Patterns of organization of speech, and how to lead discussions and seminars

BIS 1104 – COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR IT-ASSIGNMENT 3

GROUP ASSIGNMENT 3 PRESENTATION

BY EVENING GROUP

Tuesday, 10 December 2013

BIS 1104 – COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR IT-ASSIGNMENT 3Questions For Evening Group

(i) What is a pattern of organization(ii) Organizational patterns for speeches

1. Patterns of organisation of speech

3., seminarDiscussions and tutorials

(i) How to lead a discussion, seminar and tutorial (ii) How to participate in a discussion



• A pattern of organization is the structure of how information is organized in a writing, presentation, a speech, etc.

• Once one has identified the main points to support his or her idea statement, one needs to organize these for presentation.

• Developing a clear pattern of organization makes it easier for him or her to stay focused on the topic and for the audience to follow the presenter’s line of reasoning.

(i) What is a pattern of organization?



The common organizational patterns for speeches include the following:

1. Chronological pattern: 2. Spatial pattern.3. Causal pattern.4. Problem-solution pattern.5. Topical order pattern

(ii) Organizational patterns for speeches



• The Chronological pattern is a pattern that organises points in a time or sequential order.

• It explains what comes first and what follows during speech delivery.

• For example, the chronological pattern is suitable for using when delivering speeches concerning biographical speeches, historical events, stages, or cycles.

• Chronological pattern order signal words include: first, third…; next; then; finally; eventually; following this, …

1. Chronological pattern:



• To illustrate this pattern of organisation of speech, Let’s consider the case of baby’s first year.

1. Chronological pattern:- Example



• Spatial pattern is a method of speech organization in which the main points follow a directional pattern.

• It gives emphasis on whereabouts of a thing or things. Spatial pattern is good for speeches on location/places. (Guide, tour)

• The Spatial pattern uses words like above, adjacent to, below, beyond, then, close by, elsewhere, inside, nearby, next to, opposite, within, without, behind, in front of, to left…

2. Spatial pattern:



• The following example illustrates the spatial pattern for a speech describing the Makerere University Jinja Campus Main Building

2. Spatial pattern:- Example



• Casual pattern is a method of speech organization in which the main points show a cause-effect relationship.

• It presents a reason or condition and the subsequent effect or conclusion.

• The casual of pattern commonly involves use of words like accordingly, affect, as a result, and, because, consequently, hence in short, may be due to, reasons, results, then, therefore, thus…

3. Casual pattern:



• The following speech about Violence and Video Games is an example of a speech organised according to a casual pattern

3. Casual pattern:- Example



• The Problem – Solution Pattern is a method of speech organization in which the first main point deals with the existence and seriousness of a problem and the second main point presents a solution to the problem.

• The pattern presents a significant problem and explains it in detail. Then, a possible solution is proposed.

• Problem and Solution pattern signal words include: – Problem, need, difficulty, dilemma, enigma, challenge, issue…– Solution answer, propose, suggest, indicate, solve, resolve,

improve, plan, and respond to a need...

4. Problem – Solution Pattern:



• As an example of a speech organised according to the problem-solution pattern, lets look at the written speech below:

4. Problem – Solution Pattern:- Example



• The Topical Pattern is a method of speech organization in which the main points divide the topic into logical and consistent subtopics.

• It Classifies the major points into topic or subdivision. The points could be arranged based on the major topic.

• It can be used for a speech in which one makes Analysis of where events, ideas, or facts fit in with other events, ideas, and facts.

• Words usually used during this kind of speech include: category, field, rank, group, various, elements, characteristics, some feature, types, parts, etc.

5. Topical Pattern:



• The following example is an outline of a speech organised according to the topical pattern.

5. Topical Pattern:- Example


3. Discussion, Seminars And Tutorials

• Do the following during your preparation session:– Begin by identifying the main issues to be discussed. – Carry out background reading/research to develop your

understanding and interest.– Make notes as you read.– Keep track of useful examples or quotations as these will provide

important evidence for discussion.– Develop both a broad understanding of the subject matter as well

as a list of things that you’re having difficulty with.– Make a list of points that you’d like to make or problems you’d like

to find solutions to.

