Mrs. Clark-Burnell's classes

Speech #1 -- Pet Peeves (60 seconds) (L/S Standard 2.1)

This first speech is not graded.  Every student will receive credit for trying and feedback to improve their public speaking ability.    Students will be given handouts on making eye contact and poise.  The focus is on the elements listed below:

• Eye Contact

• Poise

Assignment overview

Topic: Give a one minute speech on one of your pet peeves.  A pet peeve is something minor that really bugs you, such as people who cut in line or the squeaking sound that chalk on a chalkboard sometimes makes. Your speech can be about anything related to that pet peeve.  Perhaps you want to humorously describe the thing that drives you nuts and why it drives you nuts or explain your crazy plan to eliminate that annoyance or???

Process:  Spiral entry brainstorming ideas.  Outline it.  Write speech out (if you want to).  Make note cards with bulleted ideas to help you remember what you plan to say.  No complete sentences on note cards.

Delivery: DO NOT TAKE YOUR WRITTEN OUT SPEECH TO THE FRONT OF THE ROOM.  Only note cards are allowed (no complete sentences on note cards-- only an outline or bulleted notes).  Focus on looking at the audience and not fidgeting or slouching.

Speech #2 -- Modernize and Retell a Fable (narrative) 1 to 3 minutes

We will practice telling stories with a natural inflection to keep the audience interested.   Students will take notes on using their voice to convey enthusiasm and meaning.  This speech is graded on the elements listed below. 

• Inflection:  varying the pitch of your voice to make your story more interesting-->  this conveys enthusiasm and engages the audience
• Eye Contact with audience
• Poise:   No fidgeting!

Assignment overview

• Fable Genre   Read several fables by Aesop from the handout given in class or by visiting this website, AesopFables.com. Read at least four fables.  Then ask yourself:  what do they all have in common?  Create your own list of characteristics of a fable; record class notes on fables in your spiral notebook.  Definition of a fable
• Modernize a Fable:  Choose an existing fable and give it a modern twist.  Brainstorm how you will alter the following literary elements to make it seem like it takes place today in our community.
  • characters, 
  • setting, 
  • dialogue,
  • or a portion of the conflict 

• Print or write out the original fable in your spiral notebook, then brainstorm ways to modernize it.  Finally, write out in paragraph for your modernized version of the older fable.
• Retell your Modernized Fable:  For a speaking grade, retell your modernized fable to the class.  
• Reflection Form

Speech #3 -- "Debate" (3 minutes)  (L/S Standard 2.1)

Debates are out loud versions of a persuasive essay.  Students will be graded on presenting clear arguments, counter-arguments, and  rebuttals.

Assignment overview

• Class reviews what arguments, counter-arguments, and rebuttals are
• Class brainstorms possible debate topics
• Choose teams
• Teams rank debate topics & find another team to debate against them
• Fill out "Preparing for a Debate" form and do research to support your reasons/arguments. THIS LINK ISN'T WORKING FOR SOME REASON-- THIS FORM IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE "WRITING-NONFICTION Page"-- CLICK ON PERSUASION LINK-- it is underlined.
• Debate in class w/ peer feedback

Speech #4-- Terrific Experience (90 seconds) (L/S Standard 2.1)

This speech is graded on the elements listed below.  Students will be given a handout on using gestures to add meaning to their speech.

• Eye Contact
• Poise
• Inflection
• Gestures

Assignment overview

Topic: 

Process:  

Delivery: Same as above. 

Speech #5 --Report of Information (Expository) Speech  (L/S Standard 2.3)

Turn your research paper into an informative speech

• Rubric Created by Students

• Eye Contact
• Poise/movement/gestures
• Voice:  Projection (volume), Articulation/enunciation, Colorization (inflection), Pace (tempo--not too slow, not too fast)
• Strong Introduction & Conclusion
• Crediting Sources
• Transitions

Speech #6 -- Persuasive Presentation  (L/S Standard 2.4)

Turn one of your persuasive essays into a speech

• Eye Contact
• Poise/movement/gestures
• Voice:  Projection (volume), Articulation/ enunciation, Colorization (inflection), Pace ( tempo--not too slow, not too fast)
• Strong Introduction & Conclusion
• Crediting Sources
• Transitions
• Acknowledging Counter-arguments
• Rebutting Counter-arguments (i.e. using rebuttals)

OPTIONAL:  Speech #7 -- Impromptu Speeches (2-3 minutes)