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.

My final persuasive speech

Today I have to choose the topic for my final persuasive speech. Also, I have to write down the purpose and set out the objectives.
Core statement: Be proactive in all you want to achieve. It pays off in the end.
The purpose of my topic: Persuade my audience that being proactive person really helps to achieve  stated goals and live a better life.
The objectives: 1. Tell people what being proactive means. 2. Share some methods to become proactive person.

CHALLENGE №3

Hi everybody,

Ordering a delivery as well as something connected with telephoning somebody to ask for something you need seems to be an easy matter. But I absolutely disagree with it. I believe I have this fear because sometimes I am really shy person who do not want to communicate with strangers. This fear is based on my thinking that unfamiliar person on the other end of the line will be impolite to me or that I will not succeed in getting my thoughts across, so I will remain misunderstood.

It is the end of the 3rd challenging week and as you could guess I had to overcome this fear.

On Friday I had a little party with my best friend. It was I who telephoned and ordered the food delivery. I just called to one restaurant and had them deliver some sushi. I was relieved when the call ended. The woman, who answered the phone, was kind to me. The delivery was quick enough. And the food was quite nice too.

Heuristic Methods and Creative Writing

Hi there,

This week I am going to complete some tasks which help me to create a neat speech. 

Warm ups 

"One letter" excercise

I need to think about a letter and name as many objects as possible that start with this letter.

V - vegetable, veteran, velvet, vanilla, vitamin, vaccine, vampire, villa, violin, volcano. 

"Random words" excercise

I need to go to the website https://www.textfixer.com/tools/random-words.php, generate 5 random words, pick a few random words and try to and tie them together in the most imaginative way possible.

Here is these words: hell, blonde, long, memory, pregnant.

Today I had a dream that I had gone to hell. But instead of the devil there was a woman with long blonde hair. She stole my memory and compelled me that I am pregnant.

Creative writing prompts

1. What if...

I need to imagine a problematic situation and think of possible (or impossible) solutions. 

What if there were no desks in the classrooms, but only beanbags? 

- Children would use laptops instead of notebooks.

- The atmospehere in classrooms would be more friendly. 

- Children would wear pyjamas.

- Classrooms would look modern and fasionable. 

- Pupils would not pay proper attention to studies. 

- Pupils would be more enthusiastic. 

- Teachers would use more active excercises in class.

2. Six Thinking Hats

I need to formulate ideas for my speech, create a topic sentence and challenge my brain to think in six different directions.

Speech: "How many foreign languages should be taught to students in schools?"

Topic sentence: Students should be taught one foreign language in schools. 

White thinking hat (it covers facts, figures, information needs, gaps): It is easier to concentrate on studying only one foreign language and learn it properly and get a high score.

Red thinkinh hat (it covers intuition, feelings, emotions): When you know one foreign language well, you get inspired to learn other languages for pleasure. 

Black thinking hat (the hat of judgement and logic): Teaching students more than only one language will help them to become more diverse, to improve their memory. 

Yellow thinking hat (optimism): Learning only one foreing language student will know it better rather then learning two or more in an instant. 

Green thinking hat (creativity, alternatives, proposals, provocations, changes): You would crack a jokes which would be understood by native speakers.

Blue thinking hat (overview, analysis): Proper knowledge of one foreign language is much better than superficial knowledge of several languages.

CHALLENGE №2

Hi there!

I hope you are doing well.

It is high time to share that I have done my 2nd challenge from the list of 10 social things that I find challenging to do.   

The challenge was to ask for change in a shop. It may seem easy to perform but not for me. 

I decided to break my piggy bank and go in search of a shop where I could change coins for banknotes. I did not try to change my money in the first shop, because there was a huge queue at the checkout. Fortunately, the second shop accepted my offer with pleasure. It took me and the assistant about half an hour to count all those coins. We had a quite nice talk. At first I felt uncomfortable, a bit embarrassed because I had destracted the assistant from her work. All in all, that feeling was replaced by the feeling that I did that shop good. There was nothing to worry about. 

Clarifying your purpose UPDATED

In chapter 3.1. Clarifying Your Purpose in my course book, I am given the following questions to ask yourself before starting a speech:

- Why should I want to talk about this?

- Why should anybody want to listen to me?

- What single message would I want to put across?

- What need in the audience do I want to have satisfied when I have finished speaking?

- When they all walk away what state would I like them to leave in?

Today I am going to imagine that I am asked to give a speech on some topics, consider the Wh-questions mentioned above to clarify the purpose of each speech and write down my answers to each question. 

Speech 1. 

I am a primary school teacher. I should give a speech to my third graders on the following topic: “Why children should listen to their parents.”

- Why should I want to talk about this?

Obedience is a way that enables a person to develop his or her abilities.

Our parents are the very first our teachers. And children should listen to their parents in order not to become thoughtless, unwise and miserable persons, but to develop their inherent talents.

- Why should anybody want to listen to me?

Because being in good relationships with parents and respecting their point of view will help people to live a better life, not to meet many problems or easily solve them with the support of their parents.

- What single message would I want to put across?

I want to put across the message that everybody should respect their parents’ point of view because they are  people who want the best for you and really care about you.

- What need in the audience do I want to have satisfied when I have finished speaking?

I want my third graders to understand that their parents will help them not to become thoughtless, unwise and miserable persons and that they should listen to their parents, appreciate and follow their advises.

- When they all walk away what state would I like them to leave in?

I would like them to leave in good mood, full of respect for their parents.

Speech 2.

I am working as a team leader in a summer language camp with high school students from the whole region. On the second day I am noticing that some guys and girls hesitate to meet new people or make friends within the team. I decide to take action and give a talk to my team stating “You will learn most from friends that are different from you.”

- Why should I want to talk about this?

Because I want these guys and boys to understand that there is nothing to worry about getting acquainted with new people.

- Why should anybody want to listen to my speech?

Because these guys and girls do not feel comfortable in the team.

- What single message would I want to put across?

I want to put across the message that it may be interesting and very useful to communicate with other people. 

- What need in the audience do I want to have satisfied when I have finished speaking?

I want all these guys and girls to be open to new pleasant and useful acquaintances.

- When they all walk away what state would I like them to leave in?

I want them to leave in good mood, full of desire to communicate and make friends.

Speech 3.

I am taking part at 2018 World Champion of Public Speaking “Toastmasters” and I am going to give a speech “Embarrassing moments make you stronger.”

- Why should I want to talk about this?

I want to inspire myself, as well as other people, not to be afraid of embarrassing moments.

- Why should anybody want to listen to my speech?

It is important to learn more about causes of occurrences of these moments and their importance. 

- What single message would I want to put across?

I want to put across the message that embarrassing moments are essential part of our life and they may make us stronger and more confident, give us some experience. 

- What in the audience do I want to have satisfied when I have finished speaking?

I want them not to be afraid of looking embarrassed. 

- When they all walk away what state would I like them to leave in?

I would like them to leave in mood, full of feeling that they must not to be afraid of looking embarrassed because it is absolutely normal and it makes us stronger.

I think that these questions are pretty basic but answering them helps not only state the purpose of your talk but also give you some ideas how to structure your speech and what points are crucial to mention.

I was asked to watch following performances and identify the possible objectives each speaker has set.

1. Ken Robinson “Bring on the learning revolution!” at TED2010 https://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_bring_on_the_revolution

2. Zifang Su “Turn around”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKVTzuvjEpg

3. Matthew McConaughey – winner’s speech at the86th Oscars in 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD2cVhC-63I 

Performance №1

Make the case for a radical shift from standardized schools to personalized learning. Tell about the need of creating conditions where kid's natural talents can flourish. 

Performance №2

Tell about the importance of stopping being afraid and turning around to the world.

Performance №3

Thank the family and God. Share thoughts on what you need to chase providing personal examples.  

CHALLENGE №1

Hello everybody!

I am happy to share my impressions about doing the first task from the list of 10 social things that I find challenging to do. I put the list in order from the easiest to the hardest thing. So, the first task was the easiest one. 

To be honest, I was a bit awkward but I did not spend so much effort and energy to ask for a stop in the route taxi. I just imagined that all of these strangers in the rout taxi are my friends, picked myself up and did it. 

Useful tips to overcome stage fright

Dear readers,

I am going to describe some strategies  how to overcome stage fright.

The first strategy is to associate speaking with fun. What does it mean? We should practice our speeches in pleasant surroundings, get relaxed and just have fun. Your brain must associate "talking with people" to having a party with friends or having a cozy family dinner.

Exaggerate your symptoms. Will the body automatically produce a symptom that you are doing consciously? Of course, it will not. For example, start breathing rapidly on purpose, shake your legs, blink rapidly, scowl and so on. You can then stop it on purpose, but your body will not start up the automatic system again. 

And the last but not least strategy is to exercise. Why is it so important? Because exercises not only reduce stress and help deal with muscle contractions, they also produce endorphins. I will try to workout the night before or morning of a big speech. They say that it will help to stay relaxed. 

Expected physiological reactions to stress or fear of public speaking

Stage fright... to overcome it you must realize that it is natural, a lot of people suffer from it. I bet you have ever had such feelings as upset stomach, dry mouth, cold hands, sweaty palms, squeaky voice, fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, hot face and so on while speaking in public. Now I am going to describe one of my physiological reactions to fear of public speaking. 

Elevation of blood pressure is of interest for us. 

The healthy body reacts to stress with an elevated blood pressure in order to insure that nutrients and oxygen are distributed quickly and any poisons are flushed from the system. Heat builds up in the head, chest and stomach because in these areas major organs are being primed for action. The body must begin sweating in order not to overheat. Also, you can often feel the heart pumping more quickly than normal as it maintains the higher blood pressure. The sweat will appear in armpits, groin and forehead, as well as on the palms of your cold hands, leaving them with that nasty clammy feeling. 

Challenge myself

Hello!

This week I have to combat stage fright. Actually... start doing it. That is why I was asked to make a list of 10 social things that I find challenging to do. I will meet one challenge a week to overcome my stage fright.

So here is this list:

1. Ask for a stop in the route taxi. 

2. Ask for change in a shop.
3. Order a delivery.
4. Ask a stranger for help.
5. Offer help to a stranger.
6. Ask a stranger in the street to take a photo of me and my friend.
7. Ask a stranger for a mobile phone.
8. Go on a weekend alone.
9. Take a photo with a stranger.
10. Pretend to be a foreigner and ask someone in the street how to get to somewhere in English.

It is worth challenging myself attempting to combat stage fright. I am very excited about this and looking forward to sharing my emotions with you.
All right, wish me luck. :)