Speech Drill
Please get ready to make a self-introduction speech in class.
自我介绍演讲属于信息性演讲(Informative Speech),即向听众清楚地传达关于自己的信息,让对方记住自己、对自己留下良好的、深刻的印象。在人生不同阶段的各种场合中,我们都需要做自我介绍(Self-introduction),如开学第一天、学生会面试、公司面试、第一天上班等。在自我介绍前,我们首先需要考虑三个问题:
a. 我在对谁介绍?To whom am I speaking?
b. 我想让听众知道关于我的什么信息?What information do I want theaudience to know about me?
c. 我要如何介绍?How am I going to say?
演讲者需要明确以上三个问题的答案,并根据自身特点开展演讲。总体而言,我们对于英文自我介绍的准备有如下建议:
1. 简短 Concise
大部分场合中的自我介绍都无须冗长,用1-2分钟时间展示关键信息即可。演讲者需要慎重选择内容,不宜过于杂碎或涵盖太多细节描述。此外,演讲者需要提前练习,以便能一气呵成,不宜吞吞吐吐。例1是一段典型的职场面试自我介绍,可以让考官简单地了解个人的职业目标、能力及工作经历等重要内容。
例1. Self-introductionfor a Job Interview
Hi, I am Jack. I majored in English translation and my careeraspiration is to become a successful translator. I am an energetic young manwith strong career ambition. During my school years, I joined in the school translationclub and won several prizes in translation and interpreting competitions. LastSeptember, I worked as an intern in a Foreign Trade Company. My duties includedsending inquiriesto customers, translating documents, and interpreting for foreign customers. Iwas good at what I do, and I got great reviews from my boss and my coworkers. Ihope I can join in your company and do as much contribution to your company asI can. Thank you!
2. 独特 Unique
在许多自我介绍的场合,如课堂、职场面试等,都会有其他演讲者参与竞争或共同展示。如果内容和风格与他人无异,则无法给人留下深刻印象。譬如,姓名、性别、籍贯、出生年月、爱好、家庭成员、优缺点等信息容易大同小异,显然不够有吸引力。谈谈每个人的个性(personality)、价值观(values)、学习/工作目标(goals);或者再说说你的故事(personal stories)、个人经历(experience);甚至聊聊自己的糗事,或许可以让听众眼前一亮。
演讲者需要分析自己的个性,展示自己的特长,运用与众不同的方式给人深刻的印象。例2中,不同演讲者分别说到了自己的独特之处,让听众看到一个个真实、鲜活的对象。
例2.
Last summer, I signedup for a volunteer program in Africa. That trip has totally changed my life.
My parents weren’tproud of me when I was born, because I was a girl.
Although my parentsare rich, what I get from them is not just money, but the spirit of adventurewhich is often seen in entrepreneurs.
讲故事不仅可以让自我介绍更生动,也体现独特性。以下是可用于引出故事的巨型,供参考:
例3.
Ten years ago, I met aperson who changed my life.
I want to tell you atrue story that happened to my grandpa when he was young.
It was not an easy jobbeing the chief of the sales department. I remember once…
3. 与主题相关,目的明确 Relevant
自我介绍的主要目的除了让听众认识你、了解你之外,还需要让对方接受你,甚至雇佣你。为了达到目的,演讲者应提前了解听众的喜好。譬如在求职面试的自我介绍前,要了解所应聘的岗位、部门的要求、公司的文化,从而做到有的放矢。若岗位是销售部门,则需要介绍自己的人际交往能力,市场洞察力及相关业绩。 例3就是一段应聘销售岗位的自我介绍。
例4. Self-introduction of aSales person candidate
Good morning. I amTom. I am confident that I can be a successful salesman in your company. Ipossess excellent interpersonal skills and think innovatively. My 5 years’working experience in a cosmetics company allowed me to learn multiple methodsof sales promotion. If I were the salesman for this up-and-coming company, I wouldlead my team effectively to achieve our target revenues in the mostcost-effective way
4. 引人注意 Arousing
自我介绍不仅要内容独特,在表达方式上同样需要引人注意。试想一下,如果面试官连续听了几十个人做着枯燥无味,千篇一律的自我介绍,突然间,有位演讲者用激情四射的语调、眉飞色舞地介绍自己,那一定能给他们留下不可磨灭的印象。但是,演讲者要注意不能矫揉造作,这样反而会适得其反。例4中的句子或许可以从内容上引起听众的注意。
例5.
