Friday, May 07, 2004
When constructing a deliberative speech, the first thing you must do is choose your main topic. My group chose racial profiling. There are three main components to creating a speech: content, from and delivery. Aristotle created three elements to a speech and the first is logos. Logos deals with word, reason, and thought and this involves the speech’s content. You must do as much research on your topic as possible to find what you need to include in your speech. Stories can really help to get your point across. For example, our group found a story about an unarmed man who was shot to death by police when they stopped to question him. We wanted to show that racial profiling did exist and is a major problem; using stories like this helped. Depressing stories draw sympathy from the audience for the victims. Sympathy and pulling at the audience’s emotions involve Aristotle’s element of pathos. Pathos can be extremely important when trying to persuade your audience into seeing your point of view.
Next, you must decide the form or arrangement of the speech’s content. This involves the actual writing of the speech. At first consider Aristotle’s last element, ethos. Ethos deals with the audience. You must find out who your audience is, this way you can be sure not to offend anyone with you word choice. A speaker can address their topic in a way that the audience can relate to and be able to accept. Our group had a predominantly white, conservative audience, so we had to be careful about some of the things we said. As Allison wrote, “the speech should be tailored to fit the values and beliefs of the audience so that they do not reject the proposed ideas.” Create a spectrum using Social Judgement Theory outlining different points that can be made about your topic. The far right would be the most liberal side while the left would be the more radical standpoint. In the middle would be more of a neutral standpoint. Place all positions that people could take along this line. Next, consider your audience and find which position they would most likely take or at least be willing to accept. It is here that you will focus your speech. My group knew that our conservative audience would not be willing to ban racial profiling altogether so we took a position allowing profiling in terrorist situations. You don’t want to try and push your audience too far or else they could reject your ideas altogether.
When working on writing the actual speech you can use rhetorical figures from Silvia Rhetoricae. These figures provide different ways of setting up your sentences. One good figure is abode (returning to your strongest argument). Sometimes a person can restate their main point to make sure that the audience does not forget what the speaker is trying to say. Repetition helps to embed the idea into listeners’ heads. My group also chose to use the figure descriptio, which tells the audience example of what could happen if they don’t support our piece of legislation. There are many other figures that can help strengthen a speech. Also, remember not to be too formal or wordy because you want your audience to actually listen and understand. Simplicity is easier to understand. And being more home style helps to relax the audience and allows them to warm up to you. People are persuaded by the personae of the speaker.
Finally comes the delivery. You must familiarize yourself with the speech so that you can make some eye contact. Be careful not to sound too robotic by simply reading straight from the paper. Pick out important words that need emphasis. Certain words help to get your point across better and you want the audience to really hear these words. Now, to avoid sounding too monotone, use pitch variation. Look over the speech and decide where to place inflections (pitch changes). McGuffy’s Reader books can assist you in learning different ways to manipulate your voice through inflection, emphasis, movement, duration, etc. For example, in our speech we added a couple questions, so to make them sound like questions, we added a higher pitch tone at the end of the sentences. Scott mentions that, “a good speaker can realize that pitch variation can transform a dull speech into an emotional and believable performance.” You want to grab your audience’s attention and make them believe and feel what you are saying. One last important thing to remember is speak slowly. You don’t want your audience scrambling to understand what it is that you are saying and leaving with their heads spinning. By speaking slowly, you can get every word out clearly so listeners can understand everything.
The most important thing that I learned in creating an effective, deliberative speech, is that knowing your audience can really help. This way, you know how to talk to them and to get them to see from your point of view.
Next, you must decide the form or arrangement of the speech’s content. This involves the actual writing of the speech. At first consider Aristotle’s last element, ethos. Ethos deals with the audience. You must find out who your audience is, this way you can be sure not to offend anyone with you word choice. A speaker can address their topic in a way that the audience can relate to and be able to accept. Our group had a predominantly white, conservative audience, so we had to be careful about some of the things we said. As Allison wrote, “the speech should be tailored to fit the values and beliefs of the audience so that they do not reject the proposed ideas.” Create a spectrum using Social Judgement Theory outlining different points that can be made about your topic. The far right would be the most liberal side while the left would be the more radical standpoint. In the middle would be more of a neutral standpoint. Place all positions that people could take along this line. Next, consider your audience and find which position they would most likely take or at least be willing to accept. It is here that you will focus your speech. My group knew that our conservative audience would not be willing to ban racial profiling altogether so we took a position allowing profiling in terrorist situations. You don’t want to try and push your audience too far or else they could reject your ideas altogether.
