Traci brings up some very valid points regarding public speaking, and how age can affect your confidence. I agree with what she said, but I think I would take it even a little farther, equating experience with comfort as well. If we present to groups often enough, the butterflies tend to shrink over time.
Another thing that can trump our fears and doubts is passion - if you feel strongly enough about an issue or subject, you can focus on your message, submerging your fear beneath the passion. I have on numerous occasions approached total strangers to support a local charitable event. I feel so strongly about the event, I am willing to do the uncomfortable to accomplish our goals. Politicians and activists are good examples where passion fuels the fire and strips away the caution.
One last method I have witnessed is pretending to be someone else. If, for example, you tried to present a speech as Lincoln would, you can focus on the delivery and mannerisms along with the message, giving yourself less time to worry and entertain doubts.
No matter what method or device you use, there are always times you will be nervous presenting to a group. If you are able to recognize and analyze your fear and its source, you can embrace it and use it to hone your presentation until you have nothing left to fear. I know, easier said than done. But what a feeling when you've done it for the first time!!
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Friday, November 28, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
What have I learned?
I must admit, I entered this class last August with mixed emotions. I was confidant in my ability to communicate in various formats, but had no clue what the focus would be, how class would be conducted, grading methodologies, or the form versus content emphasis.
I learned early in the term that my normal writing "voice" was not correct for office communications. I needed to focus more on who would read it than how it sounded to me, and edit out my attempts at humor. This is not the first time I have learned these lessons, I have received extensive training writing audit reports for executive management and audit committees. Unfortunately, recent experience has been much less formal, with almost all writing consisting of e-mails in a technical department. I adapted my communications to the style and format I received, which tended to be highly informal, with many typographical and grammatical errors. I am glad I was forced to re-learn proper office communication etiquette and formats, it provides a good basis for effective communication, and will always be appropriate in an office environment.
I was also amazed with the number of writing genres covered, some of which were totally foreign to me. While I grew up with TV and Radio, I was unfamiliar with their processes and formats. The requirement to get the point across quickly and efficiently while retaining the audience's attention was a revelation. Same with some of the advertising discussions. Breaking down the advertising formats was very interesting and enlightening. I imagine having success breaking through the "clutter" is a significant milestone for a copywriter.
All-in-all, I have enjoyed this class and learned (and re-learned) many valuable lessons that will stand me in good stead for years to come.
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I learned early in the term that my normal writing "voice" was not correct for office communications. I needed to focus more on who would read it than how it sounded to me, and edit out my attempts at humor. This is not the first time I have learned these lessons, I have received extensive training writing audit reports for executive management and audit committees. Unfortunately, recent experience has been much less formal, with almost all writing consisting of e-mails in a technical department. I adapted my communications to the style and format I received, which tended to be highly informal, with many typographical and grammatical errors. I am glad I was forced to re-learn proper office communication etiquette and formats, it provides a good basis for effective communication, and will always be appropriate in an office environment.
I was also amazed with the number of writing genres covered, some of which were totally foreign to me. While I grew up with TV and Radio, I was unfamiliar with their processes and formats. The requirement to get the point across quickly and efficiently while retaining the audience's attention was a revelation. Same with some of the advertising discussions. Breaking down the advertising formats was very interesting and enlightening. I imagine having success breaking through the "clutter" is a significant milestone for a copywriter.
All-in-all, I have enjoyed this class and learned (and re-learned) many valuable lessons that will stand me in good stead for years to come.
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Thursday, November 13, 2008
Response to Rhiannon's post on Chapters 9 & 10
Rhiannan discussed the recurring theme in the chapter readings, even to the point of listing the main parts of the effective reader-centered communication. It was like deja-vu all over again (thanks, Yogi!) I too had noticed similar tendencies, and even went so far as to state in a former blog post that advertising seemed to me the perfected art of reader-centered communications. Still not a big fan of advertising, but you gotta admire the art form!
Chapter Readings (17 and 18)
Somehow, I suspect the timing for chapter 17 was calculated to coincide with our group presentations. After all, what are the odds of reading about oral presentations the week we are scheduled to make oral presentations?
The concepts and guidelines presented in the chapter didn't go so far as to suggest "imagining the audience in their underwear", but did present logical and well-conceived ideas and arguments for various aspects of oral presentations, right down to a tutorial on PowerPoint.
Chapter 18 went right to the heart of technical communications, designing user-friendly web pages. Having recently completed a WSU course in beginning web design, I can corroborate many of the guidelines discussed in the chapter. When I designed my own web site, I went to particular lengths to design a good test questionaire, and carefully chose my opinion audience. I found out the hard way that compiling responses and interpreting results is a science unto itself!
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Response to Joey Barza's post on The "Persuaders"
Joey makes some cogent points in his post, but after reading the assigned chapters, I am inclined to expand the "persuasive" influence bubble to all our creative writing efforts. Just as in advertising, we must first get their attention (cutting through the clutter, opening statement, etc.). Then we have to support our argument clearly and concisely, and finally, have an effective "tag line" (closing statement). Additionally, the format must be carefully constructed to attract the correct demographic (reader-centered).
All in all, it appears that advertising may encapsulate all of the elements of effective communications. Taken to the extreme, this theory would suggest that if we could run a successful ad campaign, we could write anything!
Can we get a Boo-ya for Madison Avenue?!?
Chapter Readings (2, 9 & 10)
My first impression of these chapters was that of someone that could not make up their mind. First it tells us to write a resume one way, unless this or that, then write it another way. Same with beginning or closing statements. Chapter 10 even goes so far as to state omitting closing statements is entirely correct at times, after first stating how important they can be. It all reminded me of the famous movie line "If this is Tuesday, it must be Belgium" After giving it time to sink in, and reflecting on the book's paramount axiom, I realized it all hearkens back to one of the first lessons of the term - know your audience, and craft your writing accordingly. In that light, it all makes sense, regardless of how it appears when taken out of context.
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