self evaluation essay for public speaking

How To Use Feedback And Self-Evaluation To Improve Your Public Speaking Skills

Feedback and self-evaluation are essential tools for improving your public speaking skills. Feedback involves receiving constructive criticism, praise, and comments from others regarding your presentation or speech. Meanwhile, self-evaluation is the process of reflecting on your own performance as a speaker. 

By taking the following steps, you can effectively use feedback and self-evaluation to enhance your public speaking abilities:

Identify strengths and weaknesses

Be open-minded, ask for specifics, use the feedback, use a variety of techniques, focus on your goals, be prepared, reflect on your progress, 1. record yourself speaking .

Recording yourself speaking is one of the most effective ways to evaluate your public speaking skills. Simply use your smartphone or any other recording device to capture your speech. Once you have the recording, take some time to listen to it and evaluate your performance. 

Here’s some tips to help in your self-evaluation:

Write down your strengths and weaknesses based on your recording, specifically in your delivery, body languages, and content.

Setting achievable goals is a key aspect of improving your public speaking skills. Identify specific areas for improvement, such as pacing, tone, and breathing, and set goals that you can realistically achieve. As you make progress, celebrate your accomplishments and adjust your goals accordingly. This approach will help you stay motivated and focused on continuous improvement.

2. Ask for feedback and analyze

Asking for feedback from someone is a valuable way to evaluate your public speaking skills. This person could be a friend, colleague, mentor or anyone who can provide constructive criticism on your speech . When you ask for feedback, request that they evaluate your delivery style, content, and engagement with your audience.

After you receive feedback, take time to analyze it and use it to improve your public speaking skills. Focus on the areas that need improvement and consider specific actions you can take to make changes.

Here are a few tips for receiving feedback:

Listen to the feedback with an open mind and be willing to consider different perspectives.

Ask for specific examples and suggestions for improvement to help you understand the feedback more clearly.

Use the feedback to make targeted improvements to your public speaking skills and continue to seek feedback regularly to continuously improve.

3. Practice 

Practice is essential for improving your public speaking skills, and with regular practice, you can eventually perfect them. To make the most of feedback and self-evaluation, use them to refine your practice sessions. 

Here are some tips for practicing your public speaking skills:

Practice in front of a mirror, record yourself, or practice with friends to get different perspectives on your performance.

Keep your goals in mind as you practice. Are you working on pacing, projection, or eye contact? Stay focused on the areas you want to improve.

Practice your speech or presentation several times before delivering it in front of an audience. This will help you feel more comfortable and confident in your delivery.

Conduct self-evaluation after each practice session to identify areas of improvement and track your progress over time.

By practicing regularly and using feedback and self-evaluation to guide your progress, you can become a more effective and confident public speaker. Remember to be patient with yourself, have fun, and celebrate your successes along the way.

Improvements in public speaking can be achieved through the consistent application of feedback and self-evaluation. By using these guides to refine your practice, you can develop the skills and confidence necessary to become an effective public speaker. With patience, persistence, and dedication, you can become a great public speaker and share your message with clarity and impact that will make a difference.

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34 Reflection and Self-Evaluation

Learning Objectives

• Perform a self-evaluation of speech performance to determine speaking strengths and areas of improvement.

As adults, one of our biggest methods of learning is through experiences and mistakes. While just getting through the speech may feel like a huge win, we should not stop there if we wish to improve our speaking habits. We need to analyze what went well or as planned, what didn’t, and what we can do differently so that the next time we speak in public we are even better than before.

Self-reflection enables you to understand what you did well and what you can improve. Self-reflection is something that we may do at a subconscious level. We may walk away from a speech thinking, “I rocked that!” or “That was terrible!” While neither of these extremes is likely true, we generally walk away with a sense of the experience and if it went well or not. However, purposeful self-reflection offers us the opportunity to analyze specific elements of our performance to provide us with more accurate information about our strengths and opportunities for improvement.

One method of self-evaluation is using a SWOT analysis to examine strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Although this is typically used in a business setting, it can also be used to understand our personal strengths and opportunities for improvement. Specifically, it can help us to see how we approach our public speaking and helps us to see how we can improve our speech-making process to enhance our speaking skills.

Article Reference

Watch the following video for a method of evaluating your nonverbal behaviors during your speech.

Key Takeaways

• Engaging in self-reflection is a powerful tool for learning and growth.
• A SWOT analysis can help us to determine our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Public Speaking Copyright © by Dr. Layne Goodman; Amber Green, M.A.; and Various is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Public Speaking: Self-evaluation

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The opportunity to deliver my speech on The Adventures of a Military Brat was terrific and gave me a chance to explore my public speaking abilities. My evaluation highlights some of the areas that I did well and those that I need to improve on in my next speech. First I believe that I have an excellent introduction, summary of my adventures and a final creative thought. At the same time, I feel that I managed to explain the fundamental ideas comprehensively throughout the presentation. Lastly, my dressing code was in line with the message delivered hence playing a significant role in capturing the attention of my audience and enhancing their ability to follow the presentation. I also tried to induce some humor during my presentation which worked pretty well.

Despite the significant achievements in my first speech, I experienced some challenges during the activity. From my evaluation, I believe that I had an average ability to capture the attention of the audience using the introductory message. Therefore, I have to improve on the content to catch the attention. Secondly, while presenting, I failed to maintain an eye contact with my audience and kept reading more than speaking. Further, I was not able to use teaching aids effectively. I did not utilize my globe efficiently while presenting my speech. At the same time, I can utilize the other available visual aids like videos and charts. Lastly, I was leaning on the podium during the question and answer session. Instead, I should have moved around and utilized the entire stage. Nevertheless, the experience was great and gave me an opportunity to learn on public speaking.

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5 Exact Examples: How to Write a Strong Self-Evaluation

By Status.net Editorial Team on December 18, 2023 — 15 minutes to read

Self-evaluation, also known as self-assessment, is a process where you critically examine your own actions, behaviors, values, and achievements to determine your strengths, weaknesses and areas for development. This type of evaluation is commonly a part of performance reviews at companies, but you can also practice it independently to positively impact your career and personal growth. Writing an effective self-evaluation requires honesty, introspection, and clear communication.

Getting Started

Reflect on your achievements.

Before diving into a self-evaluation, take some time to reflect on your successes throughout the review period. Jot down a list of milestones, completed projects, and goals you’ve met. This exercise allows you to not only celebrate your accomplishments but also gives you a starting point for the evaluation. For example, “Launched a successful marketing campaign, resulting in an 8% increase in leads.”

Identify Areas for Growth

After reflecting on your achievements, Shift your focus to the areas where you can improve. This requires being honest with yourself about your weaknesses and challenges you’ve faced during the review period. Write down examples where you struggled and think about what could have been done differently. Here’s an example: “I struggled to meet deadlines on two major projects because I underestimated the time needed for completion.”

