I gave my speech yesterday. It wasn't so bad. Not that I expected it to be awful, but it could have gone much worse than it did. I was really cold, so I believe I may have appeared nervous because I was shaking. This was not the case, but instead just good, old-fashioned chills. In addition, let this be a reminder that I should get more sleep before the next time I give a speech. I was still all groggy and whatnot.

I felt myself say, "Um," twice, but I think I kept a pretty steady pace and tone throughout the entire thing. I don't know. It's always difficult to tell how other people have perceived you. In theater, I never have any clue how I did until I see a tape of the performance or get a specific comment from an audience member. Also, I think it is because of theater that I am so comfortable talking in front of everyone.

I should rehearse more next time. Some of the transitions felt a little rough, but I guess it wasn't SO bad for a first speech.

Rhetorical Rubs

2006-02-12T12:54:00.000-08:00

So...this narrative speech business is due tomorrow, and I am, in fact, having some rhetorical difficulties. But, really, it's only with the insertion of dialogue. I want to remain accurate to the situation, and I have vivid memories of it, so that shouldn't be too difficult, but then I need to sound somewhat like the characters in my story did when I deliver my oration in class. However, I am unsure how to do this without being offensive or inaccurate in my portrayal of the character.

I suppose I'll just keep in mind that this is my story and my account, so I can't really be wrong. I don't seem to be having any other major problems. It's just the insertion of dialogue. But, I'll figure it out in no time.

"All I can say is that my life is pretty plain..."

2006-01-23T09:13:00.000-08:00

Hi! I have just created this nifty blog and I am now supposed to explain what I would like to obtain from this class. So, here goes.

As of now, I have never taken a public speaking class. That is to say, I've participated in the act of public speaking, but I've never actually taken a class directing me how to do so. Therefore, I figure I have a whole lot of work to do. I would like to learn from other people. I would like to improve myself by observing others in their quests to improve. I would like to learn stories about everyone. Being at college for the past several months, I've heard tons of stories, and I've told tons of stories. I haven't grown tired of this sort of exchange. It only makes me want to learn more and more stories. That is what I wish to gain from this class: a better understanding of humanity and of myself. Maybe that's a lot to ask of one class, but I believe it could happen.

Enjoy my ramblings, if you can. I have no idea how interesting they will be, but I'll sure try to amuse and entertain.

It's all happening!