Peer Review Fiorella De La Hoz

 The chapter presentations on public speaking were actually a really helpful experience. Instead of just reading the chapters and trying to imagine how the concepts work, we got to see them in action through our classmates. Every group was assigned a different chapter, which made each presentation feel a little different and kept things interesting. Overall, the presentations showed how public speaking is not just about memorizing information, but about delivery, confidence, and connecting with your audience. 

Each group focused on different parts of public speaking, such as managing nervousness, understanding your audience, listening, organizing your speech , and using body language. Seeing these ideas and how each person interprets them, while also seeing how they present themselves was a great way to understand better on what to do during a public speaking scenario. Some groups explainers their chapters in a very straight forward way, while others used examples, video, pictures and real life situations to make the content easier to relate to. This made the material feel more real instead of just something from a textbook.

One thing I did notice across most groups was the effort to engage the audience. Many presenters tried to make eye contact, speak clearly, and avoid reading directly off their slides. Some groups asked questions or used examples that made people pay more attention. When presenters seem confident and prepared , it made their presentation more enjoyable and easier to follow. Even when people were nervous, it was clear that they were trying their best, which is something we can all relate to when it comes to public speaking.

At the same time, some presentations showed a few challenges, myself included. A few speakers talked very fast, probably because they were nervous, which made parts of their presentation harder to understand. Others relied too much on on their slides or notes, which sometimes took away from the topic of the presentation.These moments weren't exactly bad,  but they showed how difficult public speaking can be and how important practice is. Watching these challenges actually helped me reflect on my own speaking skills and habits. 

I am part of group 1, and i honestly feel lucky to work with such great people. Everyone in the group was talented in different ways, and we worked well together. From the beginning, we communicated clearly and divided up the work so everyone had a role. This made preparing for the presentation much less stressful and helped everything come together in the end. In terms of delivery, everyone in group 1 made an effort to speak clearly and confidently. Even though public speaking can be nerve-racking, each person tried to maintain eye contact and use natural body language. There were moments where some of us spoke quickly or used words to fill , but overall the presentation felt well prepared and professional. The small imperfections actually made it feel more real and relatable .

Other groups also had strong presentations in different ways. Some groups used story telling to explain their chapter. Hearing personal experiences or realistic examples made their presentations more engaging and easier to remember. Some other groups focused more on persuasion and clearly explained how public speaking skills can be used in real-life situations like job interviews, meetings, or everyday conversations. These presentations helped show why public speaking is essential in our everyday life and our career paths.

Looking ahead, I can clearly see how the skills I am developing in this class apply directly to my current profession. As a makeup artist and sales consultant, teaching people how to apply makeup and understand beauty products is already a part of my job. Whether I am explaining application techniques, recommending products, or demonstrating how to achieve a certain look, I rely heavily on public speaking skills. It is not only about the information I share, but also how I communicate it through my tone, confidence, body language, and gestures. Customers need to feel comfortable, engaged, and confident in what they are learning, which makes clear communication essential. This course has helped me realize that strong public speaking skills are just as important as technical ability in the beauty industry. As the semester continues, I believe my growth in public speaking will keep improving through continued practice and feedback. Each presentation helps me build confidence and become more aware of how I present myself. Overall, these experiences are helping me strengthen my communication skills in a way that supports both my academic success and my professional growth, allowing me to feel more confident when teaching, presenting, and interacting with others in real-world settings.

This experience also made me more aware of areas where I can improve. At times, nervousness can affect my pacing or cause me to use filler words, both in presentations and in my professional interactions. Seeing my classmates present and work through similar challenges reminded me that confidence comes with practice. I hope that participating in more presentations throughout this course will continue to boost my confidence and help me become more comfortable speaking in front of others. These skills will not only help me academically, but will also benefit me in my career and everyday interactions.