Gather Feedback

A self-evaluation is an opportunity to hear and incorporate feedback from your colleagues. Ask for constructive feedback from trusted coworkers and jot down their suggestions. Be sure to consider their perspectives when writing your self-evaluation. For example, a coworker might say, “You were a great team player during the project, but your communication could be more timely.”

Review Your Job Description

Finally, review your job description to ensure you have a clear understanding of your role and responsibilities. Use this as a reference point to measure your performance and ensure your evaluation covers all aspects of your job. This will help you to focus on key goals and responsibilities you should address in your self-evaluation. For instance, if your job description states, “Collaborate effectively with the sales team to generate new leads,” think about how you’ve fulfilled this responsibility and include specific examples in your evaluation.

Self-Evaluation Template

Introduction: – Begin by summarizing your role and the primary responsibilities you hold within the organization. – Highlight any overarching goals or objectives that were set for the evaluation period.

Key Accomplishments: – List your significant achievements since the last evaluation, providing specific examples. – Detail how these accomplishments have positively impacted the team or organization. – Use metrics and data where possible to quantify your success.

Strengths and Skills: – Identify the skills and strengths that have contributed to your achievements. – Provide examples of how you have demonstrated these strengths in your work.

Areas for Improvement: – Reflect on any challenges you faced and areas where you see opportunities for personal growth. – Outline your plan for addressing these areas and how you intend to implement changes.

Professional Development: – Discuss any new skills or knowledge you have acquired. – Explain how you have applied or plan to apply this new expertise to your current role.

Goals for the Next Period: – Set clear, achievable goals for the next evaluation period. – Explain how these goals align with the organization’s objectives and your professional development.

Conclusion: – Summarize your contributions and express your commitment to ongoing improvement and excellence. – Offer to discuss any feedback or support you may need from management to achieve your future goals.

[Your Name] Self-Evaluation

Introduction : My role as [Your Job Title] at [Company Name] involves [briefly describe your main responsibilities]. Over the past [timeframe], I have aimed to [state your overarching goals or objectives].

Key Accomplishments: 1. [Accomplishment 1]: [Description and impact]. 2. [Accomplishment 2]: [Description and impact]. 3. [Accomplishment 3]: [Description and impact].

Strengths and Skills: – [Strength/Skill 1]: [Example of how you demonstrated this]. – [Strength/Skill 2]: [Example of how you demonstrated this]. – [Strength/Skill 3]: [Example of how you demonstrated this].

Areas for Improvement: – [Area for Improvement 1]: [Your plan to improve]. – [Area for Improvement 2]: [Your plan to improve].

Professional Development: – [New Skill/Knowledge]: [How you have applied or plan to apply it].

Goals for the Next Period: – [Goal 1]: [How it aligns with organizational/professional objectives]. – [Goal 2]: [How it aligns with organizational/professional objectives].

Conclusion: I am proud of what I have accomplished in [timeframe] and am eager to continue contributing to [Company Name]. I am committed to [specific actions for improvement and goals], and I look forward to any feedback that can help me grow further in my role. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss any additional support needed from management to succeed in my endeavors.

[Optional: Request for meeting or discussion with supervisor]

Example of a Strong Self-Evaluation

Jane Smith Self-Evaluation

Introduction: As a Senior Graphic Designer at Creative Solutions Inc., my role involves conceptualizing and designing visual content that effectively communicates our clients’ branding and marketing objectives. Over the past year, I have aimed to enhance the creativity and efficiency of our design output, ensuring client satisfaction and team growth.

Key Accomplishments: 1. Brand Campaign Launch: Led the design team in creating a comprehensive visual campaign for our key client, Luxe Cosmetics, which resulted in a 40% increase in their social media engagement within two months. 2. Workflow Optimization: Implemented a new design workflow using Agile methodologies that reduced project turnaround time by 25%, allowing us to take on 15% more client work without compromising quality. 3. Design Award: Received the “Innovative Design of the Year” award for my work on the EcoGreen initiative, which raised awareness about sustainable living practices through compelling visual storytelling.

Strengths and Skills: – Creativity and Innovation: Consistently pushed the boundaries of traditional design to create fresh and engaging content, as evidenced by the Luxe Cosmetics campaign. – Team Leadership: Fostered a collaborative team environment that encouraged the sharing of ideas and techniques, leading to a more versatile and skilled design team. – Efficiency: Streamlined design processes by introducing new software and collaboration tools, significantly improving project delivery times.

Areas for Improvement: – Public Speaking: While I am confident in my design skills, I aim to improve my public speaking abilities to more effectively present and pitch our design concepts to clients. – Advanced Animation Techniques: To stay ahead in the industry, I plan to enhance my knowledge of animation software to expand our service offerings.

Professional Development: – Advanced Adobe After Effects Course: Completed a course to refine my animation skills, which I plan to leverage in upcoming projects to add dynamic elements to our designs.

Goals for the Next Period: – Client Retention: Aim to increase client retention by 20% by delivering consistently high-quality designs and improving client communication strategies. – Mentoring: Establish a mentoring program within the design team to nurture the development of junior designers, ensuring a pipeline of talent and leadership for the future.

Conclusion: I am proud of the contributions I have made to Creative Solutions Inc. this year, particularly in enhancing our design quality and team capabilities. I am committed to further developing my public speaking skills and expanding our animation services, and I look forward to any feedback that can help me progress in these areas. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss additional resources or support from management that could facilitate achieving these goals.

Best regards, Jane Smith

Writing Your Self-Evaluation

Follow the company format.

Before you begin writing your self-evaluation, make sure to check with your organization’s guidelines and format. Adhering to the provided template will ensure that you include all relevant information, making it easier for your supervisors to review. You may also find examples and tips within the company resources that can help you present your achievements and goals in a concise and effective manner.

Start with Your Successes

When writing a self-evaluation, it’s essential to highlight your accomplishments and contributions positively. List your achievements and victories, focusing on those that align with the organization’s goals and values. Back up your claims with specific examples and statistics, if available. This not only showcases your hard work but also reinforces your value to the company.

For instance, if you surpassed a sales target, mention the exact percentage you exceeded and describe how you achieved this. Or if you successfully led a team project, outline the steps you took to manage and motivate your colleagues.

Discuss Your Challenges

While it’s important to discuss your successes, acknowledging your challenges and areas of improvement demonstrates self-awareness and commitment to personal growth. Don’t shy away from admitting where you struggled—instead, be honest and identify these obstacles as opportunities for development. Explain what actions you’re taking to improve, like attending workshops, seeking feedback, or collaborating with colleagues.

For example, if you faced difficulties managing your time, discuss the strategies you’ve implemented to stay organized and prioritize tasks more effectively.

Set Goals for Yourself

Setting achievable and realistic goals is a crucial part of any self-evaluation. By outlining your ambitions, you communicate to your supervisors that you’re eager to progress and contribute to the organization’s success. Break down your goals into actionable steps and consider including timelines to make them more concrete and measurable.

