Speak Spoken Academy

TIPS FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING

There are some easy ways to engage our audiences so they listen attentively throughout the entire talk and take action at the end. Here are four from Shola Kaye, author of How to be a DIVA at Public Speaking.

1) Include a core promise in your speech title
Write a speech title that contains a core promise. For example: “Three easy ways to save money on your mortgage” or “Declutter your home FAST with these five top tips”.

Your audience needs a clear benefit from attending your talk, and you’ll be more likely to fill the venue and gain clients if you give them solid advice they can act upon. So make your titles specific and quantifiable so that everyone knows the value of attending your talk.

2) Have a provocative and exciting opening
The beginning of a talk is the best time to grab your audience’s attention. Don’t bore them with a long-winded introduction of who you are and why you’re there – there’s a time for telling the audience what’s to come, but first, engage them!

You only get a few moments to make a compelling first impression so make sure your opening packs a punch.

Some of the ways you can do this include:

Ask a rhetorical question that gets to the heart of your subject matter.
Cite a statistic that will shock the audience or make them think.
Show a compelling or evocative image.
Tell a short story that’s relevant to your subject matter.
Involve the audience with a demonstration of your product.
Ask the audience questions they can answer with hands up or called-out responses.
3) Deliver actionable value
Make sure you deliver some real value during your talk. Don’t hold the good stuff back for your paying customers. Show the audience that you mean business!

Give them great information they can use immediately, or share useful tips and tricks they’ll want to make note of and apply. That way, the next time they need the service you provide, you’ll be at the top of their list.

Your audience should be scrambling for a notebook and pen at some point during your talk because your content is too good to be forgotten. If this doesn’t happen, you need to revisit your speech and make sure the next one contains a few of your golden nuggets.

4) Tell relevant personal stories
We can be reluctant to tell personal stories for a number of reasons. For example, we want to keep things strictly business and think it’s not necessary to share who we are. Or perhaps we think that no-one is interested in our personal struggles and victories. Wrong!

You may have heard that people want to do business with those they know, like and trust. A personal story is one of the quickest ways to tick all three of those boxes. Here’s how:

Be known – by sharing some personal details, we’re allowing ourselves to be known.
Be liked – people like people who are like themselves. How will they know if you’re like them, unless you show them! So by telling a story that reveals some of your core values, or something about your background, or your motivation, you’re allowing your audience to like you.
Be trusted – finally, via the law of reciprocity – I do for you and you do for me – if you trust your audience with your story they’re more likely to trust you in return; with their time and their business!
When telling stories, make sure you keep them relevant. Don’t waste valuable speech time by waffling on about irrelevant details. Each story should have a clear point.

Is the story there to create a connection? Maybe it’s to show your expertise? Or it could demonstrate your motivation behind building your business. Use a story framework to make sure you stay on track. (You can download a free storytelling guide here.)

The key to taking the fear out of public speaking is to remember you’re there to serve your audience so keep them engaged and interested during your next talk with these easy to implement tips.

Adverb: Definition & Types

An adverb is a word/a set of words that modifies verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. It tells when, where, and how an action is performed or indicates the quality or degree of the action.

Many adverbs end in -ly but some words which end in -ly (such as friendly) are not adverbs. Many words can be both adverbs and adjectives according to their activity in the sentence.

Example:

Robin is always hungry for success.
I love her very much.
He is running fast.
Alex works hard.
He wrote that willingly.
Adverb Clauses and Adverb Phrases are clauses and phrases that modify the verbs, adjectives or other adverbs in the sentence.

Example:

He ran toward the bus until he was tired. (Adverb Clause)
He came carrying his box with two hands. (Adverb Phrase)


We were panicked without any reason. (Adverb Phrase)


Types of Adverbs:
Conjunctive Adverbs
Sentence Adverbs
Adverbs of Time/Frequency (When?)
Adverbs of Place/Direction (Where?)
Adverbs of Degree (How Much?)
Adverbs of Manner (How?)
Conjunctive Adverbs:
A conjunctive adverb connects phrases or independent clauses. It provides transitions between ideas and shows relationships.

Conjunctive adverbs are also called connectors.

Example:

It rained last night. Nonetheless, the final match has not been canceled.
We are still confused, however, if the umpires will come.
Last season there was a great drought; consequently, we could not grow crops.
Sentence Adverbs:
A sentence adverb starts the sentence and modifies the whole sentence.

Example:

Hopefully, we will win the match.
Apparently, the sky is getting cloudy.
Certainly, I did not think of coming here.
Adverbs of Time/Frequency (When?)
Adverbs of time/frequency indicate time or frequency of the action in the sentence. They answer the question ‘when/how frequently is the action performed?’.

Always, never, often, eventually, now, frequently, occasionally, once, forever, seldom, before, Sunday, Monday, 10 AM, 12 PM, etc. are common adverbs of time/frequency.

