be a public speaker (tulisan lama)

BE A PUBLIC SPEAKER

By: Ninin Yasiro, S. Pd. I

The State Institute for Islamic Studies STS Jambi

Educational English Department

Tarbiyah Faculty

2012

INTRODUCTION

Public speaking or speak in front of public is not hard to do. Public speaking is not a natural skill because it needs learn and practice. More practices will help you to develop your skill. If you want to be a good public speaker don’t give up speaking in front of your class in every chance.

Public speaking is not a new trend. In fact, people have been speaking in public since human first developed the ability to talk. Now, public speaking is one of the skills that have to mastering by the job seekers.

Public speaking is very important for us. As I told you before, public speaking is a skill that everyone needs to learn and practice. Many reasons caused my statement before, I will tell you the three reasons of them, and they are:

1.     Almost every one of us will be involved in public speaking in some form at some point in our lives, so we need to be prepared to do a good job when that time comes.

2.    Employers consistently rank public speaking and related communication skills as one of the top skills they look for in employees.

3.    Being an effective public speaker gives you the tools to make a difference in your business, in your community, even in the world.

Those reasons are true dudes! Open your mind and start to practice your skills right now!!

Knowledge is a treasure, but practice is the key.[i]

SPEECH

Before you start working on your talk or presentation, it’s vital that you really understand what you want to say, who you want to tell, and why they might want to hear it. The simple 5w+1h questions will help you to understand what you want to achieve.

1.     Who are you speaking to? ** What are their interests, presuppositions, and values? What do they share in common with others; how are they unique?

2.     What do you wish to communicate? ** One way of answering this question is to ask your self about “the success criteria”. How do you know if and when you have successfully communicated what you have in mind?

3.    How can you best convey your message? Language is important here. Choose your words and nonverbal cues with your audience in mind. Plan a beginning, middle, and end.

4.    When? Timing is important here. Develop a sense of timing, so your contributions are seen and heard as relevant to the matter at hand. There is a time to speak and a time to be silent. ** It’s better to be silent than sing a bad tune.

5.    Where? What is the physical context of the communication in mind? You may have time to visit the room and check for availability and visibility if you are using audio or visual aids.

6.    Why? In order to convert hearers into listeners, you have to know why they should listen to you- and tell them if necessary. What disposes them to listen? That implies you know your self, why you are seeking for communicate- the value or worth or interest of what you are going to say.

All items above can help you to make a good preparation. Your preparations include communications, mindful of the entire communication process. Of course, not all communication can be scheduled. In this case preparation may mean enabling you to communicate with the knowledge you need to be effective.

When it comes to wording your message, less is more. You are giving your audience headlines. They don’t need to become experts on the subject as a result of hearing you talk. So, keep it simple J

Your delivery of your speech or presentation will make or break it; no matter how well you have prepared and crafted your clear, concise message. Some useful tips for keeping your presentation vivid include:

      Use example to bring your points to life

      Keep your body language up- beat.

      Don’t talk to fast

      Use a variety of tones of voice

      Use audio visual aids

Five speech starting Dos

1.     Use physical activity to get audience’s attention

2.    Make a startling statement or present a startling statistic

3.    Tell a theme related joke

4.    Provide an apt quotation

5.    Relate a relevant story

Five speech starting don’ts

1.     Begin with “Hi my name is”

2.    Make a false start

3.    Use a rhetorical question

4.    Go overboard

5.    Fail to consider how you will get the podium

Common ways to remembering materials

There are many ways one can remember material and I would like to focus on the most common ways to remember material before speech.

1.     Memorizing.

The old way in remembering the speech material is memorizing it. Many people try to remember the words to say but not to the ideas behind the words. Sometime your speech becomes abnormal when you forget several words in your speech. The worst situation can be the unforgettable memory for you and the audiences.

2.    Reading from complete text

Listening to someone read a speech or presentation is hated by most people. When the speaker read the whole text, he looked like the poor person. Many speakers read because they are afraid to try anything else. The speaker also loses normal voice inflection because they lose touch with the ideas behind the words.

The speech is not static because there is little movement and little energy, because the speaker looks at the script only. When the speaker read the complete text there is no or little eye contact with the audiences. Any eye contact is with the text.

Reading from complete text is need when speeches must be read. As an example it is necessary to read the policy statements. When you have to read the complete text in speech, you must pay your attention to the following points:

ü  Pay attention to the inflection in your voice; to sound natural, rehearse often, and checking yourself to pauses.

ü  When you preparing your written speech, say the words “out loud” first in order that your written text will read closer to your speaking style.

ü  Don’t forget to use gestures. We need practice to use annotated text of our speech so we can easily and smoothly react to these cues for our gestures while at the same time correctly read the text. This does take some practice. Some people do this very effectively.

