Imagine you’re standing in front of twenty of your peers. The room has fallen silent as they wait for you, the speaker, to continue. Your hands are sweaty and you realize you lost your place in your notecard. The only thought going through your head is “Why am I doing this?”
COMM-105, also referred to as the Fundamentals of Communication, is a class many students dread. With the awkward speeches and sometimes difficult homework it can often cause stress and anxiety for those students who are in the class. It is a required general education, so there is no way to get around it. However, many students will gloss over the importance of such a class.
Here, I took interviews of students from the COMM-105 class, who both agreed that there was an importance in learning how to speak publicly. Sometimes, however, some students like Reed Schroeder feel their skills are adequate enough that they don’t improve much through the class. Gavin would suggest that speech skills are very valuable outside the class, even if you are not really improving by much.
Interviewee: Reed Schroeder
Computer Science Major, Took COMM-105 last spring
Interviewee: Gavin Secviar
Music Education Major, Currently taking COMM-105
The blog post “Why is Public Speaking Important? Because it’s Useful” by University of the People explains three examples of public speaking that are very important and many who took the class will remember:
Comm-105 teaches students about the basics of how to give a speech. They learn about informative, persuasive, and entertaining types of speeches. No matter what they might think these are critical things to become well-versed in to succeed. Because, put simply, public speaking is an important facet of real life.
- Informative Speaking:
- Involves speaking in order to inform others, or get information out. This can be academic or professional knowledge, but can also be to report your progress on a project, or tell someone how to use something.
- Persuasive Speaking:
- This can be in a debate or formal speech, but can also be minor persuasions such as going to a place you choose for lunch.
- Entertainment Speaking:
- Public speaking for entertainment is used for award ceremonies, wedding speeches, comedy sketches, poetry reading, and much more. The purpose of this type of public speaking is to entertain the audience, instead of merely informing.
Why is public speaking important? The reason is that everyone encounters a situation where public speaking skills are necessary. It could be at work, school, or in your personal life.
“Why is Public Speaking Important? Because it’s Useful.” University of the People, February 9, 2020
My Personal Experience
I had some rough times in this class for a few reasons. The strict rubric and timing of speeches gave extra stress on top of the already stressful situation of public speaking. Every single speech I gave I was shaking and doing my best not to stutter. The idea I could possibly memorize these speeches in such a short time when I had a filled schedule was ridiculous to me. I needed notecards, like many others would say I believe. However, I still managed to enjoy the class at times, because I was able to talk about things that I cared about which helped give me enthusiasm. That I think is the strongest part of this class.
When I was allowed and encouraged to talk about a subject I felt knowledgeable and interested in it gave me some bit of confidence. And, it also let me have fun. So, students who are looking at COMM-105 with hesitation and doubt can at least expect something good to come their way.
How you Should Approach Public Speaking
According to New York Times’ “How to Speak in Public” there are some basic guidelines everyone should follow in order to make their public speaking more engaging using visual aids. For students who have taken the class, some of these seem obvious now, but someone outside the class might not immediately assume what they need to know.
The article suggests “Make sure your font size is big enough— stick with a consistent font style— use photographs instead of pixel art— and don’t read directly from the slides!”
The last one is perhaps what some students might remember the most. The professors of COMM-105 are hoping to teach us how to look professional and deliver a speech extemporaneously, not just read something with our head down in a monotone voice.
Speaking of professors, here is part of an interview with a professor of one of the COMM-105 sections, answering what is so important about the class:
Interviewee Dr. McLaughlin
Professor of COMM-105
As a professor, you have to help each student figure out what the core of their fear is and how to help them overcome that.
Dr. Heather mclaughlin
Dr. McLaughlin affirms that the very purpose of the course is to build up the skills of communication, hence the name, for the future of students.
Summary of What We’ve Learned
Public speaking is not just a possible experience, it is a necessary and constant trial that everyone has to face in their day-to-day lives. Learning how to persuade, entertain, and inform people while staying confident and purposeful creates a good impression of yourself.
For more information on another Communication class, click here