If one of your goals is to improve your public speaking skills, you might include steps such as participating in meetings, volunteering for presentations, or attending workshops, with specific deadlines and milestones attached. This level of detail demonstrates your dedication to achieving your goals while providing a clear roadmap for your growth.

Strong Self-Evaluation: Providing Examples

Use specific instances.

When writing a self-evaluation, try to provide clear and specific examples from your work experience. By offering concrete instances, you help paint a more accurate picture of your achievements and progress. For instance, instead of saying, “I improved my communication skills,” you could say, “I successfully trained three new team members and presented our quarterly report to the management team.” Using detailed examples will make it easier for your supervisors to understand your accomplishments and appreciate your efforts.

Quantify Your Accomplishments

Wherever possible, try to quantify your achievements by using numbers, percentages, or any other measurable indicators. This can help make your successes more tangible and easier to understand. For example, you might mention that you increased sales by 20% in your department or that you completed a project two weeks ahead of schedule. Always aim to back up your statements with quantifiable information to support your claims and show your effectiveness in your role.

Highlight Your Progress

It’s important to focus on the progress you’ve made and the growth you’ve experienced in your role. Use the self-evaluation as an opportunity to reflect on your personal and professional development. For example, you could discuss how you learned a new software program that boosted your team’s productivity, or how you overcame struggles with time management by implementing new strategies. Emphasize not just your accomplishments but also the positive changes you’ve made for yourself and your team throughout the evaluation period. This will help demonstrate your dedication to growth and continuous improvement.

1. Project Management Skills: – Strong Self-Evaluation Example: “In my role as a project manager, I successfully led a team of 10 to deliver a complex software development project three weeks ahead of schedule. I attribute this accomplishment to my rigorous approach to project planning, where I meticulously outlined project phases, set realistic milestones, and conducted weekly check-ins with team members to gauge progress and address any roadblocks. My proactive communication strategy prevented delays and ensured that all team members were aligned with the project objectives.”

2. Customer Service Excellence: – Strong Self-Evaluation Example: “I have consistently maintained a customer satisfaction rating above 95% over the past year by employing an empathetic and solution-oriented approach to customer interactions. For instance, when a customer was frustrated with a delayed order, I took the initiative to not only expedite the shipping but also provided a discount on their next purchase. This resulted in a positive review and repeat business, demonstrating my commitment to going above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction.”

3. Innovative Problem Solving: – Strong Self-Evaluation Example: “I identified a recurring bottleneck in our inventory management process that was causing shipment delays. By analyzing the workflow and collaborating with the logistics team, I designed a new inventory tracking system using a Kanban board that increased our efficiency by 30%. This initiative reduced average shipment times from 5 days to 3 days, significantly improving our order fulfillment rates.”

4. Effective Team Leadership: – Strong Self-Evaluation Example: “As the head of the marketing team, I led a campaign that resulted in a 20% increase in brand engagement. I achieved this by fostering a collaborative environment where each team member’s ideas were valued and incorporated. I organized brainstorming sessions that encouraged creative problem-solving and ensured that the team’s goals were aligned with the company’s vision. My leadership directly influenced the campaign’s success and the team’s high morale.”

5. Adaptability and Learning Agility: – Strong Self-Evaluation Example: “When our company transitioned to a new CRM system, I took the initiative to master the software ahead of the formal training. I then shared my knowledge with my colleagues through a series of workshops, which facilitated a smoother transition for the entire department. My ability to quickly adapt to new technology and willingness to assist others in their learning process demonstrates my dedication to continuous improvement and team success.”

Self-Evaluation Dos and Don’ts

Stay honest and constructive.

When writing a self-evaluation, it’s vital to be honest and realistic about your performance. Reflect on the achievements and challenges you’ve faced, and consider areas where you can improve. For example, if you struggled to complete a project on time, mention the obstacles you faced and the lessons you learned. This will show that you’re committed to personal growth and self-improvement.

I successfully completed seven out of eight projects within the given time frame. However, there were difficulties in delivering the last project on time due to a lack of resources. Moving forward, I plan to improve on allocating resources more effectively to ensure timely delivery.

Avoid Undermining Your Efforts

While it’s essential to view your performance objectively, don’t downplay your achievements or accomplishments. Acknowledge your efforts and reflect on your contributions to the team. For instance, if you’ve improved your sales numbers, highlight your success and outline the strategies you implemented to achieve this.

This quarter, my sales numbers increased by 15%, surpassing the target of 10%. I was persistent in following up on leads and implemented new techniques, such as personalized presentations, to connect with potential clients better.

Keep a Positive Outlook

Maintaining a positive attitude when discussing your performance is crucial in a self-evaluation. Focus on the progress you’ve made and show your willingness to learn from mistakes and challenges. Don’t dwell on the negatives; instead, frame them as opportunities for growth and learning, and share your plans for improvement.

While I encountered challenges in team communication earlier in the year, I have since taken steps to improve. I enrolled in a communication skills workshop, and the techniques I learned have helped me collaborate more effectively with my colleagues. I look forward to applying these skills to future projects.

Finalizing Your Self-Evaluation

Edit for clarity and concision.

After you’ve written your self-evaluation, take some time to review and edit it for clarity and concision. This means making sure that your points are expressed clearly, without ambiguity, and that you’ve removed any unnecessary or repetitive information. Here are some tips to help you do this:

• Use short sentences and active voice to make your points clear.
• Break up long paragraphs into smaller ones for easier reading.
• Double-check your spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Make sure that your points are stated in a logical and organized manner.

Request Peer Review

Once you’re satisfied with your self-evaluation, consider asking a trusted colleague or manager to review it. This can provide you with valuable feedback and help ensure that your evaluation is well-rounded, accurate, and unbiased. Keep these points in mind when requesting a peer review:

• Choose someone who knows your work well and has a clear understanding of your job responsibilities.
• Ask them to review your evaluation for clarity, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.
• Be open to constructive feedback, and make any necessary revisions based on their input.

By following these steps for finalizing your self-evaluation, you’ll have a stronger, more polished document that effectively highlights your accomplishments, areas for improvement, and goals for the future. This will provide a solid foundation for discussing your performance with your manager and creating a clear roadmap for professional growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some helpful tips for writing an impactful self-evaluation.

When writing a self-evaluation, always be honest and specific about your accomplishments and goals. Provide examples and use metrics to quantify your achievements whenever possible. Reflect on areas where you can improve and create a plan for personal development. Use positive language, keep it concise and focused, and don’t forget to mention any feedback you’ve received from coworkers, clients, or managers.

Can you give examples of strong points to highlight in a self-evaluation?

Some powerful points you can emphasize in a self-evaluation include successful project management, exceeding targets or goals, implementing new processes that improve efficiency, demonstrating strong teamwork, and receiving positive client or coworker feedback. Tailor your examples to highlight your unique strengths and align with your role and company goals.

