Public speaking

Speech skills

1. Briefly summarise the Speech skills story.
2. Why does the school in the BtN story have a special connection with `The King’s Speech’?
3. What is the film about?
4. Why has the school started a speech competition?
5. Do you think public speaking is an important skill to learn? Why or why not?
6. What impact can a powerful speech have?
7. Explain why preparation and practice are important to making a successful speech.
8. Why do you think people fear public speaking so much?
9. How do you feel about speaking in public?  Explain your answer.
10. What do you understand more clearly since watching this story?

The Behind the News story included some famous speeches. Research each speech to learn when and why the speech was made. What made them memorable/powerful speeches?

The following steps will help make public speaking more enjoyable for all.

Step 1: What is your Speech Trying to do?

Find out the purpose of the speech. Is it to entertain, to convince, to explain or to inform the audience of something. Determine how much time you will have. (5 minutes doesn’t sound like much, but can be a lifetime if you only prepared for 2 minutes.) Who is your audience? And where will you be speaking?

Step 2: Narrowing Down Your Topic

Make a list of topics you may wish to talk about. Using that list choose the best 3. From the top 3 list, write down what you know off the top of your head about each. (Having more information before researching will make things easier from the start.) Also think about what you are most passionate about. Choose the best one and stick with it. Don’t start second guessing yourself the day before the speech. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just the make it the best that you can.

Step 3: Finding Facts

Write out what you already know about the topic. Find some books that are relevant. Use the internet for additional research. I say additional because some like to only focus on the internet, but since not all sources are can be verified some of the information may not be accurate. Ask your parents for help. Interview someone on your topic.

Step 4: Go Through All the Information

Now that you have amassed a bundle of information it is time to sort through and determine what to use.

Step 5: Write It Out

Using the information from step 3, arrange the information in a logical order. You want your speech to flow smoothly.

Step 6: Adding Some Visuals

Once you have everything flowing smoothly, look for places to add in some visuals. Use pictures, charts or diagrams and keep it simple.

Step 7: Practice, Practice and Practice

Once you have finish writing out your speech, you now need to learn it. Just standing up and reading from a piece of paper or cue cards won’t cut it. You don’t need to memorize everything either. But you want everything to come out smoothly, so reading over you speech, and practicing is very important. And don’t wait for the last day. Start early.

Step 8: Relax

If you have completed steps 1 through 7 then finally presenting will be a snap. You have adequately prepared so all that is left is to take a deep breath, face your fear and speak.