Department of EnglishAdvanced Communication Skills Laboratory Manual

(EC/ME/EE/-363 & IT\CE\CSE\ChE-353)

R.V.R &J.C. COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING (AUTONOMOUS)

CHOWDAVARAM, GUNTUR – 522 019

ANDHRA PRADESH

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LABORATORY MANUAL

TITLE OF THE COURSE WITH CODE NUMBER

Course code : (IT\CE\CSE\ChE-353& EC/ME/EE/-363)

Course Title : Advanced Communication Skills Lab

Year & Semester : III/IV B-Tech -1st semester

-2nd semester

Periods / Week : 3 Periods / week

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ADVANCED COMMUNICATION SKILLS LAB - 363

Practicals: 3 periods / week Sessional Marks: 40 Semester End Exam Marks: 60 Semester Exam: 3 hrs Credits: 2

Course objectives:

To expose the students to a variety of learner-friendly methods of language learning. To train the students to use language effectively to face Interviews, Group Discussion

and Public Speaking. To expose the students to corporate etiquette, to develop proficiency in presentation,

to train the students in speech writing and to develop employability skills. To provide a significant training ground for the development of students' abilities in

public speaking and in the oral interpretation of literature. To get social and civic responsibility, character, communication and employability. To develop the intellectual, emotional and social understanding of every student and

to make students become productively engaged citizens with knowledge, skills, dispositions and confidence to participate fully in life.

To learn to organize ideas and present them clearly and concisely. To develop insights into universal human experience as well as emotion and aesthetic values.

Learning outcomes:

Capable of using language effectively to face interviews, group discussion and public speaking.

Improves confidence level to speak better. Become Proficient in presentations. Develop felicity of expression. Construct and deliver presentations that incorporate the appropriate use of content,

organization, language, kinesics, eye contact, appearance, visual aids, and time constraints.

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of film language, forms, conventions, purposes and meanings.

Categorize various Literary Forms for performance potential.

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COURSE CONTENT

1. Employability skills - Interview skills 2. Critical appreciation

Poems Short stories Life stories Excerpts of great personalities

3. Film clippings 4. Briefing and explaining 5. Board room discussions 6. Presentations 7. Mini Projects

Assignment on - Visiting orphanages, old age homes, hospitals, bank, traffic etc, 8. Speech writing

Acceptance speech Hosting Vote of thanks Introducing people on the stage Farewell speech Compeering Thank you speech

LEARNING RESOURCES BOOKS: 1. Soft skills for Everyone - Jeff Butterfield, Cengage learning, First print 2010, Third Indian Reprint 2012 2. Personality Development and Soft Skills - Barun K. Mitra, Oxford University Press, First published 2011.

ADVANCED COMMUNICATION SKILLS LAB - 363

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1. Employability skills - Interview skills

Employability skills may be defined as ‘A set of attributes, skills and knowledge that all labor market participants should possess to ensure they have the capability of being effective in the workplace- to benefit of themselves, their employer and the wider economy’.

Other factors that help to make people employable include: Knowledge and abilities relating to a particular job; The ability to identify suitable job opportunities; Self- presentation (on applications and at interviews) External factors such as the job market and personal circumstances

Getting an interview is an achievement in itself. Only a small proportion of applicants are selected for interview (often about 10%) so you have already made a positive impression to have got to this stage! Many people have a fear of interviews, so here are some tips to help you make the most of this opportunity.

 The purpose of the interview                         Preparation for the interview First impressions Types of interview Competency-based interviews Traditional interviews How to handle questions Typical questions at traditional interviews: Closed questions Using examples Hypothetical questions How many interviewers will there be? Questions you can ask

The purpose of the interview

Firstly, it is for the interviewer to see if you match the requirements of the job. These will naturally vary with different jobs but are likely to include: Your personal qualities, how well you express yourself, your motivation and enthusiasm.

The recruiters will already have an indication of these from your initial application but now the interview will assess you in person. It is also your chance to meet somebody from the organisation and assess them: are they offering what you want?

There aren't any right or wrong answers to interview questions: how you come across is as important as what you say. Be yourself – if you have to put on a completely false act to get through the interview, is this really the right job for you?

Preparation for the interview

Preparation is the key ingredient for interview success. Careful planning and preparation will make sure that your interview goes smoothly and will also help to calm your nerves!

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Research very carefully the career area for which you are applying. Remind yourself why you are interested in this career, and this employer: enthusiasm is

important. Re-read your application form as if you were the interviewer. Try and anticipate the

questions they will ask. Think about any awkward points that might be picked up on, and how you will handle them.

Prepare some questions to ask the interviewer. Plan how you will get to the interview. Leave plenty of time in case of traffic jams or

delayed trains. Dress neatly and smartly. Take a small, neat notepad and pen to write down important information the interviewer may

tell you, and after the interview, the questions you were asked, so you can work out better answers to any you fluffed.

First impressions are very important - they set the tone for the rest of the interview.

Research the employer

1. What is the size of the organization?2. How long has it been in business?3. What are its products and/or services?4. What sort of reputation or public image does it have?5. Who are its main competitors?6. What is the organizational structure like?7. What are its future plans and prospects?8. What is the organizational culture?9. What types of training, development and appraisal are offered?

Try to arrive ten or fifteen minutes early. This doesn't just give you the opportunity to visit the loo – time spent waiting in the reception area can be very useful if there are publications about the employer or their field of work to read. Be polite to everyone you meet, including receptionists, porters and security staff.

Shake hands firmly and warmly, but wait to be invited to sit down. Handshakes are also commonly given at the end of the interview. Handshakes originated as a way for knights to show that they didn't have concealed weapons. A firm handshake is perceived to communicate sociability, friendliness and dominance: normally desirable qualities in candidates whereas weak handshakes may communicate, introversion, shyness and neuroticism. Also as the handshake is at the start of the interview, it can set a positive tone for the rest of the encounter.  

Smile and keep up good eye contact with the interviewer.

Try to relax - don't perch on the edge of your chair, but don't slouch either.

Speak clearly and not too fast. Give yourself a moment to think about your replies.

Don't fidget and try to avoid meaningless phrases like "you know", "I mean", etc.

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Research has found that interviewers tend to favour candidates with personalities, attitudes, values, and backgrounds similar to their own.

The successful candidates had:

Smiled and made a lot of eye contact Shown a genuine interest in the interviewer and given genuine compliments Praised the company: find something you genuinely like about the organization. Asked interesting questions: for example "What is your personal experience of working for

this company?" Talked about subjects unrelated to job, but that interested the candidate and interviewer.

See the panel to the right.

How to overcome interview nerves

Always remember you're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.

Try to think that it's not that important: there will be other interviews in future and it's not the end of the world if you don't get this job.

Preparation is key - the more preparation you have done, such as working out answers to common interview questions, and doing careful research on the organization and job, the more relaxed you will feel.

Some people swear by visualization. The night before, visualize yourself undergoing the whole interview, step by step, and imagine everything going really well, you answering questions confidently, and ultimately getting the job.

Dress smartly but comfortably. If you look good, you will feel good.

Adopting power poses beforehand can make you feel more confident at interview. Expansive body postures such as standing upright with hands on your hips, leaning over a desk with hands firmly on the surface, or steepling your hands can increase testosterone, decrease stress, and make you feel more in control, more confident and more assertive. Practicing power poses right before an interview can also increase performance. Research at Harvard Business School found that holding power poses for two minutes before interview led candidates to be evaluated more favourably and increased their chances of a job offer by 20%. So if you’re worried about a job interview or presentation, strike a power pose a few minutes beforehand (not of course at the interview!) but in the washroom, or before leaving home. Start the interview in a positive manner and it is likely to continue in this vein - smiling, eye contact, a firm handshake at the start will help a lot.

Don't worry too much about making a mistake: nearly everyone fluffs one question and research suggests interviewers prefer candidates who come across as human to those who appear "plastic perfect".

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Should you mention a weakness at the start or end of an interview?

If you have a potential difficulty (e.g. poor exam results or a disability), should you disclose this at the start or the end of the interview? According to research by Jones and Gordon of Duke University, candidates appeared more likeable if weaknesses were disclosed early in the interview and strengths towards the end.

Candidates who disclosed potential problems early on were thought by interviewers to have more integrity and strength of character and thus were not attempting to mislead them. Candidates who mentioned strengths (such as having been awarded a scholarship) later in the interview appeared more modest than those who blurted it out at the first opportunity, thus seeming boastful.

Types of interview

Competency-based interviews

Many large graduate recruiters now used competency-based (also called “structured” or “situational”) interviews in which the questions are designed to help candidates give evidence of the personal qualities which are needed to perform well in the job. Usually, you will be expected to give an example of how you have demonstrated these qualities in the past in reply to questions such as:

Describe a situation where you had to.....

show leadership make a difficult decision work as a member of a team shown initiative change your plans at the last minute overcome a difficult obstacle refuse to compromise work with others to solve a problem

 Structured interviews can seem unfriendly and off-putting to candidates. They do not give opportunities for discussion - when you have answered one question as far as you feel able, the interviewer will move on to another topic. The advantages of these interviews is that they are standardised - important when many different interviewers are assessing a large number of graduate applicants - and that they are based upon the skills essential for the job.

