Introduction to Speech Contest

Part 1:

Overcoming Fear

Most People Feel Anxiety

What kids fear the most...

• Snakes• New situations• Public speaking

Why Are You Afraid?

• Everyone is staring at you

•Lack of experience

•Feelings of strangeness

•Fear of embarrassment

•Fear of looking stupid in front of others

•Fear that your mind will go blank

Five Steps to Overcome Fear

1. Be well prepared2. Practice3. Have a backup4. Reduce fear of your audience5. Relax yourself

1. Be Well Prepared (1)

Leave nothing to chance

• Lay out your strategy

• Ensure all material is ready

• Make contingency plans

1. Be Well Prepared (2)

Know your material

•know exactly what you are going to talk about

•have a good outline of facts and information

2. Practice Your Speech (1)

Practice alonemany times

speak out loud speak looking into a mirror stand in the corner record your practice

2. Practice Your Speech (2)

Practice beforefriends and family gets you closer to the "real world" of speaking to a group

even one person is good for this type of practice

3. Have A Backup

3. Have a backup, in case you forget what you want to say.

3. Have A Backup in Case You ForgetPrepare a "safety net"

Outline your speech• use note cards• Referring to notes is generally acceptable, as long as you are not reading your speech.

You may never even use your notes, but they can reduce the “butterflies”.

4. Reduce Fear of Audience (3)

Positive approach

the audience is usually on your side

they want to hear what you have to say

it is just like talking to your friends

5. Relax (1)

Relax yourself just before you speak.

Use an Outline• Introduction (attention)

Attention Getter –quotation, startling fact, unusual statement, question, humor Topic – focus of your speech Relevant-make it important to the audience Credibility- it happened to me Thesis & Preview – preview your 3-main points

• Main point 1 - Why is this important Reason 1 Unusual facts, lively details Anecdote –(personal experience, mini story, examples)

• Main point 2 - What do you think? Why? How? Reason 2 Unusual facts, lively details Anecdote –(personal experience, mini story)

• Main point 3 - "How great it would be if..." Reason 3 Unusual facts, lively details Anecdote –(personal experience, mini story)

Conclusion - (action) "This is what we have to do..." Action 1- Last chance to let the audience know what you think. Review Main points Clincher

Grade Sheet

• Introduction (attention) 15 points

• Main point 1 25 points

• Main point 2 25 points

• Main point 3 25 points

• Conclusion - ( call to action) 10 points -----------

Total 100 points

IntroductionBegin with an attention getter:

The attention-getter is designed to capture the interest of the audience and to motivate them to listen attentively for the next several minutes. Some of the more common ones include using a story, a rhetorical question, or a quotation.

Begin with a story:

One dark summer night in 1849, a young woman in her 20's left Bucktown, Maryland, and followed the North Star. What was her name? Harriet Tubman. She went back some 19 times to rescue her fellow slaves. And as James Blockson relates in a 1984 issue of National Geographic, by the end of her career, she had a $40,000.00 price on her head. This was quite a compliment from her enemies.

Introduction

Begin with a quotation:

If the quote is from a well-known source begin with the author first. If from an unknown or obscure source begin with the quote first.

Example:

"No day dawns for the slave, nor is it looked for. It is all night--night forever . . . ." This quote was taken from Jermain Loguen, a fugitive who was the son of his Tennessee master and a slave woman.

Introduction

Begin with an unusual statement:

"Follow the drinking gourd. That's what I said, friend, follow the drinking gourd." This phrase was used by slaves as a coded message to mean the Big Dipper, which revealed the North Star, and pointed toward freedom.

Introduction

Begin with a question to arouse curiosity.

■ Have you ever stood in a freezing river at 5 o'clock in the morning by choice?

■ Have you ever heard of a railroad with no tracks, with secret stations, and whose conductors were considered criminals?

Introduction

Introduction

Begin with a shocking statistic:

Today, John Elway's talents are worth millions, but in 1840 the price of a human life, a slave, was worth $1,000.00.

Introduction to Speech Contest

Part 2:

Choose a Topic

Katie Houvener

Cypress Ridge Elementary

How to Find a Topic?

• Tip #1: Look in your room at home for things or objects that hold a special memory or remind you of a story, goal a wish, ambition or achievement.

•Tip #2: Talk about something or someone you feel passionate about.

How to Find a Topic?

• Think about a person who has touched your life or many other lives.

•What special or unusual experiences have you had?

•What are your hobbies?

•What would you like to know more about?

How to Find a Topic?•Often information speeches are about objects that focus on things existing in the world: people, places, things, animals or products.

• Information speeches can focus on events: World Series, Super Bowl, President inauguration, Ground Hog’s Day, birthday, funeral, wedding.

• Also Information speeches can focus on concepts: ideas, beliefs, and theories.

List of Topic Ideas:

• Treasured possession

• Favorite trip• Favorite family vacation• Favorite pet• Family member• Family tradition• Favorite pet story• Unusual landmark• Favorite place

COMPOSITION:Categories Meaning

Choice of Material original and unique

Effective Introduction captures attention and indicates the topic

Effective body or main portion of speech

a logical and smooth flow of material

Use of language effective selection, combination and use of words

Effective conclusion summarizes material and concludes effectively, not too abrupt

Presentation MeaningAudience Bond maintains eye contact with

audience

Delivery appears relaxed, delivery is fluent and smooth

Pronunciation correct

Articulation clear, easy to understand

Volume appropriate volume level throughout speech

Speed speaker speaks at a speed that can be easily understood, varies speed and uses pauses effectively