My research plan

Ideas for the speech can come from almost anywhere, but every research should follow a plan.

So, steps of my research plan below: 

1. Watch a news report or read a newspaper article.
2. Find definition of proactivity (proactive behavior) in dictionary.
3. Discuss the ideas with the person who (in my opinion) considered being proactive. 
4. Find film, video, song or story which proves that being proactive person helps to achieve stated goals. 
5. Try to use methods to become proactive person (experiment myself). This will help me to share personal impressions of these method's pros and cons.    

Implementation of one of the creative writing methods

Hello,

This task focuses on my final persuasive speech (read previous posts to get more information about it). 

I need to implement one of the creative writing methods to come up with ideas to my final speech (for example, "What if..", "Six thinking hats", "A mind map", etc.). Also, the task was to upload my ideas drawn in my notebook. 

I have chosen such heuristic method as "What if..." that involves creating a problematic situation and thinking of possible (or impossible) solutions.   

Here is my ideas:

CHALLENGE №4

"Accidents, try to change them - it is impossible. The accidental reveals man." These words were said by an English novelist, playwright, scriptwriter J. B. Priestley. I believe that accidents are not accidental at all. And last week I happened to deal with one accident. You might be wondering how it all connected with overcoming my stage fright. Let me explain.
The thing is that I was intending to do the 4th task from the list of 10 social things that I find challenging to do (the task is to ask a stranger for help) and I have done the 8th one totally by accident. The 8th task was to go on a weekend alone.
It was Sunday night and I spent about 2 hours having a good, slap-up supper in one crowded restaurant. And I should say that I liked it very much. I had a splendid opportunity to explore my thoughts, think over my plans and things like that. As for my feelings, I was quite confident and relaxed. I felt neither embarrassed, nor awkward. This task was not challenging at all. Moreover, I will do it again.

Speech Structure: Mastering the Introduction

This week I was asked to go over the course book chapter 4.1 The introduction can "make or break" you as a speaker and complete some tasks focused on the introduction which helps us to get the audience attention and set the right mood of the speech. 

Task 1

I need to watch following public speech performances and identify the technique(s) used in the introduction (attention-getter) in each performance. 

The most common attention-getters for introduction are asking questions, making references, making a startling statement, giving a quotation and telling a story.

1. “How will we survive when the population hits 10 billion?” by Charles C. Mann  at TED2018 https://www.ted.com/talks/charles_c_mann_how_will_we_survive_when_the_population_hits_10_billion 
2. “Still Standing” by Ramona J. Smith at the 2018 Toastmasters International World Champion of Public Speaking https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Tev43VNRIc 
3. “Every kid needs a champion” by Rita Pierson at TED Talks Education https://www.ted.com/talks/rita_pierson_every_kid_needs_a_champion/discussion?...en
4. “How great leaders inspire action” by Simon Sinek at TEDxPuget Sound  https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action?referrer=playlist-the_most_popular_talks_of_all 
5. “Looks aren't everything. Believe me, I'm a model” by Cameron Russell at TEDxMidAtlantic https://www.ted.com/talks/cameron_russell_looks_aren_t_everything_believe_me_i_m_a_model?referrer=playlist-the_most_popular_talks_of_all&language=en 

Task 2
Once I got the audience attention, I move towards the thesis statement. I need to identify the thesis statement and evaluate the transition between the attention-getter and the thesis statement on the scale from 0 (poor transition) to 3 (well-done transition). 

“How will we survive when the population hits 10 billion?” by Charles C. Mann  at TED2018

Such attention-getter as asking questions is used in the introduction. 

I would give 2 points out of 3 for the transition between the attention-getter and the thesis statement. I think it was quite long and I could not wait for the thesis statement and the main part, but Charles C. Mann starts his speech with the question which seems interesting and attractive to me. 

 

“Still Standing” by Ramona J. Smith at the 2018 Toastmasters International World Champion of Public Speaking

The attention-getter is telling a story. And there are some questions. 

I would give 3 points out of 3. I really like the way she starts her performance and gives us a thesis statement. I think that transition is logic enough. (By the way, I am impressed by her vocal as well as her physical presentation.) 

“Every kid needs a champion” by Rita Pierson at TED Talks Education

The attention-getter is telling a story. 3 out of 3 for  the transition between the attention-getter and the thesis statement. Her thoughts are easy to follow.  

“How great leaders inspire action” by Simon Sinek at TEDxPuget Sound

Such attention-getter as asking questions is used in the introduction. And this questions, of course, are connected with the main message of his speech. Also, he gives us some comments to them. 3 out of 3.   

“Looks aren't everything. Believe me, I'm a model” by Cameron Russell at TEDxMidAtlantic 

The attention-getter is making a references. Also, she asks some questions. To be honest, I like this speech the most. I think that changing the outfit was a good idea to make a startling statement. I would give 3 points out of 3 for  the transition between the attention-getter and the thesis statement.