How to stop saying ums and ahs

[brightsky]

Join debating! Forces some quick-thinking. Helped a friend of mine stop using 'ums', 'ahs' and the annoying 'like'.

Haha, I'm already in debating, although I always pre-write my debate, which is bad, but it eradicates the awkwardness and nervousness you get from having forgotten what you were going to say. (I've seen some of the members of the opposition team violently shaking whilst presenting their debate 'off-the-cuff'.) I shall be forced to do some spontaneous talking in the near future, but I'm not an on-the-spot thinker, so I don't know how well that would end up..lol

"I've seen some of the members of the opposition team violently shaking"
Not MHS I hope?


Wait for the C-Grade secret topics. Perfect chance for some spontaneous thinking! Don't worry about 'off-the-cuff' debating, it can be pretty fun sometimes, and is usually much funnier than a prepared speech.

Haha - it was an MHS student.

C-Grade secret topics - not looking forward to it. :p

[gossamer]

I'm curious - how do you cope with rebuttals and stuff?

[brightsky]

I'm curious - how do you cope with rebuttals and stuff?

Rebuttals are in a way pre-planned. You write down the point during the opposition's speech, so you know what you're talking about. And plus, it doesn't require much elaborating, especially for a first speaker, so I cope most of the times.

[Russ]

C-Grade secret topics - not looking forward to it. :p

Lower expectations because you haven't had time to prepare. It's better that way, I promise

We did an impromptu debate in class last week, I had to defend tobacco companies as being beneficial for global health - sometimes off the cuff is the best, I wouldn't have wanted to prepare for that!

[Predator]

As has been said just think of random discussions and then process them.
If you think you will say 'um' or 'ah' stop for a second than continue.
This will get you to take a break instead of saying them.

[pi]

Haha - it was an MHS student.

Oh damn... (the MHS standard is lowering every year)

C-Grade secret topics - not looking forward to it. :p

Lower expectations because you haven't had time to prepare. It's better that way, I promise

+1, thats how we were told back in C grade

I'm curious - how do you cope with rebuttals and stuff?

In a planned debate, it is a bit easier, but in a secret topic, the best thing is to make your 3rd speaker write out a case for the opposition during the 1hr prep, so then you have a few points. But mostly, you've got to make it up on the spot.

[youna]

you should watch a bunch of kevin rudd's speeches, he's pretty good.

watching some other peoples' great speeches can eliminate bad public speaking habits.

[pi]

you should watch a bunch of kevin rudd's speeches, he's pretty good.

My favourite politician (as a good speaker) is Penny Wong. She's the best imo.

[dooodyo]

simple just say "oohhs" and "eeehhs" instead of "ums" and "ahs" 

[werdna]

you should watch a bunch of kevin rudd's speeches, he's pretty good.

My favourite politician (as a good speaker) is Penny Wong. She's the best imo.

Noo... Barack Obama! He's a really really good speaker, the way he spoke in his inauguration address was just amazing I think.

[pi]

you should watch a bunch of kevin rudd's speeches, he's pretty good.

My favourite politician (as a good speaker) is Penny Wong. She's the best imo.

Noo... Barack Obama! He's a really really good speaker, the way he spoke in his inauguration address was just amazing I think.

I was just referring to Aussie ones. But sure, Obama is much better! He's got a really pro authority when he talks, I'm pretty jealous...

[werdna]

With regard to Penny Wong.. I guess she's good but she says ah and um a lot in this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDQI7CtIk1E&feature=related

[Fyrefly]

practice, think of an argument or topic in your head and act like you were discussing it with your class. When you talk, think about what your saying and the natural continuation of this, sort of like a small ongoing plan in your head. Also, talk more slowly to give yourself more time to think

This is why politicians talk slowly. They're thinking about how exactly to phrase everything they say, so it comes out just right. The smart ones are probably thinking ahead to see if they're being led into a trap by whoever is doing the questioning. Oh wait... a smart politician? Never mind...

[Water]

With regard to Penny Wong.. I guess she's good but she says ah and um a lot in this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDQI7CtIk1E&feature=related

Kevin Rudd is also a good speaker, you can tell he's really passionate.

But I"m biased, cause he's Kevin11.

[luken93]

When I grow up, I want to be an amazing public speaker like Joolya Galah. :coolsmiley:

And when I grow up, I'm gonna be as good as Georwge Dubya Boosh