#oratory skills

[townpostin]

S.D.S.M School for Excellence Hosts Values-Themed Competition

Students Excel in Choral Recitation and Storytelling The recent Choral Recitation and Storytelling Competition at S.D.S.M School for Excellence highlighted the importance of values while enhancing students’ public speaking skills. JAMSHEDPUR – S.D.S.M School for Excellence recently organized a Choral Recitation and Storytelling Competition for its Junior School students, emphasizing the theme of…

[tmarshconnors]

Destruction Of Words.

In an era where sound bites and social media blurbs often substitute for meaningful dialogue, it is easy to romanticise the past. We look back to a time when men and women communicated with a grace and eloquence that seems all but lost today. Figures like Sir Winston Churchill, Ronald Reagan, and Martin Luther King Jr. crafted speeches that not only conveyed their messages with clarity but also resonated deeply with their audiences, leaving a lasting impact on history.

Take, for instance, Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. In a mere 272 words, Lincoln managed to encapsulate the essence of democracy and the enduring spirit of the nation. His words, chosen with precision and care, continue to echo through the corridors of time, reminding us of the power of succinct and impactful speech.

Consider also the speeches of Sir Winston Churchill during World War II.

His rousing addresses, such as "We shall fight on the beaches," were masterpieces of rhetorical skill, instilling courage and hope in a nation under siege. Churchill’s mastery of the English language and his ability to galvanise an entire country stand in stark contrast to the often vapid and disjointed rhetoric we hear from many public figures today.

In today’s fast-paced world, communication has become increasingly truncated and superficial. The rise of social media platforms like Twitter, with its character limits, encourages brevity over substance. This shift has given rise to a generation of public figures who often struggle to articulate their thoughts coherently, let alone with the eloquence of their predecessors.

Sound bites have replaced well-considered arguments, and sensationalism often trumps sincerity. The art of debate, once a cornerstone of democratic societies, has been overshadowed by the spectacle of shouting matches and personal attacks. This decline in the quality of public discourse reflects a broader cultural shift towards instant gratification and short attention spans.

We have singlehandedly destroyed the beauty of words. It often reminds me of a quote from the film “1984” which goes like this “It's a beautiful thing, the destruction of words.” However it’s NOT a beautiful thing. The erosion of language can and has lead to a decline in the richness of human expression and communication.

Words are powerful tools for conveying ideas, emotions, and knowledge. When we reduce their complexity, overuse certain terms, or allow language to become a tool for manipulation rather than enlightenment, we risk losing the depth and diversity that make communication meaningful and impactful.

[kineticallyanywhere]

Monkey’s Paw pages 144-147 ( START HERE || ao3 || previous || next ) AU after episode 62. The Omega Dads try a more desperate gambit, but   careful what you wish for. Our dads find alternate versions of themselves in a strange dreamscape. If you die in the dream, do you die in real life?

"three psych outs in a row is that good writing" let me COOK

anyway hey guys im still alive. these pages just did not wanna happen. mostly panelings fault. finished not perfect, amiright?

[sakasakiii]

uncle nolo and little maedhros shenanigans is a concept that lives rent free in my head and i had the draft for this comic sitting in my head since november 🕺 it likely takes place a few years after nelyo was born before nolo married, and unlike arafinwe who leapt shamelessly into unclehood, he was a lot more reserved and hesitant to even interact with his nephew for fear of deepening feanor's distaste even more HHAHA

bonus in which nolo's fears are proven true:

the cute sparkle bg i used can be found on cartoon network's website !

[thedocfromhelll]

So I just got a dm on my tumblr from one of the students who studies in the school from where I graduated and went to give speech and..... lemme kill myself. Like srsly wdym that girl folliwed me on tumblr and saw my face reveal and then saw me live too. Like I am telling students how to crack aiims confidently in the auditorium and that girl must be thinking that this is the same girl who wants zayne to creampie inside her

[kebriones]

You know it took an Assassin's creed game for people to remember again Alcibiades but hey for better or worse it's a good start 😅

Now you may take the torch and continue the influence

Listen, AC odyssey was also what reminded me he existed, and sure it's a start, but you realise they did him so dirty the more you learn about him.

I am definitely running away with that torch though yeah. Mine now. I'll take care of you, long dead guy, get in my pocket.

