Describe a speech that you gave.
One speech that I gave, which I still remember vividly, was during my final year at university. It was part of an inter-college public speaking competition, and I had been selected to represent my department. The topic I was assigned was “The Role of Technology in Education”, which was something I was genuinely interested in, but I was also a bit nervous because it was my first time speaking in front of such a large audience outside my own class.
In preparation, I spent several days researching credible sources, gathering statistics, and collecting real-life examples of how technology is transforming the learning process. I also wrote my speech carefully, making sure it had a clear introduction, body, and conclusion, and I rehearsed it multiple times in front of a mirror and with my friends, which helped me refine my tone and gestures.
On the day of the competition, the auditorium was packed with students, teachers, and judges. Initially, I felt my heart pounding and my palms were slightly sweaty, but as soon as I started speaking, I gradually gained confidence. I began by capturing the audience’s attention with a rhetorical question and a striking fact about how digital tools have revolutionized classrooms. Then, I explained the benefits of technology, such as enhancing collaboration, providing personalized learning, and making education more accessible. I also acknowledged the challenges, like screen addiction and unequal access, which added depth and balance to my speech.
The most rewarding moment came when I finished and the audience applauded enthusiastically. I felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment, knowing that I had communicated my ideas clearly and confidently. Later, the judges praised me for my structured content, confident delivery, and the way I engaged with the audience through eye contact and gestures. Even though I didn’t win first place, the experience taught me a lot about preparation, self-discipline, and public speaking skills.
Looking back, this speech was not just an academic exercise, but a transformative experience. It boosted my confidence, improved my ability to articulate ideas, and showed me that with proper preparation, I could speak effectively in front of large groups. Since then, I have participated in several other presentations and meetings with much more ease and assurance.
Vocabulary / Phrases Explained
- Vividly remember – recall something very clearly.
- Inter-college public speaking competition – a contest involving participants from multiple colleges.
- Credible sources – reliable and trustworthy information.
- Refine my tone and gestures – improve how you speak and use body language.
- Rhetorical question – a question asked to engage the audience, not requiring an answer.
- Enhancing collaboration – improving the ability to work together.
- Added depth and balance – made the speech more complete and fair.
- Overwhelming sense of accomplishment – extremely strong feeling of success.
- Articulate ideas – express thoughts clearly.
- With proper preparation – by preparing well in advance.