Example:

I went to school a little late yesterday.
He always gets a good result.
I will leave Monday.
He smokes occasionally.
Adverbs of Place/Direction (Where?)
Adverbs of place/direction that indicate place/direction of the action in
the sentence. They answer the question ‘ where is the action performed?’.

Across, over, under, in, out, through, backward, there, around, here, sideways, upstairs, in the park, in the field, in that place, etc. are some common adverbs of place/direction.

Example:

I went through the jungle.
He plays in the field.
Alex is going to school.
He is staying at my home.
Adverbs of Degree (How Much?)
Adverbs that express the importance/degree/level of the action in the sentence are called adverbs of degree. They answer the question ‘how much is the action performed?’.

Completely, nearly, entirely, less, mildly, most, thoroughly, somewhat, excessively, much, etc. are common adverbs of degree.

Example:

She completely forgot about her anniversary.
I read the newspaper thoroughly.
I am so excited about the new job.
Robin hardly studies
Adverbs of Manner (How?)
Adverbs that express the manner/approach/process of the action in the sentence are called adverbs of manner. They answer the question ‘how is the action performed?’.

Beautifully, equally, thankfully, carefully, handily, quickly, coldly, hotly, resentfully, earnestly, nicely, tirelessly, etc. are common adverbs of manner. These adverbs usually end in ly.

Example:

Let's divide the prizes equally.
Please, handle the camera carefully.
Mike is walking slowly.
He is running fast.

USE OF MOST AND MOST OF

We use most before a noun without a determiner. We use most of before a pronoun and a noun with a determiner (e.g. articles, demonstratives and possessives). Most of is also used before personal or geographical names.

Example :-

1. Most cheese is made from milk.

2. Most of England was under water.

3. Most people like movies.

4. Most people in Switzerland can speak French.

5. She has eaten most of that cake.

6. She wasn’t as intelligent as her sisters, but she was the most beautiful.

7. Most of my friends are non-smokers.

8. Most of us were impressed with the plan.

9. Which country produces the most milk?

10. Most of them were uneducated.

We use moreover when we want to add something in support of a preceding statement. On the other hand, however is used when the speaker or writer wants to take a U-turn from something that he or she has already said. This indicates that if you mix them up, there will be confusion. Consider the following:

He went there early. Moreover, he did not meet the man.
He went there early however, he did not meet the man.
He went there early. However, he did not meet the man.

Which do you consider to be the correct statement?
The first is wrong because the transitional word needed is the one that should contrast with the idea of the person visiting early – since his effort was futile.
The second sentence is also faulty because however and any of the linking words cannot be used as conjunction such as and and but. You need to break the statement into two.
This leaves us with the third option, which is correct both in terms of meaning and grammar.

Consider the correct placement of however, moreover, therefore and further more in the following:

He went there early. Moreover, he called the man on the phone before he set out.

The Governor has challenged the President. However, the Presidency has not responded to the issues he raised

I have done my best. However, my boss wants me to do more.

# # #
Some points to note while handling transitional adverbs:

When you want to use the transitional adverbs to join clauses, you need a semi-colon and a comma after the word:
Desmond Elliot is now a politician however he can still act. (Wrong)

Desmond Elliot is now a politician. However, he can still act. (Correct)

Desmond Elliot is now a politician; however, he can still act. (Correct)
The invitation came late. We however attended the party. (Correct).

The invitation came late. We, however, attended the party. (Correct)

The invitation came late. We however, attended the party. (Wrong)

USE OF EVEN

Even is an adverb.

We use even to refer to something surprising, unexpected, unusual or extreme:

He didn’t even have enough money to pay the rent.

You love me, even after the terrible things I’ve done?

I’d never been abroad before, so it was a wonderful gift. I didn’t have to pay for anything. When we got to the airport at Stansted, she’d even arranged for the captain to es**rt me on to the plane. It was a treat I will always remember.

Even: position
When even refers to a whole clause or sentence, we usually put it in the normal mid position for adverbs, between the subject and the main verb, after the modal verb or first auxiliary verb, or after be as a main verb:

You can take an online course now and you even do the test online.

I haven’t even started making dinner.

It’s a really useful book if you’re interested in cameras. There’s even a chapter on buying second-hand ones.

We can put even or not even before the part of the clause or sentence we want to focus on:

Even a five-year-old can see that these figures don’t add up.

They came in cars, in lorries, and even an aeroplane.

[talking about a local swimming pool]

It’s not usually too busy. Not even at weekends.

We sometimes put even at the end of a clause or sentence in informal speaking.

Compare
I can’t remember him at all. I’ve even forgotten what he looks like.

typical position

I can’t remember him at all. I’ve forgotten what he looks like even.

more informal, used in speaking

See also:

Adverbs and adverb phrases: position

Even and comparatives
We often use even with comparative adjectives and adverbs to add more emphasis:

It is six years since U2 played in Belfast in 1987 on their world-conquering Joshua Tree tour. Since then they have become even bigger and richer, and their concerts even more popular.

