Project 3

Journal 5: Stage Freight 

My experiences with public speaking have varied throughout high school, and experiences by presenting class projects and through theater in college, which helped me get comfortable with being in front of an audience. I am currently in and I have learned to manage my nerves and to project my voice more as well as engage with the audience, such as making eye contact or even pointing at them however, well I got used to acting in performing speaking directly has made myself feel different and I can be either intimidating or especially when I’m presenting complex or sensitive topics like my current project on missing and murdered indigenous woman (MMIW).

Though there are times I have a feeling of mixed anxiety and excitement about public speaking, on the other hand it is exciting to share something. I worked hard on to hopefully make an impact on others, but there is times where there are pressure to communicate effectively and make sure my message comes across clearly I think my nerves come from wanting to do justice to my topic, especially those that are meaningful to me like issues affecting the indigenous community , which having experienced these nerves often I know they can make me lose focus or speed through my words, but my main challenge with public speaking is managing these nerves and finding ways to feel grounded in the moment.

To overcome a lot of these challenges, I have planned on working to slow down my breathing and reminding myself to keep eye contact with the audience, but in the future, I’d like to practice mindful techniques, which I think will help me ground myself more. Another thing I plan to work on is practicing with friends or in front of a small group beforehand, which can give me feedback and boost my confidence before the main presentation.

When speaking publicly, I usually start by trying to outline main points and developing a script, which would help me stay organized. I tend to focus more on memorizing my opening and closing line so I can start an competently as well as expanding on the preparation for the topic by engaging more with the audience, for instance by asking questions or incorporating visuals, that might help convey my point, especially for complex topics practicing more in front of different people which might could help me get used to different reactions and feel more ease.

As for the student learning outcomes or the SLO‘s, the ones I feel are the most relevant to my project would be communication and critical thinking effective communication is essential for the project because I need to present issue clearly in a way that resonates with my audience more and for a critical thinking, it applies by Involving analyzing complex, social and historical factors, as well as carefully considering how to prevent elements that might overwhelm my audience at the time.

Canva: 

The Site was pretty easy to use but there were quite a few problems with trying to get the stuff in place as it keep glitching out and moving the text boxes all over the page so in the end every time I finished I ended up having to save it and then go back to it and then repeat the process for all of the steps, which was very annoying but in the end the results are pretty good besides the purple box I tried to screen shot multiple times without the box however it still had it in the box. As well as trying to save it, it would not let me save it so I had to screen shot it but it does it no justice it's all blurry. 

Piktochat: 

I know they look the same but I kind of wanted to recreate it but it was harder then I thought it was going to be. 

Relfection: 
Using both Piktochart and Canva for my MMIW project allowed me to compare the strengths and limitations of each tool. Piktochart’s primary affordance is its focus on creating visually appealing infographics. It offers clean, professional templates that are perfect for presenting data and statistics, which worked well for incorporating information about the high rates of MMIW in New Mexico. The interface made it easy to align visuals with text, and its charts and graphic tools provided a polished look that added credibility to my project. However, Piktochart's customization options felt somewhat limited compared to Canva, and some features required a premium account.

Canva, on the other hand, stood out for its versatility and creative freedom. It offered a wider range of templates and design elements, which allowed me to experiment more with the visual tone of the project. Canva’s drag-and-drop tools were especially useful for layering images and text to create a compelling single-slide design. However, exporting in high resolution and managing file formats were a bit more restrictive compared to Piktochart.

I found Piktochart better for presenting data-driven visuals, while Canva was more effective for creating a dynamic, emotional design. Combining both tools let me balance the statistical and emotional elements of my project, making the final product more impactful and engaging.

SOGC

For my MMIW project, I blended visuals and text using Piktochart and Canva to create a compelling and visually engaging presentation. Piktochart was ideal for displaying data with clarity, using its charts and infographics to present statistics about MMIW in a way that was easy to understand. Canva, in contrast, allowed me to emphasize the emotional and symbolic aspects of the issue by incorporating striking visuals, such as red dresses and handprints, layered with impactful text.

I used a bold red and black color palette to convey urgency and the gravity of the MMIW crisis. This choice ensured the design was both attention-grabbing and respectful of the topic’s emotional weight. To maintain audience engagement, I limited text to short, powerful phrases, paired with visuals that reinforced the message. Both tools allowed me to prioritize readability by using clear, professional fonts and structured layouts that guided the viewer’s eye through the content.

