Page 76 - Failure to Triumph - Journey of A Student

My Target Service Selection Board (SSB)

o Knowledge of current trends and mastery over facts: Command over facts and modern

trends is important as the mastery over language .If you are deficient in up to date knowledge
of facts and trends on a subject ,your speech will never impress your audience even if it has

bombastic words. It is of no use coming unprepared for Lecturette in SSB. Preparation for GD
will be enough for the knowledge of facts. Be cautious not to give any faulty information to your
audience .Such an attempt will only demoralize you. You should have mastery over facts
.Constant reading helps you to improve your knowledge.

o Proper pronunciation: You may be a word wizard with a good knowledge of facts, but it is of
no use if your pronunciation is bad. Your proper pronunciation will charm your speech.

Pronunciation can be improved by listening to English news in English channels like CNN IBN,
NDTV and listening AIR. Make it a habit .You will have mastered a number of good
pronunciations within a year. Cultivate friendship with a person who knows refined English with

good pronunciation. Often go and talk with such people.
o Correct gestures: You should have a correct style of delivering a speech .You have to keep
their interest till the end so that they listen to you attentively .Try to end and begin the speech

appropriately .First impression is the best impression .Also avoid sudden endings .Your
gestures should be natural and impressive .Avoid acting like a clown on the platform. Your
errors can be spotted by delivering your speech before your parents and ask them to note

down your faults .Next time you try to improve your speech. This will make a steady
improvement.
o No shyness and nervousness: Shyness is due to some hidden fears. Some Great

personalities were shy in their childhood but they overcome their shyness and achieved
greatness. Shyness may prove deadly for a public speaker. To remove shyness, you should
prepare well in advance and while speaking, keep yourself absorbed in the topic and do not

worry about the audience. Even if they do not encourage you, never mind it. Avail maximum
chances of coming on public meetings. This is the best way to remove shyness. Take part in
dramatic clubs and extra- curricular activities. Your good speech may be tarnished, if you are in

the habit of stammering. It can be removed by certain exercises. Better consult an experienced
person.
o No nervousness: Some persons are prone to nervousness. Take 15 long breaths to overcome

nervousness.
o A good voice: You can never be a good speaker if you don’t have a good voice .Nobody like’s

harsh and rough voice .Try to copy some pleasant voice if you are possessing a rough voice.
Some exercises are found useful for improving voice. Moreover in the SSB, GTO doesn’t look
for how much you have spoken, but how you have spoken .Always try to give fresh and original
ideas before the group in your lecture. Please avoid sarcasm while speaking. Talk slowly but