When working on writing the actual speech you can use rhetorical figures from Silvia Rhetoricae. These figures provide different ways of setting up your sentences. One good figure is abode (returning to your strongest argument). Sometimes a person can restate their main point to make sure that the audience does not forget what the speaker is trying to say. Repetition helps to embed the idea into listeners’ heads. My group also chose to use the figure descriptio, which tells the audience example of what could happen if they don’t support our piece of legislation. There are many other figures that can help strengthen a speech. Also, remember not to be too formal or wordy because you want your audience to actually listen and understand. Simplicity is easier to understand. And being more home style helps to relax the audience and allows them to warm up to you. People are persuaded by the personae of the speaker.
Finally comes the delivery. You must familiarize yourself with the speech so that you can make some eye contact. Be careful not to sound too robotic by simply reading straight from the paper. Pick out important words that need emphasis. Certain words help to get your point across better and you want the audience to really hear these words. Now, to avoid sounding too monotone, use pitch variation. Look over the speech and decide where to place inflections (pitch changes). McGuffy’s Reader books can assist you in learning different ways to manipulate your voice through inflection, emphasis, movement, duration, etc. For example, in our speech we added a couple questions, so to make them sound like questions, we added a higher pitch tone at the end of the sentences. Scott mentions that, “a good speaker can realize that pitch variation can transform a dull speech into an emotional and believable performance.” You want to grab your audience’s attention and make them believe and feel what you are saying. One last important thing to remember is speak slowly. You don’t want your audience scrambling to understand what it is that you are saying and leaving with their heads spinning. By speaking slowly, you can get every word out clearly so listeners can understand everything.
The most important thing that I learned in creating an effective, deliberative speech, is that knowing your audience can really help. This way, you know how to talk to them and to get them to see from your point of view.
Thursday, April 29, 2004
What the fuck is up with this thong law? I have to agree with Adam, the senator is a moron. Who cares what people wear? Does this mean that plumbers should be punished for showing their ass cracks? Maybe the senator is a fucking queer if he doesn't enjoy seeing women's thongs. Hopefully Britney Spears never visits Louisiana. Oh well, some people just spend their time thinking up stupid things. Well I need to get off the computer b/c my roommate is tired and wants me out of his room.
Tuesday, April 27, 2004
I gotta agree with Sam, computers suck ass! Most of the time I go to e-mail and the damn computer wouldn't let me compose a message. I had to keep using my friend's e-mail to send messages. Also the damn blogger wouldn't let me add a hyperlink. I kept having to look up the code to create a link myself. And what the hell is up with the internet on campus. It so slow. I kept getting impatient and giving up on waiting. Who said technology was so great?! I prefer phones or a pen and paper. Less hassle. But, lately cell phones are becoming quite annoying as well.
Friday, April 23, 2004
I gotta say, Ivan's story from class was rather interesting. Public places are not the place for sex. At least not when someone can walk in on you. I was completely wierded out when I heard my roomates fucking in their bedroom. They kept knocking the bed against the wall. I had to turn the volume way up on the tv.
In may my boyfriend, his best friend and his girlfriend, my boyfriend's sister, and my sister are all going to Cedar Point for the weekend. We are going to stay in a 3 bedroom cabin. My sister is only 15 and she was complaining that the two couples would be going at it with her in the other room. She told me that we better keep it down with her there. So, I guess if you are going to have sex with people nearby, it's best to try and keep it down or at least it's more respectful.
In may my boyfriend, his best friend and his girlfriend, my boyfriend's sister, and my sister are all going to Cedar Point for the weekend. We are going to stay in a 3 bedroom cabin. My sister is only 15 and she was complaining that the two couples would be going at it with her in the other room. She told me that we better keep it down with her there. So, I guess if you are going to have sex with people nearby, it's best to try and keep it down or at least it's more respectful.
It's been a while since I last blogged. I wish I could keep up with blogging a little better. My group finally finished fixing our speech (I think) and I finished writing this presentation with my partner in Urban Econ. I'm trying to finish up all my projects. I just want this semester to end.
Anyway... This loan officer that I know is going to help me find a summer internship. He's been calling around to different title companies for me. All I know is that I need a job soon. I feel like it's too last minute because 2 more weeks and classes are over.
Sunday the Franklin Park Conservatory is having a butterfly exhibit and a glass blowing exhibit. It sounds pretty interesting. I'm going with my boyfriend and a few other friends.
I'm so pissed! I had to miss the OC Wednesday because I had to work til 10. Now there is only 2 episodes left. I actually got into watching the show so I hate missing it. Hopefully I'll get filled in next week.
