How to Be a Good Master of Ceremonies

Guide to being Master of Ceremonies for any event. Learn how to leave your stage fright at home and impress everyone with your Magical Charisma!

 Steps

1. Know your event. These instructions apply to all types of ceremonies, from graduations to bar mitzvahs to celebrity roasts. The key to being a good MC is confidence. Knowing what’s going on (and thus what you should talk about) is everything. There’s nothing more embarrassing than announcing to 100 people that Joe Blow is about to juggle bowling balls, only to have Jane Doe come out singing a song
2. Establish your contact well in advance of the event day. Your contact will tell you the schedule and order of events, allowing you to be prepared. Your preparation will let you focus on interacting with the crowd, instead of trying to be entertaining, and figure out what’s going on at the same time.
3. Smile constantly. Smiling shows the crowd that you’re at ease and having a good time. You want them to be at ease and have a good time, so you’ve got to set the example. If need be, imagine in advance several happy or funny scenarios. Play out these scenarios in your head while you’re talking to the crowd. Remember the old speech class advice – imagine everyone in the crowd is in their underwear. Your light-heartedness is sure to rub off.
4. Don’t forget your main job is to talk to the crowd. You’re keeping them informed about the ceremony, and giving the talent or featured individual time to prepare to go onstage.
5. Study your lines. Usually people have lines before they do the actual thing. So study them so your mind won’t go blank during the show.
6. Don’t stop when you mess up. Sometimes people say the wrong things when they’re talking because they’re nervous. Don’t stress and move on.
7. Try to be funny. Nobody likes a dull host! Try to laugh sometimes and crack a joke once and a while.
8. Stare at something or think of something that makes you “less” nervous. Stare at the wall or a clock and talk to them to make you less nervous.
9. Slow down with your words. If you talk to fast it can lead to stuttering and people watching you can’t understand what you say. So slow down when your talking
10. Ask questions that people might answer. Especially younger crowds with answer “yes” or “no” if you ask a question. It keeps them focused and they won’t get distracted

Offering and Responding Help

There are some ways to offer helps and to respond them. For example:

• May I help you?
• Can I help you?
• Are you looking for something?
• Would you like some help?
• Do you need some help?
• What can I do for you today?

OFFERING HELP

Or offering to do something for someone.

If we classify into their level of formality (situation), consider the speaker and listener, here they are:

INFORMAL	NEUTRAL	FORMAL
Can I help u?Let me help you … Shall I … If you like I could … What can I do to help …? Would you like any help …? Is there anything I can do …? I will …zx	Need some help?I’ll do it for you. Want a hand …? Can I help out? You look like you could do with some help…	May I be of assistant?Might I help at all? Perhaps I could assist in some way? If we can be any of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us again. (usually for written)

RESPONDING HELP

To respond help, people may accept or refuse an offer of helps. The common respons for help is “Thank you”. The examples of the responses are:

ACCEPTING AN OFFER OF HELPS:

NEUTRAL	INFORMAL	FORMAL
That’s very kind of you.Yes, please. If you’re sure it’s no trouble.	Cheers!Thanks very much. Just what I needed …! Lovely! / Great!	You’re most kind.That’s extremely kind/good/thoughtful of you.

REFUSING AN OFFER OF HELP

NEUTRAL	INFORMAL	FORMAL
No, thank you.No, really, I can manage. That’s very kind f you, but … Don’t think so, thank you. No, it’s all right, really. Thank you for offering, but … No, don’t bother, really.	No, it’s OK. ThanksThanks a lot, but … Nice thought, but … No, don’t worry.	It’s very good of you to offer, but …Please don’t trouble yourself about … That’s extremely kind of you, but … I’m very grateful for your offer. However, …

Reference:

Blundell, John. 1982. Function in English. Oxford University Press

Like this:

Agreement and Disagreement

To express agree or disagree to an opinion, you may use the following expressions:

Stating an opinion	In my opinion… The way I see it… If you want my honest opinion…. According to Lisa… As far as I’m concerned… If you ask me…
Asking for an opinion	What’s your idea? What are your thoughts on all of this? How do you feel about that? Do you have anything to say about this? What do you think? Do you agree? Wouldn’t you say?
Expressing agreement	I agree with you 100 percent. I couldn’t agree with you more. That’s so true. That’s for sure. (slang) Tell me about it! You’re absolutely right. Absolutely. That’s exactly how I feel. Exactly. I’m afraid I agree with James. I have to side with Dad on this one. No doubt about it. (agree with negative statement) Me neither. (weak) I suppose so./I guess so. You have a point there. I was just going to say that.
Expressing disagreement	I don’t think so. (strong) No way. I’m afraid I disagree. (strong) I totally disagree. I beg to differ. (strong) I’d say the exact opposite. Not necessarily. That’s not always true. That’s not always the case. No, I’m not so sure about that. I can’t accept it I don’t think I agree with you.

«‹‹“«

THE EXERCISES

EXERCISE 1
Choose the correct answer for the following questions.

1.         Vina     : Do you think browsing on internet is difficult?

Dea      : Mm… I don’t think so. We just need more practice.

The underlined sentence expresses …

(A)  asking opinion

(B)   agreement

(C)   disagreement

(D)  satisfaction

(E)   dissatisfaction

2.         Chen    : I’m thinking about going camping next holiday. What do you think?

Chan    : It’s great I think.

The underlined expression shows …

(A)  possibility

(B)   satisfaction

(C)   sympathy

(D)  ability

(E)   agreement

3.         Bill       : Do you agree that the school’s new regulation is disappointing?

Bob      : No, …….. because it is better than the previous one.

The suitable expression for the sentence above is …

(A)   I’m 100 percent agree with you

(B)   I entirely disagree with you.

(C)   I get along with you

(D)   I suppose so.

(E)    I dare you are right

4.         Jack     : What do you think of our new jackets?

Jill        : It’s a lovely jacket ever. I’m satisfied with the model.

Jane     : Yes, ………………. I like the model. We’d better order again next year.

(A)   I get along with your opinion

(B)   I can’t accept it

(C)   Not really

(D)   I’m not sure about that

(E)    Well, it depends

5.         Tanaka : Have you heard that Mr. Chan has been promoted to be the area manager?

Omura  : I think he is a right person for that position.

Keiko   : … because his experience and educational background are great and fantastic.

(A)   I wouldn’t accept that

(B)   I’m afraid you are wrong

(C)   I don’t have any objection to it

(D)   I don’t agree with you at all

(E)    Not necessarily

6.         Odi       : I think English is a very difficult language to learn.

Steven  : Do you think so? You just need practicing everyday and it will be very easy.

What does Steven mean?

(A)   He is not satisfied with Odi’s opinion

(B)   He agrees on Odi’s opinion

(C)   He feels regret on Odi’s opinion

(D)   He disagrees on Odi’s opinion

(E)    He is satisfied with Odi’s opinion

7.         Mother : Television has a bad influence to children.

Father   : That’s exactly my opinion. We should limit their time for watching TV.

What does the father mean?

(A)   He agrees with mother

(B)   He has no opinion

(C)   He disagrees with mother

(D)   He feels regret to have no opinion

(E)    He is satisfied with the opinion

8.         Lea      : I think ‘dangdut’ music is only appropriate for villagers.

Sam      : I’m afraid you’re wrong. It’s become popular even high class people enjoy dangdut much.

What is Sam’s opinion towards Lea’s?

(A)   He agrees

(B)   He disagrees

(C)   He has no opinion

(D)   He is satisfied

(E)    He is happy

EXECISE 2

Complete the following dialogue with your own opinion by using the expressions above.

1)      Mary    : What do you think of Indonesian movie?

ViVi     : ……………………………………….

