PUBLIC SPEAKING & COMMUNICATION Kashmala Qasim SPICES @ McMaster University Initiative
The SPICES Team • What is SPICES • Student Proposed Project for Intellectual Community Engagement Scholarship • A community engagement program to benefit from research done at McMaster University, Hamilton • Our goal: To promote healthy active living in the Islamic Community across the Greater Toronto Area • Who we are • Kashmala Qasim; MiNDS (Neuroscience), MSc, PhD Candidate • Naushin Sholapur; HRM, MSc Candidate • Asim Siddiqui; MiNDS; MSc • Undergraduate team
Outline • What is Communication? • When do we Communicate? • Eye contact, Body Language • Introducing the Talk • Voice • Humor & Anecdotes • Improvisation • Audience needs vs. Speaker needs • Empathy, Safety, Non-judgmental – Counseling Tips • Practice – Your Turn! • Resources: ToastMasters Public Speaking Training
What is Communication • The imparting or exchanging of information or news • To express what you are feeling • Means of connection between people or places, in particular • KEY WORD IS CONNECTION : Whatever we are saying, it should always be a means of connecting the speaker with the audience
Qu’ranic Approach & Intention • Surah Rahman : Allah SWT gave us the ability to speak • Our words can provide a refreshing, enlightening perspective • With the permission of Allah SWT, our words can change hearts, minds, relationships, families and lives • Dua for Public Speaking • EXAMPLE : Musa A.S. à fear of public speaking; how did he handle it?
Fear of Public Speaking • Some fear is good and even normal! • Adrenaline rush, flushed skin à shows excitement • TIP: Breathe deeply before starting • TIP: Have water before and during presentation • DISCLAIMER : Speaking is a lot of work for many people; its draining so reward yourself!
When do we Communicate? • Announcements (in class etc.) • Short Talks • Speeches • Lectures • Dawah • Role Playing/Acting • Spoken Word/Poetry • EVERYDAY WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS
Effects of Social Media on Communication • Texting, emoticons J ;) L LOL OMG!!! TTYL • Being heavily involved in fiction, anime etc. • When communicating without a screen/page/book: • Things have to be spontaneous • Eye contact • Real smiles and frowns • Body Language • COMMUNICATION EPIDEMIC : Many of us are not able to look each other in the eye, smile, move our hands and get our point across clearly and concisely
Before Starting to Speak … • When we get up to speak, before we say a single word we should be mindful of: • Eye contact • TIP: Look right above the eyes (forehead, or just above that if you are feeling shy) • TIP: Rotate head slowly to cover all parts of the room • Body Language: Moderate movement of hands; nodding of head; blinking normally; smiling; laughing etc. • DISCLAIMER : Depends on Culture as well
Using Slides/Props • LOOK – POINT – LOOK • Ensure entire body is towards the audience not the screen • DO NOT READ OFF LAPTOP OR SLIDES
Introducing the Talk • Formal Speeches: • Time • Addressed to Who • Personal Intro • Topic Intro • Example: Good morning staff, students and fellow peers; my name is Kashmala Qasim, from McMaster University and I will be talking about Public Speaking.
Introducing the Talk • For other talks, follow this pattern: • Introduce yourself (background etc.) • Introduce topic (what, why & how) • TIP: Nouman Ali Khan – always gives a verbal outline of what he will talk about (time limit, topic, reason of topic choice, and lessons learned)
Voice – Volume & Tone • Microphone – Testing, Testing … • No Mic – No Problem: Using a louder voice (but not screaming) • TIP : Ask audience for feedback; can everyone hear me? • Tone of Voice: • Beware of a monotonous tone • Beware of an overly animated tone • Neither too formal nor too casual • Conversational Style works well J
Humor & Anecdotes • Both come with practice • Sensible amount of humor is good • Ensure that jokes are not offensive and relatable to most of the audience • TIP: for a demographically varied audience, use a balanced approach to humor • Anecdotes : Putting in personal stories or experiences to ENHANCE the talk • Ensure you are connecting the story to the topic because the audience may get sidetracked
Dress Code • General Tip: Business Casual • Dress similar to or one level above what the audience is wearing (better to be more formal than more casual) • Modesty works great in Public Speaking! • Wear something comfortable • Not fidgeting with sweater, hijaab pins, hair coming out etc. • Not wearing heavy jewelry or makeup • No change in pocket • No cell phone vibrating
IMPROV • Technical Issues • Know your material beforehand • Be passionate about your topic so you always have something to discuss • What if time runs out? Pick whatever is most important for the audience at a given time; learn to skip over content and details • PRACTICE: My dog ate my homework example • TIP : You don’t have to cover everything in your notes/ slides
Audience Needs vs. Speaker Needs • When speaking, always ask, whose need is this? • Does what I’m saying make sense to the audience? Is it relevant to the audience? • EXAMPLE: Khutbahs – are we talking about relevant topics; translating the Arabic? • TIP: IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO TEACH THE WAY YOU WERE TAUGHT
Feedback & Criticism • As a speaker, you have to be open to constructive feedback • People may approach you after the talk and mention: • You’re boring! • You’re speech was too confusing/difficult to understand • You talk too fast or too slow • ASK YOURSELF: Whose need am I fulfilling and don’t take it personally! • TIP: Ask trusted family and friends for feedback for extra words such as “Like” “Uhh” or any awkward hand movements
COUNSELLING CONNECTION • Counselling has a lot to do with communication and public speaking • 4 Concepts: • Empathy – feeling what the other is feeling; journeying with your audience • Safe – providing a safe space for communication of ideas • Non-judgmental – no superiority of the speaker • Validation – positive reinforcement • TIP: Try to encourage, inspire, and motivate NOT preach your ideas
PRACTICE • Groups divided into different types of communication: • Announcement for Class • Make an announcement for your class that there is a bake sale happening tomorrow; include all the relevant information • Improvisation – in 1 minute, prepare a 1 minute speech on “I am having a bad hair day”
Resources • TOASTMASTERS PUBLIC SPEAKING • Available at many high schools and universities • Recruit a teacher/supervisor/professor • Also available at many companies for staff • Practice! • Join a drama class/club; practice role-playing; watch on YouTube award winning speeches and speakers • www.spiceshealthyliving@gmail.com • Make lots of Dua!!! This talent is from Allah SWT, so why not ask Him directly?
QUESTIONS? J J
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