[NUS Module Review] GET1008 / GEM2027: Public Speaking and Critical Reasoning

For this and the next few module reviews, I will be using the "IMSPEC" framework to talk about a certain module. For those who don't know what "IMSPEC" stands for:

(I)ntroduction

(M)y Expectations

(S)chedule

(P)assing the Assessment

(E)xperience and final grading

(C)onclusion and Tips

GET1008 / GEM2027: Public Speaking and Critical Reasoning

(INTRODUCTION)

In a nutshell, this module surrounds speaking in front of a class based on a certain genre. Many people experience nervousness while speaking so this module serves to help the, overcome this boundary. This module runs in both semesters, though it is more popular in the first semester than the second as many students, especially the year ones, love to harness this skill early for future semesters.

**Update: Refer to this link for tips to score well in this module, as well as to improve in  your public speaking https://youtu.be/bFRGeJHe7Qw I have made this video specially for you to cope with this module. Do like, subscribe and comment for any module you wish to see me do next.**

(MY EXPECTATIONS)

This was one of the modules that made me super excited yet nervous at the same time. I was never a confident speaker beforehand and always flopped badly when it came to presentations in primary and secondary school so I really wanted to change all of that immediately. I mean, it's just a module about speeches; as long as you say it, your job is done... right? Wrong...

(Schedule)

There are lectures every alternate week, around 2 hours long. Lectures are important and are highly recommended to attend because if I'm not wrong there isn't any web lecture. Furthermore, there may be (depending on your own learning habits) information useful to you in those lectures. However, lecture notes are enough for any required information. What's most important is the tutorials. Though it's only once (2 hours) per week, make-up tutorials are highly discouraged as your tutors will not be the same and thus unable to judge your progress. 

(PASSING THE ASSESSMENT)

Remember when I said it's just a module of speeches... I was totally wrong. There are a total of 6  speeches; 4 graded and 2 ungraded. These make up a total of 55%. There's still a module reflection of 15%, an MCQ + written test making up a total of 20% and 10% for class participation. So even if you know how to speak well, technically its still pretty useless. Regardless, you really would want to ace all the speeches. The 6 speeches are:

1. Demonstrative Speech
2. Epideictic Speech (5 mins) - 5%
3. Informative Speech (6 - 8 mins) - 15%
4. Persuasive Speech (7 - 9 mins) - 20%
5. Responder Critique (5 - 6 mins) - 15%
6. Impromptu Speech

Sounds easy but do not be fooled. Not only are you graded on how you speak but you're also graded on how you write your speech. Yes... you need to submit what you're going to talk about. So if you speak well but write crap, you'll get crap results. It's as simple as that. It is very important to follow closely to their given template because it helps a lot in generating ideas as well as assisting yourself in segregating your points. 

Tutors will look strictly at your content, the flow of speech while speaking and most importantly, emotion. How you gonna do all that in that given time frame? The answer to that is practice.

(EXPERIENCE AND FINAL GRADING)

 Overall, I guess my experience with this module was generally quite good. My first graded speech (epideictic speech) was so so bad. I took a different type of speech compared to the rest of the class. Everyone did a commemorative speech (talking about someone they look up to), while I did a speech where I accepted an award. It was so cringe-worthy as I brought my props (trophy) and started literally indirectly praising myself. Even though it made the class, including my tutor laugh, it got me a barely passable grade.

For my second speech (informative speech), I turned it up a notch and decided that playing it safe wouldn't help me one bit. So I went against all norms and talked about how GAMING IS GOOD FOR YOUUUU!!! YES, THAT'S RIGHT! I TOTALLY SUPPORT GAMING. By far, it was the best speech of my entire module and got second highest in the cohort. Maybe one day I'll upload this speech into my Youtube channel (let me get my blog right first lol).

For my third and forth speeches (persuasive and responder = pretty much back to back speeches), this is the moment where everyone starts to get really good. And I really mean God - mode good. I made a mistake speaking about how alcohol is bad when really I should have talked about the opposite. For these speeches, the time-frame to prepare is really really short so you just have to make do with whatever time you have to prepare. I didn't think I did that well but it's not too bad I guess. You really need to bring your A - game here because the competition is rigorous at this point.

After every speech, you got to start preparing for the next one immediately. Because before you know it, you have another speech due. It is that fast.

Dress formally (just like how you would for an interview).

(CONCLUSION AND TIPS)

I think I did pretty well considering I competed against the likes of a class made up of arts and foreign students. They have such a flair for speaking and it has really been an awesome and enriching experience to know them. My tutor, Ms Farah, is and always will be the most charismatic tutor that I will probably ever meet. So if you ever get her as your tutor, you're already one lucky person. 

The key to really do well in your speeches is to:

1. Practice - You can never get away with this. I spent hours practicing again and again and again, constantly tweaking and changing my speech as I go along. This is also the best time to practice your emotions.

2. Learn to love what you're speaking - You need to feel comfortable with that speech, not just say it because it has all the points to prove your stand. It really shows a person enjoying that speech and a person who says it for the sake of saying it.

3. Make everyone remember you - You ain't the only one speaking. Your tutor ain't going to just listen to your speech. Leave an impact and show them what you're made of. Sometimes being an idiot out there is indirectly helping you.

4. Slides - Needs to be simple yet impactful. 

I will probably do another blog on my experience before, during and after my speech/presentation. I can safely say that this is an unforgettable journey and I've learned a lot in this module.

Till this date, this is the best module that I've ever done. Highly recommended for people with low confidence and want to get rid of their stage fright.

Ratings out of 5⭐:

• Rigor - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Degree of doability - ⭐⭐⭐
• Bell Curve (to favour you) - ⭐⭐⭐

https://youtu.be/bFRGeJHe7Qw