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2016 20/02

Communication Skills Workshop
(by USM Toastmasters Club)

INFORMM Auditorium
USM

Part 1: Impromptu Speaking (Speaker: Mr. Gurmeet Singh)

Techniques: Breathe, Think, Organize, Speak

Think – To go/speak against the direct question helps to stand out, avoid commonness/similarity and helps you to speak differently

Organize – Twisting of ideas (pre-speaking) require the organisation of thoughts

Being a good evaluator (when you have to)
Simple evaluating structure:
1. Thank the speaker
2. Use “5 Points” (elaborate either using 3 good pts and 2 bad pts / 2 good, 3 bad)
3. Conclude & state how the speech impacts you
4. Don’t steal the speaker’s limelight (ha ha)

Avoid being vague as an evaluator; when you comment, note e.g. 1) what’s wrong, 2) why is it wrong, 3) suggestions for improvement.

Part 2: Effective Speech Making (Speaker: Mr. S Palaniappa)

1. Ask yourself “Why compete?”
- To share things
- To mature (i.e. via stage time)

2. Find a [main] message/objective to be shared
- “What do you want people to remember you for?”
- Refine your topic, build fm a core value

3. Develop & write
- Think about word selections & their impact

4. Style
- Know your speaking rate (words per minute) (timing)
- Use humor (where necessary) (punchlines / pauses / intellectual ones)

5. Naming (your speech)
- If you have to use a direct title (i.e. thesis presentation), select key points/words

6. Get relevant feedback

7. Don’t use all (the relevant feedback)
(because not all may work for you.)

8. “What people see, counts.”
- Facial expressions (& gestures)
- Inflections / word stresses to change implications

9. Watch yourself speak (e.g. via recordings haha)
- Recognize flaws & distractions

10. Have fun! (presentations can be fun too, believeitornot) (VIVAthoughtshere)