ü  When we read speeches, the amount aye contact with our audience is usually less. To avoid this, first write like you speak. Than, when typing the text upper and lower case letters. Don’t have long paragraph because you will lose your place every time you look up. Use unstapled pages for your text. Papers clip your pages and just before you begin, remove the paper clip. During your pauses, smoothly slide the page you just finished using to one side and continue with the text on the next page.

3.    Using notes

Using note is better than reading because the speaker can have normal voice inflection and make more effective eye contact.

ü  Use note cards; include quotes, statistics, and lists you may need.

ü  Put only few words or key phrases.

ü  Leave your notes on the table and move away occasionally

ü  Practice using your note cards. If you use your cards too much, it is mean that you must reduce the amount of your written text.

ü  Use pictures or picture maps to guide your self. Pictures help you to visualize the key points of your speech

4.    Using visual aids as notes

Practice creating just few meaningful headings to use and practice using only these headings as your cues. This will take practice, but practicing using only these few words will force you to better internalize your speech.

The advantages of using visual aids as notes are:

ü  You don’t have to worry about what you are going to say next.

ü  Having only a few words on your visual aids allows you to move around the room without the need or feeling you need to go back to your notes.

ü  You can have a good eye contact with your audience

ü  Your audience will feel comfortable that you are on your planned track

ü  Visual aids do not have to be only word charts but also diagrams, pictures, or graphs.

Body’s image in speech

The accurate perception of your body’s image will help you to build your image. Your body’s image includes;

Ø  Posture

Ø  Gestures

Ø  Body movement

Ø  Facial expressions

Ø  Eye contact

MASTER OF CEREMONY

Master of ceremony (MC) is the leader, the organizer, the guider, and the owner of a program. MC is the host for the event or the show. MC is part of the protocol activity. The protocol is the system of event especially for the formal ceremony in political field.

How to be a good MC? This is a common question from the beginner in public speaking. Generally MC must have a good looking and a beautiful voice. If you have both you can try your luck in this job. Other additional criteria of MC are; MC must be polite, friendly, enthusiast, and glowing. A good MC can motivate the audience to have spirit, for example asking for applause.

MC has a microphone voice, it is natural, clear, powerful, has a good intonation, articulation, and accentuation. The principles for MC in speak are; B-C-A-E formula. Brief means straight to the point. Clear means the words speech clearly. Audible means can be hearing very well. Ease means fluent in conveying the lists of agenda.

MC can throw several jokes to the audience along the program because MC has to entertain the audience when the audience looks bored.  MC must handle the program, to make it run well and on time. Good organization of the program and the coordination among the committee will help MC to do his work better.

MC introduces all of the speakers or the guest star in the program. Thus, MC has to be closer and know the speakers personally. MC is the first man in the program, it makes MC must introduces himself to the audience first. ** introduce yourself, even if you think everyone should know who you are.[ii]

Many preparations before you go forward and speak as the MC

ü  Be relax

ü  Know the room

ü  Know the audience

ü  Know the material

ü  Arrange the pointer

ü  Don’t say “sorry” too much

ü  Don’t missed the rundown of program

ü  Wear the suit and comfort costume

ü  Make up your face

ü  Do gestures naturally

ü  Keep your mouth and throat wet

ü  Be confident and be your self

The technique of vocal

ü  Intonation

ü  Accentuation

ü  Speed

ü  Articulation

ü  Inflection

The technique of performances and gestures

ü  Eye contact

ü  The natural and normal gestures

ü  Body movement

ü  Create your smiling voice

ü  Don’t laugh too much when you throw jokes

ü  Make pauses after jokes, it allows your audience to laugh

CLOSING

After you know the points of the materials above, you can start to practice more and more. I hope that my general explanation about public speaking can be useful for us in developing our skills in public speaking. Amen.

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[i] wise word

[ii] toastmaster.org

neeeh.. sebagian bahan reading 2

PATTERN OF ORGANIZATION (TIME ORDER, LIST OF ITEMS, COMPARISON/CONTRAST, CAUSE AND EFFECT) AND SPEED READING

Patterns of Organization

Separating supporting points from main ideas is an important reading skill. The organization of the supporting details will help you understand how an author thinks. Detecting the patterns of organization of the major and minor details can help with comprehension and retention.

Time Order

Also known and chronological order, steps and stages, narration or sequence of events, in this pattern, ideas are presented in the order in which they occurred in time.

Questions Answered:

“When did it happen?”

“In what order did it happen?”

When Used:

Commonly used in anthropology, history, art history and political science.

It answers the questions relating to time.

