Tips for an effective JAM (Just A Minute) Session and JAM Topics for Students

 Tips for an effective JAM (Just A Minute) Session and Topics for Students

JAM (Just A Minute) is an effective activity that aims to let students showcase their Oral Communication Skills in front of a crowd. It is an activity that requires students to prepare in advance (If the topics are given before) or talk on the spot instantly on a given topic. 

This activity tests the students on various levels such as - their preparation, the content of the topic given/ chosen, arrangement and delivery of the content logically, relatability with the audience, grammar, vocabulary, the loudness of the voice and the voice modulation, non-verbal communication like facial expressions, head nods, eye-contact, hand gestures and the standing postures, proper examples, usage of famous quotes/ phrases/ sayings, and the time management. 

Some of the important points students need to keep in mind to give an effective JAM: 

• Gather enough content from various sources like books, the internet, magazines, and newspapers, or by talking to experts/ people about their opinion on a topic.

• Write down/ jot down some important points/ numbers/ years/ facts etc. (Because you can't simply tell some random things on a public platform, so be very clear with the facts/ history.)

• Prepare well and practice (possibly in front of a life-size mirror or in front of your friends/ family/ peers/ classmates) before going to the stage. (Preparation can boost your confidence levels and you will not have stage fear/ fear of the public/ crowd)

• Learn to talk without any notes in your hands. (It is possible only when you practice well)

• Go confidently to the stage and just focus on the topic and the points you have to deliver. Do not be bothered or disturbed by the people in front of you.

• Be serious enough and do not smile or laugh.

• Maintain eye contact with the audience so that they feel involved in your talk. Do not look at the floor, chairs, lights, roof etc.

• Start with a question which will grab the attention of your audience into thinking and actively participating and answering your question.

• Start with a quote/ saying/ a short story that is relevant to your topic.

• Tell it like a story and don't bore your audiences. You must learn the art of storytelling to convince your audience to your point of view on the topic.

Some of the most common topics for JAM for Students:

(I will keep updating the list with new topics, so feel free to check this space regularly)

1. The Impact of Academic Stress on Students' Mental Health

R. Madhavan's Speech at Harvard University about 'India: 2030'

R. Madhavan is a famous Indian actor, producer, writer, and director who predominantly works in Tamil and Hindi Films. 

His speech at Harvard University about 'India: 2030' is a wonderful insight about India, its culture and traditions, its heritage, its people's progress, values, courage, way of living, and how each individual can have dreams and work towards them. He cites many great people as examples like Dr. Abdul Kalam, Gandhi Ji, Bhagat Singh, Abraham Lincoln etc. He also talks highly of mothers and motherland and tells how pressure is also good at times by giving examples from his own life.

What is admirable in this speech is the way he expresses his love towards India by saying that he wanted India to have blue cards and develop rural areas as smart villages etc.

Delve into his mind and know more not only about this great dreamer of India but also his beautiful dreams by watching this wonderful speech that is available in Youtube. (Link is given below)

R. Madhavan's Speech at Harvard about India:2030 - Youtube Link

R. Madhavan's Speech at Harvard University - Speech Transcript

 My Mission Statement

 - My Mission Statement is an activity that lets a person write/ list out their details in a self-analysing manner.

- This activity lets one write down their basic details like a Nice Photo (Where face is visible with a smile and no passport size photos), Name, DoB, and a few sentences about themselves (3 to 5 sentences at the maximum).

- Then comes the area where one needs to write down how one has to be remembered in life (even after death because death is inevitable).

- Finally, ending it with a favourite quote/ saying/ own quote which one wants to emulate in life.

Here are some examples: 

 'Self-Reflection' Activity

Self-Reflection Activity - is an activity that lets one introspect into oneself to know one's deepest feelings, expressions, likes etc. 

This activity is helpful for every individual to know more about oneself in a more meaningful and understanding way.  

Under this activity, students have to write down/ list out their favourite things/ people/ hobbies/ feelings/ wants/ desires etc., according to the order of their preference. 

The preference order can be in three stages with the first stage being the most important desires/ wants/ goals and then the secondary stage, followed by the third stage.

One has to really look into one's own self and analyse this order of preferences so that one can write/ list them out authentically and originally.

You can be very creative in doing this activity by using different types of circles/ shapes and using nice colour combinations. 

Here are a few examples: