Just A Minute – JAM
Just A Minute - JAM
What is JUST A MINUTE?
why is it conducted
what do they want
How to talk about any topic in JUST A MINUTE
What is Just A Minute?
‘Just a Minute’ (JAM) is basically a one minute or less extempore speech. It is an impromptu speech expected from the candidate.
A group of 10 to 15 students are made to sit in a room and each student is given a topic. The HR expects the student to talk about the topic for a minute. Generally the student is judged in the following criteria.
Spontaneity
Creativity
Sentence structure
Fluency
Grammar
Pronunciation and Voice Modulation.
what you think
- It is pretty easy
- I can talk about any topic
- I might not talk now,but I will definitely talk in the interview
- Talking in English is very easy
- It is easy to talk about any topic
- Let my turn come, I will talk
- I have all points in my mind, I just need a chance.
what you actually do
- Get Nervous / panicky
- Confused
- Increased Heart Rate
- Hands start to sweat
- Shaky Voice and hands
- Forget the most easy topics.
- Go Blank
- End abruptly
why do you do, what you actually do?
These reactions are the result of natural chemical processes in the human body.
When we perceive a situation as dangerous, certain physiological processes kick in instantly to help you escape that danger.
That’s the well-known “freeze ,fight or flight response.” In terms of public speaking anxiety, the body releases a pair of stress hormones, Adrenaline and Cortisol.
These chemicals ready the body to fight the threat or to flee (flight), (if the danger is too great to fight). Symptoms are heart pounding, breathing faster, and maybe sweating.
Our body doesn’t distinguish between the causes of stressful situations, so facing down an audience releases the same hormones as facing down a wild beast.
COMMON ISSUES THAT YOU MAY FACE
False start
You start a sentence, take a pause and restart another sentence.
For example, India is a great country. Indians are always(Pause)India is famous for its unity in diversity.
aaa..hmm sounds
you make a lot of umm aa sounds while you frame the sentence.
For example, India is a great country aaaa India is aaaa famous for ummm Unity in diversity
Thought Flow obstruction
While speaking on a well known topic, you suddenly forget the next point and while trying to remember, you realize that you are the center of attention and start to panic. Resulting in awkwardness.
Word Flow Obstruction
Similar to thought flow obstruction, but in this case you forget just a word, and resulting in unpleasant behavior.
For example, “A rolling stone gathers no moss” is the saying you planned to start your speech with. But, you may forget the word “moss” and , which puts you in an embarrassing situation
Redundancy
You may dwell on the same point of the topic and repeat it in different sentences.
For example, India is a great country, and its famous for its Unity in Diversity. India is known as a great country where people with different cultures live together with unity..
Abrupt ending
Owing to different issues which may put you in awkward situation, you might think it is best to leave rather than being the point of attention and end abruptly.
what can you do ?
Now that you know what the problem is, you can easily work on it. This is how feedback works. Once you know the problem, it is easy to combat it.
Train your Brain...
Brain and body go hand in hand. Remember how your body reacts to a phone call from your HOD and a phone call from your friend. So, Train your Brain and handle your body.
Tools to talk about a topic.
Introduction | Body | Conclusion
This Tool can be used for most of the topics. For example, Talk about your hometown, Women are better managers, Your role model, Education System in India, Actor/Cricketer you admire etc.
INTRODUCTION
Introduction states the theme of the topic. It is the most important part of your speech. As you have only one minute in a Jam Session, keep it short. You may start your session with the following aspects.
Use a surprising fact.
Topic – Dog – man`s best friend.
“A recent study shows that dog owners had a 24% reduced risk of death from any cause.”
Pose a question
But do not wait for the answers in a JAM Session.
Topic – Will India be a superpower.
“How was your life 5 years ago and how dou you think your life will be different in coming years?”
Quote a fact
Topic – Ozone layer
The ozone layer is able to absorb up to 98% of the sun’s ultraviolet light, and 90% of the ozone is located in the stratosphere layer of the atmosphere.
State Your Point Clearly
Topic – Traffic sense in your city
Visakhaptnam maybe on top of the smart city charts, but people here are not smart while driving/walking on the roads.
Use Humor
(wisely)
Topic – Internet – can we trust
One of the biggest lies on the internet is “LOL”
BODY
This is part where you use the 7 Cs of Effective Communication.
- Talking about famous personalities – Talk about their past, if they struggled, contrast it with how successful they are now.
- Cities – Famous places- Educational institutes, Government and private organizations, Recreational Places
- Comparing past present and Future.
- Merits and demerits
- Story by the famous author.
Try not to state self contradictional statements.
CONCLUSION
End the session with a small conclusion in accordance with the content that you spoke.
Call to action –
Every citizen of Visakhapatnam should strive to make the city smart in all aspects.
Warning –
With the rising level of pollutants, humans may soon face the extinction.
Evoke an image-
With the use of eco friendly and solar energies we may overcome the repercussions of the past deeds.
DO NOT USE
- In conclusion with
- I am summarizing
- I conclude
- I am closing with
The 4Rs
For most of the topics Introduction Body and conclusion method can be used. The 4Rs method can be used for topics like Tsunami, Earthquakes, Demonetization, Pollution, Corruption in India etc.
Reason
Repercussion
Remedy
Result
REASON
Why does something happen
Tsunami occurs due to the earthquake, volcanic eruptions, or landslides hitting the sea.
REPERCUSSION
What are the negative after effects.
Major consequences of a Tsunami are large waves and energy hitting the coasts causing flooding to nearby towns and cities
elaborate on – Loss of life, Destruction of buildings, Changes and damages to the environment, Economic damages, Medical emergencies, Disruption of ecological system
REMEDY
Is there a remedy, if yes, elaborate.
A tsunami warning system (TWS) is used to detect tsunamis in advance and issue the warnings to prevent loss of life and damage to property. It is made up of two equally important components: a network of sensors to detect tsunamis and a communications infrastructure to issue timely alarms to permit evacuation of the coastal areas.
source Tsunami warning system – Wikipedia
RESULT
If you apply the remedy. What is the result.
Creating a household evacuation plan that includes your pets.
Staying informed about your community’s risk and response plans.
Ensuring each family member knows how to get back in touch if you are separated during an emergency.
Download the Emergency Apps