Time order signal words

First, third…; next; then; finally; eventually; following this

Example:

The famous Leaning Tower of Pisa has been tilting for over 800 years, and recent improvements should allow it to continue tilting for another 300 more. On August 9, 1173, construction began on this well known Italian bell tower. Almost immediately, it began leaning because it was being erected on the soft silt of a buried riverbed. Between 1178 and 1360, work stopped and started two more times as workers tried to continue the project and figure out how to compensate for the tilt. Over the next six centuries, the tower’s lean continued to increase, although tourists were still allowed to visit. Then, in 1990, Italy’s prime minister feared the tower would collapse and closed it to the public. From 1999 to 2001, engineers excavated soil from beneath the tower. Now, the tower still leans out about 15 feet beyond its base, but it should remain stable for several more centuries.

Reference: Covington, Richard (2001) Smithsonian. “The Leaning Tower Straightens Up,” p41-47

List of Items

Also known as listing, series, addition and enumeration, the information listed may be items, facts, reasons, examples, features or characteristics.

Questions Answered:

“What examples support the main idea?”

“What proof is there?”

When Used:

Commonly used in history, art history, the social sciences and political science.

It answers the questions regarding the appropriate proof, back-up or support.

List of items signal words

And, too, in addition, moreover, or, also, furthermore, as well as, plus, in fact, moreover, besides.

Example

Many modern people are turning themselves into social victims. One example is a Tennessee woman who is suing McDonald’s because she was badly burned on the chin by a hot pickle in her hamburger. A Canadian woman is another example.

She wants to ban the South Park television show because her son Kenny is victimized by the show’s Kenny character, which is killed in each episode. A third example is a group of European and Australian women who want to ban urinals in men’s restrooms because the require men to stand in a way that suggests violence toward women. Another group argues that single people are victimized because society ignores them.

Reference: Leo, John. (2000) U.S. News and World Report. “Victims of the Year,” p24

Comparison and/or Contrast

The material is organized to emphasize the similarities and/or differences between two or more items or topics.

Readings answer the questions:

“How are two items similar?”

“How are two items different?”

When Used: All Disciplines

The items being considered usually fit into the same general category.

Comparison means

ü  what things have in common

ü  how items or concepts are alike

ü  the similarities between elements or ideas

Contrast means

ü  the differences between items or concepts

ü  how things are not alike

ü  distinctions between elements

Comparison and contrast signal words

ü  Similarly, like, the same as, compared to, in the same way, likewise…

ü  But, yet, on the other hand, however, instead, nevertheless, on the contrary...

Example

My two children are so different that it surprises me every day. For one thing, my older child is a girl, and my younger child is a boy. My daughter loves reading, going to the movies, and writing in her journal. My son, on the other hand, loves running, jumping, and swimming– anything that requires using energy. My daughter loves all different kinds of foods, but my son likes to eat only pizza. And while my son can’t go a day without watching some kind of sporting event on television, my daughter will only watch a baseball game if nothing else is on.

Cause and Effect

This pattern describes or discusses an event or action that is caused by another event or action. On occasion, this pattern is also referred to as result.

Readings answer the questions:

“Why did something happen?”

“What were the results of a particular event?”

When Used: All Disciplines

Cause and effect signal words

ü  because, for this reason, due to, cause, on account of, if this, then this…

ü  as a result, since, consequently, therefore, thus, in effect, resulting, and the outcome is...

There are four possible cause effect relationships:

ü  single cause - single effect

ü  single cause - multiple effects

ü  multiple causes - single effect

ü  multiple causes - multiple effects

Example

Smoking is the single most preventable risk factor for fatal illnesses in the United States. Indeed, cigarette smoking accounts for more deaths than all other drugs, car accidents, suicides, homicides, and fires combined. Further, nonsmokers who inhale smoke from other people’s cigarettes face an elevated risk for lung cancer and other illnesses related to the lungs, a fact that has given rise to a nonsmokers’ rights movement in the United States.

How to Learn Speed Reading

Time your current reading speed.

Not only will timing help you to tell if you're improving, but it will also keep you motivated.

·         You can break out a book and a stopwatch and either time how long it takes you to read a certain number of words on a page or find out how many words you read in a given amount of time.

·         An easier way to time yourself is to take an online reading speed test. There are plenty of these available: just enter "reading speed test" in your search engine. Many of these have reading comprehension tests, as well, so you can see how well you're understanding what you're reading.

·         Regardless of how you decide to time yourself, be sure to read at your normal speed during the timing, and time yourself on a few different pages - the average of your times should approximate your average reading speed.

Get rid of distractions.

Even if you think you read better when you have music playing or when you're in a crowded coffee house, you can probably increase your speed if you reduce distractions to a bare minimum. Try to find a solitary place to read, and turn off the TV, radio and cell phone.