By combining the strengths of both Piktochart and Canva, I was able to create a presentation that balanced emotional appeal with factual information. This multimodal approach helped ensure my message was both impactful and accessible, aligning with my goal of raising awareness and encouraging action on the MMIW crisis.

Slide Presentation & Video Presentation

Journal 6: 

McKenzie J.

I felt well-prepared for the pitch, but not overly rehearsed. I had a clear understanding of my topic, which made it easier to talk about confidently, but I didn't memorize a script or follow one exactly. I structured my key points and practiced the flow of my presentation, so I could remain focused while adapting if necessary.
didn't memorize a script but had an outline of key points. I chose this approach because it allowed me to be more flexible, ensuring that I could adjust based on the audience's reactions or questions. The effect was positive because I could engage with my audience and present my ideas naturally while still covering the necessary points. However, I occasionally went off track, which led to brief moments of uncertainty.
The most helpful writing for the pitch was the research and annotated bibliography I completed for my MMIW project. It gave me a deep understanding of the issue, helping me speak confidently about its significance, the challenges, and the solutions. My written work allowed me to articulate the nuances of the topic during the pitch, making it feel more grounded in research rather than just a general presentation.

I rehearsed, but in an informal way. I spoke through my key points aloud several times, and I practiced in front of a mirror to observe my body language. I also recorded myself to get a sense of pacing and how I was delivering my message. This gave me a clearer sense of where I needed to pause, emphasize, or slow down for effect. I felt most comfortable discussing the background and relevance of MMIW because that was the core of my research and the section I had the most confidence in. I had a clear understanding of the systemic issues involved, which made it easier to explain to others.
I was least comfortable with the conclusion, where I had to tie everything together and propose future action. While I knew what I wanted to say, it felt challenging to summarize the urgency of the issue in a way that felt impactful. I was concerned about leaving my audience with a strong call to action, which made me a bit anxious.

If I were to do it again, I would rehearse more with a timer to ensure my pitch stays within the time limit. I'd also work on tightening my conclusion, practicing it more so that the final message is clear and compelling. Additionally, I’d try to engage the audience more by incorporating questions or inviting feedback, which could make the presentation feel more interactive.

Project 3 Reflection: Final 

For my third project, I developed a news-style slide presentation and video to address the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) crisis, focusing specifically on its impact in New Mexico this format was a new challenge for me requiring a balance of storytelling, research, and multimedia skills to create something that was both informative and emotionally engaging for my audience as I wish to inform and not overwhelm or underwhelm as the crisis is a very sensitive topic for a lot of people. 

From the beginning I knew this project had to resonate with my audience the MMIW crisis is deeply personal and I wanted to ensure that my presentation honored the women and families affected while educating viewers about the issue’s urgency. Condensing such a complex topic into a concise format was one of the hardest parts. I spent hours selecting key statistics and stories that struck the right balance between emotional appeal and respectful representation It was hard at first as there are not a lot of people who know and there is even less when it comes to the statistics if there are then they date back to like 2017 or the most recent was 2020 So finding people who knew challenging but finding statistics that weren't out of date was even more challenging. 

One of the moments that stands out was choosing the visuals for the slides I wanted the imagery to be powerful but not overwhelming so I included elements like maps showing New Mexico’s high rates of MMIW cases and photos symbolizing resilience such as traditional regalia and red dresses these visuals combined with carefully crafted narration, allowed me to tell a story that I hope will stay with my audience and then they might even spread it to their friends and then it will hopefully continue on from there. 

This project also pushed me out of my comfort zone a lot especially having to deal with technology such as Editing the video and syncing it with my slides that was a bit more of a steep learning curve, but it taught me how to use multimedia tools to enhance a message I now have a greater appreciation for the power of visuals and tone in raising awareness and inspiring action but going back to the video I had thought I had done a great job with it as it was something that was rather challenging but it was very eye opening as I thought I new how to work with technology but apparently not as much as I thought I did. 

However reflecting on this project I’m proud of how it all came together It reminded me of the importance of storytelling as a tool for advocacy especially since story telling is also a big part of my culture and the story are always meaningful especially for issues that often go unnoticed such as the topic I had chosen about MMIW. So when it comes to creating this presentation wasn’t just about fulfilling an assignment it was about giving a voice to those who can no longer speak for themselves and empowering others to take action also in many ways this project feels like a culmination of everything I’ve learned this semester It reinforced the value of research the importance of thoughtful presentation and the impact we can have when we combine our skills with our passions. I’m grateful for the opportunity to use my platform to shed light on the MMIW crisis, and I hope to continue raising awareness in the future.