Tell Your Story: Make Your Oral Response Stand Out

At Kim & You Academy, we’re excited to help you improve your oral communication skills. Today, we’ll explore how to make your personal experiences more engaging and memorable during oral responses.

Why Share Personal Experiences in Oral Exams?

Sharing a personal experience adds depth and individuality to your response. It shows that you can connect the topic to your own life and reflect meaningfully. A strong personal story helps your listener learn something new about you—and that’s a sign you’re on the right track.

Three Strategies to Make Your Experience Stand Out

1. Share an Authentic Experience

Everyone’s life is different, and that’s what makes your stories interesting. Choose an experience that feels genuine and meaningful to you. If you have several stories to pick from, go with the one that’s most unique or unexpected—especially if it relates well to the topic.

Think about hobbies or interests that set you apart. Do you volunteer at an animal shelter? Do you enjoy learning K-Pop dance routines? These are great examples of authentic experiences that can capture your listener’s attention.

When you share something real and personal, your audience becomes curious and invested in what you have to say.

2. Use Specific Details: Apply the 5W1H

To help your listener picture your story clearly, include specific details using the 5W1H method:

• Who was involved

• Where it happened

• When it took place

• What you were doing

• Why it mattered

• How you felt or reacted

For example, imagine you saw a young child petting a tiger at a zoo in Thailand. You could describe:

• Who you were with

• When the visit happened

• Which part of Thailand the zoo was in

• How you felt watching it unfold

• What thoughts crossed your mind

You might say, “I was amazed that the child was so brave!” or “I wondered how the tiger could be so calm around people.” These reflections make your story feel vivid and relatable.

3. Express Emotion in Your Delivery

Unlike written papers, oral responses rely heavily on how you speak—not just what you say. Even the most interesting story can lose impact if it’s shared in a dull or hesitant tone.

Be enthusiastic! Let your emotions show as you speak. If you’re talking about a fun trip to Disneyland, sound excited. If your story is about a moment of surprise or fear, let that emotion come through in your voice.

This helps your listener connect with your experience and feel what you felt.

Final Thoughts

We’ve covered three key strategies to make your personal experiences shine during oral responses:

• Choose authentic stories

• Add specific details using 5W1H

• Share with emotion and energy

Now that you’ve got these tips, it’s time to practise! At Kim & You Academy, we believe that consistent practice builds confidence and skill. Let’s keep working together to make your oral responses powerful and personal.