ü  Even being in a room of people talking is distracting. If no solitary place is available, try using earplugs to block out any distractions around you.

Adjust reading speed depending on the material.

Often, we must trade off comprehension for speed, so an important part of increasing reading speed is deciding how thoroughly you need to comprehend a particular piece of writing. So before you even start reading, decide how fast you intend to go.

ü  If you're reading a newspaper article, chances are you just want to get the main ideas, and you can skim through the passages quite rapidly.

ü  If, however, you're reading a mathematics textbook or a demanding philosophical treatise - and you need to fully understand the material - you do not want to rush.

Learn to separate the wheat from the chaff with pre-reading.

No matter what you are reading, there is frequently a lot of "filler" that you can read quickly through or even skim over. With practice, you will be able to identify the most important parts of a book as you skim through it. When you get to such a passage, slow down.

ü  Before you begin a chapter or book, look over the entire piece very quickly. Try to find patterns of repeated words, key ideas, bold print and other indicators of important concepts. Then, when you actually do your reading you may be able to skim over large portions of the text, slowing only when you come to something you know is important.

Train yourself not to reread.

Most people frequently stop and skip back to words or sentences they just read to try to make sure they understood the meaning. This is usually unnecessary, but it can easily become a habit, and many times you will not even notice you're doing it.

ü  One exercise to help you avoid rereading is to take a sheet of paper or index card and drag it down the page as you read, covering each line once you've read it. Try to drag the card in a steady motion; start slowly, and increase your speed as you feel more comfortable.

Stop reading to yourself.

As you read you probably subvocalize, or pronounce the words to yourself. Almost everybody does it, although to different degrees: some people actually move their lips or say the words under their breath, while others simply say each word in their heads. Regardless of how you subvocalize, it slows you down.

ü  To break the habit, try to be conscious of it. When you notice yourself pronouncing words to yourself, try to stop doing it.

ü  Practice visualizing a word at the moment you see it, rather than confirming the word in your mind and then visualizing it.

ü  It may help to focus on key words and skip over others, or you may want to try humming to yourself or counting "1,2,3,4" repeatedly in order to prevent subvocalizing.

ü  One exercise to stop your lips from moving is to put a finger on your mouth and keep it there while you read.

Read with your hand.

Smooth, consistent eye motion is essential to speed reading. You can maximize your eyes' efficiency by using your hand to guide them. One such method is to simply draw your hand down each page as you read. You can also brush your hand under each line you read, as if you are brushing dust off the lines.

ü  Your eyes instinctively follow motion, and the movement of your hand serves to keep your eyes moving constantly forward.

ü  Note, however, that many speed reading instruction books warn off using a tracking member in speed reading as it inhibits the process.

Spend Less Time Switching. When you switch from a sentence to the next, your eyes move with the same speed backwards (right to left) as the do forwards (left to right). Notice and correct this. Try to minimize the gap whenever you notice it by instantaneously flitting your eyes to the next sentence.

ü  Practice the above point to get rid of distractions and focus on the book.

Practice reading blocks of words. Nearly everyone learned to read word-by-word or even letter-by-letter, but once you know the language, that's not the most efficient method of reading. Not every word is important, and in order to read quickly, you'll need to read groups of words - or even whole sentences or short paragraphs - instantaneously. The good news is you probably already do this to some extent: most people read three or four words at a time.

• Try focusing on the middle of the line while reading the entire line. Do not let any word take shape before moving on the next word. This causes confusion, and at the beginning, problems of not understanding are there. Usually after a month of vigorous practice there is enough practice to skip over many words without misunderstanding the text.
• Once you have mastered that, concentrate on the center of the page, not the line.

Practice and push yourself. While you may see some gains in speed the moment you start using these tips, speed reading is a skill that requires a lot of practice. Always push yourself to your comfort level and beyond - if you end up having to reread a section, it's not a big deal. Keep practicing regularly.

Time yourself regularly. After a week or so of practice, time yourself again. Do this regularly thereafter, and keep track of your improvement. Don't forget to pat yourself on the back every time your reading speed increases!

Have speed reading work sessions of 20 minutes with one book and one clear purpose. If you feel you still need more from a book, don’t go back to it until you’ve had a break.

Have a clear purpose for reading. Know what you want to get from a book before you start reading. Are you reading for pleasure (doing what pleases you) or for information?

• If you’re reading for information, set your purpose, which will either be
• to find specific information, or
• to discover its message, what it’s about.
• Have a SMART purpose for your reading. In business, people are often told to set a ‘SMART’ goal or purpose. This applies to reading too. SMART stands for: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Real (WIIFM), Time-bound (or timely).