Lab Report

Business Communication Skills | HSP 304

Prakhar Gupta
2020KUEC2007
 1

Ques 1

Given below is an editorial from “The Hindu”, read the editorial and develop a Minto pyramid for it.

Answer
Minto Pyramid for the given article in bullet point form can be the following

Situation:

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the global economy, leading to job losses and
financial instability for many individuals and businesses. As the world continues to grapple with the
effects of the pandemic, people are seeking ways to stay financially afloat.

Complications:

1. Unemployment rates are high, and many people are struggling to find work.

2. Businesses have been forced to close or reduce operations, leading to decreased revenue and financial
uncertainty.

3. Government aid programs are limited and may not be enough to support those in need.

4. Financial markets have been volatile, making it difficult for investors to make informed decisions.
 2

Questions:

1. How can individuals who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic find new employment opportunities?

2. What steps can businesses take to adapt to the current economic climate and stay afloat?

3. What government aid programs are available to support individuals and businesses affected by the
pandemic?

4. How can investors navigate the current financial landscape and make smart investment decisions?

Answers:

1. Individuals can update their resumes, network with contacts, and consider exploring new industries or
fields that are experiencing growth during the pandemic.

2. Businesses can cut costs, pivot to online sales or delivery services, and seek government assistance to
help with expenses.

3. Government aid programs such as unemployment benefits, small business loans, and stimulus checks
are available to support those in need.

4. Investors can diversify their portfolios, stay informed about market trends, and consult with financial
advisors to make informed decisions.

Ques 2
The employees in your organization named “Buyit” (an online grocery delivery app) have gone on strike
after a new pay structure was implemented. Buyit has changed its incentive system by reducing delivery
rates for its executives from Rs. 50 per delivery to Rs. 10-15 per delivery. Write a memo to all the workers,
explaining why the structure should be accepted and they shall return to work.

Answer
To: All Buyit Employees

Subject: Regarding the ongoing strike

 3

Dear employees,

I am writing to you today to address the ongoing strike in our organization. I understand that the recent
changes in the pay structure have caused some concerns among our delivery executives. However, I want
to assure you that these changes were made with the intention of improving the overall efficiency of our
organization and to ensure that all of our employees are fairly compensated.

As you all know, Buyit is an online grocery delivery app that is committed to providing its customers with a
seamless and efficient delivery experience. To achieve this, we have implemented a new pay structure
that reduces the delivery rates for our executives from Rs. 50 per delivery to Rs. 10-15 per delivery. This
change has been made to incentivize our executives to take up more deliveries and to improve the overall
delivery experience for our customers.

I understand that this change may be difficult for some of you, but I want to emphasize that this is a
necessary step for the growth of our organization. Our goal is to provide the best possible service to our
customers while ensuring that all of our employees are fairly compensated for their work.

I urge all of you to consider the long-term benefits of this change and to return to work. We value all of our
employees and want to work together to build a successful organization.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Sincerely,

Prakhar Gupta

Chief Operations Officer

Ques 3
Attached is the famous speech “My tryst with Destiny” delivered by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. Look over the
rhetorical devices that Nehru uses in his speech.

Ans

a. What effect do they have in his overall speech? Include specific examples to defend your claim.

Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru's "My Tryst with Destiny" speech, delivered on the eve of India's independence from
British colonial rule, is widely regarded as one of the most iconic speeches in Indian history. Nehru's
masterful use of rhetorical devices served to inspire, unify, and motivate the Indian people towards a
brighter future.

One of the key effects of the rhetorical devices used in Nehru's speech is its ability to evoke powerful
emotions in the audience. For example, when he used the metaphor "At the stroke of the midnight hour,
when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom," he created a vivid image of a new India rising
 4

from the ashes of colonialism. This metaphor not only captures the moment of India's independence but
also highlights the significance of the event for the people of India.

Nehru's use of repetition also served to reinforce his message and create a sense of unity among the
people. For example, he said, "Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now that time comes
when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially." By repeating the
phrase "tryst with destiny" and "redeem our pledge," Nehru emphasizes the importance of fulfilling the
promises made to the Indian people during the struggle for independence.

