On Wednesday 4th October Alan Devine , an Irish actor who plays Louie Gleeson in Fair City , visited our school and gave us a workshop on Public Speaking.
Alan first stated the two most vital things for public speaking. Energy and Attitude. In order to grasp the audience's attention we must have these traits, or at least pretend to have them. Alan then broke the most important things to do during public speaking. These included approaching the 'X' with 'Energy and Attitude' , using 'Granny Devine's smile' , using hand gestures and making eye contact.
Alan first stated the two most vital things for public speaking. Energy and Attitude. In order to grasp the audience's attention we must have these traits, or at least pretend to have them. Alan then broke the most important things to do during public speaking. These included approaching the 'X' with 'Energy and Attitude' , using 'Granny Devine's smile' , using hand gestures and making eye contact.
After the break, we put what Alan had taught us into practise through a series of mini-games. These included telling Alan's hilarious jokes, 'Old King Cole' , nodding at our class-mates and following the gesture machine. These games put us out of our comfort zone and made us use the public speaking traits.
Nine days later on Friday the 13th, Alan returned to listen to the speeches that we had prepared using his advice. My speech was about Nelson Mandela , the first black president of South Africa.
REFLECTION: I found Alan's public speaking workshop to be extremely beneficial to me. One of the main reasons I did TY was to improve my public speaking, as stated in my personal statement. I became much more confident as the day went on , and Alan's tips after he listened my speech showed me what I needed to work on. Overall , I really enjoyed the day.
Nine days later on Friday the 13th, Alan returned to listen to the speeches that we had prepared using his advice. My speech was about Nelson Mandela , the first black president of South Africa.
REFLECTION: I found Alan's public speaking workshop to be extremely beneficial to me. One of the main reasons I did TY was to improve my public speaking, as stated in my personal statement. I became much more confident as the day went on , and Alan's tips after he listened my speech showed me what I needed to work on. Overall , I really enjoyed the day.