Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Workshop on Impromptu Speaking Using Props by Angela Lansbury
I told three personal stories:
1 Mobile Phone Prop
The first time I used a prop was when I used my mobile phone. It was around my neck.
My topic was, If you were stranded on a desert island, what would you do? Which one object would you use to get help?
I looked down at my phone, then my shoes. I thought: it has to be my phone.
I said, 'I would phone for help. 999. "Mother, I'm on a desert island! Where am I? No idea. Third palm tree on the left. Can't you use the phone signal? Please send somebody to find me. Oh, I saw a plane, I shall wave. It's a British Airways plane. Call British Airways and tell them they just flew over my island, please turn around and rescue me.'
'In summary, my mobile phone.'
2 Second Story - The Daffodil Prop
As I was racing to the car, I thought, I need a prop.
I picked a yellow daffodil and put it in my pocket. I was going to pick a bunch of flowers to decorate the hall, but the driver was in a hurry, so I put the single flower in my pocket.
When I was given my topic it was: 'Spring, What do you think of?'
I said; 'Daffodils. Yellow daffodils.'
I pulled the daffodil out of my pocket.
I asked, 'How many of you know Wordsworth's poem? Do you know the words? "I wandered lonely as a cloud..." '
I won the prize.
3 Third story - Toastmasters Manual As Prop
I had no prop. So, as I ran to the stage I grabbed a Toastmasters Manual.
Question: What is your favourite book?
Answer: 'The Toastmasters Manual!'
I waved it.
'I haven't yet finished it - but it's time I did. Then I might be able to win a contest.'
At my workshop, after I told the three stories, I set the audience to work in the workshop.
I said:
'Now I want you to get into pairs. Talk for two minutes on any nearby object. It could be a pen, a phone, a book, your spectacles, the desk, or chair, or window, or door. Make it relevant to solving problems in life which the audience might have to face one day.
'Your punchline must be how the object helps you and how it can help the audience if they do the same.'
Afterwards I asked one person from each pair to report back.
The pairs talked about:
1 A pen for signing cheques and writing novels.
2 A phone for calling for a taxi and pizza.
Our guest
A door stop for making sure the door was open for opportunity.
He won the prize for best table topic.
At Braddell Heights Advanced speakers club, 2019, Saturday.Sept 21st.
About the author
Angela Lansbury is a member of four clubs:
UK
Harrovians 2004 onwards
HOD 2004 until 2018
Singapore
Braddell Heights Advanced (President 2019-2020)
Tampines Changkat Advanced.
Singapore Online advanced club. (Later renamed Singapore International Online Advanced Club.)
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.
Author of
Wedding Speeches & Toasts
Quick Quotations
Who Said What When
Useful Websites:
https://angelalansburyauthor.blogspot.com/2019/09/workshop-on-impromptu-speaking-by.html
1 Mobile Phone Prop
The first time I used a prop was when I used my mobile phone. It was around my neck.
My topic was, If you were stranded on a desert island, what would you do? Which one object would you use to get help?
I looked down at my phone, then my shoes. I thought: it has to be my phone.
I said, 'I would phone for help. 999. "Mother, I'm on a desert island! Where am I? No idea. Third palm tree on the left. Can't you use the phone signal? Please send somebody to find me. Oh, I saw a plane, I shall wave. It's a British Airways plane. Call British Airways and tell them they just flew over my island, please turn around and rescue me.'
'In summary, my mobile phone.'
2 Second Story - The Daffodil Prop
As I was racing to the car, I thought, I need a prop.
I picked a yellow daffodil and put it in my pocket. I was going to pick a bunch of flowers to decorate the hall, but the driver was in a hurry, so I put the single flower in my pocket.
When I was given my topic it was: 'Spring, What do you think of?'
I said; 'Daffodils. Yellow daffodils.'
I pulled the daffodil out of my pocket.
I asked, 'How many of you know Wordsworth's poem? Do you know the words? "I wandered lonely as a cloud..." '
I won the prize.
3 Third story - Toastmasters Manual As Prop
I had no prop. So, as I ran to the stage I grabbed a Toastmasters Manual.
Question: What is your favourite book?
Answer: 'The Toastmasters Manual!'
I waved it.
'I haven't yet finished it - but it's time I did. Then I might be able to win a contest.'
At my workshop, after I told the three stories, I set the audience to work in the workshop.
I said:
'Now I want you to get into pairs. Talk for two minutes on any nearby object. It could be a pen, a phone, a book, your spectacles, the desk, or chair, or window, or door. Make it relevant to solving problems in life which the audience might have to face one day.
'Your punchline must be how the object helps you and how it can help the audience if they do the same.'
Afterwards I asked one person from each pair to report back.
The pairs talked about:
1 A pen for signing cheques and writing novels.
2 A phone for calling for a taxi and pizza.
Our guest
A door stop for making sure the door was open for opportunity.
He won the prize for best table topic.
At Braddell Heights Advanced speakers club, 2019, Saturday.Sept 21st.
About the author
Angela Lansbury is a member of four clubs:
UK
Harrovians 2004 onwards
HOD 2004 until 2018
Singapore
Braddell Heights Advanced (President 2019-2020)
Tampines Changkat Advanced.
Singapore Online advanced club. (Later renamed Singapore International Online Advanced Club.)
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.
Author of
Wedding Speeches & Toasts
Quick Quotations
Who Said What When
Useful Websites:
https://angelalansburyauthor.blogspot.com/2019/09/workshop-on-impromptu-speaking-by.html
Labels: daffodil, mobile phone
