All public speakers, no matter how experienced, will have areas in which they can improve. The only way you can begin to make improvements is to first know your strengths and weaknesses as a public speaker. You will conduct a self-evaluation to examine your current public speaking skills. Along with the evaluation you will create a list of goals you would like to accomplish during this class. At the end of the semester you will then perform a self-reflection to see if you improved and reached your goals. You will be graded based on the completion of each section and the thoroughness of your answers.
Format requirements: minus .5 for each unmet requirement 1+ FULL page, 12 font (Times New Roman, Arial), 1 in. margins all around, double spaced
Cover Page: _____ (1) Included a cover page with your name, date, assignment name, course name and class days/time.
Strengths: _____ (3) In paragraph form, described your strengths (at least three) as a public speaker. _____ (3) Explained how you obtained these strengths and whether they were developed over time or naturally part of your personality.
Weaknesses: _____ (3) Wrote a separate paragraph describing your weaknesses (at least three) as a public speaker. _____ (3) Talked about how your weaknesses have interfered with your ability to effectively speak in front of an audience.
Relationships & Career: _____ (3) Explained how your strengths and weaknesses affect your personal relationships and career goals.
Goals: _____ (2) Listed at least five goals you would like to accomplish by the end of the Semester (can be bullet points). _____ (2) Provided specific strategies you will implement to reach these goals
TOTAL SCORE:__________/20
Student Name
September 22, 2013
Self-Evaluation Example
SPCH 1101 Public Speaking
Monday 5:30
One of my strengths as a public speaker is that I have a good tone of voice. I obtained
this strength over time because I have grown up with two siblings, an older brother and a
younger sister, who I tend to be more open and loud around. Growing up I have learned that it is
better to be speak where people will be able to hear you and know what you are actually saying,
rather than being quiet and shy. Another strength is having a good flow. When I know what I
am writing about and what facts need to be given, I know that I need to describe them as best as I
know possible. This strength has always been part of my natural personality. When I am given a
paper to write or a question to answer I always make sure that I have a good flow from point to
point and makes sure that the audience learns what need to be known. The last strength that I
have is putting my points together and leaving the audience with the overall idea of the speech I
am giving. I have earned this strength over time because as I went through high school I had to
write quite a few papers and I learned that you feel better about yourself when you know that
your audience understands what you are speaking about and what point you are trying to get
across.
On the other hand, I do have some weaknesses as a public speaker. One of my
weaknesses is I need to have more eye contact. When you don’t have enough eye contact with
your audience then they tend to not want to pay attention to you as the speaker because you are
looking down at your paper. This has affected my ability to effectively speak in front of an
audience because I want my audience to pay attention to me and the point I am trying to make
during my speech. Another weakness I have as a public speaker is giving my speech too quickly
by talking to fast. When I get in front of an audience and all eyes are on me I begin to get
nervous and get my speech over with as quickly as possible. This affects my public speaking
because when you speak too fast your audience won’t be able to comprehend anything that you
have given in your speech. My last weakness is that I don’t let my personality come though
enough. Speaking in front of an audience I need to just relax and not read straight from the paper
that way I can let the audience see that I’m not as nervous as they might think I am and they will
be able to pay more attention. Not letting my personality show will affect the audience views on
the speaker.
My major is dental hygiene so- my strengths and weaknesses will definitely affect my
interpersonal relationships and career goals. My strengths, such as a good tone of voice, will
come in handy because one day I will work as a dental hygienist and I need to be able to speak
up and be heard as I’m working. My weaknesses in public speaking will affect my relationships
and career goals because not having eye contact can sometimes make people not trust you and
may make them believe that you are lying. Not showing your personality show and letting people
see who you really are can make people scared and not trust you as well. After all is said, I need
to be able to speak slower, have good eye contact, and let my personality come through more to
show my audience that I can be a good public speaker.
5 goals for Public Speaking and Strategies to reach these Goals
When I speak I need to be more confident and relaxed. I will do this by trusting in
myself, not being nervous and getting to know my audience.
When I speak I need to have more eye contact with my audience. I will do this by not
reading straight from the paper and be confident and memorize that way I will be able to
look more at my audience.
When I speak I need to make sure I have enough information. I will do this by letting
my audience know I have researched and know what I am speaking of.
When I speak I need to slow down and not speak too fast. This way whoever I am
speaking to will understand what I am saying.
When I am speaking I need to let my personality come through more. This way my
audience will be able to understand me and won’t think that I am just nervous. I will do
this by speaking slower and being calmer.