How would one describe their personal achievements in a self-assessment for a performance review?

To describe personal achievements effectively in a self-assessment, be results-oriented, and show the impact of your accomplishments. Use specific examples to illustrate your success and demonstrate how these achievements contributed to your team or company goals. If possible, quantify your results through metrics or figures to give a clear picture of your performance.

Could you provide a sample paragraph of a self-evaluation for a senior management position?

“Over the past year, as the Senior Manager of the (…) team, I have successfully launched three major projects that resulted in a 25% increase in revenue. My leadership style has fostered a collaborative environment, with my team consistently achieving all targets on time. I have also implemented training initiatives to develop team members’ skillsets, and our client satisfaction rate has increased by 15%. I plan to focus on further expanding our project portfolio and mentoring junior managers to strengthen the team’s leadership capabilities.”

What could be good sentence starters for framing self-evaluation points?

• During my time in this role, I have accomplished…
• One area I have excelled in is…
• An example of a significant contribution is…
• I demonstrated strong problem-solving skills when I…
• My collaboration with coworkers has led to…
• In terms of improvement, I plan to focus on…
• Over the past year, my growth has been evident in…
• Self Evaluation Examples [Complete Guide]
• 40 Competency Self-Evaluation Comments Examples
• 42 Adaptability Self Evaluation Comments Examples
• 30 Examples of Teamwork Self Evaluation Comments
• 45 Self Evaluation Sample Answers: Strengths and Weaknesses
• 45 Productivity Self Evaluation Comments Examples

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Speech Preparation #9: Prepare Now for Your Next Speech

This article focuses on the sixth step: critiquing your speech so you can learn from your strengths and weaknesses . Thus, a self-critique is really the first step in preparation for your next speech.

• How to Prepare Your Presentation
• Select Your Speech Topic
• Plan Your Speech Outline
• Writing Your First Draft
• Editing Your Speech
• Add Speech Impact with Rhetorical Devices
• Staging, Gestures, and Vocal Variety
• Practicing Your Presentation
• Self-Critique: Preparation for Next Time
• Winning a Toastmasters Speech Contest

Why Critique Your Presentation Skills?

Great speakers realize that presentation skills are not easily mastered in one or two or ten speeches. Speaking skills are improved incrementally one speech at a time.

To realize these incremental improvements, it is essential to periodically review your skills . Some people prefer to do this review once a week or once a month; I recommend that you review your skills after every speech , especially if you are a novice speaker just dipping your toes into the public speaking pool.

Critiquing Your Own Speech

It only takes a few minutes to review a speech , and the best time to do it is the same day that you delivered it. Your delivery is still fresh in your mind, as is your preparation for the speech.

When critiquing your own speech, you can apply many of the same criteria that you would when critiquing someone else’s speech. You will find an extensive list of these criteria in a previous Six Minutes article about speech analysis .

Those criteria are a great start, but you can also ask yourself many other questions too.

• Overall, were you satisfied with your final speech? If not, why not?
• Did you achieve your objective ? Was your core message received by the audience?
• Were you confident during your delivery? Were you more nervous or less nervous than previous speeches?
• What audience feedback did you receive during or after delivery of the speech? What strengths were mentioned? What weaknesses were revealed?
• What did you think of your delivery ?
• Did you have any stumbles ? Were they caused by nervousness, or was there another cause?
• How long did you speak ? Was this shorter or longer than you had planned? If you were under time, this may be an indication that your speaking rate was a bit fast. If you were over time, this may be an indication that you should have cut more material.
• Did you try any new techniques, either in the preparation phase or in your delivery? If so, what did you think? What lessons can you extract?

Depending on the context of the speech , a few other questions include:

• Was your pre-speech audience analysis accurate ? If not, what did you learn about this audience that you could apply to the speech to make it better?
• If you led a Q&A session during the presentation, how did it go? From the types of questions asked, did it seem like your audience “got” the message?
• If you obtained an audio recording , what did you learn from listening to it? Was your voice clear throughout? Did you have any distracting habits? (e.g. um’s, ah’s, trailing off at the end of sentences)
• If you obtained a video recording , what did you learn from watching it? How was your posture and eye contact? Were your gestures varied and timed well? Did you have any distracting habits?

And, one final question:

• If you were going to deliver the same speech to the same audience, what would you do differently ?

Remember that the aim of the self-critique is not to beat yourself up over any slips or mistakes you might have made. Instead, the true aim is to celebrate your successes and look ahead to see how you can improve for your next speech.

Self-Critique Example — Face the Wind

Overall, I’m very happy with my 2007 contest speech Face the Wind . I won the club, area, and division contests, and presented on the “big stage” at the district conference.

Unfortunately, I didn’t achieve the goal I had set for myself — winning the District 21 Speech Contest. I felt that I could have won, but the field of ten contestants was very strong.

Here’s my self-assessment, aided by the fact that I have an excellent video of my performance!

Speech Self-Critique: Strengths

• I did my best. I honestly felt that I delivered the best possible speech that my skills allowed at that given time. As I was walking off the stage, I wanted to give someone a high-five because I knew the delivery was my best.
• Gestures and Staging. I felt my choreography was second to none . I received numerous compliments on this aspect of the speech. This made me quite happy because I had spent a great deal of time working on gestures and staging.
• I got laughter from the audience in most places where I was aiming for it.
• Several audience members suggested that I have the skill set to be a full-time motivational speaker .
• I had lots of fun through the whole process! I received such positive encouragement from so many people. The organizers of the district speech contest treated the contestants like royalty!

Speech Self-Critique: Weaknesses

• In the future , I should videotape my rehearsal sessions to see if I can pick up on this trait.
• In the future , I need to work on writing so I have better punchlines and punch words .
• In the future , I need to keep my voice strong even during “quiet” lines.
• In the future , I need to solicit more feedback specifically about the core message and what might be done to strengthen it. Perhaps I need to devote a little more time to speech writing, and less to delivery techniques.

A question for you, my esteemed readers … How could I have improved the speech?

Next in the Speech Preparation Series

The last article in the Speech Preparation Series examines Toastmasters Speech Contests and the preparation necessary to be successful.

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Great point to critique yourself and I’m constantly amazed at how many people don’t. Actually, I’m not – because in the relief of having finished and not dieing of fright during their presentation they are on such a high they just don’t think.

One way I’ve encouraged myself to do it is to put it on my checklist of things to do – which obviously covers the things before I go on stage but also includes the things to do afterwards: thank X, speak to the sound person, check my kit etc….

Simon: I like the idea of a post-presentation checklist. That may help to form the speech self-critique habit.

Two hopefully helpful critiques: First, while your gestures were overall really excellent–evocative and well delivered–there were a few that I felt were overdone. Gestures which hit the audience over the head a bit too much, as it were. Two that come to mind: when you went down on your knees in the tree story, that felt over-done and somewhat un-natural. And in the Maximus story when you made the baby-cradling gesture, it felt almost hyperbolic–we get that it’s an emotional story, and I don’t feel that the words actually needed a gesture to underscore them. To me, the best gestures have an “organic” feel to them, they seem wholly natural in the context of the words that surround them. But those two gestures struck me as having been added solely to “punch up” your speech, and not because they were natural. Thus they ring false and detract from your overall message and the audience’s perception of it.