3(i)(a) How to lead a discussion in general:



• You can lead a discussion by:– introducing yourself and stating the purpose of the discussion– asking questions to stimulate the discussion– making sure no one dominates the discussion by inviting and

encouraging contributions from all participants– ensuring only one member of the group speaks at a time– ensuring the discussion remains relevant and doesn't drift off

topic– summarising or rephrasing a speaker's point– summarising the discussion, re-echoing the main points and

conclusions reached during the discussion.




Coping with Conflict– Discussions can become so lively that they lead to strong

disagreement between group members. – It is important to remember that in a discussion, ideas

should be challenged, never people. – If you see other people getting angry try to play an active

role in the group, intervening with some of the above strategies.

– Observation or agreement can be very effective ways of drawing attention to disagreement before it gets out of hand, for example: “We appear to be saying the same thing here”.




Conclusion• The key to successful discussion is for everyone to be fully

engaged; not for everyone to have fully developed ideas.• Always listen to all the ideas of the participants. • A questioning approach to your preparation opens your

mind and creates a fertile ground for a discussion and debate.




• When leading a seminar, you must communicate in a positive way to assist the speakers in accomplishing their objective.

• The skills below can be used to influence other people positively and help your seminar achieve its purpose.– introducing the subject matter and purpose of the seminar– introducing yourself and the other speakers– making sure all members have approximately the same time to

speak– thanking group members for their contribution– being objective in summarising the seminar’s conclusions and

achievements.

3(i)(b) Leading a seminar



To effectively lead a tutorial, you will be expected to give a talk and to generate discussion. Through your reading, asking questions and initiating discussion, you should show that you are able to think ‘around’ the topic and come to terms with the main ideas.

Do the following a lead a tutorial effectively:• Begin by drawing up a rough plan of your talk.• Read to gain an overview of your topic.• Develop your own questions about the topic.• For a tutorial to work well, you need to:• prepare: do the reading!

3(i)(c) Leading a tutorial



Do the following a lead a tutorial effectively (cont’d)• test out ideas• ask questions• summarize what others have said• listen actively and intelligently• encourage others to share their ideas• provide illustrations and examples of supporting and

conflicting evidence• challenge ideas in appropriate ways.

3(i)(c) Leading a tutorial



To be a good discussion participant, the following principles should be observed:• don't wait until you arrive at the ‘big idea’: say

something simple and often to help build discussion;

• share responsibility with the group: don’t dominate or leave others to do all of the talking;

• be positive and respectful of other people's ideas.

3(ii) HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN A DISCUSSION



With the above principles in mind, using the following strategies helps to build your contributions to group discussions.a. Verbal/non-verbal acknowledgements• Show that you’re a good listener by paying close

attention to what is being said. Acknowledge other people’s contributions by saying “yes” or nodding your head.

3(ii) HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN A DISCUSSION (cont’d)



• b. Agreements• Agreeing with a point someone has made can take your

contributions to the next stage. Statements like “That’s a good idea” or “I’d not thought of that” offer non-threatening speaking strategies.

• c. Observation• Try commenting on the discussion, showing other group members

that you’re aware of what’s going on and are playing an active role in listening and shaping the argument.

• This can be particularly useful when trying to avoid distractions and keeping the discussion on course: “Haven’t we moved away from the point that Moses was making about ...?”




d. Presenting alternative views• Offering alternative points of view indicates a high level of involvement and can be a

very effective way of helping to develop your own ideas and the ideas of others. Don’t be afraid to disagree with someone, simply make sure that you do so in a constructive way.

e. Involvement• This level shows very strong levels of engagement. In addition to all of the above

strategies, the involved student will also try to make new points, leading the discussion into new ground.

f. Using Openers• Using a simple opening statement will get you started and draw people’s attention to

the fact that you want to speak. Examples include: “I think…”, “I disagree,…”, “That’s a good point…”, “Can I say that...?”, “Hold on; haven’t we ignored.…”


Presentations & Public Speaking

Patterns of organization of speech, and how to lead discussions and seminars