“Traditional” interviews

These are more like a conversation - but a conversation with a purpose. It is up to you to show that you are the right person for the job, so bear this in mind when replying to the questions. These interviews will probably be based largely around your application form or CV. The interviewer may focus on areas of particular interest or relevance - such as vacation jobs or projects.

Interviewers often expect interviewees to talk much more than the candidates themselves expect to. So don't be too brief in your answers - but don't rabbit on for too long either.

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Watch the interviewer and pause from time to time - he or she will either encourage you to continue or will introduce another question.

It's OK to pause briefly. A short gap to gather your thoughts shows thoughtfulness, assertiveness and self confidence.

Be polite, but don't be afraid to enter into a discussion and to stand your ground. Some interviewers will deliberately challenge your replies in order to stimulate this kind of discussion.

How to handle questions:

Typical questions at traditional interviews:

Questions about yourself: your background and your future ambitions:

1. Tell me about yourself2. Why did you choose the University of Kent/ your degree subject?3. Explaining gaps on your application form - e.g. year out; unemployment; travel4. How would the experiences you describe be useful in this company?5. What are your main strengths and weaknesses?6. What other jobs/careers are you applying for?7. Where do you see yourself in five years time? (This is quite a common question: read the

employer's brochure to get an idea of the normal pace of graduate career development. Be ambitious but realistic)

8. Tell me about your vacation work/involvement with student societies/sporting activities

Questions about your knowledge of the employer, or career area:

1. Why do you want to work for us?2. Why have you chosen to apply for this job function?3. Who do you think are, or will be, our main competitors?4. What do you think makes you suitable for this job?5. What do you see as the main threats or opportunities facing the company?6. What image do you have of this company?

 Closed questions

These are questions which can normally be answered with a simple "yes" or "no". If you are asked a closed question open it up, as in the following example:

Interviewer: "So you're studying engineering at JNTUniversity?"

Interviewee: “Yes, I've found it a very interesting course because ...”

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Give answers which are relevant and illustrated with examples:

Interviewer: "This is a job with a very heavy workload. Do you think you could cope with that?"

Interviewee: “Well, during my final year I've had a great deal of academic ............”

Hypothetical questions

Some interviewers like to pose hypothetical questions, or questions that you could not be expected to have anticipated. These questions are used precisely because it's impossible to work out your answer before the interview, thus it tests your ability to think quickly, reason logically, and produce practical solutions.

You may be given an example of a situation that might arise in your work, and asked what you would do about it:

1. “How would you deal with a staff member caught stealing a packet of biscuits from the warehouse?”

2. “How would you deal with an irate customer?’3. “Your manager goes ill for a week and leaves you in charge. You hear staff complaining

about the way he runs things, and how bored they are with their job - what do you do?”

Sometimes questions may be about non-work situations:“You are a shepherd in the Scottish Highlands, a dam is about to burst due to heavy rain, you come across the dam keeper with a broken leg, obtained as he was trying to reach the village below the dam to warn them of the danger. You have your flock of sheep to get in from the inclement weather. What would you do?”!

“How would you solve London's traffic problems?”

Don't panic! Don't try to blurt out your answer. Take a few seconds to think - this shows confidence and assertiveness rather than weakness.

Don't try to form your whole answer immediately - just try to say one or two sensible things first - in the example above, you could say that first you would examine the dam keeper's leg to see how bad the injury was. This gives you time to think further.

There may be many possible solutions to the problem. The interviewer won't be expecting a perfect answer. What you actually say in answer doesn't matter, so long as it sounds reasonable, confident and well-thought-out and you show awareness of the issues involved.

How many interviewers will there be?

One-to-one interviews are the most common. In this situation your interviewer is most likely to be somebody from the Personnel department but, especially in a smaller company, may be from the area of work for which you are applying.

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Two-to-one interviews may involve both a Personnel and a line manager. This can be trickier for the interviewee as the questions seem to come faster, giving you less time to collect your thoughts between different topics. Don't get flustered.

Panel interviews could involve a panel of half-a-dozen or so interviewers. They are relatively rare but are most likely to be found in the public sector. Direct your attention to whoever is speaking: when answering questions, begin by directing your answer to the person who asked the question, but try and include the panel as a whole.

Questions you can ask

The interview is a two-way process. You are choosing the organization as much as they are choosing you, so ask questions!

At the end of the interview, it is likely that you will be given the chance to put your own

questionings to the interviewer.

Keep them brief: there may be other interviewees waiting.

Ask about the work itself, training and career development: not about holidays, pensions, and season ticket loans.

Prepare some questions in advance: it is OK to write these down and to refer to your notes to remind yourself of what you wanted to ask.

It often happens that, during the interview, all the points that you had noted down to ask about will be covered before you get to this stage. In this situation, you can respond as follows:

Interviewer: Well, that seems to have covered everything: is there anything you would like to ask me?

Interviewee: Thank you: I'd made a note to ask about your appraisal system and the study arrangements for professional exams, but we went over those earlier and I really feel you've covered everything that I need to know at this moment.

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You can also use this opportunity to tell the interviewer anything about yourself that they have not raised during the interview but which you feel is important to your application.

Don't feel you have to wait until this point to ask questions - if the chance to ask a question seems to arise naturally in the course of the interview, take it! Remember that a traditional interview is a conversation - with a purpose.

Examples of questions you can ask the interviewer

These are just a few ideas - you should certainly not attempt to ask them all and indeed it's best to formulate your own questions tailored to your circumstances and the job you are being interviewed for! Make sure you have researched the employer carefully, so that you are not asking for information which you should be expected to know already.

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1. Is there a fixed period of training for graduates?2. I see it is possible to switch job functions - how often does this happen?3. Do you send your managers on external training courses?4. Where would I be based - is this job function located only in ...?5. How easy is it for new graduates to find accommodation in this area?6. How often is a graduate's performance appraised?7. What is a typical career path in this job function?8. Can you give me more details of your training programme?9. Will I be working in a team? If so, what is the make-up of these teams?10. What is the turnover of graduates in this company?11. How much discretion do you give graduate trainees to make their own decisions?12. What would I be expected to achieve in my first few months with you?13. What are the possibilities of using my languages?14. What drives results for the company?15. What are the travel/mobility requirements of this job?16. What are the key attributes of your best graduates?17. How would you see this company developing over the next five years?18. How would you describe the atmosphere in this company?19. What is your personal experience of working for this organisation?20. How do you plan to deal with... (Particular problem or situation affecting the company)?

2. Critical appreciation

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Poems

Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defines a poem as ‘a piece of writing that usually has figurative language and that is written in separate lines that often have a repeated rhythm and sometimes rhyme’.

In the words of William Wordsworth, ‘Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquillity’. Critical appreciation of a poem is the critical reading of a poem. It includes understanding the meaning of its words, its rhyme scheme, the speaker, figures of speech, the references to other works (intertextuality), the style of language, and the general writing style of the poet, the genre, the context, the tone of the speaker, etc,. A critical appreciation helps in a better understanding of the verse.

Meaning- The poem should be read more than once to get a clear idea of what the

poet is trying to say. The meaning of difficult words can be obtained from a dictionary. The

general meaning and summary of the poem is reflected in the title of the poem.

Rhyme Scheme- The words that occur at the end of each line are called Rhyming

words. Rhyming words might be present in the middle of the line also. Rhyme is determined

by the sound, not the spelling. The rhyme scheme could be marked in this way. For example,

if rhyming words occur at the end of each line alternatively in a poem of 4 lines, the rhyme

scheme will be 'a b a b'.

Bid me to weep, and I will weep, While I have eyes to see;

And having none, yet I will keep A heart to weep for thee.

In some poems, rhyme is not followed. Such poems are called blank verse.

Speaker- The speaker of the poem should be identified. He/ She can be a child, an elderly

person, a shepherd, a student, a milkmaid, a sailor, an animal or even an object like a chair.

Each Speaker will speak differently.

Setting- The setting of a poem can range from a specific, real-world place that actually exists to an allegorical (figurative language that says something but actually means something else) type of setting. Physical settings in the real world help set the mood of the poem - a poem set in a beautiful nature scene may relax the reader and help to open them to wonderful descriptions of some aspect of nature. At the other end of the spectrum, a poem set in the aftermath of a bloody battle sets a black mood, full of death and suffering.

More abstract settings can take place in the heart of a love-struck Romeo, or a grief-ridden widower. Here the description of the settings may be more abstract, although sometimes

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poets will describe something like the heart using everyday language, which makes working out the setting even harder.

Settings can sometimes be symbolic or representative, even allegorical (representing abstract ideas by characters or events) - a description of a little stream that gradually dries up might refer to the withering and drying up of a person in old age.

Context- The context gives us the time and location of the poem. It is what prompted the

poem. The context might be an event of great political significance like the French

Revolution. It prompted P.B. Shelley's famous, "Ode to the West Wind." The poem

beautifully upholds the spirit of the revolution and heralded the dawn of a new age.

Language- The language of a poem is the very vehicle of its thoughts and ideas. Study

the language in terms of the use of figures of speech, its tone, use of loan words or archaic

words, length of sentences, the rhythm (meters- iambic, Trochaic or any other), number of

lines etc. Note the introduction of new ideas and mark the place where it occurs. For

example, in the poem, 'The lamb' by William Blake, the lamb refers to both the baby sheep,

the little boy who is the speaker and the Lamb of God. Here the word, "lamb" is a metaphor.

Intertextuality- While writing the critical appreciation of a poem, we notice that another

poem is alluded or looked back upon. This is called intertextuality or reference. For example,

Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales' allude to Boccaccio's 'Decameron' in its structure of people

narrating stories during a journey.

Genre- Genre roughly means the category of the poem. Each genre has set rules and

characteristics. For example, a very long narrative poem, running into a several thousands of

lines, dealing with divine figures or demi-gods or great generals of the past and describing a

terrible war or an incredible journey on which the fate of humanity rests can be termed as

epic. For example, the 'Iliad' (Homer), 'Paradise Lost' (J. Milton) and such poems. A short

poem of 14 lines expressing intimate emotions is a 'sonnet'. For example, 'Let me not to the

marriage of true minds' (Shakespeare) is a sonnet extolling real love and devotion. There are

several genre- satire, mock-epic, ballad, lyric, ode, parody etc.

Poem - 1

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Gitanjali

Mind Without Fear by Tagore

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;

Where knowledge is free;

Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls;

Where words come out from the depth of truth;

Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;

Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead

habit;

Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening thought and action---

Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.

Poem- 2

Ode on Solitude BY ALEXANDER POPE

Happy the man, whose wish and care   A few paternal acres bound,Content to breathe his native air,                            In his own ground.

Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread,   Whose flocks supply him with attire,Whose trees in summer yield him shade,                            In winter fire.

Blest, who can unconcernedly find   Hours, days, and years slide soft away,In health of body, peace of mind,                            Quiet by day,

Sound sleep by night; study and ease,   Together mixed; sweet recreation;And innocence, which most does please,                            With meditation.

Thus let me live, unseen, unknown;   Thus unlamented let me die;Steal from the world, and not a stone                            Tell where I lie.

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Short stories

1. HOW MUCH LAND DOES A MAN NEED?

By Leo Tolstoy

The ambitious peasant Pakhom, who, after gaining ever greater plots of land, finally heard of a wonderful deal in a far-off country. He travelled to the land of the Bashkirs and negotiated with the village elder, who seemed a fool. The elder told Pakhom that he could have all the land he wanted for a thousand rubles a day.

Pakhom did not understand. “What kind of rate is that - a day?” he asked. “How many acres could that be?”

“We don’t reckon your way. We sell by the day. However much you can walk around in one day will be yours.”

When Pakhon expressed that a man can walk around much land in one day, the elder burst out laughing. “And all of it will be yours!” he replied. But there was one condition: If Pakhom didn’t return to the starting point by sundown, the money would be forfeited.

Ecstatic, Pakhom spent a sleepless night. Rising at dawn, he went with the villagers to the top of a hill where the elder put down his hat. After placing his thousand rubles on top, Pakhom began walking, digging holes along the way to mark his land. The going was easy and he thought,”I’ll do another three miles and then turn left. The land’s so beautiful here, it would be a pity to miss any.”

Pakhom hurried throughout the morning, going out of his way to add more land. But at noon when he looked back at the hill where he had began, it was difficult to see the people. Maybe I have gone too far, he worried, and decided he must begin to make shorter sides. As the afternoon wore on, the heat was exhausting. By now his bare feet were cut and bruished, and his legs weakened. He wanted to rest, but it was out of question.

Pakhom struggled on, walking faster, then running. He worried that he had been too greedy and his fear made him breathless. On he ran, his shirt soaked and his throat parched. His lungs were working like a blacksmith’s bellows, his heart beat like a hammer. He was terrified.

All these strain will be the death of me.

Although Pakhom feared death, he couldn’t stop. They’d call me an idiot, he thought. When he was close enough to hear the Bashkirs cheering, he summoned his last ounce of strength and kept running. As he finally reached the hill, everything suddenly became dark—the sun had set. Pakhom groaned. He wanted to stop, but heard the Bashkirs still cheering him on. He realized that from where he was at the bottom of the hill, the sun had set - but not for those on top. Pakhom took a deep breath and rushed up the hill. Reaching the top, he saw the elder sitting by the hat, laughing his head off. Pakhom’s legs gave way, and he fell forward grasping the cap.

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“Oh well done,” exclaimed the elder.

“That’s a lot of land you’ve earned yourself!” Pakhom’s worker ran up and tried to lift his master, but Pakhom was dead. The worker picked up Pakhom’s spade, dug a grave, and buried him - six feet from head to heel, exactly the amount of land a man needs.

Life stories

1. Dr. .Kanuru Lakshman Rao 

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Dr. .Kanuru Lakshman Rao was truly a great Indian engineer. What was most significant about his life and work was that he gave confidence to and had confidence in the Indian engineers. IT is a tragedy that today we are denigrating our own achievements and have decided that India can at best be a second rate nation - a nation of sub contractors to western multinational corporations.

Honours

In 1963, Rao was awarded the Padma Bhushan for his contribution in the spheres of irrigation and power. He had been president of the Central Board of Irrigation and Power and of the All India Engineers Association in 1958-59 and 1959-1960. He was awarded a doctorate in science by Andhra University in 1960. He was also awarded doctorate by the Roorkee University in engineering in 1968.

Personal life and education

Rao was born in a middle class farmer family in Kankipadu, Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh. His father was a village attorney. He lost his father when he was nine years old. He lost vision in one eye due to injury during childhood days while playing at school. He studied Intermediate at Presidency College, Madras. He took his B.E. degree from Madras University and he was the first student from Madras University to obtain a Master's Degree in engineering. Later he took his Ph.D. in 1939 from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom.

Engineering career

He worked as a Professor in Rangoon and Burma. After completing PHD he worked as Assistant Professor in the United Kingdom. He wrote a book called Structural Engineering and Reinforced Concrete. After returning to India, he worked as a design engineer for the Madras government. He held the post of Director (Designs) in Vidyut Commission-New Delhi in 1950. He was promoted as chief engineer in 1954.

He wrote autobiography titled The Cusecs Candidate.

Political career

He was elected as a member of parliament from Vijayawada constituency for the first time in 1961. He was elected as Member of Parliament three times from the Vijayawada constituency. On 20 July 1963, Rao was sworn in as a minister for Irrigation and Electricity in the union government. Under his regime as union minister for water resources, Rao designed many irrigation and hydro-electric projects. Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, the world's longest masonry dam on River Krishna in Nalgonda District of Andhra Pradesh is to his credit. Rao worked as union minister in Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Sastry and Indira Gandhi's cabinet.

Recognition

In 2006, the Pulichintala project, at Bellamkonda of Guntur district, has been named as K. L. Rao Sagar project.

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2. MAHATMA GANDHI – ONCE IN A MILLENNIA LEADER

No man in the history of mankind has had an effect like Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi did on human thought, ideals and behaviour. He was the most influential leader of the Indian freedom struggle leading many campaigns against the British Colonial rule which eventually bore fruit with the independence of India in 1947. Gandhi, was a leader who was made famous by his beliefs and his methods, he propagated the use of non-violence and Satyagraha as a means of protest. His methods inspired a generation of leader world over including luminaries such as Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther king Jr. The father of India, Mahatma Gandhi, will always be remembered as one of the greatest leaders of all time inspiring and motivating humanity for generations to come.

3. Satya Nadella as Microsoft CEO 

Growing up near Washington DC, in the 1970s, one of my few pop cultural references for an Indian was Johnny Quest's Hadji: "a well-spoken … orphan who picked up his smarts on the streets of Calcutta." It was embarrassing, like the urine-drinking Indian prime minister, or the teacher who explained to my classmates that the reason I was tardy in returning from a trip to India was because I "may have gotten married" at the ripe age of 10.

Indians take pride when one of their own scales the pinnacles of western success – Pulitzer Prizes, Miss America, governorships and business titans – partly because they are prickly about being viewed as them on key-brain-eating other. Individual success is proof of the nation’s collective intellect, work ethic and merit.

The selection of Satya Nadella as the new CEO of Microsoft is one such moment. Hyderabad-born, Indian-educated, cricket-lover, Nadella is pureDesi, bringing the essence of thousands of years of culture to cutting-edge technology. The reaction back home was ecstatic. The Hindustan Times crowed, "India raises toast as Satya Nadella named Microsoft top boss." Infosys CEO Narayana Murthy declared, "This is how India's brand will be enhanced." One analyst touted Nadella as an example for all Indians to put aside their "caste, religion and regional" differences and "start helping one another".

For Indians who do raise a glass of the national drink, Johnny Walker Black, to Nadella, they're not affirming a shared achievement. They're affirming their status in America's winner-take-all system. Their definition of success is limited to business executives, Hollywood stars, US attorneys, television physicians, and White House officials.

