Here is a speech I wrote for my public speaking course. Our assignment was to create a 1 to 3 minute introductory speech. I chose to talk about an embarrassing moment and relate it to my interests. It is due Monday. Feedback is great appreciated.




Right before Thanksgiving break I was at the Strom running on a treadmill, attempting to burn off those last few calories before I gained them back over the holiday. I decided to change the song on my iPod so I paused the treadmill, but while I had stopped, the treadmill kept on moving. Suddenly I was clinging onto the machine for dear life while my legs dragged helplessly across the moving belt. When I finally regained control I noticed that I was bleeding a bit, but what I noticed even more were the people staring at me as if I had just been shot. One girl asked if I was alright. I said yes and quickly hurried back to my dorm, my cheeks burning as I calculated just how many people had actually witnessed my mishap.
My name is ******* and this tale of humiliation reveals more about me than it might seem. I love working out and I frequent the Strom quite a bit. I like playing tennis and have recently added hiking to my interests. Not only do I enjoy staying active but I could not live without music and I carry my iPod with me at all times. I used to play the guitar and at one point I had a fantasy which consisted of me dropping out of school to become a famous rock star, but seeing that I am taking a public speaking course, that did not work out too well. Now my aspirations include traveling around the world, becoming fluent in German, and finding a job I look forward to going to everyday. Right now I am a cashier and thinking about scanning groceries and running price checks for the rest of my life is more than enough motivation to keep me on top of my schoolwork. Of course, like my story suggests, I am incredibly clumsy. I fall all the time. Some of my friends have taken dance classes for years and have all the grace in the world, and while I envy their ability to balance on their own two feet, at least I can start a conversation with, “One time I fell off a treadmill while it was still moving.”