By Our Special Correspondent
STEP1: Read aloud and with rhythm
Take, for example, a newspaper editorial or any long passage and read it aloud. Speak loudly enough so that as you read, each word is audible to you. Pronounce each word with clarity, giving proper accent on every syllable in it. Combine small words together in natural sequence, for example “in the”, “for the”, “you may be”, etc. Similarly, combine various segments and clauses of a sentence, for example “as you will see from”, “I hope you will agree”, etc. and give a little pause after such groups of words before starting the next group of words. For rhythmic reading, try to read smoothly, grasping a whole phrase as you read the length of with pauses in between the spaces given after each group of words.
IILUSTRATION
You will agree the best plan is to have daily
Practice. Practice in this manner every time
You read. This will soon develop
The desired rhythm and improve your tone
And clarity.
Repeated reading practice in this manner will give a natural flow to your speech pattern. Once you have acquired clarity of tone and the required rhythm, you can move on to the second step.
STEP2: Record your voice
The best way to improve your speech—its tone and clarity—is to listen to your own voice. This is very important and helps a lot in improving your ability to speak effectively. Record a paragraph, say of a newspaper editorial or any news item, in a tape recorder. Make sure that you record in a natural and rhythmic manner, as if you are speaking before a television audience and as if your speech mannerisms are being observed by people around you. Then play the tape and note the defects in the diction, pronunciation and tone of your voice. By repeating this every day, you will find that you have developed clarity and the correct way of speaking.
Another way to improve your speaking ability, pronunciation, tone and gesticulation is to listen to radio or TV news bulletins and note the manner in which words are spoken.
Also remember that kindness and courtesy cost you nothing, yet they help buy things that are priceless. Make “Please” and “Thank you” two essential components of your vocabulary. They always pay, not only in interviews, but in your daily routine life.
Remember, the interviewer is also a human being, and like all of us, he also likes to be complimented, provided it does not smell of flattery. If during the conversation you get an opportunity to compliment him, do not miss it and say it with complete sincerity. There is one all-important law of human conduct, according to Dale Carnegie: Always make the other person feel important. Professor John Dewey has said that the desire to be important is the deepest urge in human nature. According to Prof. William James, “The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.” “Therefore, if during the interview you find a moment to compliment the interviewer, do not hesitate to do so.
Points to be noted
· As you wish that questions put to you during the interview should be easily understandable to you, so the interviewers also expect that answers given by you are equally understandable to them. Therefore, your tone, pronunciation and emphasis on word phonetics should be such that they follow every word you speak. Never give a chance to any member of the interview board to say, “Please repeat, I could not understand you.” By this simple sentence, you will at once become nervous and your chain of thought will be broken. You will find yourself out a gear and confused.
· Use simple words which you can easily pronounce and use correctly. Verbose language and flaunting of difficult words will not impress the interviewers.
·Be precise in your answers. Do not give unnecessarily long answers which may put you off the track. In other words, answer what is asked and avoid exposing yourself unnecessarily.
· Continue with what you started to say till the end. Do not stop after speaking one or two sentences or leaving the discussion incomplete. Try to complete your answer.
· Don’t be in a hurry. Go through the words and sentences in your mind first to ensure that the point you are making is absolutely clear to you.
· Always be courteous. Do not miss any opportunity to compliment the interviewer.
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