Basic Speech 2: What Mathematics Had Taught Me

(This is initially a speech delivered for the Competent Communicator Manual of Toastmaster International. My Basic Speech 2) Main objective of Speech 2 is to Organize Your Speech — It requires the speaker to use several techniques in organizing one's speech, with an effective opening and ending. The speech should be 5 to 7 minutes.

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What  Mathematics Had Taught Me

Never-mind that I am a Mass Communication Graduate for I have always loved math. Perhaps that is because I had a great Algebra teacher who left us five valuable tips to keep in mind in solving math problems which made equations much easier and less a threat.

Our teacher made us realized that solving equations does not require knowledge alone, for it also needs the right attitude. Our teacher reminded us with much faith that "It is possible to find X;" she never failed to let us remember to "Balance our equations first" before anything else; and to keep in mind that "Right and wrong are not relative." When we were having our examinations, I still remember my teacher's words lingering, the hurtful truth that "Staring at a question does not lead to an answer." And lastly we were so blessed to have a teacher who believes that "Efforts merit some points."

Later on in my life, I realized that there are more to these five tips. Our teacher not only taught us how to solve equations but she gave us the basic instructions in living life.

First, always remember that "It is possible to find X," no matter what, X can be discovered. Even if people say that "an experimental mathematician divided it by zero" for fun and then was lost in the process or that "X took a break and just decided to retire." It's not true. There will always be ways to find X. Do not let anyone's negativity pull you down. Finding x is your goal. Like in life, your goal is to be somebody or to do something that you love, no matter how difficult it may look or even if you are against all the odds. It may take a complicated formula with lots of trial and error but it is NOT impossible.

Second is to "Balance your equations" first. In math to get an answer, it is important  to maintain the balance or the equality in the equation. Add the same amount to both sides or take away the same amount from both sides. In life it is the same thing. You have to know your equation first and then figure it out. How much time or how much effort will you put into athletics, friends, studies, career, family, vacation or toastmasters. But just remember when you change one part of the equations, other parts must adjust. So maintain the balance in life.

The third thing to remember is that "Right and wrong are not relative." It is plain simple. When you got an answer, it is whether you got it right or wrong. You may use different solutions because there is more than one way to get an answer but you will always end up with a single right answer other than that it is wrong. Just like in life, when you make a decision, it is important to know what you believe in and hold your ground. I am not saying that there are no gray areas since Life is more than complicated. But answering in plain "Yes" or "No" is way better than just saying "Maybe" or "Perhaps".

Fourth. "Staring at a question does not lead to an answer." Ask if you are confuse, in doubt or if you lost and do not know what to do. In a nutshell, ask for help. Numbers can shock us. Too much numbers can overwhelmed us. In this world, there are moments when we will be lost on the road of life. We do not know what to do so there is the tendency to shut ourselves away from everything, and to stay out of the road. But knowing that you do not know is important and quite useful to you and others. So do not pause your life simply because you do not know what to do. Rather, accept ignorance so you would have a chance to learn a thing or two.

Last is that "Efforts merit some points." Whenever we had our math examinations, there was no way for us to get a score of zero, because our teacher would give us 1 point, 2 points even 3 points for our formulas even if we got the wrong answer. In life, we always prefer to do the right thing, to choose the best option or at least the most appropriate one. However, there would always be miscalculations and unseen circumstances that can alter desired results. But it does not mean you made a mistake.

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A shift in course, career or status in life does not mean you made a wrong decision but simply a realization. So do not be cruel to yourself or to other people who made changes and adjustments. It is important to get the right answer or to attain desired results but it is a treasure to acquire a skill or knowledge because you miscalculate, overestimate or simply oversight some elements. It is a treasure to be given a chance to learn and prove yourself again.

Friends, my Algebra teacher who taught me the formulas in solving equations and the right attitude in living life is Mrs. Agnes E. Eledia. And, her lessons are treasures I will never forget.

Advanced Speech 2: There Is Only One Story

(This is initially a speech delivered for the Interpretive Reading Manual (Advanced Communication Series) of Toastmaster International. My Advanced Speech 2)

Main objective of Advanced Speech 1 is to Interpret A Poetry — It challenges the speaker to use imagery, rhythm, meter, cadence, and rhyme to convey the meanings and emotions of the poetry. The speech should be 6 to 8 minutes.

For this project, I chose one of the poems posted in the Transparency Site.

I chose this particular poem because of its meaning. Right now, I am into this concept of us (as an individual) having multiple stories. And that it is a grave mistake to know a person just by a single story like being poor or being part of a certain race.

As much as possible, I would like to encourage us to look at a person beyond physical appearance, beyond the first impression and beyond on what society has characterized them to be. The more you know about a person's life, the more you see each other's similarities. We are after all a human being. So do not put a period in one's personality. Perhaps (just perhaps) the person that you truly hate is much like you.

Although this poem interprets stories in general (and not personality), it explains why we are so fond of them. It is because in those stories we see our own.

Another reason I chose this is because my goal is to be a storyteller.

