There would be many pointers and reminders to ensure that the ‘art’ and ‘professionalism’ in presenting are clearly understood. By the virtue of being in public and presenting, makes presentation a type of performing art. Since it is an art, it cannot be learned like other factual subjects. The speaker must find the good and bad (in relation with speaking in public) qualities in himself or herself. The person must look at and listen to examples, read and research on it, practice, imagine and lastly but most importantly, suit all these understandings in accordance to his or her style. The reason as to why listening and speaking are usually taught together is on the fact that good listeners would almost always be effective speakers.
It is understood that some speakers are powerful and loud, some are analytical, some are psychological, some are soft, some are humorous and all of them can succeed or fail at achieving the goals of their speech. How do we ensure success? There are many ways and all of them, have you, the speaker at the center.
Some speakers do not even care to view or follow other speakers or acquire pointers in lectures or books. Some speakers would emulate others or their styles but great ones would come out with their own styles and ways that are best suited for their character, voice and abilities. Therefore, all the pointers and reminders that anyone could give or find should be used in accordance to the person’s character, voice and ability. If you are not the humorous type than do not try to be and if you are not psychological in manner than do not try to be since you could end up being badly misunderstood. Use your strengths and find pointers, guides or reminders that will enable you to bring out the best in you.
In ‘Rambo III’ Richard Crenna(Col. Trautman) mentioned to Sylvester Stallone (Rambo) on the fact that he did dot make Rambo the way he is ( the perfect killing machine). He was just a good teacher as well as Rambo was a good student. Richard’s character in the movie mentioned that Rambo was like a beautiful statue in solid granite. The statue was already in existence and as a good teacher; he just pulled out the chips that would enable the statue to translate itself into being.
We should be like Rambo and his teacher and help loosen ourselves to bring out the statue of the greatest speaker ever, from within ourselves. We must learn to recognize the problematic chips( fear, intonation, structure, language and etc.) to bring out, how big is the chip and also how to bring it out. It is not impossible and nobody can do it better than the person, himself or herself, since the chips are within the person. Next, once you are willing to be a good student like Rambo, find your Richard Crenna(teacher) and with his/her guide, take out the chips to let the statue out. How far will you have go to get the necessary chips out? Here is where professionalism comes in. If you view yourself as professionals, than you will only see the goals and make a solid plan to achieve them. This module and the whole course are but guides. All the texts are guides. YOU must plan on how to use it, the pointers, facts and reminders to your advantage.
