Presenting: Perspectives as Audience and Presenter

Sometimes we might get nervous, but the truth is
that the control is only in our hands

In a room full of spectators where a multitude of eyes glare with the image of you on their eyes, becomes the only thought that you think of, when you are about to present a project. The nerves sink in and they start to take control of our body. This does not only happen to students in elementary school, but it happens to professionals, as well. It does not matter how educated, or how much you master the material or how ready you are for the presentation, the nerves always kick in, and is a part of how we get ready to talk about the subject in hand. I had the opportunity to present my own identity in front of a panel from the English department. I got to speak about the identity of a Puerto Rican in my speech. Honestly, I had the text in my hand, and commenced to read it, and thought that I did not have a full understanding of the material when I spoke, and doubted what I was saying out of fear that I was not clear. This just reminded me that I had commenced, and I could not change anything. I could only end it, and if asked anything about it, state that even, I did not conclude some things that I mentioned, because of how I felt I delivered the message.  At moments, I failed in my presentation

when I did not pronounce a word correctly, or when I started to show that I was nervous when I started to speak about my condition. It could be expected, from one, that when talking about something that is so defining that, it can be scary to say it, out of fear of exposing one’s part of one’s self to the world. I had never spoke to a group, about who I am, much less my condition and how I am treated. I felt my hands turn cold, my voice become ever more unclear with the vibrations of fear in my tone. To keep myself as calm as possible I started to think that even though I could not speak correctly, or maintained a rhythm, I reassured myself that I knew the material. I was asked, how did I feel when presenting, and I would have to  say that I always get nervous, but as I progress it becomes less and less, because I’m getting closer to the end. The advice I would give to anyone who is about to present is to close your eyes and know you have this presentation in your hands. You know what you wrote, and don’t fear anything because you have control over the situation, even though it can seem the opposite. Believe in yourself and you will be amazing.

 I spoke about how I felt when I was presenting, but when I the tables turn I become an extremely analytical person. I see a presenter and focus on their body movements to better transmit their message. It could be excessive movements, fast movements, or even not direct visual contact with the audience. It is advised many times to focus on a distant spot and for the nerves of a visual connection with a viewer from the public to not be a distraction from the transmission of the message. It can also be said that if you don’t see a person, you don’t know if you look nervous or no feedback on how one is being perceived. Sometimes, how someone evokes a feeling that is interesting, even if the interest for the material is none, the message can be transmitted better, but it can also be said that a person who is assigned a topic and does not demonstrate any desire to present it, it can be seen as the most boring thing in the world, even if the material being talked about is very pertinent and interesting. I tend to be more demanding in presentation because I don’t like badly produced jobs, it does not mean that I’m very demanding, but I just don’t approve of students that do the minimum, just to  get bye.