[sholawilde]

[xxxprogamer69xxx]

shits getting outta hand, I cast: SUMMON HENRY CLAY

[definitelynotafurinasimp]

Them reacting to horrible pickup-lines

characters: All Honkai Star Rail Characters (except the kids and Yanqing) x gn!reader

warnings: none

a/n: Someone requested Topaz reacting to a horrible pickup-line. I started thinking about horrible pickup-lines a bit too much and now we’re here.

Anyway, hope you enjoy!

I cannot stress enough how stupid of you it was to even think this was a good idea. Depending on their mood and whether or not you are relevant to whatever agenda they follow, you might escape with nothing but a stern warning and a scornful look. No matter what however, don’t try it again. You will not get off scot free a second time.

Blade

Jingliu

Damn, are you an aircraft engineer? Because whatever sentence you just constructed flew right over their head. Are you joking? Or was either of you suffering from a stroke? It doesn’t matter. Don’t try to explain it, you will undoubtedly make it so much worse. It is best for you if they treat your poor attempt at flirting the same way one might a cryptic message from the gods instead of thinking about it for even a moment longer.

Argenti

Arlan

Bronya

Xueyi

Sushang

Luka

HuoHuo

Lynx

Bravo! Whatever just came out of your mouth will forever be ingrained into their memory, although the reason for it is probably not what you had hoped for. Instead of answering, they just… stare at you until even your least socially adept neuron gets that they were not a fan. For both of yours’ sakes, apologize. And maybe cut it back with the pickup-lines in the future.

Dan Heng

Dr Ratio

Herta

Seele

Fu Xuan

Pela

They don’t have it in their hearts to tell you, but deep down you know your line didn’t pass the vibe-check. Either out of confusion or the simple desire for both of you to just pretend it never happened in the first place, they give you a polite smile and quickly change the topic. Don’t hold it against them, pickup-lines had their charms, but maybe try a bouquet of Flowers next time.

Asta

Welt

Yukong

Hanya

Ruan Mei

Gepard

Natasha

Luocha

That is not a pickup-line. This is a pickup-line. They weren’t about to be outdone at their own game. Pretty savvy when it comes to stringing together the right words themselves they fire back almost immediately, the manner in which they respond enough to make you blink in surprise on its own.

Extra points if it’s somehow worse than yours.

Himeko

Kafka

Argenti

Tingyun

Serval

Whether it’s just an amused chuckle or full-out laughter, you got what you wanted. The thrill of knowing you’d be able to put another skill on your resumeé filling you with enough pride to inflate anyone’s ego… It was your pickup-line they found amusing, wasn’t it?.

Black Swan

Jing Yuan

Guinaifen

Qingque

Topaz

Congratulations, you will never see the day they’ll stop reminding you of your oratory genius. If you change your name, they’ll make it their mission to find you. If you go deaf, they’ll learn sign language. No matter how unpredictable the future was, you get the feeling they’d rather forget their birthday than this.

March 7th

Silverwolf

Sampo

[a-big-apple]

if someone's trying to really beef up a character's voice, what advice would you have for them (in general or in TLT in particular)? what are some major voice missteps you've seen esp given your extremely thorough reading of the series👀

jeej u always ask the most interesting questions!! i feel like in general, for me, i'm pretty good with remembering and recognizing voices (like, how they actually sound) and good at remembering iconic lines. so when i'm trying to write a specific pov, i'll sometimes revisit examples of the tone i'm going for by watching bits if it's a show, or listening to bits of the audiobooks for TLT, and then as i'm writing and editing i'll kind of read everything back to myself in that character's voice.

but that's a particular skill i have that may not be more broadly useful, so...in general, some of the things that stand out to me are vocabulary, register (like how formal or informal), and demeanor.

so for example, gideon has a really large vocabulary, and she uses big and/or obscure words for specific effect, usually to needle harrow, but not as much in everyday speech. she's also often crude, and she'll use slang, and she uses humor to defuse and disguise rather than speaking seriously very often, so when she's being honest and frank it has a big effect. her internal monologue isn't very formal, and neither is her speech most of the time, but the formality might increase when she's kiriona, for instance!

whereas harrow speaks very formally and precisely, might not use as many contractions (almost everybody uses contractions in normal speech and it sticks out when someone doesn't, this is a bugaboo of mine, but harrow does genuinely sometimes go super formal), and uses her own big vocabulary in her regular dialogue a lot more often. she's used to oratory, she's the leader of a religious order, she's pretty good at stringing together a speech whether it's intended to inspire or to tear somebody down.

