Presentations.

Three presentations, one feeling. 

By Brayan J. Castillo Lorenzo. 

 

    The presentations of Chapter 17 and Chapter 9, respectively, by Group 3 and Group 2, addressed two important dimensions of communications: group dynamics and persuasive speaking. Both of them helped me understand effective interaction and rhetoric in message delivery.

The group tackled Chapter 9, "Communicating in Groups," and addressed types of groups and group function and its function in communications. They focused on cohesion, effective group norms, and accountability in groups. One of the most relevant dimensions discussed was explaining group development phases: forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. In explaining them, I could picture that these processes matter in group success, specifically in work and academic group collaboration environments. Besides, they touched group conflicts, distinguishing between topic-related and personality conflicts, and providing tips for effectively resolving them. Having an awareness of these processes will allow me to work in a group comfortably, knowing I will have a planned approach towards group communications.

On the contrary, Group 3 presented Chapter 17, "Persuasive Speaking." In its delivery, it addressed three persuasive pillars: pathos (emotion), ethos (credibility), and logos (logic). I most enjoyed seeing them break down propositions of fact, value, and policy in persuasive speaking and break them down with examples. I could understand through them, with such examples, how an audience can transition through rhetoric techniques. Besides, they addressed speech forms of speech arrangement, such as problem-solving format and Monroe's motivated sequence, that organize effective messages. I then understood that persuasion is a skill I apply in my life, such as in essay writings, persuading friends, and persuading coworkers, and mastering such techniques will benefit me in both my studies and life at large. The two presenters supported one another, for group communications and persuasion go together, and effective group communications rely on effective use of them in attaining shared objectives, and an effective tool for persuading and changing one's position and actions is persuasion. Through discussing such, I gained a deeper awareness of communicating effectively in any communicative environment. I can now picture, for example, in group settings, too, for leaders and followers must persuade them in supporting certain stands and decisions.

Reflecting on such group presentations, I liked seeing communications' role in life in general. What I gained in terms of knowing successful groups and group conflicts resolution through Group 2’s group communications presentation helped me understand successful groups and group conflicts resolution. What I liked most about it was discussing types of groups, beginning with family groups and work groups, and seeing my experiences under such groupings fit in with them. I liked particularly and could empathize with social groups and a security and acceptance that accompanies them. Learning about virtual groups helped me understand technology’s role in altering communications, and I liked seeing discussion about strengths and weaknesses in virtual communications and efficiency improvement in such an environment.

Also, I gained new thinking through Group 3’s presentation about persuasion, and I began thinking about communications I use in life in general. What I liked most about it was reading about rhetoric and seeing how many times such techniques apply in advertisement, politics, and even at a party conversation. I liked reading about ethos, for I understood that expertise can contribute a lot in terms of persuasiveness in a speech. I began thinking about times I have been convinced through a person’s expertise over sound in an argument, and I liked reading about pathos, for I have experienced firsthand effectiveness of appeals in decision-making. It helped me become sensitive to how humans frame persuasive messages in a manner to move public perception even buying behavior.

One of the most important learnings of such discourses is how such values can actually be applied in real life. For example, in my university life, I work in groups and group dynamics become a necessity for me to learn and enjoy. Cohesion and interdependence, a value I have become sensitive about recently, will become a consideration in my future group works for me. I value, in my life at present, role-playing through my communications, whether in essay writings, in presenting an idea, or even in communicating with my family and friends. With effective use of persuasive techniques, I can make my standpoints even sound even more persuasive, and my standpoints will become even less disputable.

Also, the discussion of conflicts within groups really hit home. I have been in situations where miscommunication led to unnecessary disagreements, and understanding the types of conflict-whether pseudo-conflicts, issue-related, or personality-related-really helped me reevaluate past experiences. Knowing that conflicts can be managed through strategies such as perception-checking and assertive communication will be useful in my future interactions. Understanding where my conflict is coming from will allow me to approach disagreements in a more logical manner, always finding resolution that may satisfy all parties.

I also enjoyed the strategies of the presentation on persuasion. The explanation of logical fallacies made me more aware of common mistakes in arguments. I have found many instances where people use fallacies like the straw man or ad hominem attacks; now I feel that I am better prepared to recognize such tricks and respond accordingly. Another important thing that was really useful was learning about Monroe's motivated sequence because it showed a structured way of building an effective persuasive speech. The clear breakdown of attention, need, satisfaction, visualization, and action helped me gauge a roadmap to craft convincing messages. These insights will be useful in professional scenarios where effective persuasion determines the outcomes, such as during job interviews, negotiations, or project proposals.

The other important insight that came to me was how persuasion is related not only to influencing others but also to making ethical and responsible arguments. It also made me think that the presentation on credibility and ethical persuasion highlighted how the persuasive messages should be, that they should be fair and researched, not manipulative. This is so crucial in today's digital age, were misinformation spreads so easily. Now, I feel that I will be more able to critically evaluate persuasive messages and not get misled by some deception.

Both presentations were educative and really worth the knowledge to apply either in academia or personal life as a round. While group communication went deeper to create an understanding of how one could effectively engage in team assignments, persuasion presentation provided ways in which the ability to influence or be influenced could be further developed. With these concepts, I feel more confident in my communication skills in that I can apply them to work better in groups and structure an effective persuasive argument. I realize that with the art of persuasion comes an ethical responsibility, and I will hope to use the strategies toward arguments that are fair and supported. All in all, these presentations have really keyed me in on the power of communication, showing clearly how it can make quite a big difference towards success, either in teamwork or convincing an audience. Working within groups and persuading are two of the most valuable skills one can acquire, and for which I feel grateful to the deeper understanding given by these presentations. In the future, I will apply these strategies in other areas of life to ensure that my communication is effective and ethical.