There is only one story

by Ken Sanes

                                  There is only one story
whether it is told by a lyric poet or a dramatist,
or a writer of epics or novels,
or a reciter of myths and folktales.
The story is filled with beginnings and endings
and it is forever coming to a climax,
which is why, somewhere in the telling,
young lovers are always sneaking off
to profess their love,
and young soldiers, imbued with ideas of glory,
                                           are dying in battle. 

http://www.readersdigest.co.in

We all know what the story is about
because it is our story,
with a change in the verbs and nouns
to hide the truth 
        and enrich the meaning. 
It is a story about adventurers 
on a ship that travels the oceans
searching for a lost island, 
or an undefiled heart,
                 or something as simple 
as a pile of treasure, with rubies and gold coins
locked in a wooden chest. 
Of course, the story also includes pirates
who try to steal the treasure
because there really are pirates
or else there are rivals 
or earthquakes or stubborn fathers 
who refuse to accept the destiny of love 
                                         for their daughters.

Basic Speech 9: A Creative Fight

(This is initially a speech delivered for the Competent Communicator Manual of Toastmaster International. My Basic Speech 9)

Main objective of Speech 9 is to Persuade With Power — It discusses audience analysis and the different forms of persuasion available to a speaker. The speech should be 5 to 7 minutes.

A CREATIVE FIGHT

I am Mariam Sollano and I graduated Cum Laude in Mass Communication at the University of the Philippines Cebu.

This is the first time I will be speaking about this because in a radical environment, it is a weakness and a sign of betrayal to not take action.

I do not have to elaborate in saying that we are leaving in a developing country – just go out to the streets and look around. Our country is poor compared to Dubai, Singapore, Korea, Japan and the list will go on and on and on. According to foreign eyes, you are poor, I am poor, and we are all poor simply because our country is poor. Because of this we experience discrimination, exploitation and disrespect from other countries. It hurts doesn’t it?

from http://english.sina.com

Advanced Speech 1: A Tell Tale Heart

(This is initially a speech delivered for the Interpretive Reading Manual (Advanced Communication Series) of Toastmaster International. My Advanced Speech 1)

Main objective of Advanced Speech 1 is to Read A Story — It challenges the speaker to enthrall the audience with a story that the audience isn’t even aware of the reader. The speech should be 8 to 10 minutes.

I chose one of Edgar Allan Poe’s story for this project

The Tell Tale Heart

by Edgar Allan Poe

Aside from the story being a literary classic, I chose this because of the protagonist’s (who was also the narrator) sober madness, which I believe would be an advantage in telling a story. If I could deliver the speech in such a way that my audience would think that I am disturbed and ready for the psychiatric hospital then I could tell that I did my job right.

Another reason is that I am really into vicious, dark and eerie stories. So, if I could get my audience transported to this realm then it would be a good chill for them.

But then, if you can spare a few minutes and haven’t read The Tell Tale Heart of Poe, now is a good chance. The story is full of irony and suspense, also INSANITY for the part of the narrator. (summary &analysis)

schoolworkhelp.net

You fancy me mad. Madmen know nothing. But you should have seen me. You should have seen how wisely I proceeded –with what caution –with what foresight –with what dissimulation I went to work! I was never kinder to the old man than during the whole week before I killed him. And every night, about midnight, I turned the latch of his door and opened it –oh so gently! And then, when I had made an opening sufficient for my head, I put in a dark lantern, all closed, closed, that no light shone out, and then I thrust in my head. Oh, you would have laughed to see how cunningly I thrust it in! I moved it slowly –very, very slowly, so that I might not disturb the old man’s sleep. It took me an hour to place my whole head within the opening so far that I could see him as he lay upon his bed. Ha! would a madman have been so wise as this, And then, when my head was well in the room, I undid the lantern cautiously-oh, so cautiously –cautiously (for the hinges creaked) –I undid it just so much that a single thin ray fell upon the vulture eye. And this I did for seven long nights –every night just at midnight –but I found the eye always closed; and so it was impossible to do the work; for it was not the old man who vexed me, but his Evil Eye. And every morning, when the day broke, I went boldly into the chamber, and spoke courageously to him, calling him by name in a hearty tone, and inquiring how he has passed the night. So you see he would have been a very profound old man, indeed, to suspect that every night, just at twelve, I looked in upon him while he slept. (for the whole story)

By the way if you are curious on how the speech went. Let’s just say I was happy. I need some improvement on some areas specially on my pauses. But below is a piece of what my evaluator had remarked about my performance

Let me open the door inch by inch. I glanced inside and saw a speaker who was eager to advance herself that she took the risk of a story that often gives a cringe to the safe-minded and weak at heart. The story,  because of its vicious nature, showed a part of our speaker’s personality – her unquestionable bravery to walk through uncharted territory.

Toastmasters: A Love Story

(This is initially a speech delivered as my Inaugural Speech during Queen City Toastmasters Installation of Officers)

Toastmasters: A Love Story

I used to believe that to “live by emotion is to live in anillusion.” And that is to stress to myself the importance of good judgment in making decisions – meaning, every decision should be logical and practical. I should not let myself get involve on things that I ONLY FEEL like doing nor shall I decide on things that I ONLY FEEL is right.

That was my personal philosophy until I met Queen CityToastmasters - my Love at First Sight.

Who ever thought that one could find love online? Well, I learned about the club through its multiply site. At that time, the critical faculties of my mind tell me

do not be stupid enough to join