I feel like everyone can benefit from taking this course, because i certainly have! I feel that even though I still may get a little nervous before public speaking, I am confident in knowing I can stand up infront of a crowd and deliver a speech. I have become more aware of how I speak to people and how body signals have such an effect on communication. I also must say that I look up to public speakers much more now, because presenting yourself to people and talking for a long period of time isn't as easy as it looks!!

what it is to truly listen

Nonverbal language reveals a lot more than what a person may be choosing to say. Verbal language and nonverbal language work hand in hand when you communicate with someone, and if you're nonverbal language doesn't seem to go along with your verbal language, it can be easily picked up on. I like to pay attention to people when I'm talking to them so I can pick up on their nonverbal cues, that way I can see if they are really interested in what I'm saying. Whenever I think of listening and communication, I refer back to a quote I feel is very truthful.


Narrator: When people think you're dying, they really, really listen to you, instead of just...
Marla Singer: - instead of just waiting for their turn to speak?
-Fight Club


How often when you are having a conversation, do you realize that you are waiting for the other person to finish their sentence so you can speak? Do people really listen to you when you are talking to them or are they rushing to get their thoughts out? Listening is a part of communication that I feel that everyone could use a little work on. What it truly means to listen is to pay attention to what the person is saying, take it in, and be able to empathize with them.

Communication: then and now!

Communication has not always been an easy thing for me. Going back in my memory I can recall having to give a speech in front of my fifth grade classmates, and a full auditorium, and I had completely blanked out. How embarrassing!! Since then, I have been able to refine my communication skills while overcoming my fear of public speaking. I believe the most helpful challenge I've had to face regarding communication has been job interviews. I've only participated in a handful of interviews, but afterwards I can always tell what my strengths and weaknesses in my communication are.



My method of communication has changed tremendously over time. Probably more than half of my daily communication happens over computer or cellphone (more specifically, text messaging). There has even been a whole new language created for the internet/text messaging crowd. This new text message lingo has dominated the American public, primarily teenagers and young people.

Mass Media and Persuasion

I would say I am pretty easily persuaded, sometimes I can't even believe some of the things I believe! I am most persuaded when it comes to things I enjoy, for example I can easily be persuaded into spending at least $200 dollars in the makeup store when I only really needed a bottle of nail polish remover! I must admit though, the mass media has a great impact on me. I am easily persuaded to buy clothes from certain stores, or listen to certain music, etc. It's honestly kind of hard to dodge the influence of the mass media, because they idolize so many people and products that it seems easy to be able to identify yourself with some of it at least.


katy perry selling proactiv is a good example of how the general public can be easily swayed with a celebrity.

The way I communicate with my boyfriend is obviously a lot different than how I will communicate with my teachers. With people I am more comfortable with, I probably don't even get complete thoughts out because they know me so well. With more professional people, I obviously watch what I say more than usual. I may change to sound more knowledgeable on the topic at hand, or act as if I'm more interested than normally :X Then again, there is a whole other form of communication I have, and that is for customers. Working at the movie theater, I get a lot of weird people coming in who talk about very weird things. Also, I've never had to experience so many people complaining before. "This popcorn tastes stale!" or "A bottle of water is $5.25?!". Mostly, I just have to communicate my sympathy and apologies, later on I communicate my aggravation to whoever is willing to listen!!

first speech in class

My experience giving my cultural diversity speech in class last Monday was actually not as bad as I had anticipated. I was worried about going in and stuttering, or completely blanking out... but I feel that I did a pretty o.k. job on delivering my speech. I choose my topic because I'm fascinated by few other cultures and their beliefs.

Speech Critique
Pros - Stayed within the time limit, made good eye contact throughout my speech, laughed off any mistakes I made.
Cons - "and uh" was probably heard a lot, could have practiced more to be more fluent.


It's important to be able to speak in front of different sized crowds because depending on your future career choice, there is always going to be at least one person you will have to impress, and you need to learn how to present yourself to not only a close group but a large one as well.

First Speech Blog :)

Quick Facts About Me
1) Full Name/Age	Sarah Michelle Danley, 19
2) Majoring in	Nursing! I want to go to the Valencia Community College Nursing Program, which I plan on applying to in the fall.
3) Goal in life	I want to be a registered nurse, move out of Florida, and raise many pugs.
4) Any obsession?	interior design
5) Hobbies	shopping, cooking, left 4 dead

I define communication as interacting and trying to convey a thought or idea to another person. My method of communicating is very interactive, I like to use many hand gestures and I am very expressive. I feel that it is essential to communicate with people you surround yourself with, whether it be your spouse, your family or your co-workers. I rely on communicating what I want or my thoughts with people around me, because if they were unable to understand what I wanted of them then there would be all this unneeded stress and frustration.

Perceptions are formed with huge influences of family and media. Your family should have the most direct impact on how your perceptions are formed, because their views are generally instilled in you. My perceptions were formed by thoughts my mom and sister had while growing up.

:p