Public Speaking Masterclass at Uman University

On November 20, 2019, a public speaking masterclass by Mykola Ovcharov took place at Uman Pedagogical University named after P. Tychyna within the framework of the Ovcharov Institute of Rhetoric's "giving back to the society" program.

This program provides free educational support to groups in society that are at risk of certain forms of discrimination (by origin, gender, national or other identity), as well as to increase the level of tolerance between different groups in society.

What happened during the masterclass?

During the masterclass, students and educators worked on voice, nonverbal technique, forms of argumentation, and presentation. Participants had the opportunity to practically master basic public speaking techniques and receive personal recommendations for improving their public speaking skills.

Special attention was paid to developing vocal capabilities, controlling nonverbal behavior, and building persuasive argumentation. Each participant had the chance to practice public speaking and receive constructive feedback.

What additional activities did the event include?

After the masterclass, there was also a screening and discussion of the artistic short film, Black Hole, which was made within the framework of supporting contemporary art projects by the Institute of Rhetoric. This film became the basis for discussion about modern forms of communication and their impact on society.

The film discussion allowed participants to deepen their understanding of the relationship between art and rhetoric, as well as consider contemporary challenges in the field of communications.

What results were achieved?

Following the event, participants improved their public speaking skills and conducted a discussion about mutual information exchange, particularly through forms of manipulation between people. Especially valuable was the discussion of ethical aspects of persuasion and the importance of honest communication.

The masterclass demonstrated participants' high level of interest in developing communication skills and their readiness for further learning. The next event will take place in February at the National Pedagogical University named after M. Drahomanov.