This empty boosterism is often tinged by a chauvinism as crude as any Tea Party reactionary. Many Indian-Americans praise Bobby Jindal, the Republican governor of Louisiana solely for his heritage. If they paid attention to his policies he might have acquired the sobriquet of "Gunga Jindal" for seemingly changing his name and religion as part of his effort to pander racists.

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Ethnic pride also tends to be marked by childlike cravings for normalcy to mask shame. Each success is another sign India's greatness will erase images of a land of female infanticide, ethnic cleansing, gang rapes and slave labour. Now, what would be an accomplishment for these Indians is to mature beyond such dubious conceits. For one, what is there to celebrate in Microsoft? Many see it as a company with mediocre products wedded to Robber Baron monopoly practices headed by a billionaire whose pastimes include destroying public education from Kindergarten through college and bank rolling apocalyptic geoengineering schemes. More significant, few of the 140 million Indians who lack clean water or the 400 million who live on less than $40 a month will toast Nadella. They are not indifferent to his success. They pay for it in homes bulldozed, waters stolen and land fouled by proliferating IT campuses and gated communities. Exalting Nadella conflates the few with the nation. It's similar to the nationalist orgy after India exploded a nuclear device in May 1998. Arundhati Roy wrote at the time, "The bomb is India. India is the bomb. Not just India, Hindu India. Therefore, be warned, any criticism of it is not just anti-national, but anti-Hindu.

Her critique exposed the double-edged sword of ethnic pride. After writing The God of Small Things, "beaming" Indians would stop Roy and declare, "You have made India proud," referring not to her novel that digs into India's afflictions of caste, class and gender violence, but to her receipt of England's Booker Prize. But that pride curdled. Her loyalty, background, and Indianness were questioned after she tallied that the embrace of nuclear weapons, "the most diabolical creation of western science," cost India freedom and imagination for fear and insecurity.

Since then nuclear terror has been superseded by India's embrace of the free market and the digital revolution. It's created 65 billionaires, but the cost is being borne by the still majority agrarian population who are being pushed off ancestral land for factories, mines and dams. So when Indians glow like a proud parent at a new CEO or billionaire of their own, they are rejecting millions who suffer for that wealth. If Indians want their own to venerate, they should look to those like Roy who embody the best of their heritage, the thirst for universal ideals and justice.

In the United States, there's Kshama Sawant, the new city councilmember in Seattle, around the corner from Microsoft's home, who's reviving socialism in a country floundering in capitalism, or Bhairavi Desai, the unlikely organizer of tens of thousands of New York City cabdrivers, or immigrant-rights organizer Harsha Walia in Canada.

In fact, there is an astonishing number of South Asians in North America whose activism is inspired by the vast tableau of social justice struggles in their home countries and communities. They are working across cultures, languages and communities for a better world, and are far more deserving of their compatriots' attention than some head of a corporate behemoth.

Excerpts of great personalities

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1. Martin Luther King, Jr. - I Have a Dream

Speech of the century and is acclaimed as the most inspirational speech of the centaury.

I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.

But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. And so we've come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.

In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the "unalienable Rights" of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds."

But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so, we've come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.

We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. And those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. And there will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.

But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and

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discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.

The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.

We cannot walk alone.

And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.

We cannot turn back.

There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro’s basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their self-hood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating: "For Whites Only." We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until "justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream."¹

I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. And some of you have come from areas where your quest -- quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

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I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."2

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.

With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning:

My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.

Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride,

From every mountainside, let freedom ring!

And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.

And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.

Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.

Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.

Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.

But not only that:

Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.

From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day

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when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:

                Free at last! Free at last!

                Thank God Almighty, we are free at laste.

2. Blood, Sweat, and Tears” by Winston ChurchillMay 13, 1940

On Friday evening last I received His Majesty’s commission to form a new Administration. It was the evident wish and will of Parliament and the nation that this should be conceived on the broadest possible basis and that it should include all parties, both those who supported the late Government and also the parties of the Opposition.

I have completed the most important part of this task. A War Cabinet has been formed of five Members, representing, with the Liberal Opposition, the unity of the nation. The three party Leaders have agreed to serve, either in the War Cabinet or in high executive office. The three Fighting Services have been filled. It was necessary that this should be done in one single day, on account of the extreme urgency and rigour of events. A number of other key positions were filled yesterday, and I am submitting a further list to His Majesty tonight. I hope to complete the appointment of the principal Ministers during tomorrow. The appointment of the other Ministers usually takes a little longer, but I trust that, when Parliament meets again, this part of my task will be completed, and that the Administration will be complete in all respects.

Sir, I considered it in the public interest to suggest that the House should be summoned to meet today. Mr. Speaker agreed and took the necessary steps, in accordance with the powers conferred upon him by the Resolution of the House. At the end of the proceedings today, the Adjournment of the House will be proposed until Tuesday, the 21st May, with, of course, provision for earlier meeting, if need be. The business to be considered during that week will be notified to Members at the earliest opportunity. I now invite the House, by the Resolution which stands in my name, to record its approval of the steps taken and to declare its confidence in the new Government.

Sir, to form an Administration of this scale and complexity is a serious undertaking in itself, but it must be remembered that we are in the preliminary stage of one of the greatest battles in history, that we are in action at many points in Norway and in Holland, that we have to be prepared in the Mediterranean, that the air battle is continuous and that many preparations have to be made here at home. In this crisis I hope I may be pardoned if I do not address the House at any length today. I hope that any of my friends and colleagues, or former colleagues, who are affected by the political reconstruction, will make all allowances for any lack of ceremony with which it has been necessary to act. I would say to the House, as I said to those who’ve joined this government: “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.”

We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering. You ask, what is our policy? I will say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark and lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: victory. Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without

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victory, there is no survival. Let that be realised; no survival for the British Empire, no survival for all that the British Empire has stood for, no survival for the urge and impulse of the ages, that mankind will move forward towards its goal.

But I take up my task with buoyancy and hope. I feel sure that our cause will not be suffered to fail among men. At this time I feel entitled to claim the aid of all, and I say, “Come then, let us go forward together with our united strength.”

3. Film clippings

The purpose of Film Clippings is to stimulate a love of learning, an attitude of inquiry, a passion for truth and a questioning mind. Results include enhanced analytical thinking, mature student behaviours and positive learning climates.

It helps students ask the right questions, and discover their answers through mutual respect, creative thinking, reasoning, judging, and understanding.

Creativity combined with social conscience is an excellent thing. No doubt that film clippings is ideal for our course.

1. The Gods Must Be Crazy 

The Gods Must Be Crazy is a 1980 South African comedy film written and directed by Jamie Uys. Originally released in 1980, the film is the first in The Gods Must Be Crazy series. Set in Botswana, it tells the story of Xi, a Sho of the Kalahari Desert, whose tribe has no knowledge of the world beyond.

Plot

Xi and his San tribe are "livings well off the land" in the Kalahari Desert. They are happy because the gods have provided plenty of everything, and no one in the tribe has any wants. One day, a Coca-Cola bottle is thrown out of an airplane and falls to earth unbroken. Initially, this strange artifact seems to be another "present" from the gods — Xi's people find many uses for it. But unlike anything that they have had before, there is only one glass bottle to go around. They soon find themselves experiencing envy, anger, and even violence.

Since it has caused the tribe unhappiness, Xi decides that the bottle is an evil thing and must be thrown off of the edge of the world. He sets out on his quest and encounters a diverse group of people: biologist Andrew Steyn, who is studying the local animals; Kate Thompson, the newly hired village school teacher; a band of guerrillas led by Sam Boga, who are being pursued by government troops after an unsuccessful attack; a safari tour guide named Jack Hind; as well as Steyn's assistant and mechanic, M'pudi.

Xi happens upon a farm and, being hungry, shoots a goat with a tranquilizer arrow. He is arrested and jailed for stealing livestock. M'pudi, who lived with the San and speaks Xi's language, realizes that Xi will die in prison, and he and Steyn manage to hire Xi as a tracker for the remainder of his prison sentence. Meanwhile, the guerrillas invade Kate's school and take her and her pupils as human shields for their escape to the neighbouring country. Steyn, M'pudi, and Xi, who are unwittingly observing the local wildlife within the terrorists' chosen path, manage to immobilize the guerrillas as they are passing by and save Kate and the children. Steyn allows Xi to leave to continue his quest, and subsequently he and Kate become romantically involved.

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Xi eventually finds himself at the top of a cliff with a solid layer of low-lying clouds obscuring the landscape below. This convinces Xi that he has reached the edge of the world, and he throws the bottle off the cliff. Xi then returns to his tribe and a warm welcome from his family.

2. My Fair Lady by Alan Jay Lerner

About the author

My Fair Lady was originally a stage musical based on the play Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw. Alan Jay Lerner adapted George Bernard Shaw’s play for the musical My Fair Lady. Alan Jay Lerner’s words for the songs use many of the spoken words in Shaw’s play. This was partly because Lerner, by law, had to stay as close as possible to the original. The Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) was born in Dublin, but moved to London when he was twenty, and soon began publishing articles and reviews in London magazines. After writing five unsuccessful novels, he turned to play writing in the 1890s, but did not achieve popular success until 1904. His plays surprised theatre audiences of the time because of their serious attention to philosophical ideas, moral questions and current social problems. Many of them – such as Caesar and Cleopatra, Man and Superman, and Saint Joan, as well as Pygmalion – are still very popular today, and many have been filmed. Shaw was a socialist who believed in equality of income and the abolition of private property. He also supported women’s rights. He believed that many of the world’s greatest problems could be solved by rational, scientific thinking. He received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1925.

