Breaking Down Barriers: Ask Jim about Debate Return to the BDB List of Questions

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Speaking--How do I stop the "ums" and "ahs?"

First, check out the speaking drills for debaters on the west coast web page, bdb how do I? . . .

Second, have someone watch you and stop you everytime you say um or ah; when you're stopped think about what caused you to say um or ah at that point (were you looking for the right words to say; do you need to prepare transitions ahead of time; etc.)

Third, have someone watch you and clap everytime you say um or ah

Fourth, work on thinking about transitions between points; that's a common spot where um's and ah's crop up

Fifth, think through where you are going to go in your speech before you start--then carry through on this "roadmap;" you'll know where you are supposed to go and that should help reduce the ums and uhs

Sixth, practice reading briefs/manuscripts over and over again until you can read them without ums and ahs

Good Luck with it

Thanks to Brian Allen for asking this question.

Jim

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