Sooo... I was watching the news Wednesday night and I saw that Michael Jackson was indicted. It took long enough. He disguists me. I didn't catch what charges they ended up indicting him on. The news said that they would find out later but I haven't watched since then. Oh well. At least I know the bastard got in at least some trouble for it.
I better get going, I have to talk to a professor. Sorry for all the random comments. I had many topics on my mind.
Anyway... This loan officer that I know is going to help me find a summer internship. He's been calling around to different title companies for me. All I know is that I need a job soon. I feel like it's too last minute because 2 more weeks and classes are over.
Sunday the Franklin Park Conservatory is having a butterfly exhibit and a glass blowing exhibit. It sounds pretty interesting. I'm going with my boyfriend and a few other friends.
I'm so pissed! I had to miss the OC Wednesday because I had to work til 10. Now there is only 2 episodes left. I actually got into watching the show so I hate missing it. Hopefully I'll get filled in next week.
Sooo... I was watching the news Wednesday night and I saw that Michael Jackson was indicted. It took long enough. He disguists me. I didn't catch what charges they ended up indicting him on. The news said that they would find out later but I haven't watched since then. Oh well. At least I know the bastard got in at least some trouble for it.
I better get going, I have to talk to a professor. Sorry for all the random comments. I had many topics on my mind.
Friday, April 16, 2004
This summer is going to suck. I still can't get someone to hire me for a damn internship. I have been rejected by everyone but Morgan Stanley and National City. I had an interview with Morgan Stanley and the woman asked me about my current job and my major then we talked about Pataskala and her clients. I was a little confused because it didn't seem like an actual interview. It kinda worried me that she didn't ask me many questions at all. So I probably won't be getting that internship. I'm going to go and talk to my best friend's boss to see if he would be willing to take on an intern. He runs Complete Financial Solutions, a loan office. The work seems interesting, hopefully he'll like me enough to hire me.
On another note, how do you find enough clothes to match bright red shoes? I'm definitely not a fan of colorful shoes, they only go with one or two items of clothing. I saw a pair of sneakers that were neon green and hot pink. What in the hell would you get to wear with them? Colors are ok in certain items but not so much in shoes. My closet is a little on the boring side when it comes to shoes: white, tan, black, brown, burgundy. Not much variety. I'm not a big shoe shopper. I do like shoes, I just don't spend the money on them. Now I better get back to my GPA project for econ. Fun.
On another note, how do you find enough clothes to match bright red shoes? I'm definitely not a fan of colorful shoes, they only go with one or two items of clothing. I saw a pair of sneakers that were neon green and hot pink. What in the hell would you get to wear with them? Colors are ok in certain items but not so much in shoes. My closet is a little on the boring side when it comes to shoes: white, tan, black, brown, burgundy. Not much variety. I'm not a big shoe shopper. I do like shoes, I just don't spend the money on them. Now I better get back to my GPA project for econ. Fun.
Wednesday, April 14, 2004
I saw Fatima's post about Denison food. I've only eaten in Huffman or Curtis maybe 3 times since I've been at Denison. It is ridiculous, how can anyone eat enough at once to cover the price for the meal. I felt as though I needed to overstuff myself just to get my money's worth. That's the luxury of living off campus, you don't have to eat Denison's meals.
Anyway...
Why is it that professors all try to cram everything in at the same time? I have 4 projects to finish by next week on top of a couple smaller assignments. I also tend to procrastinate so I need get to work. I have an interview later today with Morgan Stanley. As soon as I leave class today I need to rush to Dublin. Hopefully traffic isn't too bad so I can make it on time. I'm gonna try to do better on my blogging from now on. It's just that when I have time to get to a computer, I'm doing research for my urban project or I'm going over econ data. I can't wait til this semester is over.
Anyway...
Why is it that professors all try to cram everything in at the same time? I have 4 projects to finish by next week on top of a couple smaller assignments. I also tend to procrastinate so I need get to work. I have an interview later today with Morgan Stanley. As soon as I leave class today I need to rush to Dublin. Hopefully traffic isn't too bad so I can make it on time. I'm gonna try to do better on my blogging from now on. It's just that when I have time to get to a computer, I'm doing research for my urban project or I'm going over econ data. I can't wait til this semester is over.
Saturday, April 10, 2004
Somebody appears a bit disturbed. But usually the most demented are the most amusing. I searched thru all the blogs and the only post that caught my attention was Scott's. I needed an escape from snoozefest. Thanks. Well I gotta get going, nothing much going on at the moment. I just gotta get to tidying up my room a bit.