Second, on the speech content itself: As you moved from story to story, I had trouble understanding the connection between them. Part of this was because such a large part of the first story was taken up with talking about yardwork, which was only peripheral to your real message. I’d have spent less (or no) time talking about moving your maple tree and more time talking about the threat posed by the neighbor’s tree. So as the speech moved from yardwork to the neighbor’s tree to miscarriage, my concept of the speech’s theme had to keep shifting from “work” to “risk” to “challenge”. That, too, undermined your message. Taking each story within the speech, paring it to the essentials that focus on your real message, and briefly stating the message at the end of each story would have helped enormously. They say that if you want people to remember anything, you have to say it three times. So with two stories, each one concluding with the message, and an overall speech conclusion that really lays out the message for all to see, you’ve got your three times.

Jason: I appreciate your detailed and specific speech critique. It is very helpful, and also a great example of the type of evaluation I discuss in the Speech Analysis Series .

I find your columns quite helpful! So I would pass on a couple of thoughts on your performance in Face The Wind.

I agree with the comments listed and would like to add two more. 1. Lug the tree – wrap your arms around it and walk like it is heavy. 2. Add energy to your voice. Make it more dynamic. Increase the volume range, variation and energy.

Hi, It really was a great speech. Content great. I think it could have been pruned a little to make it snappier.

Body language was perfect.

I have just delivered my ‘ice breaker’ so what do I know?!

What I feel personally is that many speeches lack congruency. What I mean by that is that although they are executed well, they don’t connect with the audience. They are a speech and not a conversation with the audience.

Anthony Robbins is that master at congruent speaking. Even though he is running through set material it is like he is doing it for the first time and its all off the cuff. You can really see his emotional connection with his words.

I think if you had attached emotional congruency with the sadness of the bad weather and also with the lost of the babies, it would have been more powerful.

Check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cpc-t-Uwv1I for the master at work. I have no connection to the guy what so ever but I am working on improving my skills based on his talent.

Hi, Andrew: I am preparing my third speech-get to the point and searched at web and found you web that is absolutely helpful to me-a new member of TM since Sep. this year. I read all the 1-9 of your speech preparation series (have not done the 10 as you mentioned feedback to your FACE the WIND, I decide to write you before reading the 10). I love your face the wind and reviewed it for different learning purposes from step 1 to 9. The first time I viewed it, I expected your two hands and arms would be upper or higher for “the mortgage is tripled” than you said your living space is doubled, same expectation when I reviewed it more times later. Thanks to find your web, I am more confident to prepare for the third one and wished I found you earlier, I would do better for the Ice breaker speech and the second one Organize your speech. Regards, Zhou Hui

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Assignments

Assignment: self-evaluation of demonstration speech.

This is where to post or upload your self evaluation.

Please watch your video and use that to analyze what was great and determine what you need to work on before the next performance.

Analyze the speech for invention, arrangement, style, memory, and delivery.

Further, look for logos, pathos, and ethos.

And write about your overall impression.  Don’t summarize the speech. Don’t outline the speech.  Evaluate the speech.

Evaluations should be a page in length (double-spaced).

You can decide to do the evaluation orally; if so, recordings should be about 1-4 minutes.

• Self-Evaluation of Demonstration Speech. Authored by : Christie Fierro and Brent Adrian. Provided by : Lumen Learning. Located at : http://lumenlearning.com/ . Project : Kaleidoscope Open Course Initiative. License : CC BY: Attribution

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Speech Self-Evaluation Form

from the Speaking Center at Agnes Scott College

It is often useful to think about your speech once you have videotaped yourself or presented the speech in front of an audience. Unfortunately, it is difficult for most of us to know where to start in thinking about how to improve presentations. This form is intended as a starting point. You may find that some of the categories don't apply to your presentation or that some of the concepts are unfamiliar to you. The most important thing is that you take the time to reflect on what went well in your presentation and what you need to improve.

Topic selection

ls the purpose of the presentation clear?

Is this an appropriate topic and handling of the topic for the audience?

Is the presentation appropriate for the assignment? (Meets time limits, covers the appropriate material, etc.)

Audience adaptation

What persona (role) am I portraying in relation to the audience? (peer, expert, etc.)

What tone am I using in the presentation?

Who is my target audience? What am I doing to target them?

Follows correct guidelines

Easy to follow

Followed in speech

Introduction

You should generally do 4 things in any presentation introduction.

Attention getter: do I really pull the audience in?

Introduce topic: do I make the topic clear, give background information?

Establish credibility/goodwill: do I let the audience know why I chose the topic?

Central idea/Preview: do I outline the main parts of the speech in one clear sentence?

Main point statements: do I have a sentence at the beginning of each main point that clearly explains what that section of the presentation will cover?

Have I limited my main points 2-5?

Is my presentation clearly organized and easy to follow? Could someone easily take notes based on the presentation?

Do I cite sources in my presentation (as in an essay)? Are my sources considered credible?

ls the topic well explained?

Do I have transitions between all of the main sections of my speech?

You should generally do 2 things in any presentation conclusion:

Do I have a clear summary of the speech?

Do I have a strong closer prepared?

Did I maintain quality eye contact with my audience?

Did I have vocal variety (didn't sound monotone)?

Did I have controlled and beneficial movement (legs, hand gestures, facial expressions)?

Did I have too many vocal fillers ("um", "uh", "like", etc.)?

Did it seem like I had practiced the speech?

Did I have good posture? Appear confident?

Did I pronounce words correctly? Use proper grammar?

Did I have the right choices for my appearance? Will it add to my credibility?

Did I seem enthusiastic?

Did I sound conversational (rather than reading or just "saying my lines")?

Was I within the time limits allowed for this presentation?

Did the visual aid add to speech?

Did it appear to be professional?

Could everyone in the audience see the aid?

Was the visual aid well used?

What Were My 3 Main Weaknesses?

What were my 3 main strengths, have i gone to my mentor or the word studio to practice.

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Self Reflection — Reflecting on Self: A Journey of Self-Evaluation

Reflecting on Self: a Journey of Self-evaluation

• Categories: Self Reflection

About this sample

Words: 513 |

Published: Feb 7, 2024

Words: 513 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Table of contents

Recognizing my strengths, areas for improvement, strategies for growth.