Summary

My Fair Lady tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, who is a poor girl selling flowers on London streets until she meets Henry Higgins, a professor of linguistics.

Chapter 1: Higgins hears Eliza shouting in her harsh ‘Cockney’ accent in Covent Garden. He says to his new acquaintance, Colonel Pickering, that after six months of lessons with him, he could teach Eliza to speak with such a pure upper-class accent that no one would be able to tell where she came from.

Chapter 2: Eliza’s father, Alfred Doolittle was thrown out of the pub as he hasn’t got enough money to pay for his drinks. Eliza gives him some money.

Chapter 3: Eliza finds her way to the professor’s house and offers him money to give her lessons. Pickering is intrigued and offers to pay for the cost if Higgins can really back up his claim. Higgins is interested in the experiment, and agrees. An intensive makeover of Eliza’s speech, manners, and dress begins in preparation for her appearance at the Embassy Ball.

Chapter 4: Eliza’s father comes to Higgins to extract some money from him. Higgins is impressed by the way he speaks. Meanwhile, Eliza goes through many forms of speech training. Just as things seem hopeless, Higgins softens his harsh attitude and she suddenly ‘gets it’.

Chapter 5: Higgins takes her on her first public appearance to Ascot Racecourse. She makes a good impression, but shocks everyone by her Cockney accent and slang when she gets excited. She captures the heart of a young man named Freddy Eynsford-Hill.

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Chapter 6: Finally, Higgins takes Eliza out to the Embassy Ball, where she stuns everyone. After the ball, Higgins is so excited about his triumph and his pleasure that the experiment is now over. Eliza feels used and abandoned.

Chapter 7: She walks out on Higgins and goes back to Covent Garden, but nobody recognises her now. She sees her father there and finds out that he’s getting married.

Chapter 8: After Eliza is gone, Higgins soon realises that he has ‘grown accustomed to her face’. Higgins finds Eliza at his mother’s house, and he attempts to talk her into coming back to him. Eliza rejects him and leave.

Chapter 9: Higgins makes his way home, missing Eliza very much. He plays his recordings to listen to Eliza’s voice. To Higgins’s great delight, Eliza returns to him.

Background and themes

Pygmalion was first performed in 1913 in Vienna, and published and performed in London in 1916. The story is very much the same as it appears in My Fair Lady, except that the musical version made the relationship between Eliza Doolittle and Professor Higgins more romantic. In the play, as the musical, Eliza grows in confidence and independence and finally wins Higgins’s respect. But in a postscript to the play, Shaw said that Eliza went on to marry Freddy Eynsford-Hill, not Higgins.

Shaw partly modelled the character of Higgins on a real linguist, Henry Sweet (1845–1912), who was one of the first people to study phonetics in England.

Accent: At the time of this story, speaking with a proper accent meant a higher social status. If Eliza can speak with an ‘upper-class’ accent, she would be able to leave the street and find a respectable job.

Relationship between Eliza and Higgins: Speaking without a very strong London accent is not the only goal Eliza is after. She has another battle on her hands: to make Higgins see her as a person, not just as an interesting experiment.

Men vs. women: The story shows the caring attitude of women, such as Mrs Pearce and Mrs Higgins. Higgins, however, doesn’t appreciate it and says, ‘Why can’t women be more like men?’

Discussion activities -Chapter 1

Before reading

1 Discuss: Talk about musicals. Ask students if they have seen Pygmalion or My Fair Lady. If they have, put them into groups and tell them to discuss the good and bad

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things about them. If they haven’t, ask them to discuss good and bad points of musicals – at the theatre and on film.

After reading

2 Retell: Have students work in small groups. They look at the pictures on pages 3 and 5, and take turns to retell the story of Chapter 1. Encourage them to describe the characters, e.g. how they look, how they talk, what they are doing, etc.

3 Pair work: Tell students about the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) if they don’t know it. Get them to look in their dictionaries. Do some dictionary work to practise phonetics. See the examples below:

a. Give students some phonetic symbols, e.g. /ɔ/, /ə/,/ɑ/,/T/, etc. Then have students look for the words with those symbols.

b. Give students some words and have them look them up in their dictionaries. Ask some individual students to write the words with phonetic symbols on the board.

c Write some words using the phonetic symbols on the board. Have students guess what the words are.

Chapters 2–3

Before reading

4 Discuss and predict: Talk about Alfred Doolittle.

Ask the following questions and lead a whole-class discussion. • What type of accent do you think he has? • Why do you think he looks unhappy?

After reading

5 Discuss: Talk about Higgins.

The title of Chapter 3 is ‘The Crazy Professor’. Do you agree that Higgins is crazy? What makes you think he is crazy? What did he say? What did he do? Discuss in groups.

6 Discuss: Talk about a foreign language and an accent. Put students into groups. Ask them to discuss the following questions.

• Do you want to speak with a ‘perfect’ accent?

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• What is the ‘perfect’ accent for you? • How important is it for people to speak a foreign language with a ‘perfect’ accent?

Chapter 4

7. Group work: Put students into groups. Give each group a specific sound, such as ‘h’ and ‘long a’. Have them discuss and come up with sentences containing those sounds. For example, ‘Three authors were thinking of writing a thriller.’ for the sound ‘th’. Monitor the groups and help them if needed. Later, ask each group to share their sentences with the rest of the class.

Chapters 5–6

Before reading

8. Guess: Put students into small groups. Ask them to imagine Eliza’s first public tryout. Encourage them to think of what she’s going to wear, what she’s going to talk about, and to guess if she’s going to make any mistakes or not, if she does, what will happen, etc. When they are ready, ask each group to share their ideas with the rest of the class.

After reading

9. Pair work: Put students into pairs. Have them work on the following questions.

• Which letters of the alphabet is Eliza saying when she says, ‘Ahyee, Eeee, Iyee, Ow, You!’

• How could you write the following letters as words: c, j, p, q, t, x, y? For example, ‘b’ = ‘be’ or ‘bee’.

10. Discuss: Talk about the change in Eliza at the Ball. Put students into small groups. Have them compare Eliza at the races with Eliza at the Ball six weeks later. Encourage them to talk about what people think of her. Ask them to discuss the reasons for the change in Eliza.

11. Pair work: Have students work in pairs to write down all the pairs of words which end in the same sound. For example, ‘I’ and ‘high’ in the first verse. If some pairs finish earlier than other pairs, ask them to give you the answers. Later, check the answers with the whole class.

Chapters 7–9

Before reading

12. Discuss: Talk about the title. Lead a whole-class conversation by asking about the title of the chapter. Who do you think is going to be married in the morning? Why do you think so?

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After reading

13. Group work: Talk about what Higgins really means. When Higgins finds Eliza at his mother’s house, Eliza speaks to him, then he says, ‘Don’t you try that game on me!’ Read this part of the story again. What does he mean by ‘game’?

14. Role play: After Eliza leaves and says, ‘I won’t be seeing you again,’ Higgins says to his mother, ‘What can I do?’ Put students into pairs, and have them continue the conversation between Higgins and his mother.

15. Discuss: Talk about the change in Higgins. In what way has Henry changed towards Eliza? What in these chapters makes you think this?

16. Retell: In small groups, students take turns to say one sentence each in order to tell the story of the following characters: Eliza (Chapters 7–9), Henry Higgins (Chapters 8–9) and Mrs Higgins (Chapters 8–9).

Extra activities

17. Discuss: Put students into groups. Ask them to imagine that Eliza does not go back to Henry Higgins. What will she do now? Where will she go? Then ask the groups to discuss: Is Eliza’s life better now than it was before she went to stay with Higgins?

18. Discuss: Have students work in groups to discuss as follows: In this story, a person’s accent is very important. If someone has a strong accent, rich, important people are not so interested in them. People with strong accents cannot get the best jobs. Are accents as important as this in your country?

19. Discuss: Do you think people can really change as much as Eliza does in this story? If you can change yourself, how do you want to change?

20. Discuss: Did you like the story? Why? / Why not? Which part of the story did you like most? Why? Which part of the story did you like least? Why?

21. Project: Put students into groups. Give each group a name of place in the story, e.g. Royal Opera House, Ascot, etc. Have them prepare a presentation on these places.

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4. Briefing and explaining

Knowing how to write a briefing paper is a useful skill for students, business professionals. A briefing paper outlines a particular issue and its background. It then proposes solutions, describes applied remedies and recommends improvements. A persuasive briefing paper is concise, well-organized and covers the most salient facts and solutions. Here are the steps involved in writing a briefing paper.

Steps

Describe the issue.

Distinguish the cause from the symptoms. Understanding the cause will help you to

solve the problem. For example, at first glance it may appear that young girls in a

village do not want to attend school. When you investigate further, you realize that

they do not have transportation to go to school or that the path they must walk is

dangerous.

