A SUCCESSFUL SPEECH

1 Time

Speeches should be about three minutes. This is the guideline. Students will lose one point per second over the time limit. Please take note, students will not be penalized for speeches given below the time limit.

 

2 Speech Style

   Informative…   give information, give new ideas, teach new methods

   Persuasive …   persuade someone to agree with your opinion or ideas

 

3 Topics

Find a topic that is interesting to you. It may be about something you know well or an experience you would like to share with others. Avoid topics that would take a long time to research or you are uncertain about.

Remember: You should feel comfortable with your topic. It’s a part of you.

 

4 Delivery

Delivery is very important. It plays a big part of your speech. The easiest thing to do can also be the hardest to achieve. RELAX

 

             Eye contact: Look at your listeners. Sometimes this makes the speaker uncomfortable.        Another easy concept may be to look at the top of the listeners’ heads. This gives the look of eye contact, and may be more comfortable for the speaker.

        Try not to concentrate on one place. Try moving your eyes from left to right-head movement.

         *Don’t forget to look at the people sitting directly in front of you.

 

        Head gestures: Hands gestures show how the speaker feels. Keep the fingers loose. Don’t keep the arm down to your side. Use the hands to emphasize the speech. For example: Hold your hand up when counting, pointing, etc.

 

        Body gestures: Stand on two feet. Don’t lean on your left side then switch over to the right side. Try not to sway your body from side to side. Keep your head up.

 

        Projection: Speak clearly. Let the people in the back of the room enjoy your speech. Speak with a rhythm. Stay away from monotone sentences unless necessary to the speech. Use your voice for different tone levels. If the speech is sad, your voice should show it.

 

        Face: SMILE! Remember. We are your friends. Smile. Don’t be afraid.

 

5 Language

     Sometimes it’s necessary to use a dictionary. But remember. A dictionary uses words that may be too difficult to say. Use words that are a little easier to pronounce.

   For example: transform→change  If a word is too difficult to say, perhaps you should choose an easier one.

 

6 Introduction

   There are several ways to open a speech. The introduction to a speech is important. This tells the listeners what the speech is going to be about.

   Here are a few ways to introduce your speech:

   *Ask a question-make it interesting. For example: What does ‘friendship’ mean to you?

   *Make a statement-unusual, surprising or startling. For Example: Karen is a normal three years old, except for one thing. She is a victim of child abuse.

   *Humor-a joke or a funny statement. For Example: What does ten letter word start with GAS? The answer is AUTOMOBILE. And this year it looks like the prices will be going up again.

   *Example-an example gives a picture of the topic. For example: Anne, age four died from a gunshot wound. He six-year-old brother found the gun... This speech is about gun control.

   *Body-keep an order. Don’t jump around so much.

 

7 Conclusion

   This is just as important as the introduction. The conclusion should briefly go over what the speech was about. The conclusion should be more than three or four sentences. Using words like ‘Finally...’ ‘In conclusion...’ ‘As I have told you...’ would tell the listeners that the speech is almost finished. Be careful not to add new ideas in the conclusion.

 

8 Practice

   “Practice makes perfect.” Practice is the only way to help you feel confident with your speech. Try these ideas:

   *Say your speech in front of a mirror. Watch yourself. Are you smiling? Do you look nervous?

   *Record your speech. Listen to it. Does it sound natural? Was it loud enough? Was it too fast? Was it too slow? Were you able to understand every word you said?

   *Practice your speech in front of your family, friends, teachers or classmates.

 

9 Scoring

   Here are the guidelines the judges will be using for scoring the speeches:

   Content: 100 points

   Delivery: 100 points

   Pronunciation: 100 points

      Total: 300 points

 

*Minus one point per second over three minutes.

If the speech is three minutes and 15 seconds long, you will lose 15 points.