Transcript Public Speaking

Public Speaking
Major Assignments
Introductory Speech/Paper Bag
Speech
 Presented during the first week of class, this speech is
designed to provide an easy introduction to speaking in
front of your classmates. Everyone will receive a paper
lunch bag. You are to put 3 items in the bag to use as
props during your speech. The items must fit entirely
‘/within the bag and be easily seen by the entire
audience. Pictures are usually difficult to see. Your
items should give the audience an idea about your
personality.
 3 minutes
Speech of Personal Experience
 Tell the class about an experience of yours that
was funny, exciting, embarrassing or interesting.
Be sure you have an introduction, conclusion
and 3 main points. However, you should be
telling us a story, so this is similar to a narrative
essay.
 3-4 minutes
Demonstration Speech
 Demonstrate a particular talent or skill you have
to the class. Be sure your props are easily seen
throughout the room. Be sure that your skill is
neither simple enough to the dull nor too
complicated to perform in the classroom. Focus
on using gestures and body language to show
your talent.
 4-5 minutes
Speech to Inform
 Choose an important global issue. You are to
explain both sides of the issue without taking
sides. Provide at least two credible sources of
information to support your statements.
Speech to Persuade
 Use your persuasive skills to tackle a larger issue,
preferably one that has been discussed in the national
media. We will spend at lease one class period in the
lab doing research to support your opinion. You must
present at least two credible sources of information
during the course of your speech. Again, state the
current situation, what is wrong with it, and how it can
be improved. Also, include a call to action that inspires
your audience to make a difference.
Infomercial
 Here’s your chance to have fun with your
persuasive skills. Create an imaginary product
and sell it to the class. You may use two props
during your speech. Be creative and funny, but
remember to include the basics of a persuasive
speech.
 3-4 minutes
Speech to Motivate
 Have you ever wished you had the power to
change people’s behavior? If so, you should
consider motivational speaking. We will learn
to gain the audience’s attention, develop a sense
of need, provide satisfaction for the problem,
help the audience visualize the solution, and
then encourage the audience to act.
 4-5 minutes
Speech to Entertain
 Plan and deliver a speech that entertains and
enlightens an audience. We will focus on using
humor effectively.
 5-6 minutes
Impromptu
 Throughout the semester, you will deliver impromptu
speeches. You will choose a topic from the “fishbowl”
which may be a question, or a person, place or thing.
You will have three minutes to prepare a speech. Before
you even get your topic, create an outline for your
introduction, 3 points and conclusion. Plug in your
ideas once you have a topic. Take all the time allowed
to you to plan. You will be called to speak after your
planning time is up.
 3-4 minutes
Reading aloud Children’s Stories
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Reading aloud is probably the one type of public speaking that every person will do at some
point. Reading aloud to children helps them learn the language, and it has the added bonus of
being fun for you and them. You will choose a children’s book to read aloud to our class.
1. Pick a children’s story that is appropriate for students in grades K-3.
2. Stand when reading the book to our class (If we should go to Vadnais elementary schools later,
then you probably will sit with the kids on the floor.)
3. Decide how best to hold the book.
4. Decide what pictures to show and how to show them so all can see.
5. Include asides when showing some of the pictures. Those should involve the audience at all
times.
6. Develop eye contact with the audience during the reading and the showing of pictures.
7. Project your voice so all can hear.
8. Distinguish the characters with different voices and facial expressions. Also be consistent with
those voices.
9. Establish the mood with facial expression and tone of voice.
4-7 minutes
Poetry Recitation
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1. Choose a poem or a few poems that appeal to you.
2. These poems should be published by an established author.
3. Understand the whole poem-the theme, each word, each stanza, each poetic device, all that contributes to
the whole idea and mood.
4. Prepare an introduction—perhaps title, author, and why you chose the poem or how the poems connect or
contrast.
5. Selection should be placed in a folder you can hold easily with one hand. This leaves the other hand free for
gestures.
6. As you practice your selection, mark your script for pauses, emphasis, and anything else that will help you
have a good performance.
7. Show this understanding to your audience as you read:
.Show your understanding and response through facial expressions, as well as through your vocal
variety.
.Vary volume, pitch, pace, and accent when appropriate.
.Delineate characters and moods.
.Be convincing.
.Learn to phrase and emphasize to support the meaning of the poem.
.Make effective use of the pause. Don’t necessarily pause at the end of each line.