2)      Ali        : Everyone has the right to express their opinion.

Bet       : …………………………………………………

3)      Noe      : Smoking should be permitted in public places

Jim       : ……………………………………………….

4)      Alex     : What is your opinion to the idol singing competition nowadays?

David   : ………………………………………………..

5)      Mickey: Teachers should not give homework to the students.

Mouse  : ………………………………………………….

6)      Tom     : What do you think of our new batik uniform on Fridays?

Jerry     : …………………………………………………

7)      Darby   : Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

Pooh     : ………………………………………………

Expressing Greeting

Here some expressions you can use to greet other people :

Greeting :

• Hello
• Good mornig,Sir/madam
• How are you?
• How’s life ? / How is it doing?
• How are things? / How is everything?
• Hi, Shelly! Long time no see

Responding :

• Hello/Hi
• Good Morning/ Morning, Charlie
• Fine, thanks, and you?
• Not, very well, I guess
• Not bad at all
• Hi, Doni!yeah, right

Expressing Love, Expressing Sadness, Expressing embarrassment

Expressing Love

• I love you
• I love you too
• I like..
• I enjoy..
• I’m very keen on…

 Expressing Sadness

• Oh, I just  don’t know what to do
• Please leave me alone
• Come on! It can not be as bad as all that..
• I can see why you’re so sad…but…

Expressing embarrassment

• How embarrassing !
• It really makes me ashamed.
• I was so embarassed.
• tell me it did not happen.

Expressing Pain, Relief and Pleasure

 

* Expressing Pain
when we get sick, we must feel pain on part of our body. When we get an accident, and we get injured because of it, we must feel pain. some expression of pain :
– its very painful. I can’t stand it.
– the pain hurts me very much.
– that’s hurts!-Oh, my headache!
– my back pains me.
– I’m not feeling well.
– I have a bad cough.
– I feel terrible.
– I’m really sick.
– I can no longer stand.
We can also add it with some interjection, such as : Oh!, Ouch! and Aw!

* Expressing Relief
When we have problem and we can solve it, we will feel relief. In other situation, when we feel worried about something that we will face it, we will also feel relief. a relief is lessening or ending of pain and worry. for example :
– What a relief!
– That’s a relief!
– I’m very relieved to hear that (it)
– I’m glad everything’s running well.
– I’m glad it’s done.
– thank God for that.
– Thank goodness.
– thank heaveness.
– Oh, good!
– Oh, marvelous!, etc.

* Ekspressing Pleasure (happiness)
for example :
– I’m delighted.
– It’s very delighted.
– I’m pleased.
– I’m happy (for)…
– I’m glad.
– Great!
– It’s wonderful.
– How marvelous!
– fantastic!
– It’s a great pleasure!, etc.

Describing Things

Apersepsi

Answer the following questions based on your opinion.

1)       Do you have favourite stuff like doll, mobile phone, shoes, or other? Give the reason.

2)       Describe about one of your favourite things.

3)       Do you have favourite animal? What are they?

4)       Describe about your favourite animal. Give the reason why do you like it.

LANGUAGE FUNCTION

To describe things or nun, we use adjective can be in the form of adjective clauses.

Adjective is used to describe noun (things and people)

For example:

• An old car
• A beautiful girl
• A rich businesswoman
• A red chair
• A flowery shirt

Adjective clauses ORDER:

DETERMINER	OPINION	SIZE	AGE	SHAPE	COLOR	ORIGIN	MATERIAL	NOUN
The	wonderful	small	old	round	green	German	wooden	VASE
a	beautiful	large	new		red	Indonesian	cotton	SKIRT

• SIZE                       : BIG, SMALL, LITTLE, HUGE, MIDDLE,
• SHAPE                   : ROUND, OVAL, RECTANGULAR, SQUARE
• CONDITION        : SMOOTH, HARD
• AGE                        : OLD, MODERN, ANCIENT
• COLOR                 : RED, YELLOW, BLUE, GREEN
• ORIGIN                 : GERMANY, AMERICAN
• MATERIAL            : WOODEN, METAL, IRON, PAPER
• PATTERN            : CHECKED, FLOWERY, SPOTTED, STRIPED,
• OPINION               : BEAUTIFUL, WONDERFUL, EXPENSIVE, CHEAP,etc

Describing People

DESCRIBING PEOPLE

Answer the following questions based on your experiences.