then you've got somebody like camilla, who doesn't speak much but has a very dry humor when she does, and is more likely to truncate or leave off unnecessary words, making her come off kind of brusque. she waits to talk until she has something necessary or important to say, but she knows how to tease. she's fairly informal, but she can slide into an academic register very easily, and she almost always calls everyone, even palamedes, by their title instead of their name.

sentence structure can come into this too, for narration from a particular pov! gideon is observant but also sometimes misses things or doesn't have all the information, her narration might include more questions or commentary to herself. harrow is intellectual and scheming and sometimes super unsure, so she might have longer and more convoluted sentence structure in her narration. cam is super straightforward, so her narration might be full of observations and thoughts and feelings that she keeps to herself, but with more short sentences, a more clipped rhythm that matches her speaking style.

other things that can sometimes rub me wrong or stick out are endearments and nicknames! there are some characters who will make up names for people and keep using them (gideon) and some who will almost always use a respectful title or name (cam) and some people who throw endearments at everyone willy nilly (cytherea and augustine come to mind). if a character has a canon endearment or set of endearments that they default to, or specific ones for specific people, it really helps keep the voice in character to keep using those. harrow uses beloved for alecto, and it means something when that transfers to gideon in fic in place of griddle, or just her name. pyrrha uses kiddie, and six million other things, but only with nona and later a bit with kiriona. ianthe and coronabeth both flirt with nicknames that the objects of their attention either despise or don't seem to allow from anyone else (harry, jody, millie). gideon uses all her wild thesaurus superlatives for harrow, but when it's a crisis moment and she's showing her heart, she uses honey.

this is just my personal pet peeve i think, but love/baby/babe are SO overused as defaults, when there are so many good opportunities to either use something that the character does say in canon, or find something unique that fits the character and the relationship in the fic. and imo, these should always be used sparingly and for specific emotional effect, unless you've got a character like pyrrha who i think always uses nicknames for nona. (frankly, griddle is very cute but harrow doesn't actually use it as much as fic wants her to)

so i guess, tl;dr advice is to relisten/rewatch/reread the voice of the character you're trying to get into, and think about the way they say things and the way they present themself, and take note of any quirks they have that can be put to good use later!

[townpostin]

Jamshedpur Student Ishita Pandey Wins Regional CISCE Debate Competition

Ishita Pandey from Tarapore School to represent Eastern Zone at national level Ishita Pandey of Tarapore School clinched first place in the CISCE regional debate competition, advancing to the national level. JAMSHEDPUR – A Tarapore School student has won the CISCE regional debate competition, securing a spot in the national-level event. Ishita Pandey demonstrated exceptional oratory skills and…

[tmarshconnors]

Power of Repetition in Public Speaking

After watching "Oscar-winning actor & writer Tom Hanks gives the Oxford Union an acting lesson" on YouTube I felt inspired to write this blog. The link below if interested.

Public speaking is an art that transcends mere words; it involves a deep understanding of human psychology, effective communication techniques, and the strategic use of rhetorical devices. Among these, repetition stands out as a powerful tool that can elevate a speech from ordinary to extraordinary. In this blog, we delve into the Repetition class in speaking, exploring how this technique can captivate audiences, enhance message retention, and leave a lasting impact.

The Basics of Repetition:

Repetition involves the intentional reuse of words, phrases, or ideas within a speech. When employed thoughtfully, it can create emphasis, reinforce key points, and establish a rhythm that resonates with the audience. There are various forms of repetition, each serving a unique purpose:

Anaphora: This involves repeating the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. For example, Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic "I Have a Dream" speech masterfully uses anaphora with the repetition of "I have a dream."

Epistrophe: In contrast to anaphora, epistrophe repeats a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses or sentences. Winston Churchill's famous "We shall fight on the beaches" speech is a classic example of epistrophe in action.

Anadiplosis: This technique involves repeating the last word of one clause or sentence at the beginning of the next. This creates a seamless connection between ideas and builds momentum. Yoda's sage advice, "Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering," is an example of anadiplosis.

The Impact of Repetition:

Emphasis: Repetition serves as a spotlight, directing the audience's attention to specific words or ideas. By repeating a key point, a speaker can emphasize its importance, making it more likely to be remembered.