[talking about a footballer]

Frank played well last season and this season he has played even better.

Even and also
Even and also are both adverbs.

We use even to add emphasis or more information to a surprising or unexpected thing:

Human beings, we are told, will live for 150, even 200 years, by the end of the century.

We use also to add a new piece of information, without the suggestion that it is surprising:

She was a very beautiful girl. She was also very bright and excelled at everything she did.

Even though and even if
We can use even with though and if.

Even though means the same as although, ‘in spite of the fact that’. We use it to say that something may not be what we expect. Even though gives more emphasis than although:

[talking about a football team]

I think they’re fantastic, even though they haven’t won any games this season.

We use even before if to refer to a possible unexpected or extreme event:

I’m still going to go swimming in the sea even if it rains. (I don’t expect rain but it is possible.)

I’ve got to get home even if it means flying the plane myself. (I’ve got to get home and I’ll do anything to get there.)

Even so
We use even so to make a contrast, to mean ‘despite something’. It has a similar meaning to however or nevertheless.

It is most common in front position in the clause but we can also use it in end position. It often occurs after but:

Their holiday went well but, even so, they longed to be home again with the children.

[parent to child, getting into a car]

You do need your seatbelt on. Put it on please. I know it’s not very far, but even so. If we have an accident you’ll need it.

I know you don’t like her, but you should say hello to her even so.

Compare
He gave her a cake with 26 candles on. He even sang ‘Happy Birthday’.

The fact that he sang ‘Happy Birthday’ was unexpected.

He gave her a cake with 26 candles on. He also sang ‘Happy Birthday’.

He did two things: he gave her a cake and he sang

Even though and even if
We can use even with though and if.

Even though means the same as although, ‘in spite of the fact that’. We use it to say that something may not be what we expect. Even though gives more emphasis than although:

[talking about a football team]

I think they’re fantastic, even though they haven’t won any games this season.

We use even before if to refer to a possible unexpected or extreme event:

I’m still going to go swimming in the sea even if it rains. (I don’t expect rain but it is possible.)

I’ve got to get home even if it means flying the plane myself. (I’ve got to get home and I’ll do anything to get there.)

Even so

We use even so to make a contrast, to mean ‘despite something’. It has a similar meaning to however or nevertheless.

It is most common in front position in the clause but we can also use it in end position. It often occurs after but:

Their holiday went well but, even so, they longed to be home again with the children.

[parent to child, getting into a car]

You do need your seatbelt on. Put it on please. I know it’s not very far, but even so. If we have an accident you’ll need it.

I know you don’t like her, but you should say hello to her even so.

Evening Aarti of Saraswati Maa

Saraswati Puja 2020

Merry Christmas to all !

Wish you all a happy "Independence Day" 2019!!

Rajgir tour July 2019

CAPITALIZATION

Always capitalize the following:

The first word in a sentence (किसी वाक्य का पहला शब्द)

E.g. I am Indian.
He is going to temple.
Hurrah! We won the match.

The pronoun I (सर्वनाम = I)
E.g. Do you think, I should go out?
I think I should go now.
I am not able to complete this work.

The first letter of a proper noun (specific name). (व्यक्तिवाचक संज्ञा का पहला अक्षर (विशिष्ट नाम))
E.g. This letter is from Chang.
Shreya is my friend.
Amit and Arun are friends.

The first letter of months, days, and holidays (but not seasons). (महीनों, दिनों और छुट्टियों का पहला अक्षर (लेकिन मौसम नहीं))
E.g. I am going to meet her on Saturday.
We will go there during Christmas break.
I like rainy season but this year there is no rain in July month.

The first letter of nationalities, religions, races of people, and languages. (राष्ट्रीयताओं, धर्मों, जाति और भाषाओं का पहला अक्षर)
E.g. We often eat Italian food.
I like to learn many languages especially French.
We work for a Japanese company.

Geographic areas: cities, states, countries, mountains, oceans, rivers, etc. (भौगोलिक क्षेत्र: शहर, राज्य, देश, पहाड़, महासागर, नदियाँ आदि)
E.g. My destination is Paris.
We visited the Victoria Memorial in Kolkata.
They went near the Arctic ocean.

The first letter in a person’s title. (किसी व्यक्ति के शीर्षक में पहला अक्षर।)
E.g. I went to see Mr. Sinha.
Your class teacher, Miss Sharma, called us for a meeting.

Historical periods (ऐतिहासिक काल)
E.g. The Renaissance began in the 14th century.
We watched a movie about World War II.

The first letter of each major word in the title of a book, movie, article, etc. (पुस्तक, फिल्म, लेख आदि के शीर्षक में प्रत्येक प्रमुख शब्द का पहला अक्षर)
E.g. Shakespeare's Macbeth is my favorite novel.
I like to watch Titanic movie.