A Eulogy to Martin Luther King Jr.

[lukejoo1092]

I bet you all know what a great speaker Martin Luther King Jr. was, especially how he gave his "I have a dream" speech with such enthusiasm. But I'm guessing that it always wasn't easy for him to go up to the podium and give a speech in front of so many people. So here's my question: did you have a time when you gave a speech to a relatively big audience? How did you feel like?

Out of the times when I gave a speech, the one I remember most was the one I gave when I was in 7th grade at my previous school, a Korean public middle school. Just in case you guys aren't familiar with Korean public middle schools, there is 7th, 8th, and 9th grade. Yes, it's different from the American school system. Anyways, it was near the end of the year and the election for the next school president was going on. The system was that there were to be a school president and one vice president from the current 8th grade and one vice president from 7th grade. I jumped in to the election but there was only one other candidate so it was a battle between him and me. On the election day, we each had to give a speech so I went on the podium and stood in front of the camera. My voice was shaking so much because I was so nervous. I couldn't take my eyes off my script and I couldn't perform any of the gestures that I practiced so much the night before. I've never felt so nervous. My blood running super fast, my heart just throbbing, sweat raining from my forehead and back, and so on. I wonder if you guys felt the same on times like this. (And the result? I lost by around 30%:70%... I later figured out that 70% of the school knew him well more than me. )

[sazad100]

I came to Kent last year in the middle of the third quarter and my first class was Algebra 2 and I was having fun making new friends then somebody i think it was Sergey but not sure saw my routine and the 2nd period class was Ms.Hampton's speech class. Everybody told me some scary stories about her and I was scared. The first few days went well because she did not call my name but I saw how scary she was. Then one day she called my name. I wasn't scared of speaking in front of all my classmates but afraid of being embarrassed if she stops me in the middle of my speech but i gave my speech, it went okay. She did not interrupt me in between and slowly it became easier and I got better in giving speeches.

[nadiraamalina]

Our speech class has only seven people so that's no problem. That makes it easy for me to talk, since I know all of them pretty well. The problem comes when there are a lot of people that I have to address. I get really unfocused when the audience's attention isn't entirely on me, and I know that in every audience, there will always be those few disrespectful people who look at their phones or whisper to their friends, so that is still a major problem when I'm making speeches.

[woojongpark]

Actually, I feel less confident when I speak in front of few people because my mistakes seem so apparent when there are few people.
Last year, I took Ms.Hampton's speech class and I had few chances to speak in front of huge audience. Most people had their eyes on me, and my legs felt they were melting. It was kind of embarrassing too. But I realized that I would be ashamed of myself if I just stand there like a frightened mouse and do nothing. Anyways, my speech was very poorly delivered but I wasn't sad because I did manage to stand up in front of people and say something.

[junilee26]

I like your experience Luke!!! hahah

[junilee26]

Yes! I had to present a speech infront of the whole middle School once. In my old school (Canadian International School) there was once when we had to prepare a speech. We first start off giving speech to our classmates and we get voted to be the grade representative and then the middle school representative. Surprisingly! I was one of the Middle school representative (there was 4 in total) . I had a such a opportunity i'll never forget. and Never forget that feeling when I had to go in front of the whole school, parents and teachers.

[mirim002]

i had to present a speech in front of ms hampton's class last year...i was kind of nervous, so i kept saying like, and ummm...it was really embarrassing. like i practiced it...and i knew what i was gonna say, but once u get in front of the class, you just seem to forget what u were gonna say...and mumble. but at least i was able to get it done

[elisalee]

I think people learn from their experience. I always get nervous when I have to go in front of people and talk( presentation, speech, etc.) But whenever I get nervous, I think how I would feel after when I am done with this thing. Then, I feel much better and actually do better.

[JustinK.]

Instead of giving a speech to a large audience, i gave many small ones. Every time when i need to give a speech, i get very very nervous at first, but slowly adjusts to the situation. While im waiting for my turn for the speech, im as calm as a lamb, but when i get up there, my hands start to sweat and i sometimes mess up with the pronunciation of the words. Thinking about Martin Luther King Jr, he must have prepared the speech thoroughly. He was a persuasive speaker, so he must have plenty of experience. Unlike me, he probably wasn't as nervous.

[irin]

I don't have many time I give speech but I was afraid give presentation of class.

[munisa]

Yeah I have given my class a speech long time ago, like the time when I was in elementary school, I forgot what it was about but I was very very nervous, because the audience members were verrrrryyyy meannnnn, they were falling asleep and I felt like crying (( I was very nervous and very unsuccessful.

[ony]

Hello good luck for the mid-term tomorrow.

[sergeyfen]

I have given one speech during assembly for ms hampton's speech class, hehe it was pretty embarrassing and i also was kind of nervous, but it was just speech for her class. At the beginning i was making movements and stuff but towards the end everything relieved.

[agneslianaputri99]

hello