1. Speech Hints  1.) You should have an outline of your speech prepared by Friday, November 21. You will speak to the audience, not read to the audience.  Create an outline based off of your slides. Your outline should have more information than your slides, but should still not be scripted out exactly word for word.

2. Speech Hints  2.)  Think about the most effective way to share all of the information in your slides. You are essentially teaching the class. You should be using your PowerPoint as a visual aid, and you should be talking in a relaxed manner to your classmates—not reading word for word from your notecards.  The way you get good at this is by practicing your presentation. Practice at home over the weekend, practice with a family or friend, practice in front of a pet.

3. Speech Hints  3.) Introduction and Preview:  First Slide: You should begin your speech with a short, witty, catchy opening unique to your topic while displaying your first slide. Boring example – “This morning I am going to tell you all about gravity dams.” In a creative way, figure out how you can introduce your topic to your classmates.  Then, show your classmates your preview slide and tell them point by point what you are going to talk about. Those points should correlate with the note-sheet you made for your classmates.

4. Speech Hints  4.)  Conclusion. At the end of your presentation, you should quickly review the most important facts about your topic. Remember: your classmates are taking notes during your presentation to help them retain the information. Make it clear to them what the most important facts are and review those facts at the end. As learners, it’s good for all of us to hear something more than once.  Then, end with something witty or retell a very important fact or your thought about your topic. Don’t just say, “I’m done.” Or, “That’s all.”

5. Speech Hints  5.) Do not go over time. You will be cut off. Single person presentation = 5 – 6 minutes. 2-person presentation = 8 – 11 minutes.

6. Speech Hints  6.) Your presentation will be video-taped and uploaded to Haiku so you can share your presentation with your families and so that you can reflect on your presentation skills. The videos will be taken off of Haiku at the end of Winter Break.

7. Speech Hints  7.) Remember to dress nicely for your presentation. Nicer than shorts, exercise clothing, t-shirts or sweatshirts. Part of being a good presenter means that you are dressed a little more nicely than your audience. This is a life skill.

8. Visual Aids  1.  Avoid standing in front of the Smartboard which will block the audience’s view of your important information. This may seem obvious, but it happens. Practice standing to the side of the Smartboard.  Also, be careful about touching the Smartboard. If you touch it when you don’t to, it might move things around on you. (You’ve seen this happen to me in class. )

9. Visual Aids  2. We will practice using the Smartboard on Thursday and Friday, November 20 – 21. If you need more time with the Smartboard, you are welcome to make an appointment with Ms. Starr before school, after school or at a lunch time– any time before your speech.

10. Visual Aids  3. Keep talking as you show your images. Explain the images in the context of your speech. Do not let it become a silent demonstration. (Of course, if you are showing a video or sound clip, then do not talk over it.)

11. Visual Aids  4. Avoid passing around a visual aid or something that you created for extra credit while you are explaining information. People will focus on what is being passed around rather than what you are saying.

12. Visual Aids  5. Let Ms. Starr know the day before your speech if you need any additional equipment other than what you know is already in her classroom.

13. Visual Aids  6. Video/audio clips should be SHORT. They are used to highlight a point, not to “take up time” during your speech.

14. Visual Aids  7. Remember—you are a visual/audio aid, too. Dress appropriately for your speech and for your audience. Show us that you care and that you took time to groom and dress nicely. You should always look nicer than your audience.

15. Introduction and Preview  Your introduction and preview need to: 1. Catch the audience’s attention—an anecdote (very short story), an example of why your topic is important, a question (a good one, not a cheesy one), a quotation or a humorous remark.

16. Introduction and Preview  2. Explain the purpose of the presentation—why is your topic important? Why should your audience be interested in this topic?

17. Introduction and Preview 3. Briefly preview the main points of the presentation in order.

18. Body of Speech  After your Introduction and Preview, go logically from one slide to the next through the Body of your speech.

19. Conclusion  Your conclusion needs to: 1. Review the main points of your speech. Be brief and concise. Make sure your classmates hear the most important information again so they can check their notes for accuracy. “With my presentation coming to an end, I’d like to review the main points I hope you take away about my topic. First, ….”

20. Conclusion  2. DO NOT add new information in the conclusion. New information should be in the body of your speech.

21. Conclusion  3. End with something creative—a final quote, an interesting point, something funny, the favorite part you learned, why you think it matters.

22. Conclusion  4. DO NOT say “That’s it,” or “I’m done,” or words to that effect.

23. What should I put my notes on?  You choose a method that works for you.  Remember, your introduction and conclusion can be written out. The body of your speech should just be in an outline. You should practice saying your speech so that you are comfortable with the information.  1. Fold a piece of printer paper into 4. On the front side, tape on your introduction. On the middle two pages, write an outline of your speech. On the back side, tape on your conclusion.  2. Use index cards.  3. Use Word and create an outline. Just bring one piece of paper.  4. What works for you? Do it your own way.

24. Exceeds ExpectationsMeets ExpectationsNeeds Improvement Content Incredibly engaging level of detail regarding your topic. Very solid level of detail regarding your topic. Lacking detail for your topic. Organization Information in logical order. Slide at beginning previews content of presentation. Flows nicely. Information jumps around. Lacks flow. No preview. Personal Appearance Dressed up- nicer than shorts, exercise clothing, t-shirts or sweatshirts. Nice jeans, slacks, skirts, dresses, collared shirts are all great. Do not buy something new. Did not dress up. Voice Level and Speed Able to be heard easily. Does not speak too quickly. Voice too soft. Voice too quick. Eye Contact Naturally looks around the room, making eye contact with a variety of people. Good effort to make eye contact around the room. Eye contact needs more work. Eye contact made mostly in one direction of the room or at only particular people. Facing Audience, not Smartboard Facing audience, not Smartboard most of the time. (Exceptions are when you are pointing something out on a slide or you are changing slides, for example.) Not facing audience but looking at slides on Smartboard during the majority of the presentation. Time 5 – 6 minutes 5 - 6 minutesUnder or over 5 - 6 minutes.