Summarize the problem. Be concise in your description. Present the cause of the

problem first and then outline the symptoms. For example, describe the lack of public

transportation and the dangerous roads. Then explain how these issues result in low

school attendance and, ultimately, a lack of education and unfortunate economic

prospects for the young girls.

Meet the needs of your audience.

Write in easy to understand language. Consider the readers of your briefing paper and

everyone concerned about the issue. Use language they can understand, avoiding

technical jargon and details they might find confusing.

Answer your readers' questions. Think through the logical questions that a reader

might have about the issue and answer them in your briefing paper. If the issue

involves complicated processes, break them down to the most relevant aspects.

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Propose a solution or a set of solutions.

Persuade your audience. You might have one solution that you believe will resolve the

issue. Describe it and explain why it is the ideal path to take. Use documented data and

facts to support your arguments.

Present several possible solutions. If it is a new or difficult problem, you might not

have one effective solution in mind. Think of several possibilities and present each as

an option. Provide history or evidence related to how each solution was effectively

implemented in other situations.

Outline the consequences. Some solutions come at a cost. Explain what these costs

would be to the individuals or communities involved. Be specific and include all

necessary facts to convey that you have thoroughly contemplated the issues.

Write a conclusion. Briefly summarize the issue, your analysis and your

recommendations.

Format your briefing paper. In general, the format of a briefing paper includes an

explanation of the issue and its background, proposed solutions and a conclusion.

Include an appendix containing important statistics or charts, if applicable.

Sample Dress Code Briefing

Students, Staff, and Parents we would like to touch on some concerns many of you brought up when we implemented the new college dress code at the meeting.

As many of you know, the code has been met with some success. Those who voted for the dress code wanted a more consistent, more stable educational experience within the walls of the college. However, we’ve also heard some questions—and some outright untrue rumors—that need to be addressed.

First, we would like to emphatically state that no student has been suspended for a first, second, or even third infraction, unless those students wore clothing with profanity, violence, or sexual images. Pursuant to our dress code, we are aiming for a lax environment with plenty of responsibility shouldered on both sides.

Second, an anonymous clothing drive has been set up for those parents or students unable to purchase new articles clothing without words on them.

Third, students are only sent home on their fourth or later infractions when previous offenses weren’t egregious (cursing, violence, etc.). We are proud to report only three of our 8,000-plus students have been sent home regarding this policy, and they were welcomed back—with appropriate clothing.

Fourth, we are saddened that some view this as an attempt to control our students or limit their free speech rights. Our students are encouraged to express themselves in a variety of healthy ways outside of the words on their clothing. We strongly encourage those needing an outlet because of this new policy to check out one of our dozens of after-school clubs or activities. We also hope that even those parents who don’t agree with the policy can keep the tone of discussion civil when talking about the policy with their children.

Thank you all very much for your continued help in making our institute a mark of pride. While the college has no immediate plan to change this policy, we welcome interested

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parents to come discuss it with us. We appreciate all parties taking a civil, rational tone, no matter what the other group’s beliefs may be.

Thank you.

5. Board room discussions

Professional success can be best achieved by following the norms of a boardroom.

Maybe you’ve heard the old saying that “Horses sweat, men perspire and women glow”. But in the boardroom, everyone who presents sweats. If you’re on the board or want to be, you will need to deliver boardroom presentations. First, it’s helpful to understand why this is the toughest hot seat in the house.

Then try out the following techniques to become more successful next time you find yourself at the front of the boardroom.

Culture: Most often, the boardroom is a place of punishment. Management and executives gather there to thrash last quarter’s bad results or call an employee to task. As a result, just entering the boardroom can stir up a defensive attitude in meeting attendees. They must be ready to defend their own performance and may feel like they have to attack someone else just to escape criticism.

Setup: The physical arrangement of the boardroom may be intended to foster discussion, but can often feel adversarial. Meeting attendees face each other across the table, instead of facing the speaker. To see the speaker, they must turn their heads and wind up with a possible crick in the neck.

Hierarchy: There is always a power position at the boardroom table. The presenter will usually stand opposite the power position, thus feeling the pressure of performing for the head of the court.

History: If you are relatively new to the board, others with more history might decide to play their seniority card. They can bring up past issues, insider jokes or unwritten rules of which you’re not aware.

Before the meeting-

Find out who else will be attending, and speak with all of them—or at least the key decision makers—prior to the meeting to gauge their positions and try to get them on

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your side. Never introduce new ideas in the boardroom: It’s a place where ideas are defended, not born.

Most importantly, sit down with the meeting chair in advance. Explain your ideas, demonstrate how they support his visions and goals, and ask for his critical support to make it work. Let him know what you want to accomplish, and ask for his advice on how to get everyone else to back you up.

The more people you have taken into your confidence and who know about your presentation in advance, the more will support you when it comes to a vote. If you don’t surprise them, they won’t surprise you. When you meet with them, ask outright for their backing.

Boardroom Etiquette

Arrive at the boardroom before the meeting to become situated and comfortable—make it your room. Test your presentation equipment. Sit in a few of the chairs to see the perspective of other attendees. They will be evaluating you the whole time—not just while you present, but also before and after. It’s essential to appear calm and confident from the moment the meeting convenes.

When it’s your turn to speak, calmly make your way to the front of the room. Pause for a brief moment to gain everyone’s attention. Then begin your presentation. Speak to everyone in the room. Make a point of looking at every person there by moving your eyes across the table in slightly ragged X patterns. Don’t be lulled into talking only to the most powerful person or the one who engages you—and don’t be distracted by the broad expanse of the boardroom table.

State your position clearly and strongly. Never apologize. Look to your allies for their support. Make it clear what you want them to do. State your purpose early, and be prepared for interruptions, as well as the possibility of your presentation being cut short.

Seek to gain one key point that moves the board in the direction you want. Don’t try to sell and close all the details in presentation. Boardroom meetings are generally intended either to confirm earlier discussions or suggest new directions. They seldom have room for all the nitty-gritty aspects of execution.

Postgame steps 

Accept the directional win and the next step. Be willing to work out the details later. Don’t try to nail the whole project in one boardroom presentation—you know you’ll be back.

Survival Tips for the Boardroom

Don’t get personal.

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Don’t sling mud. State facts. Don’t fight with anyone in the boardroom. Do that before you arrive. Confirm your alliances before you enter the boardroom. When your competition is getting dumped on—shut up. Never start a sentence with the word “honestly.” Be prepared to address the worst possible question. Don’t be glib or sarcastic. Relate details to the bigger picture. Admit your mistakes quickly and clarify the lesson learned. Pause, breathe and smile before answering every question. Turn every negative question into a positive answer.

6. PRESENTATIONS

The Oxford Dictionary describes presentation as ‘a speech or talk in which a new product, idea, or piece of work is shown and explained to an audience’.

Great presenters share one quality- the desire to communicate. Presentation is not dependent on some rare genetic trait. Chris Sullivan, a senior consultant with Guardian Business Services, opines “Even people who look unpromising can draw it out from within themselves. People who stutter and stammer will still stutter and stammer, but they can present effectively in spite of that.”

Presentations require some planning. A good presentation starts with an introduction and an icebreaker such as a story, an interesting statement or fact, joke, quotation, or an activity to get the group warmed up. The introduction also needs an objective, that is, the purpose or goal of the presentation. This not only tells what the speaker talks about, but also informs the audience of the purpose of the presentation.

The next aspect is the body of the presentation. All that the presenter needs is an outline. By jotting down the main points on a set of index cards, will help as a memory jogger for the actual presentation. Certain things need to be borne in mind before making a presentation. They are:

a. What is the purpose of the presentation?

An informative presentation gives the audience information about the topic; this could be information that is interesting or useful. A persuasive presentation is an effort to change/influence the opinions, beliefs, or behaviours of the audience. An inspirational presentation is an appeal to the feelings, emotions, values, and thoughts of your audience. An entertaining presentation is a presentation that is light hearted, casual and fun. The emphasis is catching and holding the attention of the audience. Humour, stories, or subtle irony could be the focus.

Once the purpose is determined, one would continue to build the presentation. To inform, one could use the strongest pieces of information. To persuade, one could use the most convincing arguments. To inspire, one could use the most inspirational quotes, stories, or anecdotes. To entertain, one could use humour or engaging stories to involve

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the audience. And, of course, the presenter would still need a great opening, closing, and delivery.

b. Who will be attending?

Survey the people who attend the meeting, their age group, experience and exposure such that the level of presentation could vary accordingly.

c. What does the audience already know about the subject?

If the audience has little knowledge of the subject, you need to explain more about the background than if the audience already has considerable knowledge. If they have little knowledge, you need to consider what background information they need to understand your main points. If you expect the audience to already be knowledgeable, then you need to avoid giving too much background information, which will bore the audience. However, it is probably better to give too much background information than too little. 

d. What is the audience’s attitude towards the speaker?

A 45 minute talk need not have more than 7 main points. If the presenter thinks to leave the audience with a clear picture, one can’t expect them to remember more than that.

Several options may be opted for structuring the presentation.

