Do You Believe In Me?

Dalton Sherman Giving A Speech

Photo from Dallas Observer

1. Is he a good speaker? Why/why not?
I believe that this boy is a good speaker, because he has the confidence and enthusiasm that every good speaker should have. He gets his points across to every kind of individual whether it be adults or students.


2. What were his good characteristics as a speaker? His bad?
One of his good characteristics was that he included the audience during his whole speech. He kept them interested and wanting more as he continued his speech. He also changed his voice throughout his speech, making it more enthusiastic and not boring. Another characteristic he showed was he used hand gestures and motions that sometimes gave the audience a good laugh, while also staying serious.

3. How did he use his voice (vocal inflection) to make his speech more effective?
Whenever the boy wanted to get his point across he would either raise the tone of his voice or the pitch of it. He made this work for him because the audience would know he is about to give a main point for them to listen to. The way he used his voice would vary, like he would stay at a natural, calm voice whenever he was just telling the audience about less important points but he would still keep a serious tone at the same time.

4. How did he use gestures to make his speech more effective?
Whenever he was using his gestures, he would use them to point out to a certain group or to himself showing his main points. He would point out to a group of schools and give entertainment when he said them but also showed that he recognized them and needed them to listen to his key points. He also would use his hands to show that he himself is effected by others as well.

5. Why do you think they selected him as their keynote speaker? (Keynote speakers are the main speakers of a meeting, convention, etc.)
I think they picked him as the keynote speaker because he had the enthusiasm and confidence in himself to present the problem for other students as well. He could speak for himself and also for other kids around his age or older. He had a personality and had the experience with his main points that made the audience understand.

6. What was the main point of his message? Was it an important message? Why/why not?
The main point of his message was that adults, whether they be teachers, faculty members, or just adults that come speak, should believe in every kid that is in school, and also when they are outside of school. I believe this was an important message because it was showing how much of a difference adults can make to kids for their futures. I think that if adults encourage and believe in their kids, then they have a brighter future.

7. Do you think the teachers believed his message? Did it inspire them? Why/why not?
I think that the teachers believed his message because they could sense the feelings from a student himself, and hear his views on what a kid really thinks about the different influences he had. I think it inspired them because I think hearing from a kid that they may teach or have kids around the same grade they teach, they will want to do even better as a teacher and adult.


In 100-150 words, respond to the following:
What did you think of his message? If you were a teacher, would it have inspired you? Do not repeat any information that you used in the seven questions above.
I think that this boy's message was very strong, and encouraging to adults, students, and teachers everywhere. Teachers should be touched by this message, and I think that if I was a teacher I would be touched by this message because of the feelings and beliefs this boy had. He showed his concern and thrill during his speech to speak of others as well as himself. He wants to believe in himself and also everyone else. With his personality, and big heart he touched me to strive and do better, and I believe that if I was a teacher it would want me to do even more for my kids and students to make sure they grow up to have amazing lives.