Input: Tips On How To Be A Better Master

of Ceremonies (25 mins.)

• Rule 1. Have all necessary paraphernalia checked! Have gavels,
visual aids, awards, gifts, etc., ready

• Rule 2. Check the public address system before the program

Before the program, check the sound system for proper volume
and pitch adjustment. Check the microphones and be sure they are
in proper working condition.

• Rule 3. Use your own microphone if possible.

If possible have two microphones installed. One for the participants,
and one for yourself. This way you and your participants can avoid
traffic problems on stage or at the back of the head table, thereby
preventing lapses between numbers.
• Rule 4. Determine your introductions before hand
This will improve your choice of words and
phraseology. Actually, you can even jot them down on
the program sheet itself alongside or above each
number.

• Rule 5. Don’t talk too much

Remember your job is merely to introduce numbers
and people and not to make a speech before every
number. Act as the sparkplug of the program but don’t
grab the limelight from the participants.
 Rule 6. Never use “non-sense” phrases.
Examples:
“The next number of our program…”
“Allow me to introduce…”
“Before I call on the next (number or speaker)…”
“You have just heard…”

Rule 7. Vary your connectives

Avoid using repetitiously such phrases as:
“At this point…”
“And so…”
“Next we shall have…”
“And now…”
 
Rule 8. Use the “You” and “We” approach

Don’t say:
“I now call on…”
“I present…”
“I ask everybody to stand…”

Say:
“You shall now hear…”
“You have the privilege to listen
to…”
“Let us all start for…”
Rule 9. Mention the names of persons last
Don’t Say:
“The welcome remarks will now be given by Mr.
Johnny C. Aruego, Executive Vice President for
Programs and Development.”
Say:
“The welcome remarks will now be given by the
Executive Vice President for Programs and
Development-Mr. Johnny C. Aruego”.

Rule 10. Jot down difficult names

To guard against forgetting or mispronouncing
names, it will save you a lot of trouble by jotting them
down on a piece of paper and consulting it one
number ahead.
 You will certainly look ridiculous bending over to
somebody to ask for the elusive name or to have a kind
soul prompt it to you.

Rule 11. Build up your introductions

Don’t Merely Say:
“Our guest speaker will now be introduced by
our president-Wency Malabanan”.
Say:
Before we come to the limelight of our
program, for which we have all awaited, our guest
speaker will first be introduced to us by the
energetic president of the Jaycees. Ladies and
gentlemen, President Wency Malabanan”.
 
Rule 12. Double check your data
Avoid being corrected by the speaker
“I’d like to thank Mr. X for his introduction,
However, there are just a few things I’d like to
straighten out ”.
First of all, my name is Zaldivia not Zaldivan, I
was a professor at the University of the East not
University of Santo Tomas, and the subject of my talk
is “Low Pressure Selling”, not “No Pressure Selling”.

Rule 13. Help participants win applause

You can easily do it by inserting applause-
getting
phrases such as “Let’s give a hand to…”, or “How
about a round of applause for…” in your
introduction.
Don’t Merely Say:
“The different delegations will be introduced by Pasay
Lion Jake Torres”.

Say:
“As you notice, we have us our guest from a large
delegation of fellow Lions coming from the different
districts all over Luzon. Let us give a big round of applause
to the one who will introduce each delegation- Lion Jake
Torres”.

Rule 14. In calling a list of names, resort to mass applause

In calling a number of people to the front or merely calling
their names out, so that the unpopular ones and those
called in the end will not receive merely a ripple of
applause until the last name shall have been called.
 This way everybody gets a share in the ovation
and you will prevent the audience from having their
hands callused by clapping at every name called.
Also, a mass applause in the end will not
interfere with the rapid calling out of names that
sometimes drown out the names called.

Rule 15. Don’t leave the rostrum abruptly

After you have finished your introduction, it is a

graceful gesture to stand beside the rostrum, join in the
applause, while waiting for the one introduced to take
his place at the rostrum and to acknowledge your
introduction. If he doesn’t acknowledge your efforts,
don’t stand there eternally. Make a hasty exit.
Rule 16. Announce the numbers “empty handed”

Keep whatever notes you may have out of

the audience’ sight. Concentrate on the
particular number to be announced, but if you
will find that you need to resort to reading your
notes as you speak, of course, when you are
reading along list of names which you cannot
memorize or follow a certain order, it is best
that you place it on the rostrum (if you’re using
one) otherwise, you may hold the list but be
sure to merely glance at it stealthily and
quickly resume your eye contact with your
listeners.
Rule 17.

Be ready for emergency the speaker’s notes fall on

the floor, pick it up snappily but casually. If the
microphone slides down and it looks like he could not
fix it, come to his rescue.

In case of sudden decrease or increase of volume

of the public address system, be ready to remedy the
situation.
Rule 18. Be ready to skip any part of the program

where the speaker or participant fails to arrive.

But always notify the next speaker or
participant in advance.

Rule 19. Never show your displeasure at any time.

Don’t show an offended look for late comers.
Don’t say anything offensive at the non-
appearance of a scheduled speaker.
Rule 20. Use your discretion regarding encores
for musical numbers.
If you feel they will not unnecessarily
hamper or delay the program, oblige with one or
two encores to satisfy your audience’ demand.

