Public Speaking

Choosing a Topic Topic must be appropriate for the assignment Topic must be appropriate for the assignment Choose a topic about which you are familiar Choose a topic about which you are familiar Choose a topic about which you want to learn more Choose a topic about which you want to learn more Choose a topic about which you have strong beliefs Choose a topic about which you have strong beliefs

Finding Information Personal experience Personal experience Library Library Newspapers Newspapers Internet Internet Encyclopedias Encyclopedias Interviews Interviews

Tips for Preparing Start early!!!!! Take plenty of notes Stay organized You are permitted to take TWO note cards to the front of the room. Do NOT write your entire speech on the cards.

Beginning the Speech The Introduction The Introduction -Get audience’s attention *arouse their curiosity *begin with a quotation or story *ask a rhetorical question -Reveal your topic

Organizing the Body of the Speech Main Points Main Points -Limit the main points to a reasonable number. -Organize your main points in a way that makes sense.

Ending the Speech The Conclusion The Conclusion -Signal the end of your speech -Summarize the main points -Remember that “That’s it,” or “I’m done,” is NOT a conclusion!

Using Language Don’t use a word if you are unsure of its meaning Don’t use a word if you are unsure of its meaning Choose language that conveys your meaning clearly Choose language that conveys your meaning clearly Use words that are familiar to your audience Use words that are familiar to your audience Eliminate clutter Eliminate clutter Use language appropriate to the assignment and the audience Use language appropriate to the assignment and the audience

Delivery Appearance Appearance -Stand still! -Don’t fidget! -Be confident!

Delivery Voice Voice -Your voice sounds louder to you than to your audience. (volume) your audience. (volume) -Vary your inflections! (pitch) Questions go up, statements go down, but avoid sounding sing-songy. -Control your speed. (pace)

Delivery Pauses Pauses -Pauses added intentionally give your audience signals. -Avoid “vocalized pauses” (uh, umm) Ex. Intentional pauses tell your audience that what you have just said, or what you are what you have just said, or what you are about to say, is important. about to say, is important.

Delivery (continued) Ennunciation Ennunciation -speak clearly Pronunciation Pronunciation -practice in front of others -check pronunciation in a dictionary

Delivery (continued) Your pace (the speed at which you speak) should be fast enough to keep us interested, but not so fast that we can’t understand what you are saying. Your pace (the speed at which you speak) should be fast enough to keep us interested, but not so fast that we can’t understand what you are saying. Your delivery should be smooth. There should not be any long pauses. The best way to improve smoothness is to practice out loud many times. Your delivery should be smooth. There should not be any long pauses. The best way to improve smoothness is to practice out loud many times.

The Speaker (that’s you!) Movement Movement -try to be calm and confident Gestures Gestures -anything we notice over and over is distracting (tucking hair, tapping toes, etc.) distracting (tucking hair, tapping toes, etc.) Eye Contact Eye Contact -look at your audience!(or at the windows just over their heads!) just over their heads!)

Don’t forget... Some speeches may require a visual aid. Make it interesting. Some speeches may require a visual aid. Make it interesting. The only way you are going to fit within the time constraints is to practice and continually tweak your work until it is just perfect! A 15 second buffer in either direction will apply. The only way you are going to fit within the time constraints is to practice and continually tweak your work until it is just perfect! A 15 second buffer in either direction will apply. Have fun! Have fun!

7 th Grade Speech Topics and Times Proverb 1:00-1:30. Proverb 1:00-1:30. Informational 1:00-1:30 Informational 1:00-1:30 Celebrity 1:30-2:00 Celebrity 1:30-2:00 Travel 2:00-2:30 Travel 2:00-2:30 Persuasive 2:00-3:00 Persuasive 2:00-3:00 How-to (demonstration) 2:30-5:00 How-to (demonstration) 2:30-5:00

The End