1)       Do you have an idol?

2)       What does he/she look like?

LET’S LISTEN.

TASK 2

Listen carefully to complete the following dialogue. The narrator will speak twice for each number.

PERSONALITY AND APPEARANCE	DESCRIPTION
1. Tell me about your father. What kind of person is he?2. What does he look like? 3. What does your mother look like? 4. How about your little sister?	1. Well, he’s very …, … and …. 2. He’s …, … and …. He has … … hair and … eyes.3. She’s …, … and … . She has … hair and wears glasses.4. She has … … hair and a … smile. Everybody likes her.
CLOTHING5. What is your brother wearing?6. What kind of shoes does he have (on)?7. Is Susan wearing a dress? 8. Anything else?	5. He’s wearing … … … and an … …..6. … and he’s wearing white … .7. No. She’s wearing a blue … and a yellow … . 8. Yes. She’s wearing … and carrying a …

v      To describe people, learn the following vocabularies.

HEIGHT	BUILD	AGE	FACE	EYES	HAIR	CLOTHES
tall, tallish, short, shortish medium height	frail, stocky, slim, thin, plump, fat, skinny, well-built	• young, elderly, middle-aged, teenager in 20s, 30s, 40s	round, oval, square, with scares, wrinkles, freckles, sun-tanned, pale	big round blue eyes, large, small, bright, narrow	bald, straight, curly, spiky, wavy	casual, scruffy, shabby, smart, tidy,

Giving Compliment and Congratulating

GIVING COMPLIMENT

v      Purpose:

Compliments express approval and are aimed at showing that you like some aspect of the other person’s appearance, belonging or work. It is also to appreciate other people, but overuse of compliments might seem insincere.

v      Whom to Compliment:

Anyone you have occasion to talk with (friends, family, colleagues, and even strangers)

v      What to Compliment

• Notice something new about the person’s appearance: new car, new haircut, a piece of jewellery, etc
• On a person of his or her general appearance: ‘You look good today’
• When visiting someone’s house for the first time: ‘What a beautiful house you have.’
• When hosts prepare a meal for you: ‘The meal was delicious’.

v      How to Compliment: (graded from formal to informal)

COMPLIMENT	RESPONSE	RETURNING COMPLIMENT
I would like compliment you on …I think your (hair) is very nice.I just love your (dress). The (chicken) is very delicious. I really like your (skirt). This (cheese) is super. That’s not a bad (bike) you’ve got. That’s neat. That’s nice. That’s not bad. Terrific. Pretty good. OK! All right.	Thank you. It’s nice of you to say so.Thank you but really isn’t anything special.Thank you. Yours is even nicer. I’m glad you like it. Thank you. Thank you.	(You inspired me).It’s nice to hear that from someone with your experience.Yours is nice, too. (It’s enough to say ‘Thank you” to a compliment. No further reply is required)

Giving Direction

Here are the expressions of asking and giving direction, also some phrases to show direction…

How do I get to …? What’s the best way to …? Where is …? Go straight on (until you come to …). Turn back./Go back. Turn left/right (into …-street). Go along …. Cross … Take the first/second road on the left/right It’s on the left/right.. / (to) (on) the right/left of To be (is) located/situated

straight on opposite near next to between at the end (of) on/at the corner (of) across from behind in front of, in back of, in the middle of (just) around the corner traffic lights crossroads, junction signpost

North – Northeast – East – Southeast – South – Southwest – West – Northwest