See? I have a scar on my face. Do you want to know how I got that?
You know what? I am wearing a dress I designed myself.
I am from a single-parent family, but I am always grateful to God for the life He has given me.
Two months ago, I thought I would never have the chance to go back to school.
5. 诚实 Honest
演讲者所介绍的内容必须是真实可信的。演讲者不能根据职位的要求或面试官的喜好捏造与自身情况不符合的内容。此外,如果能适当地提到自己的缺点,也能够让听众感受到你的真诚。人无完人,每个人都有弱点,最佳策略是承认你的弱点,但同时表明你在改进,并有克服弱点的计划。
例6.
I have some weaknesses.First, I’m always changing my mind. This is something I want to work on.
I am not good at filing. But I am working on it.
I’m a forgetful person. I often misplace things. I’m the type of person who is always losingthings.
I am not a good-lookinggirl, but that doesn’t bother me.
I may have some problems speaking to people in public, but …
I have jumped fromjob to job, because I think it is necessary for a young person to gain moreexperience.
Useful Expressions
Greetings and Opening
It’s great to be here!
I am happy to meet youall today.
It’s good to see youall here.
I’m excited aboutgetting to know each of you.
I’m very happy/ gladto introduce myself to you.
I feel quiteprivileged to introduce myself to you here.
It’s my great honor/pleasure to introduce myself to you today.
Basic information
My name is …, and youcan call me …
My father gave me thisname because he wanted me to be…/because I was born in the morning.
I graduated from the…department of …University in July, 2012.
As an English major, Ihave developed the strong language and writing skills necessary for a goodeditor.
I will graduate from …College. My outstanding record at school and experience in business has preparedme for the task ahead.
I was born in …city, …province. Now I am living in…
Like my father, I amopen-minded, quick in thought and very fond of history.
Honesty andhardworking spirit are traditions/customs in my family.
Traveling is my life
Experience
I used to work as asales manager.
Teaching English is mypassion.
I have experience in sellingquality products.
I am a good salesmanand have a good command of the English language.
Skills
I am skilled atcomputer and office software.
I have a goodknowledge of the English language.
I am able to takedictation in English and rapidly transcribe it into Chinese.
Personality/Qualities
I’m an active person.
I like to try newthings.
I’m a responsible person.
I work like amadman/machine.
I like making friendswith people.
I always look on thebright side of things.
I seldom complain. /Iseldom lose my temper.
I’m a team player. / Ienjoy teamwork very much.
I don’t hold grudges./I always let bygones be bygones.
I want to do what’snever been done before/the undone.
I’m very thoughtful/considerate./I’ma person who cares about others.
I hate to do thingshalfway. /I’m relentless in the pursuit of my goals.
I’m such aperfectionist that I will not stop until a job is well done.
More words to describeyour personality
able | considerate | excellent | kind-hearted | resourceful |
aggressive | convincing | expert | knowledgeable | responsible |
ambitious | cooperative | fashion-minded | loyal | sincere |
attractive | courageous | flexible | mature | skilled |
brave | creative | funny | modest | skillful |
bright | credible | goodhearted | open-minded | smart |
brilliant | dedicated | good-humored | optimistic | strong |
calm | dutiful | highly-motivated | outgoing | talented |
capable | dynamic | honest | patient | tough |
captivating | economical | humorous | persuasive | trustworthy |
careful | educated | independent | pioneering | upright |
cheerful | effective | ingenious | popular | warm-hearted |
clever | efficient | initiative-taker | positive | wise |
competent | eloquent | innovative | productive | |
composed | energetic | insightful | qualified |
以上摘自: 章莉. 《英语演讲实训教程》, 清华大学出版社,2015.11.