Otherwise, politely acknowledge the request

but say that the performers will come back later
if time permits. More often than not, time will
not.
 How To Give The Opening Remarks
This is a very common speech situation
since nearly all formal gatherings where a
program is prepared needs someone who
will give the opening remarks.
Though apparently, a simple speech
assignment, its role is of considerable
importance, for a large extent, it sets the
tone and atmosphere of the entire
proceedings.
 YOUR SPEECH PLAN

1. Refer to the occasion

2. Express goodwill

Memory Aid: OG
 EXPLANATION
• Refer to the occasion.
• Tell your audience the purpose of the
gathering. What is its significance to the
participants, to the audience, to the
community? What interesting parts of the
program await your listeners? What benefits
will they derive from their attendance or
participation in such an affair?
• Express goodwill.
 EXPLANATION
• This second step of your opening remarks
should be a pleasant one for you.
• Here you will praise those who have come
for the occasion.
• By your words and actions, make your
audience feel glad they came. Make them
realize the importance of their presence.
• You can also extend a word of welcome if
you wish.
SUGGESTIONS:
1. If someone is scheduled to give the
closing remarks, don’t steal the spotlight
from him by immediately thanking the
audience and the people who contributed
to the preparation of the program. It is best
that you merely acknowledge their
presence.
2. Don’t cover what the guest speaker (if
there is one) probably plans to include in
his talk. Don’t expound to much.
 How To Give The Closing Remarks
Almost always someone is needed to give
the closing remarks to bring the program to a
graceful ending.
If you happen to be requested to handle
this speech assignment, how would you go
about it even at a moment’s notice?

YOUR SPEECH PLAN

1. Refer to the thanks.
Express goodwill.
Memory Aid: Thanks for your goodwill
 EXPLANATION
Express Thanks
Naturally , this should be your first
sentiment to express gratitude to the people
who contributed to the success of the affair.
After a preliminary sentence or two,
mention their names and the roles played by
each

Suggested Points:
* thank the organizer
* the guests
* the sponsors and donors
* the participants and entertainers
 *the audience
*the ushers and usherettes
*the people whose permission or generosity
allowed you and your association to use the
hall, the auditorium, etc.

EXPRESS GOODWILL
There are many reasons and various
ways to express goodwill depending upon the
circumstances.
Figure out what they are and see to it
that you express them as sincerely as
possible.
Suggested Points:
*offer congratulations
*extend admiration or commendation
*wish good luck, success, happiness, progress,
prosperity or good health
* bid bon voyage, safe arrival, happy trip
*greet with joyous seasonal occasions-Christmas,
New Year, Three Kings, Easter, etc.

Suggestions:
Don’t be repetitious. Don’t repeat anything said
during the program. What is the use? Your audience
heard them.
Remember the three Be’s:
Be brief! Be right! Be gone!
 
 How To Introduce A Guest Speaker
This speech assignment frequently provides for
you the opportunity to make your first talk before
the group.
You may seldom or never been invited to be the
guest speaker, but surely, you will be asked to
introduce the guest speaker on many occasions.

YOUR SPEECH PLAN

1. Why this Subject?
2. Why before this Audience?
3. Why at this Time?
4. Why by this Speaker?
Memory Aid: S-A-T-S
 
 EXPLANATION
Why this subject?
Tell your audience why your speaker
is to speak on his particular subject.
What is so important or interesting
about it?

Why before the audience?

Tell the audience why his talk is to be
delivered to them.
Point out the special interest thy have
in the address to which they are to listen.
Why at this time?
Show that the talk is timely
Try to make clear that it has a vital
significance at this particular time.

Why by this speaker?

This is the important section.
Outline the reasons for the selection of
your speaker.
Include some evidence of his authority or
competence to speak upon his subject.
 Suggestions:
1. Avoid a long introduction. Remember that the audience
has actually come to hear the speaker and they
probably just waiting for you to finish your introduction
to be able to hear him.

2. Avoid the expressions such as:

“ We are honored to have with us today….
“Our speaker needs no introduction”..
“On this memorable and auspicious occasion”…
“We have with us none other than”…
“It gives me a great pleasure and a great honor”…
“A man who”…
3. Do not tell the audience what the speaker
plans to say. Avoid such introductions as:
“The speaker will tell you how we can
increase our efficiency and at the same
time he will tell you, etc.. ”Do not make the
speech for him.

4. Do not give the whole life story of the

guest speaker.
5. Highlights of his career that have bearing on his
competence upon his subject, preferably arranged
chronologically. Mention the name of your guest
speaker as the last two words of your speech of
introduction. It creates an atmosphere of
suspense and curiosity not to reveal his identity
till the end of your talk.

6. Do not say, I now give you our guest speaker”.

Better say, “May I now present our guest
speaker”.. Or simply, “Ladies and gentlemen….
(Mention his name)
 Application: Pen Tell Talk
10 min. Preparation & 10 min. Group Presentation

Same Groupings:
Occasion: Philippine Independence Day
Directions:
In your group make a program. Each Member has a role:
as EMCEE, other members for the invocation/prayer,
Philippine National Anthem, opening remarks, will
introduce the guest speaker, the speaker- to give the
message, others will give an intermission number, and one
will give the closing remarks.

Note: speeches are good for 3 minutes delivery.

 Rubrics:

Maximum Participation Overall Impact of the

Application of the Total Rating
of the Group Members Group Presentation
Given Tips

40% 30% 30% 100%

THANK YOU
GOD BLESS!