Public Speaking Dramatic Reading

“First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak.” --Epictetus

Oral Interpretation— really a form of performance art. --The speaker attempts to communicate his or her sense of the meaning and beauty of a work of literature by reading it aloud to an audience. --Involves experimenting with your voice, facial expressions, and gesture.

Dramatic Song Reading Choose a song to read. Don’t settle on the first thing you look at. Make necessary edits to the song if it contains explicit language or content. Think about an approach. For example: Make a serious song silly. Make a silly song serious. Sarcastic. Ironic. Will you add commentary to the song as you read? Annotated song lyrics are due when you present your song.

Mark up the lyrics with suggestions on how to deliver lines, pacing, etc. Include notes that will help you deliver your speech. For example: when to pause, what words to emphasize, when to include personal commentary (what you will add), etc. You will hand in your annotated text and after you deliver your speech.

Sample Annotation

One example… Can you identify the song? Pay attention to how the speaker changes the tone of the song by emphasizing certain lyrics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uI6Bbx7OA4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0eBxWV3NfY