Desmonds Public Speaking Script

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning to honourable judges, cautious timekeeper and all the
audiences on the floor. Today, I would like to talk about Criticism. I am going to share about the
effect of negative criticism and the ways to handle criticism. Ladies and gentleman let me ask you a
question. Do you ever make a criticism before? I believe yes. I believe every one of us here do make a
criticism before. We are now entering a new era but this is an era which is full of problems. We are
concerning about pollutions, economy, politics and social problems. However, to me, the main problem
that we need to concern about is our ways of thinking. In this era of technology, more and more people
like to critique, especially negative criticism. Not only have we made critique to our family and friends,
but also to the strangers who we do not know. Because of the social networking, more and more people
are becoming a judge on the social networking. They judge and they critique when they think that it is
not right. Thats why I think it is important for us to learn about criticism.
According to Dr. Martin Paulus, Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California,
the amygdala of our brain plays a key role in our formation of emotional memories, while the medial
prefrontal cortex regulates how we react to emotional stimuli (like criticism). Those parts of our brains
make us feel angry and threatened when we receive criticism. For example, when you receive a
negative comment or review from your teacher, you feel that you are threatened. Of course, you know
you wont be killed, but definitely you feel angry. Some of you will even feel like want to shout at the
teacher, right? (Another research done by George Mason University and the University of WisconsinMadison shows that criticism have the power to influence the opinion of readers. The researchers
create a news blog and posted two versions of a same story entitled, Nano-silver. One version had
supportive or polite comments, and the other was with negative criticism. For the one with polite
comments, the participants were not overly affected by comments, maintaining whatever their original
opinion. But the group exposed to the negative critic and comments, the participants are more likely to
change their perceptions and prone to focus on the negative aspects of Nano- silver. From here, we can
see that a criticism made by one person is going to affect others thinking and opinion. )

We cant stop others to make criticism. We live in a world of criticism that come in all shapes
and sizes. But, what we can do is to handle the criticism. Here are some of the tips to deal with
criticism. First, dont view negative criticism as entirely bad. I know it sounds crazy, but mistakes and
criticism arent actually bad. Instead of feeling bad about mistakes and any criticisms, why dont we
accept them and view it as a learning opportunity. Next time, when you receive criticism, try to think
this way, Well, is not a bad criticism. Better I learn that now than later, or She cares about me, thats
why she give criticism. Be more positive and be more prepared to deal with the criticism. Dont view
criticism as a negative one.
Secondly, ask questions to those who criticise you. Asking questions to those who criticize you
is important because it not only shows them that youre listening to their feedback, but it also allows
you to learn more about why they criticise you. Asking open-ended questions is the best way for you to
learn this information. Simple yes and no questions show that youre listening but not actively
seeking new feedback. For example, next time when your friend critise on your art work, question that,

Desmonds Public Speaking Script

Can you show me the better way?, Could you please help me to come out with a better one? By
doing this, you not only get a chance to learn from the criticizer but also enable you stay away from
destructive criticism.
Last but not least, give a broad smile when you receive criticism. I know it is a bit weird to
smile when you are criticized by the others. But, remember, smiling is one of the best ways to stop your
hatred towards the criticizer. Smiling, even a false smile, can helps us to relax more. It creates a more
positive vibration and smooth the situation. Sir Charles Chaplin said that, I have many problems in
my life. But my lips dont know that. They always smile. Yes, sometimes we know that we are doing
something wrong. We know that the criticizer is giving constructive criticism but still our emotion is
easily affected because of the criticism. So, next time, whenever you receive a criticism, just smile, and
only after that, you start thinking, is the criticism a constructive one?
Ladies and gentleman, I believe nobody likes being criticised but, unfortunately it is a fact of
life. Instead of we criticise back those who criticise us, why dont we learn to take the criticism. Open
your heart and you will find that you can end the suffering of criticism easily. Thats all from me
today, thank you .