What did she just say? Words that are mispronounced and poor grammar can influence people’s opinion of you and your education level. For example, just because the word “ain’t” is in the dictionary doesn’t mean you should use it. The dictionary will tell you if the word is spelled correctly. That doesn’t necessarily mean the usage of the word itself is “proper” or viewed in a positive light if you say it. Over the years, many slang words have been added to our dictionaries.
I am not an English major, but here is my shortlist of mispronounced words that drive me crazy:
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The words are “wasn’t, business, isn’t, and didn’t” not “wadn't, bidness, idn’t, and din’t.”
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"I have a ways to go" should be "I have a way to go."
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The “t” in the word “often” is silent. You will find both pronunciations in the dictionary but in the United States; the silent “t” version is preferred. It’s “off-en” not “off- ten”.
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The word is regardless, not irregardless.
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This is important for all pageant girls to know. The word is “jewelry” (jewel- ree) not “jew-ler-ee”. No extra syllable.
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It is “with” not “wit”.
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It is “that” not “dat”.
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“Ask” me something but don’t “ax” me. Pronounce that “s”
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Say all the consonants in the word “important”. I’m going to have a hard time taking you seriously if you say the word “im-poor-unt”.
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Do say “across”, don’t say “acrossed”.
- The place where we borrow books is the “library” not the “ly-berry.”
- ESCAPE / ESPRESSO / ET CETERA
• Incorrect pronunciation: ex – cape / ex – presso / ex – set – err – uh
• Correct pronunciation: ess – cape / ess – presso / ett – set – err – uh
- FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES
• Incorrect pronunciation: “for all intensive purposes”
• Correct pronunciation: “for all intents and purposes”
- SHERBET
• Incorrect pronunciation: sherr – berrt
• Correct pronunciation: sherr – bet
Here is a list of other commonly mispronounced words.
http://www.alphadictionary.com/articles/mispronounced_words.html
WTP Take The Stage Training DVD
The Winning Through Pageantry Take The Stage™ training DVD is a must have training tool for natural beauty pageants. The depth of information shared in this video will further polish your on stage presence.
Remember, the judges cast their final vote when you are on stage in your evening gown. Your overall stage presence and appearance will determine your final placement.
In this 60-minute DVD, you will learn:
- proper posture and alignment,
- foot positioning,
- timing of your turns,
- multiple walking patterns,
- stage presence,
- microphone etiquette,
- Numerous tips as Rhonda demonstrates all of these techniques.
The modeling style taught in this video will work for those contestants competing in the following natural pageant systems:
- Miss American Coed (MAC),
- National American Miss (NaMiss),
- Miss America,
- America's Outstanding Teen,
- Miss Teen USA,
- Miss USA,
- Mrs. America,
- Mrs. United States,
- Teen, Miss and Mrs. International,
- America's National Teenager (Antso),
- Any of the numerous systems that follow the standards of a natural pageant.
Contestants who are brand new to pageantry or have done a couple pageants in the past; and those who do not have pageant preparation resources close to them will benefit most from this DVD. Even if you feel confident in your modeling skills, the numerous tips shared in this DVD will take your onstage presence to the next level.
Please allow up to 14 days to receive your DVD. This is being shipped from a separate vendor. The DVD is readable in all countries around the world but should you receive a defective DVD, a replacement one will be sent.
Rhonda Shappert, is both an iPEC and ICF certified expert pageant coach. In addition to holding multiple titles herself, her clients have won titles at local, state, national and internationals pageants. Her award winning newsletter is received weekly by thousands internationally. She has helped her clients win local, state, national and international titles.
With over 30 years experience in the pageant industry as a contestant, titleholder, judge, emcee, staff member, coach and mother of daughters who compete, there isn't an area of pageantry she doesn't fully understand.
$27 (+ $7 S&H)
The WTP Interview Card (Set of 12)
What kind of questions will the judges ask me in interview?
What if I don't have an answer?
The ability to answer questions about you, your family, platform, goals, community and pop culture in a clear way is an important life skill. The more practice you have in conversing with people, the better your speaking skills will become.
Over 1000 contestants from ages 7 to 80 around the world have used these cards and reported back to me that they were confident and prepared for their pageant interview. Many of my clients receive the highest interview scores.
As a contestant and judge, these are real questions that I have asked, been asked, or heard other judges ask in the interview room. I know they are effective and relevant because my clients and pageant family on Facebook have told me several times that they have experienced other pageant coaches and judges using my cards. By the way, I take this as a compliment, not a threat :).
Outstanding features of this 12 card set includes:</ p>
- Over 200 questions covering 12 diverse subjects. Each card has questions dedicated to one topic. For example, there are 56 questions on the "favorites" card.
- The back side is blank so you can jot down your ideas for answers.
- Being the size of a recipe card, they are easy to carry and you can practice anywhere.
$25.00
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Rhonda Shappert is an expert pageant coach, an iPEC Certified Professional Coach, an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner, and an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coach Federation (ICF).
She created Winning Through Pageantry® to partner with pageant contestants and their support people to provide complete pageant preparation, achieve winning results in life through pageantry, and to Succeed From The Inside Out®.
She has over 30 years experience in the pageantry world as a contestant, judge, emcee, staff member, mother of daughters who compete, Mrs. Ohio America 2005, and has held multiple titles at the local, state and national levels.
Rhonda graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelors degree in Musical Theater from The Ohio State University and has performed on stage in 15 countries on the Asian, European and American continents. This mother of three has been married 23 years to her husband Stephen, is the former mayor of her community, and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Virtual Academy. She and her husband perform original contemporary Christian music. For more information on Rhonda, visit www.WinningThroughPageantry.com.
