Discover the secrets of giving a speech or presentation with less stress and more confidence than you thought possible.
If you want the confidence that you get from knowing what you are doing and the satisfaction that comes from knowing you did your best then this might be the most important book you'll ever buy. So what makes me, Serena Greenslade, an expert? When I was about ten, my school had a parents evening - you know the type of thing -the parents go along and chat to the teachers to find out how their children are getting on.
I remember my teacher well - he was young and not very chatty (at least not with ten year olds), During the course of the conversation with my mum, he told her that I seemed happy enough but that he couldn't remember speaking to me during the year!
My mum was furious. I was an incredibly shy girl and if he didn't speak to me I certainly wasn't going to go out of my way to speak to him.
I didn't want people to point at me and laugh when I spoke which is what I was convinced they would do.
Below is my school report.
If you can't read what my report says this is it. Taken from my School Report July 1967 when I was 10 years and 2 months.
Class Teacher's Remarks
Headmaster's Remarks.
As a result of this I was taken to elocution lessons - my mum had gone as a young girl. I thoroughly enjoyed these lessons and took - and passed - various exams in speech and drama and bible reading and took part every year in the Bournemouth Festival. I have spent years of studying and passing exams to become qualified in Speech Training (A.N.E.A. Speech Training) and over the last 15 years have taught other people how not to be so terrified and am happy to pass on my hard learning so that you don't have to be as frightened as I was!
How to breathe to speak What to wear How to stand or sit Why you should open your mouth How to get the sound out The difference in pronouncing vowel and consonant sounds How to make your speech sound interesting regardless of content How to practice a speech How to prepare a speech .....and much more. You might not be as frightened as I was, perhaps you can talk to your workmates but need to give a wedding speech or similar that is really worrying you. Perhaps you want to have a head start in your speech class.
Did you know that what you wear affects the way you speak?...and should you say sorry if you go wrong? The answer's on page .......
Parents - do you want to help your child?
When my children were at school they often had to give presentations. Luckily I was able to help them and they both enjoyed the experiences. When they were 15 they both attained 'A Star' in their GCSE Spoken English exam. Some of their friends weren't so happy about talking in front of the class. If you have children or if you're a student at college taking a speech class, this book has a chapter devoted especially to you. It includes
Funerals - you've chosen the poem, can you read it aloud?Funerals are a daunting affair for everyone and if you have to read a poem, you'll feel even more pressure. You will have chosen the poem with care so you'll want the meaning to be apparant to the listeners.
I found out when I was training that the pauses used in poetry are different than the pauses used in prose and this means that the poem keeps its shape and meaning. Chapter 6 explains how to read poetry out loud.
How good are you at conversation?
I used to answer questions in such a way that the conversation was over before it began and yet it's so easy to answer so that the conversation continues. Find out how in chapter 5.
Do your children take part in sports lessons, dance lessons, horse riding etc?
If they do I bet that like me, you asked friends, looked through the yellow page to find a good qualified coach. However, even if you have the best coach in the area, if the pupil is too frightened or just unable to communicate with the coach, the results won't be brilliant. I wanted my children to get the most out of their lessons (gymnastics, dancing, tennis, swimming, drumming etc.) so I learnt how some children seemed to be able to get more from the lessons than others, now you can find out how.
What else is covered?
Sight reading, useful for auditions and interviews. Voice exercises, articulation, breathing...
This book will be used time after time. Next week you might have to give a wedding speech, then perhaps your children need to give a presentation at school or college.Years later you might be asked to read a poem at a funeral or birthday party. Perhaps you'll start a new job and have to make conversation with strangers.
I have to give a speech tomorrow - is it too late to read this?
Now's the best part. The information in this book will make a difference immediately. Obviously, the more you practise the better you get but there are some things that don't need practise.
These Are Ordinary People Just
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