1. Timeline- A timeline is a way of displaying a list of events in chronological order, sometimes described as a project artefact. It is typically a graphic design showing a long bar labelled with dates alongside itself and (usually) events labelled on points where they would have happened. .

2. Climax- The main points are delivered in order of increasing importance.

3. Problem / solution- A problem is presented, a solution is suggested, and benefits are then given.

4. Classification- The important points are major points.

5. Simple to Complex- Ideas are listed from the simplest to the most complex. It can also be done in the reverse order. Charts, graphs, slides, handouts etc may be displayed for a better explanation and clear understanding. After the body comes the closing. This is where the presenter can ask for questions, provide a summary and thank the audience for attending.

Each student will be made to prepare a presentation, be it a Technical / General topic.

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7. Mini Projects

Mini project is a self made ideal project. Mini project offers you the opportunity to explore ideas on your own and demonstate the knowledge gained from the course. Mini projects must combine a number aspects covered during classes. These can be focussed on practical and theoretical aspects or a combination there of. Oral defence of the projects is the basis for the final examination in the course.

Out line

What is the subject of your investigation/implementation? What is the expected outcome? What is needed (tools, knowledge, components etc.) for success? What can be the possible future use of the outcome be?

Project report of approx. 10 pages Introduction Background Synopsis Implementation Experiments Conclusion and future work References

Topics for Mini Project

1. English language as a tool in Business Communication. 2. Problems of Students Coming from Rural Areas in Speaking English – possible

remedies.3. People Management and Leadership Qualities. 4. Evaluating Political Debates: News Paper Analysis. 5. Sources of Learning English Language: A Study.6. Functional English in Our Daily Life

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7. Influence of Social Networking: A Study 8. Traditional class room v/s Modern class room.9. Strategies for developing speaking skills.10. List out the Communication strategies to become a successful professional. 11. Attitude of learners towards learning of grammar at the Tertiary Level.12. Diary –Ur word creates Ur world. 13. Fluency v/s Grammar.14. ‘Earn while you learn’- openings available, and live experience of successful

participants from Engg. Colleges in Krishna & Guntur Districts.-a survey report. 15. Vijayawada – Visakhapatnam – Kakinada – Kurnool – Guntur – Nellore –

Potential and suitability for location of the new capital after restructuring of A.P.16. ‘Clean and Green’ – Which department / ministry / organization should take

administrative responsibility for improving results?17. Women empowerment/ defense mechanisms /strategies adopted in various part of

India to counter sexual assaults and crimes information search processing-and reporting.

18. Role of Phonetics in Technical Presentations- a Study on Speaking Skills.19. Krishnapatnam – Nizam patnam – Machilipatnam - Kakinada – Which should be

developed as a major port on the east coast – a logistic and technical survey. 20. Mouth to Mouth –Acquiring speaking skills.

Assignment on - Visiting orphanages, old age homes, hospitals, bank, traffic etc.,

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8. Speech writing

a) Acceptance

The presentation of an award is usually followed by an acceptance speech, which the recipient delivers upon immediate receipt of the award. This speech gives the recipient an opportunity to show appreciation for the award as well as humility and grace (O’Hair & Stewart, 1999). Such a speech should be prepared ahead of time, if possible. In the preparation process, the recipient will have a general idea of who to thank, which should not be overlooked during such an event.

Here is Prof. A. Sudhakar’s acceptance speech:

Thank you very much for presenting me with the Outstanding Performance in laboratories Award in A.N.University. I want to thank the professors on the award committee for selecting our college, and the other faculty for their encouragement and support. I especially thank our beloved Management for their tireless efforts and belief in the ability of faculty. I will remember this honour and strive to be deserving of it for the years to come. Again, thank you all for this incredible honour and for bringing laurels to the institution.

The previous example has a particular organizational structure. First, the recipient expresses his sincere appreciation. If the award was unexpected, then he might also express a sincere level of surprise. Second, he acknowledges those who contributed to or made the award possible. He also thanks other people who have had an impact on his success. Third, he indicates how the award will make a difference in the future (i.e., it will make him work harder in taking the institution to greater heights). Finally, the recipient closes his speech by expressing thanks again.

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b) Vote of thanks

Vote of Thanks is a short speech expressing thanks to speakers on behalf of the audiences. It should not be a mere replication or evaluation of the speakers’ entire speech. A Person proposing the vote of thanks needs to follow the speech carefully and pick out two or three points that one finds interesting, refer and respond to these points. As it is not the occasion, the proposer should bear in mind not to repeat those parts of the speech, nor discuss whether s/he agrees or disagrees with them, nor enter into any kind of debate.

With practice, how to select some useful or illuminating points, and how to incorporate references to them in the vote of thanks, becomes easier and, with time, the proposer will produce a presentation that resembles an excellent dessert following – and in happy harmony with – a fine main course.

Meeting the speaker before the speech, seeking his/her profile, taking a copy of his/her talk and positioning oneself in a closer location to hear the speech, taking notes, highlighting interesting quotes or sound bites (a short comment by a politician or other famous person that is taken from a longer conversation or speech and broadcast alone because it is very interesting or effective) from the speech, enables one to prepare and propose the vote of thanks effectively.

When asked to deliver vote of thanks, keep in mind the folowing points:

1. Make a list of people to be thanked. Review the list to ensure that no one has been missed out.

2. Use a proper order to express your gratitude. Normally people in the higher echelons of the profession are thanked first, followed by those who offered real help, then the people who made the event successful, and finally those who provided mechanical help.

3. Whenever you thank someone, also cite the reason for your gratitude and the kind of help received from a variety of people.

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4. Be brief; avoid verbosity and exaggerations.

5. Maintain warmth; avoid being mechanical.

A Sample Vote of Thanks

Ladies and Gentlemen: It is a pleasure for me to propose the vote of thanks first to the College authorities for providing such an agreeable setting for the Conference, and secondly to Dr (.XYZ) and his colleagues for organizing the meeting so effectively and for being such excellent hosts.

I thank our principal for enunciating the college report and promising more achievements for the next academic year.

On behalf of the college I extend my sincere thanks to our Chief Guest for gracing this occasion and for your spellbinding speech sir. We thank you for your very insightful address sir. Your presence here today demonstrates your commitment to education in a continuously changing world. Each time you join us, we feel very privileged and we take your words to heart. We have not only been honored to have (xxx) as our guest of honor, but we have also shared words of goodwill and best wishes and shared some laughter.

I thank (ABC) for blessing this occasion by giving the needed support. Sir your presence is a great value to the elite and the innovators that have assembled here today. Dr. (DEF) and Dr. (GHI) are truly the force and the energy behind this grassroots innovation process.

I would also like to add our thanks and appreciation to all the contributors to what has so far been a program of exceptional interest, range and quality.

Not forgotten in our list of appreciation the team of our dear students without whose participation and active support, this function would have been unsuccessful. Thank you all my dear students.

Thank you all.

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c) Welcoming guests on to the stage

Before inviting the guests on to the dais, it is essential to brief the gathering about the essence of the event and about your institute.

Here is a sample introduction:

“Good Afternoon! I am Kishore .N of III/V B.Tech ECE welcome you all to the R.V.R & J.C. Engineering College which became a renowned place of learning over the last Twenty five years, as it has the pride of producing several luminaries in different disciplines. If you take a quick look around you, I am sure you will agree that our institute has come a long way in the last five years. The founders of this institute had envisaged the bright future of this college twenty seven years ago and all their dreams have come true today. It was not a cakewalk. The diligent efforts of the management, various principals, and all the employees have seen a remarkable spurt in making the college as the most preferred one in this region. We feel proud to be the students of R.V.R & J.C Engineering College because we are provided with the state-of-the-art Infrastructure, well qualified faculty, a perfect atmosphere for academic pursuit. The pristine surroundings of our college stage the most conducive atmosphere. The annual day of our college is really a moment that we should enjoy and savour.

Although we have miles to go, we need to celebrate each and every mile stone in order to go ahead with added enthusiasm.” 

After the brief introduction, the anchors should invite guests on to the dais. While inviting the guests on to the dais, The Anchors should avoid using the same expression to invite all the guests on to the dais. He/she has to use different expressions to invite different guests otherwise the language of the anchor appears monotonous thus He/she fails to be impressive. Here are different phrases to invite the guests on to the dais:

Remember:

1. Before you invite the guests on to the dais, ensure that you have got the list of all the guests to welcome.

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2. Before starting the proceedings, check with the chief Coordinator or organizers, whether there are any additions or deletions in the list of the guests given to you.3. Double check that the remarks you are going to make about your guests are factually correct.4. Make sure that you pronounce their names correctly.After the brief introduction, the anchors should invite guests on to the dais. While inviting the guests on to the dais, the anchors should avoid using the same expression to invite all the guests on to the dais. He/she has to use different expressions to invite different guests otherwise the language of the anchor appears monotonous thus He/she fails to be impressive.