Moreover, Nehru's use of rhetorical questions created a sense of urgency and challenged the people to
take responsibility for their future. For example, he asked, "Whither do we go and what shall be our
endeavour?" This question challenges the Indian people to think about their future and to work towards
building a better, more just and equitable society.

Finally, Nehru's speech also showcases his commitment to the principles of non-violent resistance and
social justice, as exemplified by his reference to Mahatma Gandhi. Nehru states, "We have often been
unworthy followers of Gandhi, but we have never departed from his immortal message." This statement
highlights the importance of Gandhi's philosophy in the struggle for independence and serves as a
reminder of the values that should guide the newly independent India.

Overall, Nehru's use of rhetorical devices in his "Tryst with Destiny" speech had a powerful effect on the
Indian people, inspiring them towards a brighter future and reminding them of the values that should
guide the nation. His words continue to resonate with Indians today, serving as a reminder of the country's
hard-won independence and the ongoing struggle to build a better, more inclusive society.

b. Worksheet Solutions

Persuasion : According to Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru's "My Tryst with Destiny" speech, persuasion refers to the
act of convincing or influencing someone to think or act in a particular way. In the context of the speech,
Nehru uses persuasive language to inspire and motivate the Indian people towards a brighter future. He
employs rhetorical devices such as metaphors, vivid imagery, and repetition to convey his message
effectively and to create an emotional connection with his audience. The ultimate goal of his persuasive
language is to unite the Indian people behind a common purpose and to encourage them to work towards
building a just and equitable society for all.

1. Who is the speaker? Understanding the background and motivations of the speaker can help us
better evaluate their message and determine whether they are trustworthy.
2. What is the message? We need to understand what the speaker is advocating for and what they
want us to do or believe.
3. Who is the audience? Knowing the characteristics and beliefs of the audience can help the
speaker tailor their message to be more persuasive.
4. What techniques are being used to identify the rhetorical devices and other persuasive
techniques being used can help us evaluate the strength of the argument and determine
whether we are being manipulated.
 5

5. What is the desired outcome? We need to understand what the speaker wants to achieve and
whether it aligns with our own goals and values.

RHETORICAL TRIANGLE

The speech given on 14th August 1947 by Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, has a
well-defined rhetorical triangle. The rhetorical triangle comprises three critical elements that are the
speaker, the audience, and the message. Nehru delivered his speech to the Constituent Assembly of India,
a sovereign body representing the people of India. Nehru's speech aimed to inspire the Indian people to
embrace their new-found independence and work towards building a just and prosperous nation.

Speaker: Jawaharlal Nehru

As the first Prime Minister of India, Nehru was a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement.
Nehru was an eloquent speaker and an influential leader who played a significant role in shaping India's
future. Nehru's speech on 14th August 1947 was his first address to the nation as India's Prime Minister.

Audience: The Constituent Assembly of India

The Constituent Assembly of India was a body of elected representatives who drafted India's
Constitution. The members of the Constituent Assembly represented the diverse cultural, social, and
religious backgrounds of the Indian people. Nehru's speech was delivered to this assembly, which
represented the sovereign people of India.

Message: Independence and Nation Building

Nehru's speech had a clear message - the Indian people were finally free, and it was their responsibility to
build a just and prosperous nation. Nehru emphasized the historical significance of India's independence
and the need to seize the moment to build a new India. Nehru recognized the challenges that lay ahead,
including poverty, ignorance, disease, and inequality of opportunity. Still, he called on the Indian people to
work hard and strive relentlessly towards building a prosperous and democratic nation. Nehru
emphasized the need to create social, economic, and political institutions that would ensure justice and a
fullness of life for every Indian.

In summary, Nehru's speech had a well-defined rhetorical triangle. Nehru was the speaker who delivered
his message of independence and nation-building to the Constituent Assembly of India, representing the
sovereign people of India. Nehru's speech aimed to inspire the Indian people to work hard towards
building a just and prosperous nation.