Rhythm and Flow: A well-crafted repetition adds a musical quality to a speech, creating a rhythmic flow that engages the audience. This cadence can make the message more memorable and enjoyable.

Connection: Repetition helps to establish connections between different parts of a speech. It ties ideas together, creating a cohesive narrative that is easier for the audience to follow.

Persuasion: Through repetition, a speaker can subtly persuade the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take action. The consistent reinforcement of a message can influence attitudes and beliefs.

Practical Tips for Using Repetition Effectively:

Choose Key Points: Identify the core messages you want to convey, and strategically repeat key words or phrases associated with these points.

Consider Your Audience: Tailor your repetition to resonate with your audience. Understanding their preferences, values, and expectations will help you use repetition more effectively.

Vary Your Approach: While repetition is a powerful tool, overusing it can diminish its impact. Vary your repetition techniques to keep the audience engaged and interested.

Practice Pacing: The timing and pacing of repetition are crucial. Practice delivering your speech with the right rhythm to maximize its impact.

In the world of public speaking, the Repetition class is a formidable ally. When wielded with skill and precision, repetition can transform a speech into a compelling, memorable experience for both the speaker and the audience. By understanding the various forms of repetition and practising its implementation, speakers can elevate their communication skills and leave a lasting impression on those who listen.

[hollowed-theory-hall]

What PJO cabins do you think the HP kids other than Harry would be in? I feel like maybe it'd be either Apollo or Athena for Ron, and perhaps Ares (or Athena, if Ron's a child of Apollo) for Hermione?

(I accidentally sent an unfinished ask last time)

Well, I'm not going to give as deep of an analysis, but sure, this is fun.

Harry was mentioned here, where I settled on Apollo cabin, but a more distant descendant of Hades.

The Weasely twins have to be related to Hermes in this AU; there is no other option. And because Hermes is a god of way too many things, I think it works well with the other Weasley children as well:

Bill - Hermes is the god of travelers & wit

Charlie - Hermes is the god of shepherds. What is a dragon tamer if not a dragon shepherd?

Percy - well, Hermes is also the god of language & oratory, which Percy is involved with as an undersecretary in the Ministry.

Ron - Well, I already mentioned Hermes is the god of wit & cunning, which I think applies to Ron.

Ginny - Herems also happens to be the god of athletes.

Basically, I want all the Weasleys to stay siblings, also on the godly side of things. Though, like with Harry, I don't really want to remove either of their parents, so let's make Hermes Arthur's dad, or something.

Hermione - Athena is a classic choice for her, and I think it fits for her wit and learning side + the dash of ruthlessness that Athena is associated with as a war goddess.

Fleur - has to be a daughter/granddaughter of Aphrodite with the veela magic.

Draco - I'm going, Dionysus, because Draco is a theater kid if I've ever seen one. I think if Hogwarts had a drama class, it would've improved his life dramatically. Also, he gives me the vibe. (But I like his relationship with Lucius... we'll need to find a solution for that)

Severus - I considered Athena, for craftsmanship, wit, and warfare aspects.

Sirius - I'm kinda leaning toward Ares. Violence & bloodshed, these things that are the epitome of what we see of the Black family in canon. His animagus form is linked to the Grim, a harbinger of death. I just like this for him. Plus, it'll be fun, because in this AU, I want Bellatrix to also be a daughter of Ares, so it'll be fun. (Also, Ares is associated with dogs).

Lupin - Like, Zeus is known for his association with wolves; Zeus Lykaios is one of his epithets. "Lykaios", meaning wolf, and the origin of the word "Lycanthropy". That being said, Apollo is also associated with wolves and is a better fit for Remus, probably. (Though the Zeus Lykaios is fun).

Tom Riddle - He was a tough one for me. I think the funest way to go for this AU, is Apollo. a) for the connection to Harry. b) Beauty, plague & knowledge being among Apollo's domains. c) Association with snakes. d) Prophecy. Though I can see Posidon perhaps, mostly for vibes (earthquakes & destruction) rather than a deep analysis.

Albus - I kinda wanna go Zeus. Like, it fits his behaviour, his arrogance, and he is skilled. Idk, it makes sense to me.

Again, this is something quick and fun and not to be taken too seriously.

[tinfoil-jones]

Jerk Ford AU: Eloquent as F***

At the end of the day Jerk Ford is still a Stanford Pines, and while he isn’t a theatre kid like his twin brother, he still has a flair for the dramatics just like his canon self.

