1. 1A1 English 10 th February 2015 Objectives: To introduce students to the key elements of a speech.

2. Homework: Should we celebrate Valentine’s Day? State ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’ Give two reasons for your answer.

3. St. Valentine’s Day This Saturday, February 14 th, people will celebrate Valentine’s Day. What did St. Valentine do when he was alive: what position did he hold in his community? Why was he imprisoned? Where is he buried?

4. Speech Topic On Friday, you will, in pairs, deliver a speech to the class. Your speech will be based on the following heading: “This house recognises the importance of celebrating St. Valentine’s Day.”

5. Speech You will have the freedom to agree or disagree with this statement. Your speech must contain four points supporting your view. (Each student will read two of the points when delivering their speech to the class with their partner.) Remember, your speech will be a persuasive piece – your goal is to convince your listeners to agree with your view of Valentine’s Day.

6. Speech Take note of the following key elements of a speech. Bear these points in mind when preparing the speech you will deliver on Friday.

7. Attention grabbing opening You need to grab the attention of your audience right away. Do this by beginning with a good quote or a surprising/shocking statement.

8. Rhetorical questions These are questions asked to encourage people to think about an issue, or produce an effect. People don’t necessarily expect responses to the rhetorical questions they might ask. They are very effective if you are trying to convince your audience of something.

9. Repetition Involves making a statement numerous times. This technique is used to emphasise a point or create a sense of drama. “I have a dream” – Martin Luther King.

10. Imagery Vivid descriptions of particular scenes will allow your audience to picture what you are referring to.

11. Appeal to the emotions Think about how you want your audience to feel. What emotions do you want to evoke from your listeners? Happiness, anger, grief, hatred, etc.

12. Contrast You can compare one point with another to demonstrate that you are right. For example, you can describe a pleasant and an unpleasant scene.

13. Humour You are permitted to inject your speech with a bit of humour and sense of fun – only when the topic discussed allows for this.

14. Epigrams These are short, clever, memorable sayings. Epigrams help to keep your main point in the minds of your listeners. “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”