.Develop eye contact during the reading. Adapt to your audience. Be aware of their reactions.
8. Pronounce all words correctly.
9. Stay within the 3-5 minute time limit. You may need to edit the poem if it is a long one, so edit with care so to
keep the flow and meaning.
10. Practice aloud as you prepare for this reading. Work on flow.
Prose Reading
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1. Performance should be between 3-5 minutes in length.
2. Selection should be placed in a folder you can hold easily with one hand. This leaves
the other hand free for gestures.
3.As you practice your selection. Mark your script for pauses, emphasis, character
voices and anything else that will help you have a good performance.
4. Work on different and appropriate voices for all characters including the narrator.
5. Work of different body language for each character, including the narrator.
However, don’t move around the stage during your performance.
6. Practice in front of a mirror, with an an audio recorder or video recorder.
7. Learn your selection so you can look at the audience as much as possible.
Remember: the eyes are the windows to the soul.
8. Feel free to cut character identifications as well as any long narrative portions that
do not advance the plot.
9. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.
10. Use eye movements to “see” objects, surroundings and characters in your story.
11. THE TRUE TEST OF A GOOD INTERPRETATION IS TO TAKE YOUR
AUDIENCE AWAY TO THE TIME AND PLACE OF THE STORY UNFOLDING.
3-5 minutes
Dramatic Scenes
 Select a dramatic monologue from many that
will be available to the class. Selection should be
placed in a folder you can hold easily with one
hand. This leaves the other hand free for
gestures.
 As you practice your selection, mark you script
for pauses, emphasis and anything else that will
help you have a good performance.
 Present the monologue in a compelling way.
The Job interview CDE
A. Cover Letter.
1. Write a single spaces 8 ½ “ x 11” white bond paper
letter if intent. The paper is to be single sided, block
justified using times. Times new roman or arial 12 point
min. font.
B. Resume (150 points)
1. Write a single spaced 8 ½ “ x 11” white standard bond
paper (DO NOT use cardstock, colored or specialty paper
for this event). The Resume is to be single sided only,
typed not to exceed to pages total.
2. Resume must be non-fictitious and based upon your
work history.
C. In class, the following will be competed:
1. Personal Interview
a. This will consist of an interview in front of a panel
of teacher judges. Each interview will last 5-7 min
Other information (including rubrics) will be made available to you
5-7 minutes.
Keynote Address
 A keynote address is the opening speech for a convention or gathering of
professionals in a specific career. The speaker must work within an
established theme for the convention. You will be assigned a theme, and must
create a speech related to that theme. In your introduction, welcome assigned
a theme, and be sure to name their profession. Your speech may include
touches of humor, and may be either persuasive or informative. You should,
however, end on a positive note, and offer a challenge to the participants
related to the convention theme. In the real world, a keynote address may last
as long as an hour, and therefore, requires more detailed preparation. While
your speech to the class will not be that long, you will be speaking from a
manuscript. Type or write your manuscript out, word for word, very neatly
and large enough to see easily. When speaking, simply slide the used page off
to the side to avoid shuffling your papers
After Dinner Speaking
 Many professional meetings coordinate their meal with
an entertaining or thought-provoking speaker. Your
task is to capture your audience’s attention away from
their coffee and desert. Often, audience members are
seated so that they are facing away from the speaker.
The speaker is usually above the audience on a dais. We
will try our best to recreate these conditions in the
classroom.
 3-5 minutes
Prepared Public Speaking
 Participants may choose any current subject for
their speeches, which is of an agricultural
nature. This may include Agriscience and
technology, agribusiness, agrimarketing,
international agricultural relations and
agricultural communications. Rubrics will be
provided.
 6-8 minutes
Commencement Speech
 You will deliver an address as if you were the designated speaker
representing your high school class during your graduation ceremony. For
the purpose of this assignment, consider yourself a senior no matter what
class you currently belong to. In your introduction, acknowledge the
contributions of your parents, family and teachers in guiding you towards
your diploma. In the body of your speech, refer to at least one appropriate
incident that the entire class can remember and enjoy. Be sure that it is
not an “inside” reference that only your friends would recognize. In the
conclusion, offer a challenge for the future to the members of your class.
Please be sure that you practice ahead of time, as students are often
surprised by their emotions on this particular assignment. Hopefully, this
round of speeches will be delivered in an appropriate environment, such
as the auditorium. Also, you may be expected to speak using a
microphone.
 4-5 minutes.