Here are different phrases/ Expressions to invite the guests on to the dais:

I consider it a great honour to welcome Mr./Ms/Sri/Smt/Dr./Prof _______________ on to the dais

May I invite the chief guest Mr/Ms/Sri/Smt/Dr./Prof _____________ on to the dais. The next dignitary to honour us with his/her presence is Mr/Ms/Dr/Prof__________. I am glad to invite Mr/Ms/Sri/Smt/Dr./Prof______________ on to the dais It will now be the turn of _____________________ to come on to the dais I request Mr/Ms/Sri/Smt/Dr/Prof_________________________ to grace the dais Next, we look forward for the presence of ___________________ on the dais. It is my privilege to invite Mr./Ms/Sri/Smt/Dr/Prof _______________ on to the dais. With equal pleasure invite______________ on to the dais. In some of the events, the

role of the anchor is confined only to invite the guests on to the dais and the later proceedings are looked after by the president of the meeting. In that case after inviting the guests, use the following phrases and leave the stage:

Now, I request _______________________ (president) to preside over the meeting. Now over to Mr/Ms________.

Expressions used to Honour the guests:

Now the dignitaries on the dais will be garlanded and offered bouquets. I request Ms. Veena of I/IV B.Tech to honour the chief guest with a bouquet.

d) A speech of introduction

It introduces the main speaker at an event and inspires the audience to listen to that speaker. Any speech of introduction needs to be brief. After all, the person making the introduction should not be the focus of attention.

The introductory speech usually has three components: (a) Provide a brief backdrop or background of the main speaker. (b) Introduce the speaker’s topic. (c) An invitation from the audience to warmly welcome the speaker. Here is an example of a speech of introduction: The person giving our keynote address is someone we all know and admire. Not only is Dr. A. Sudhakar a good administrator,

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but he has gone on to make major contributions to our field. As one of our nation’s foremost experts in Electronics & Communication, he has written over 50 journal articles and book chapters on this field. We are privileged today to hear him. Please join me in welcoming Dr. A. Sudhakar.

As the previous example illustrates, the speech of introduction is relatively brief. But the brevity might depend on how familiar the audience is with the speaker’s topic. If the topic is not well-known, you might need to take a few minutes toward the end of the speech to elaborate more on the topic. Also, it is important to enhance the speaker’s credibility. In the previous example, the person introducing Dr. A. Sudhakar reminds the audience that he is a distinguished academic and writer.

If you are introducing a speaker, be sure to do your homework and find out as much as you can about this person; the last thing you want to do is give inaccurate information as you’re introducing him or her! See if you can meet the person ahead of time, whether it is in person or over the phone. You’ll also want to be culturally sensitive. For instance, many people outside the United States prefer to be called by their titles, such as “Professor.” Also, be aware of any gender bias that might influence how you introduce the person, such as calling a man “Dr.” or “Mr.” while referring to a woman of similar status by her first name.

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e) Farewell speech

In their professional career people often change jobs, leaving one organization and joining another. At times, they are transferred or they have to move away from an organization after the completion of a project, a term, or an assignment. In all such eventualities, a farewell speech comes into play. When required to deliver such a speech, keep in mind the following points.

1. Thank the organization for the opportunity you received for serving it.2. Avoid criticizing the company’s policies or people, even if you don’t appreciate them

much.3. Don’t exaggerate your own achievements.4. Sound polite and humble in your own expressions.5. Be brief.

Take a look at this example

My dear friends, it is said that the more intense your emotions, the articulate they become. That probably is the case with me as I rise to say goodbye to all my seniors, colleagues, and friends present here. No doubt, it has really been an amazing experience to be with this organization for all these years. I thoroughly enjoyed doing the tasks assigned to me, simply because the ambience here has always been quite conductive to work, innovation and creativity. I am obliged to the management for their guidance and motivation throughout my stay here. Moreover I can never forget the sense of bonding and belonging. It’s painful to bid adieu to all of you who have always been supportive, understanding, and accommodating. For this and for everything else, this institute would continue to harbour a very special place in my heart.

Thank you one and all for making my stay here such a delightful experience.

In brief remember to keep the following points in mind in order to become an accomplished public speaker:

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1. Prepare well for your speech.2. Research the topic of the speech thoroughly.3. Strategically overcome your nervousness. 4. Start your speech innovatively. A good beginning helps you build a rapport with

the audience immediately. 5. Use effective body language: maintain eye contact with your audience; use

gestures and expressions to support your ideas.6. Employ proper voice modulation: work on your pronunciation, articulation,

volume, pauses and voice modulation. 7. Use humour and wit wherever possible.8. Express enthusiasm during your speech.9. End your speech on an empathetic note. If possible, leave your audience laughing.

f) Compeering

Compeer (anchor) plays a vital role in making an event successful. An anchor of the event can radiate energy by being lively by using the right tone and modulation, by using impressive expressions, by using right body language and by dressing sensibly. Here are some tips given for the anchors:

Tips for the Anchors:

1. Some Anchors tend to give importance to accent and fluency rather than clarity. An anchor should try to speak loudly and clearly rather than striving to use American accent. Many people think that fluency is speaking more number of words per minute, which is completely wrong. Fluency means speaking without having breaks. Speak at a reasonable pace quite clearly. Your tongue should touch the hard palate of your mouth strong enough for your voice to sound clearly to the audience.

“Brit or American, flaunt that accent only if you know how to do it  correctly, else you could just end up making a fool of yourself”. - An excerpt from an article on fake accent in Deccan chronicle on 1September 2010. 2. An anchor of the event must consider himself as the representative of the organization that is conducting the particular event. You need not hesitate to use the word “I” to start the proceedings.

3. Minimizing the use of paper to do the anchoring helps you in maintaining eye contact with the audience.

4. Remember that the lectern on the dais is not to hide yourself behind it.

5. Wear a smile on your face, which acts as an antidote to your nervousness and makes your tone impressive.

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g) Thank you speech

A thank you speech is commonly given in response to the receipt of an award, a special gift, or accepting an honor. These speeches often vary in duration based on the circumstances at hand. Allotted time aside, the key factor in giving a successful thank you speech is to simply display genuine thanks to the necessary people. If a special honor is anticipated, it would be best to prepare and practice thank yous in advance. However, giving a thank you speech can be particularly difficult if an award is granted by surprise. Being taken by surprise can cause a swell of emotions, but taking a few moments to collect thoughts is always helpful.There are many different styles or ways to begin a thank you speech. Beginning with a joke or anecdote pertaining to the occasion can be a fun way to gather attention and calm nerves. One particularly important thing to consider when giving a thank you speech is not only to express gratitude for what was given, but also consider what it means to have been given the particular award, gift, etc. What does it mean to receive it? What does it mean to the person who gave it? People will surely be able to discern the sincerity or gratitude, so allow the proper time to process the meaning of the award. As always, make sure proper speech technique is exercised. Excitement upon receiving an award can cause a person to talk in a high-pitched voice or speak too quickly, which could have an ill affect on the recipients. It is vital to make eye contact with the crowd, speak slowly with a loud, clear voice, and stay focused. Rambling might cause the crowd to get restless and make the speech seem less genuine. 

Tips

Write your speech out or the main points you wish to cover and rehearse it fully.

Content Suggestions-

Gracious thanks for the person/organization giving you the honor

Acknowledgement of the audience come to witness the occasion

Writing -

Use the standard three-part speech structure. You need an Opening to introduce

yourself and your subject, the Body of your speech where you expand on your subject

and a Conclusion where you summarize and finish.

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What the award means to you - including reference to the values/goals/aspirations the

donor organization represents and how they inspire you

If you can, use cue cards rather than a word-for-word script. Cue cards allow you to

appear and be more spontaneous with the audience.

An appreciative awareness of those who made it possible for you to achieve the award

Make the necessary adjustments and rehearse again.

Run the speech through by yourself until you are fluent and then ask a trusted friend

to sit in to watch and listen. Ask for feedback on: appropriateness of content and tone,

transitions from one point to the next, delivery - voice, body language, sincerity,

timing...

Stories - small personal heart-felt anecdotes to show what receiving this gift/award

means to your life. These make it real for the audience.

Warnings

Humor in  Thank-you speeches needs careful handling. If you mock or denigrate

yourself too much, you are also mocking or minimizing the organization giving the

honor. They thought you were worthy. You don't want to offend by telling them

you're not and calling their judgement into question.

Thank-you speeches can be emotional occasions for both you and the audience. Some

is good but too much may overwhelm and leave you lost for words. The best way to

avoid being unable to say what you wanted to is to prepare your speech thoroughly.

Let us look at this example:

Ladies and Gentlemen, my duty is pleasant, primarily because it is brief! Neverthless, it is always a pleasure to express one’s gratitude when you witness a sucessful spectacle. First and foremost, I would like to thank God for his never-ending grace, mercy, and provision during what ended up being one of the toughest times of my life. Next, I would like to thank my brilliant and truly outstanding director, ABC, whose leadership and vision steered this project from day one. And to the amazing staff and cast. It was always a pleasure coming to work every day with such lovely and engaging people.

Last and definitely not least, to my astoundingly supportive family, there would be no ---xxx----without any of you. Friends and colleagues thank you for always believing in me and supporting me. For those who have touched my life in any way since I started in this business, you all know who you are, and I am truly grateful for all you have done.

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    Thank you for your support.

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