Purpose:
Write and deliver a speech about who you are in the context of reflecting on your communication skills. Show me that you can apply key terms and thoughtfully connect what you’ve learned about interpersonal/intrapersonal/group communication. Your submission should demonstrate how you are able to explain the results of our diagnostic course tools, and identify and apply course content to diagnose (and possibly) improve your communication skill(s). Please note–You are not generally talking about who you are.
Task:
Students will write a full-sentence transcript using the outline template provided (address all 4 sections below). *Transcript means that you will be reading this speech.
Deliver your speech in at least 4 minutes but aim for no more than 5 minutes in length. *If it must be longer that’s okay.
Section 1- Intrapersonal Communication-
An assessment of your background. Self-awareness. Self-talk. Who are you? What were the results of the diagnostic tools? Be sure to provide specific examples and apply key terms. Mindfulness. Emotional Intelligence. Describe distinct elements of your culture. What are your values?
Describe your identity. What is your socially constructed self? What shapes your lens and how you perceive others and the world around you.
Explain automatic vs conscious processing in your daily life. Are you closed-minded or open-minded? Describe your self-esteem, self-concept.
Describe internal communication patterns. Explain any communication apprehension (be specific). Identify/Describe anything else from course learning material that helps you understand yourself. Tip- use this section to objectively describe yourself as a communicator using the language of the course.
All of these answers should explain who “shows up” when communicating. This provides context for how you interact and why you behave/communicate a certain way.
Main Point 1- As I engage in effective intrapersonal communication, I develop a deeper understanding of my thoughts, emotions, values, and beliefs, and this self-awareness and self-understanding is a contributor to my communication competence.
Verbal and Nonverbal. Describe your interpersonal skills. Describe how you are an effective conversationalist. What is your listening style? What is your default approach to conflict? Describe how you are able to communicate assertively. Give example.
Describe how you are capable of describing your feelings. Give example. Describe how you are able to freely give and receive feedback. In what ways do you skillfully maintain relationships? What do you notice about your relational dialectics and how you manage these tensions? Explain how you skillfully communicate in groups and contribute to the overall health of the group?
Identify/Describe anything else from the course learning material including results from diagnostic tools that helps you understand how you communicate with others to build/maintain/sustain meaningful relationships. Tip- use this section to objectively identify/describe situations with others based on how you communicate. You can also make connections to things you said in section 1 that may be contributing to examples you list in section 2.
Main point 2- My interpersonal communication plays a vital role in forming and maintaining relationships, resolving conflicts, and fostering understanding and connection with others.
Sub-points- Explain and answer all questions in section II
Section 3- Area of Focus
Identify an area of focus where you could improve or grow to improve your communication competence or expand your knowledge (Pick from section 1 or 2). Refer to the puzzle person graphic or course learning material. Apply/discuss strategies needed to realize that improvement OR simply explain why that area/topic makes you curious. Is there anything interesting about your results from any of the diagnostic tools we used? Examples of situations where you think you could improve. What bad habits do you need to change to strengthen my communication skills? What good habits do you need to utilize more? What topic or area fascinates you? Possible “areas” or “topics” could be (pick one): Assertive Communication, Chronemics, Using the Johari Window, Listening Styles, Disclosure, Approaches to Conflict, Conscious Processing, Managing dialectical tensions, Self-Esteem, Perception, Bias and Stereotypes.
Main point 3 (pick one)- The area of is a
Explain the diagnosis and what you prescribe for improvement or what you will model
Section 4- Tell me more. What do the experts say?
This requires some “research” using the Sierra College Library database. Conduct an academic literature search using the topic/area of focus you picked in section three. Then, prepare a brief summary of one article you found to support your learning beyond our class. Explain how this new information will help you or is interesting to you. *Do not use Google to search for information unless you use Google Scholar. You need peer-reviewed sources or sources vetted by experienced editors.
Main point 4- According to the literature, there’s a connection between and effective communication or communication competence. OR, According to the literature, competent communicators(do this)…OR, The literature provides insight into as an interesting or intellectually stimulating topic.
Sub points briefly explain what the articles say and how these relate to your improvement plan or modeling planWho Am I? Sample template
All speeches follow an ABC order (Intro, body and conclusion). Good speechwriters connect each section with transition statements.
Introduction:
Most formal speeches would include the following elements in the introduction: attention getter, listener relevance link, credibility statement, thesis, and preview. This is not a formal speech so we can skip these. At a minimum, we still need to set the proper tone and set up what the speech is about.
