Guest Speaker; Benefits of Speaking Publicly

We have a guest speaker today from Geva. Please welcome her and participate in the workshop.

EQ: Why learn to publicly speak?

• Oral communication skills are useful (and required) in public and business careers.
• Getting hired requires you to speak effectively and skillfully to others.
• Learning the process of creating and delivering a speech gives a person more confidence.
• Learning to write and deliver speeches helps develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Learning to write and deliver speeches helps a person build better verbal and nonverbal skills.
• Public speaking skills help you communicate and influence your world.
• Public speaking builds leadership skills.
• Delivering a speech helps you overcome a fear of public speaking.

Toastmasters Video

Want to compete in speaking? Talk to Ms. Gamzon about joining the speech and debate club.

Last class you were asked to:

1. identify a subject on which to write a speech.
2. identify a PURPOSE for your speech (do you want to inform, persuade, or entertain?)
3. create a THESIS for your speech
4. research your topic/subject and support your thesis
5. write an outline for your speech
6. write the first draft of a speech

Before we go any further, please watch this video on the subject:
How to Write an Effective Speech

When we write a speech prepare to do a little research on your topic. Make sure you write down and note the source (title, webpage, author, etc.) so that you can refer back to it. You MUST give credit to ideas that are not yours! This is citation, and is expected in formal, academic, and non-fiction writing.

Ideas on how to create an effective opening introduction:

• How to gain the audiences attention, arouse interest, and excite the curiosity of your listeners:
• Refer to the purpose. Why are you speaking? 
• Compliment the audience (if appropriate)
• Open with a story or anecdote
• Refer to current events or a recent incident familiar to your audience
• Use a quotation and a brief explanation how the quote connects to your topic/subject
• Open with a creative idea or striking statement that makes listeners curious
• Ask a pertinent and challenging RHETORICAL question. (Don't expect your audience to answer!)
• Combine these techniques in various ways.

With time remaining today, please go to the lab and polish your introduction.

HOMEWORK: Please read the handout materials/packet for the play Wait Until Dark. Make sure you turn in your permission slips to attend the field trip by tomorrow: Friday, September 19! If you have not written a first draft of a speech, please complete this assignment for next class. We will be writing conclusions, practicing and workshopping our speeches next class!