Speech information

As in the past, the month of January will be used to prepare and present speeches. By now, it is hoped that you have selected a topic. You must make sure there is enough information available for you to use to write your speech. Time will be spent in the library and the computer lab to assist in the gathering of information. However, you will need to spend some time working on your speech at home. 

All students will be reading their speeches to the class February 3rd - 5th. Three students will be chosen from our class to compete in a grade level “speak off” on February 8th and this will determine who goes to the next round.

Feel free to email me with any questions- jbonter1@ugcloud.ca

Basic requirements of the speech:

1. It should be between 3 and 5 minutes when presented
2. Students choose between an informative, entertaining, or persuasive topic
3. It will be presented in class
4. The speech should be memorized. You will be allowed to use cue cards that have key points on the cards, not the entire speech. This avoids the problem of “reading” the speech

Guidelines:

1. The topic- It is helpful if your topic is one that you are interested in. Your speech may present an argument for or against a topic.
2. Researching - you should locate information from a number of sources relating to your topic. Once all the information is gathered, you should be able to organize it under smaller topics or subheadings. These subheadings or smaller topics should then be organized into logical order.
3. Writing the main body of the speech- The information from the subtopics will be put into sentences.
4. Introduction/Conclusion- You should create an introduction and conclusion for your speech. The introduction should grab the audience’s attention and clearly present the topic. Try to avoid “The topic I have chosen to speak about is…” The conclusion should remind the audience of the topic and summarize the major argument of key points.
5. Rehearsing the speech- You should rehearse the speech (probably in parts first) until you feel you can say it entirely. You should then either practice with an audience, to a mirror, or with an ipad recording yourself so you can gather information about how you sound/gestures you use. Remember to time your speech to make sure it is longer than 3 minutes and shorter than 5 minutes (you will probably read faster in front of the class).

Parental Help:

Parents can be of tremendous help when students are preparing a speech

1. They can assist with the collection of information and  possible smaller topics or subheadings. They can help interpret and explain information that students do not completely understand
2. They can listen to the speech and offer suggestions on how to make it clearer or how it can have more impact.
3. Most important, they can listen to the student’s speech and help make sure the speech is said in a clear voice, with expression and at a proper speed.