• Resilience: I have demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity, overcoming challenges and setbacks with determination and a positive attitude.
• Communication: My ability to communicate effectively has allowed me to connect with others, express my ideas, and foster meaningful relationships.
• Empathy: I value empathy as a cornerstone of understanding and compassion, enabling me to relate to the experiences and feelings of others.
• Adaptability: I have displayed adaptability by embracing change, learning from new experiences, and being open to diverse perspectives.
• Self-Motivation: My intrinsic motivation has driven me to set and achieve personal and academic goals, pushing me to strive for excellence.
• Time Management: There have been instances where I struggled with time management, leading to moments of stress and missed opportunities for efficiency.
• Assertiveness: I recognize the importance of assertiveness in communicating my needs and boundaries, an area where I aim to improve.
• Procrastination: I acknowledge occasional tendencies toward procrastination, which I plan to address through better time management and self-discipline.
• Public Speaking: I see public speaking as an opportunity for growth, and I plan to develop this skill to communicate confidently in various settings.
• Time Management Techniques: I plan to implement time management techniques to prioritize tasks effectively and avoid last-minute rushes.
• Assertiveness Training: I will seek training in assertiveness to improve my ability to communicate my needs and boundaries clearly.
• Proactive Planning: To combat procrastination, I will adopt proactive planning and time-blocking techniques to stay focused and organized.
• Public Speaking Practice: To improve my public speaking skills, I will actively seek opportunities for practice and learning, such as joining a public speaking club.

This essay explores self-evaluation as a profound journey of personal introspection and growth. It highlights the speaker’s strengths, such as resilience and empathy, and identifies areas needing improvement like time management. By engaging in a self-evaluation essay , the speaker outlines effective strategies for ongoing personal development, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness in achieving self-improvement.

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How to Write a Self Evaluation (With Examples)

First step, be honest about your hits and misses.

Writing about yourself, especially if those words are going to be part of your permanent work record, can be daunting. But it doesn’t have to be. In fact, self evaluations give you a voice in your performance review , and they’re opportunities to outline your career goals and get help in reaching them.

What Is a Self Evaluation?

Self evaluations are performance assessments that both employees and managers complete. They can be done quarterly, semi-annually or annually, and range from open-ended questions discussed to ratings given on a numeric scale.

Below, we’ll examine self evaluation benefits, tips and examples, plus how both employees and managers can complete them successfully.

A  self evaluation , sometimes called a self-assessment performance review, is a time where you and your manager get together to rate your performance over a given time span, either using a numerical scale or by answering open-ended questions. You complete the evaluation and so does your manager. During the performance review , the two of you compare notes to arrive at a final evaluation.

Benefits of Self Evaluations 

1. help employees and managers prepare for performance reviews.

Completing a self evaluation can help guide the eventual performance-review conversation in a structured, but meaningful, way. It also helps both parties get an idea of what needs to be discussed during a performance review, so neither feels caught off guard by the conversation.

2. Give Employees an Opportunity to Reflect on Their Progress

Since self evaluations are inherently reflective, they allow employees to identify and examine their strengths and weaknesses. This helps employees both know their worth to an organization and what they still have left to learn. 

“Self evaluations enable employees to see their work in its entirety,” Jill Bowman, director of people at fintech company Octane , told Built In. “They ensure that employees reflect on their high points throughout the entire year and to assess their progress towards achieving predetermined objectives and goals.”

3. Help Managers Track Employee Accomplishments

Employee self assessments help managers more accurately remember each employee’s accomplishments. “As many managers often have numerous direct reports, it provides a useful summary of the achievements of each member,” Bowman said.

4. Improve Employee Satisfaction

Academic literature indicates that employees are more satisfied with evaluations that involve two-way communication and encourage a conversation between manager and employee, according to Thomas Begley, professor of management at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute . 

The thing is, employees have to trust that the process is fair, Begley told Built In. If they believe it is, and they’re treated fairly and respectfully during the process, employees react positively to self evaluations.

5. Can Decrease Employee Turnover

Some companies see tangible results from self evaluations. For example, Smarty , an address-verification company, enjoys low staff turnover, said Rob Green, chief revenue officer. The self-evaluation method, coupled with a strong focus on a communication-based corporate culture, has resulted in a 97 percent retention rate, Green told Built In.

Related How to Be More Confident in Performance Reviews

How to Write a Self Evaluation

The ability to write a solid self evaluation is a critical career skill.

“Self evaluations give you a platform to influence your manager and in many cases, reframe the nature of the relationship with your manager,” Richard Hawkes, CEO and founder of Growth River , a leadership and management consulting company, told Built In. “And all results in business happen in the context of relationships.”

Below are some tips on how to complete a self evaluation.

1. Track Your Work and Accomplishments

Daily or weekly tracking of your work can help you keep track of your progress and also prevent last-minute panic at performance evaluation time, said Peter Griscom, CEO at Tradefluence . “Strip down the questions to two or three, and just ask yourself, ‘How well did I communicate today?’ ‘How well did I solve problems today?’ ‘What have I achieved today?’” Griscom told Built In. “Get in the habit of writing those things out and keeping track and over time.”

2. Answer Honestly  

For his first self evaluation, Griscom remembers wondering how to best answer the questions. After he asked his manager for guidance, Griscom answered the questions as accurately as he could. “What came out of it was really valuable, because it gave me a chance to reflect on my own achievements and think about where I can improve,” he said. “It forced me to do the thinking instead of just accepting feedback.”

3. Highlight Your Achievements

If your boss has a handful of direct reports, chances are good they haven’t noticed each of your shining moments during a review period. This is your chance to spotlight yourself. Quotas exceeded, projects finished ahead of schedule, fruitful mentoring relationships, processes streamlined — whatever you’ve done, share it, and don’t be shy about it, said Alexandra Phillips , a leadership and management coach. Women, especially, tend not to share achievements and accomplishments as loudly or often as they should. “Make sure your manager has a good sense of where you’ve had those wins, large and small, because sometimes they can fly under the radar,” Phillips told Built In.

4. Admit Weaknesses and How You Have Grown 

If you’ve made a whopper mistake since your past review, mention it — and be sure to discuss what you’ve learned from it. Chances are good your manager knows you made a mistake, and bringing it up gives you the opportunity to provide more context to the situation.

5. Acknowledge Areas of Improvement

Be prepared for your manager to point out a few areas for improvement. This is where career growth happens. “If you want something,” whether it’s a promotion or move to another department, “you need to know how to get there,” Phillips said.

More on Self Evaluations Self-Evaluations Make Stronger Leaders. Here’s How to Write One.

Self Evaluation Examples and Templates Answers

Still not sure what to do when you put pen to paper? Here are six open-ended self evaluation sample questions from the Society for Human Resource Management, as well as example answers you can use to prepare for your own self evaluation.

1. Job Performance Examples

List your most significant accomplishments or contributions since last year. How do these achievements align with the goals/objectives outlined in your last review?

How to answer with positive results:

In the past year, I successfully led our team in finishing [project A]. I was instrumental in finding solutions to several project challenges, among them [X, Y and Z]. When Tom left the company unexpectedly, I was able to cover his basic tasks until a replacement was hired, thus keeping our team on track to meet KPIs.    I feel the above accomplishments demonstrate that I have taken more of a leadership role in our department, a move that we discussed during my last performance review.