A little known fact (little known until it’s too late), Jerk Ford is really good with words and wordplay! It's something a lot of his variants don’t usually pick up at first because he speaks to people with casual, common, and crude language.

Here’s an example of how he normally talks to other Fords (and most people):

Another AU Ford: You’re a blight upon the name 'Dr. Stanford Pines'.  Jerk Ford: And you’re a bitch whore, anything else obvious you want to say? Big ego having ass.

It takes a lot to get a rise out of Jerk Ford, because as previously stated you can’t be mean to Jerk Ford, he sees it as a contest of who can be a bigger jerk and he’s always the biggest jerk. In an unforgiving multiverse full of monsters, demons, and aliens, where he’s pretty low in terms of physical abilities just compared to other versions of himself, his wit and biting words were his only real offense and defense. So if really wanted to verbally tear somebody apart, he could.

Here’s an example of a situation where Jerk Ford would flex his real, actual oratory skills:

Not a lot of Fords have asked Jerk Ford about his brother, but a fair portion of the one who actually did questioned why he was so lenient towards his twin brother who ruined his life twice (the college rejection, the portal incident). And usually Jerk Ford would just roll his eyes and say something along the lines of "Why are you worrying about someone else's brother?" Because he knows his alternates don't actually want to see his point of view, they just want to argue against it, because it goes against their own idea about their relationship (or lack thereof) with their Stan.

But, let's say there's a Ford out there who either manages to get a rise out of Jerk Ford, or who is willing to seriously consider an alternate viewpoint (both unlikely).

(The following is specifically if the motion machine is used as an argument)

"I was mad. Of course I was mad! From my perspective, the person I trusted most in the whole world had sabotaged and betrayed me! And I had to take his word for it that it was an accident and not on purpose! We are the same person, of course I know how you felt because I felt the same. Where we differed is that I asked myself a question; do I want to be angry and have my brother, or do I want to be angry and be alone? I chose my brother, and I was angry for a while, and believe me I gave him s**t about it for years, but I got over it. If you asked yourself the same question... you made the wrong f***ing choice, because you chose being right over being happy. That's why you're a genius, with near limitless potential, yet you're still a miserable fool who never got over it. No wonder you don't care about going home. There's only one person who would still be waiting for you all of this time later, and you're still putting your pride first."

---

Reminder that The Artist has a playlist for Jerk Ford. Although this is a playlist about him and not necessarily what he would listen to.

While he likes Kendrick Lamar's music, it's not genre that catches his fancy; he likes artists who are good at wordplay and use inventive lyrics, just happens to fall under rap and hip hop because wordplay is a big part of rap.

[kebriones]

"Because, in general, i believe that a city that is not used to inactivity will be destroyed quickly if it abandons action, and that the people who live with the most safety are those who behave according to their customs, even if those (meaning: the customs) are worse than others"

Alcibiades will really just say whatever huh.

[caeruleosanguine]

*copy and pasted from white wolf wiki.

Alexander, whose brood are known for passion, oratory resonance, and skills in convincing even the clenched fists of nobles and bishops to give up coin and deeds to territory. Alexander’s childer and grandchilder also possess a reputation for loose tempers and fits of frenzy.

Antonius, whose descendants are known for a predisposition towards tactical thinking and administration, and in modern nights are part of churches and cults that seek to reclaim the Constantinople Dream, ushering in a new age of prosperity and cooperation.

Arakur, whose brood have achieved fame based on displays of immense personal power, oftentimes cruel or inhumane, and are tragically prone to bad decisions, reputed to include diablerie, communion with devils, and hubris.

Mithras, whose line exemplifies pride and power, displaying unassailability both in the court and on the battlefield, as well as being allegedly impervious to flame, characteristics interwoven into the beliefs and practices of the Mithraic mysteries and cult.

Nefer-meri-Isis, whose descendants exhibit acute awareness, with a reputation for self-sufficiency, and a resistance to obeying orders.

Artemis Orthia, whose line are known for destroying their enemies through force of arms, building great warrior herds and fanatically loyal armies, and for seizing the glory they believe they are due through violent power.

Tinia, whose descendants have a passion for discovery, seeking new knowledge and powers to continuously expand their domains, at times with dire consequences.

Unknown/noncanon, You think you’re special, don’t you? Well, why don’t you share with the rest of the board what your concept is so we can all have a little inspiration, as a treat :)