Category: Public Speaking

Public Speaking – Final Speech Friday!

Final speeches on Friday, June 4 9:00-10:30 AM. [Monday section -Room 10, Tuesday section- Room 12, Thursday section – Room 13]

Please arrive at your assigned room by 8:45 AM.  If you have tech or video to set up, please bring all necessary materials on a flash drive or loaded onto your own computer.

If you have not turned in your speech plan, you are currently incomplete/failing this class.  Correct this immediately!

Final tips & reminders:

  1. Deliver your speech with the confidence of an experienced, polished public persona.  Play the role of an expert!
  2. Keep your audience engaged and interested through the use of visual aids, varied vocal tone, and a balance between evidence and explanation. Why is what your have to say more important than whatever else your audience may want to do?
  3. Start a great opening sentence, image, or anecdote (the “hook”) that will grab your audience’s attention.
  4. Clearly state the purpose of your speech: Why are you speaking on this topic?  Why is it important to hear about?
  5. If you feel nervous, remember practice makes almost-perfect.  Practice before a mirror, for a friend, for your pet, for whoever will listen and ideally, give you some feedback.

Looking forward to seeing you all on Friday!

Julia

Public Speaking – Week 8

In class: Guest speaker, Ruth Jurgensen, will speak about her experiences and techniques for public speaking.

HW: Read the Public Speaking Final Speech handout.  Choose a style and topic for your speech.  Complete a detailed speech plan and submit to Julia at next week’s class.  If you plan to use AV/Tech or other visual aids, please note these on the speech plan so that necessary arrangements can be made.

FINAL SPEECH PRESENTATIONS ON FRIDAY, JUNE 4 at 9:00 AM.

Public Speaking – Week 7

In class: Finishing debates.  Explanation of final speech assignment.

For the final assignment, you must prepare a 5-minute speech on the topic of your choice.  Think back over the types of assignments we have done so far — introduction/personal, how-to, debate/persuasive — and consider one of these formats for the final speech.  Or, if you prefer, you could try out another format or style.  Your speech should be well prepared and memorized, though you may bring 1 or 2 notecards to help you along.  Visual aids are strongly encouraged, as appropriate to the content and style of your speech.

HW: For next week, please choose your speech topic.  In preparation for your teacher meeting, write an outline and/or first draft of your speech.  I will only meet with students who come to class with a typed outline or draft.

Public Speaking – Week 6

In class: Present debates, evaluation rubrics.

Note – if you are in the Monday section and did not present this week, you will present next Thursday, May 13, during your free 2nd period.

Homework: Choose a topic for your final speech.  This should be a topic of interest to you that can sustain 5 minutes of speaking/presentation.

Public Speaking – Week 5

In class: assign roles for debate (opening, evidence, rebuttal, closing) and conduct research to find evidence in support of your position.

HW: Prepare for in-class debate next week.  You may bring up to one page of typed notes to class to use in the debate.  You will also have access to one laptop per team.  Please read the attached Debate Assignment handout for more information about procedure, time limits, and evaluation.

Public Speaking – Week 4

In class: assignment of debate topics and groups.  See the attached list of Debate topics for details.  If you missed class on Monday, please see Julia to receive your debate assignment.

HW: Find at least one source in support of your debate position.  We will be doing research in class next week.

Public Speaking – Week 2

In class – defining “good” and “bad” qualities of Public Speaking, based on the TED talks you watched over the break.

Homework for next week: Prepare a 2-3 minute “how-to” speech in which you teach a specific action or skill to the class.  This should be something that you personally know how to do and can explain and/or demonstrate clearly in under 3 minutes (examples: “How to cook scrambled eggs” or “How to buy a Metrocard.”   You MAY NOT refer to notes, but you can use visual aids if you wish.  Please refer to the list of Qualities of Effective Public Speaking for ideas on how to deliver a strong, clear speech.