How to answer with ways to improve:

Although I didn’t meet all of my goals in the last year, I am working on improving this by changing my workflow and holding myself accountable. I am currently working to meet my goals by doing [X, Y and Z] and I plan to have [project A] completed by [steps here]. I believe that I will be able to correct my performance through these actionable steps.

Describe areas you feel require improvement in terms of your professional capabilities. List the steps you plan to take and/or the resources you need to accomplish this.

I feel I could do better at moving projects off my desk and on to the next person without overthinking them or sweating details that are not mine to sweat; in this regard I could trust my teammates more. I plan to enlist your help with this and ask for a weekly 15-minute one-on-one meeting to do so.  

Identify two career goals for the coming year and indicate how you plan to accomplish them.

One is a promotion to senior project manager, which I plan to reach by continuing to show leadership skills on the team. Another is that I’d like to be seen as a real resource for the organization, and plan to volunteer for the committee to update the standards and practices handbook.

2. Leadership Examples

Since the last appraisal period, have you successfully performed any new tasks or additional duties outside the scope of your regular responsibilities? If so, please specify.

Yes. I have established mentoring relationships with one of the younger members of our team, as well as with a more seasoned person in another department. I have also successfully taken over the monthly all-hands meeting in our team, trimming meeting time to 30 minutes from an hour and establishing clear agendas and expectations for each meeting. Again, I feel these align with my goal to become more of a leader.

Since the last review period, I focused my efforts on improving my communication with our team, meeting my goals consistently and fostering relationships with leaders in other departments. Over the next six months, I plan on breaking out of my comfort zone by accomplishing [X, Y and Z].

What activities have you initiated, or actively participated in, to encourage camaraderie and teamwork within your group and/or office? What was the result?

I launched a program to help on-site and remote colleagues make Mondays more productive. The initiative includes segmenting the day into 25-minute parts to answer emails, get caught up on direct messages, sketch out to-do lists and otherwise plan for the week ahead. The result overall for the initiative is more of the team signs on to direct messages earlier in the day, on average 9:15 a.m. instead of the previous 10 a.m., and anecdotally, the team seems more enthusiastic about the week. I plan to conduct a survey later this month to get team input on how we can change up the initiative.

Although I haven’t had the chance to lead any new initiatives since I got hired, I recently had an idea for [A] and wanted to run it by you. Do you think this would be beneficial to our team? I would love to take charge of a program like this.

3. Professional Development Examples

Describe your professional development activities since last year, such as offsite seminars/classes (specify if self-directed or required by your supervisor), onsite training, peer training, management coaching or mentoring, on-the-job experience, exposure to challenging projects, other—please describe.

I completed a class on SEO best practices and shared what I learned from the seminar during a lunch-and-learn with my teammates. I took on a pro-bono website development project for a local nonprofit, which gave me a new look at website challenges for different types of organizations. I also, as mentioned above, started two new mentoring relationships.

This is something I have been thinking about but would like a little guidance with. I would love to hear what others have done in the past to help me find my footing. I am eager to learn more about [A] and [B] and would like to hear your thoughts on which courses or seminars you might recommend. 

Types of Self Evaluations

Self evaluations can include rating scale questions, open-ended questions or a hybrid of both. Each approach has its own set of pros and cons to consider.

1. Rating Self Evaluation

Rating scale self evaluations give a list of statements where employees are asked to rate themselves on a scale of one to five or one to ten (generally the higher the number, the more favorable the rating). 

For example, in Smarty’s self evaluations, it uses a tool called 3A+. This one calls for employees and managers to sit down and complete the evaluation together, at the same time. Employees rate themselves from 3, 2 or 1 (three being the best) on their capability in their role; A, B or C on their helpfulness to others, and plus or minus on their “diligence and focus” in their role. Managers rate the employees using the same scale. A “perfect” score would be 3A+, while an underperforming employee would rate 2B-.

At the performance evaluation meeting, managers and employees compare their ratings, and employees ask for feedback on how they can improve.

But rating systems can have their challenges that are often rooted in bias . For example, women are more likely to rate themselves lower than men. People from individualistic cultures, which emphasize individuals over community, will rate themselves higher than people from collectivist cultures, which place a premium on the group rather than the individual.

2. Open-Ended Question Self Evaluation

Open-ended questions ask employees to list their accomplishments, setbacks and goals in writing. The goal of open-ended questions is to get employees thinking deeply about their work and where they need to improve. 

Open-ended questions allow employees a true voice in the process, whereas “self ratings” can sometimes be unfair , Fresia Jackson, lead research people scientist at Culture Amp , told Built In. 

With open-ended questions, employees tend to be more forgiving with themselves, which can be both good and bad. Whatever result open ended questions bring about, they typically offer more fodder for discussion between employees and managers.

3. Hybrid Self Evaluation

Hybrid self evaluations combine both rating questions and open-ended questions, where employees assess their skills and accomplishments by using a number scale and by answering in writing. This type of self evaluation lets employees provide quantitative and qualitative answers for a more holistic reflection. 

Self-Evaluation Questions for Performance Reviews

If you’ve never done a self evaluation, or if you just need a refresher before your next performance review, looking over some examples of self evaluation questions — like the ones below — can be a helpful starting point.

Common Self-Evaluation Questions for Performance Reviews

• What are you most proud of?
• What would you do differently?
• How have you carried out the company’s mission statement?
• Where would you like to be a year from now?
• List your skills and positive attributes.
• List your accomplishments, especially those that impacted others or moved you toward goals.
• Think about your mistakes and what you’ve learned from them.
• What are your opportunities to grow through advancement and/or learning?
• How do the above tie to your professional goals?

Self-Evaluation Questions for Career Planning and Growth

• What are you interested in working on?
• What are you working on now?
• What do you want to learn more about?
• How can I as your manager better support you?
• What can the company do to support your journey?
• How can the immediate team support you?
• What can you do to better support the team and the company? 

Self-Evaluation Questions for Performance and Career Goals

• How did you perform in relation to your goals?
• What level of positive impact did your performance have on the team?
• Did your performance have a positive impact on the business?
• What was your level of collaboration with other departments?
• What corporate value do you bring to life?
• What corporate value do you most struggle to align with?
• Summarize your strengths.
• Summarize your development areas.
• Summarize your performance/achievements during this year.
• How would you rate your overall performance this year? 

Related How to Set Professional Goals

How Should Managers Approach Self Evaluations?

It’s clear here that self evaluations, as a type of performance review, are more employee- than manager-driven. That said, managers are a key ingredient in this process, and the way managers handle self evaluations determines much about how useful they are and how well employees respond to them. To make sure they’re as effective as possible, consider these suggestions.

Train Managers on How to Use Evaluations

“If you don’t, there’s no point in doing them, because the manager is going to be the one driving the conversations,” Elisabeth Duncan, vice president of human resources at Evive, said. “Without training, the [evaluations] will be a checkbox and not meaningful.”

Don’t Use Ratings Formulaically

The results of self evaluations that employ a scale (say, one to five) can vary wildly, as one manager’s three is another manager’s five. Use the scale to identify and address discrepancies between the manager’s and employee’s answers, not to decide on raises or promotions across the company.

Hold Self Evaluations Often

They work best as career-development tools if they’re held semi-annually, quarterly or even more often. “It’s about an ongoing, consistent conversation,” Duncan said.

Tailor Them For Each Department

Competencies in sales very likely differ from competencies in tech, marketing and other departments. Competencies for junior-level employees probably differ wildly from those for senior managers. Self evaluations tailored to different employee populations will be more effective, and fairer.

Stress That the Rating Is Just the Start

The rating or the open-ended questions are the beginning of the evaluation process; they are not the process itself. “These are tools to trigger a conversation,” Duncan said.

Overall, think of self evaluations as a way to engage with your manager and your work in a way that furthers your career. Embrace the self evaluation and get good at writing them. In no time at all, you’ll find that they can be a productive way to reflect on yourself and your skillset.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a self evaluation.

A self evaluation is a personal assessment used for employees to reflect on their strengths, weaknesses, accomplishments and overall progress during an allotted time on the job.

Self evaluations are often completed quarterly, semi-annually or annually, and can include numbered rating questions or open-ended written questions.

How do you write a good self evaluation?

An effective self evaluation is one where you highlight your achievements and instances of growth as well as areas for improvement during your given period of time at work. Tracking specific accomplishments and metrics can be especially helpful for writing a good self evaluation.

Recent Career Development Articles

Sample details

• Self Esteem

Self Evaluation

Related Topics

• Personal Characteristics
• Self Analysis
• Selfishness
• Self Awareness
• Ethnocentrism

Speech Self Evaluation 

Speech is the ability to express one’s thoughts as well as feelings in a formal address delivered to an audience. When preparing a speech, one of the most important factors to consider is whether one wants to entertain, inform, or persuade the audience. Not only does this help to develop a speech but it enables the exploration of self-confidence. It can also be used to analyze and examine other public speakers’ presentations, which can help to form proper and effective communication skills. Throughout this class, I was able to evaluate my progress in regards to preparing and delivering my speech through small group workshops, peer evaluation as well as class discussions.

During one of the workshops, my peers and I were able to discuss three aspects about our lives that have a great significance/value to us. One of my group members mentioned that she has a sister which is something that I was able to relate to; as a result of this, we were both able to talk about how they made a positive impact on our lives as well as influencing us to become better individuals. We both talked about how incorporating our siblings into our speech would be suitable for this type of assignment. Being able to converse with other students allowed me to clarify my own ideas as well as gain a new sense of comfort.

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Giving my first speech in class and afterward observing others as an audience member was an interesting component in this class. Regarding to delivering a speech, this class did not initially introduce anything unfamiliar to me, in regards to speaking in front of an assembly. However, the procedure for formatting my speech was new; In this class, my cards consisted of an eye-opener, introduction sentence, three main points, three quotes, research, and a concluding sentence in a larger font than usually used and double spaced. This structure made practicing and delivering more effective considering the fact that it was easier to read and only included the essential components for a speech. Subsequently, I realized that I did not concern myself with the speechmaking tools that have been discussed in this class, but rather trying to manage to state all my information within a certain amount of time. Based on my performance and peer evaluation, another aspect that I need to improve upon is the task of balancing eye contact, referring back to my notes, all while ensuring that my speech is uninterrupted. After delivering my speech, I was informed that my eye-contact was inadequate, instead of choosing two focal spots my eye movement was sporadic. Executing these three things simultaneously was a difficult task because I primarily focused on not messing up. After receiving constructive feedback from my peer and professor, I have become aware of the certain areas that I must improve upon in order to become a successful speaker.

As a student of communication and fundamentals of speech, I find that time management is an important skill to possess. Time management is the process of learning how to condense one’s time between different activities. Being able to have good time management allows one to execute efficient work at a quicker rate as well as allowing one to spend time on the things that matter most. When preparing for my address, I was concerned about the success of my speech because excluding information that supported my main points would make the rest of my talk incoherent or incomplete.

It is clear that a well-crafted speech consist of numerous components such as one’s purpose for their speech, the preparation and feedback given from others. Throughout this assignment, I was able to reflect on my performance through both self-evaluation as well as peer-evaluation. In addition to learning how to create and deliver a speech, this public speaking assignment has helped me to incorporate research and relate it to my personal life.

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Self evaluation of persuasive presentation memo- gambling.

Presentation

Subject: Claim to cancel the legitimacy of gambling My presentation was on the bad roles of gambling to the American society. The objective was to convince the audience to claim the cancelation the legitimacy of gambling given its consequences such as the loss of health and money. My topic was appropriate for my classmates. My

Celta Self Evaluation

The aim was to get students talking to each other about their life in Malta with their partner and then relate the story to the class by only using six words as a way of testing their existing and summary skills in a practical situation also working as a transition into the reading/listening comprehension. Was

Midterm Self Evaluation Analytical Writing Analysis

Once you enter college, you quickly realize the increased significance of education. College classes provide a completely novel experience, and it takes considerable time to understand the requirements for excelling and achieving success. As a freshman in college, reaching the midpoint of the first semester has taught me that classes are significantly more demanding. In

A Challenging Choice

Nothing makes life more interesting than challenging yourself. That’s what I thought when it came to choosing what type of class I should take for English. I decided, after thinking for awhile, that I should test myself and take a College English for my senior year at Kenmare High School. I was always thought myself

Self Evaluation in Social Work

According to Business dictionary dot com (n.d) self-evaluation is the ability to look at one`s progress, development and learning in an effort to determine what has improved and what areas still need improvement. Self-evaluation is essential in social work as it captures both the positives and the negatives while identifying biases, strengths and limitations. Having enrolled

My Self Evaluation

I will say that this performance was much easier to watch. I still messed up a couple of times but it was so much better. I felt the poetry performance was very drab and empty and my reading was the reason for that. I felt really good after my initial reading because I knew that

First Speech Class

This class was my first lesson in speech that I ever took. I was also very anxious to take the course–I am not a very good writer and speaker. The first presentation I had given to a class was my informative speech. Due to my limited knowledge of English in high school, my teachers never

Self Evaluation About Project

In this project, we separate the storyboard and animatic into four parts, and each of us handles 1 part. I was assigned to do the character design for Timmy and Elly, storyboard and animatic for scene 2, and the voice acting for mommy. I had negative attitudes towards drawing because I think my drawing is not

Self Evaluation About Course

This course is challenging but fruitful for me because I have to work hard. My failures are as important for me as or even more essential than my successes because I will learn from my failures more than I will do from my success. On analyzing my performance during these days, I believe that I

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