speak up, speak out!

Speak Up, Speak Out!

Casey Scarborough County Extension Agent

Yell County Extension Service

Speak Up, Speak Out

• Research skills

• Writing skills

• Speaking skills

• Gain confidence

Speak Up, Speak Out!

• A 4-H program of the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service designed to:

– Help you improve your public speaking abilities

– Provide a format for you to gain confidence in your ability to communicate

Speak Up, Speak Out

A Public Speaking Contest

Session I: Instruction on public speaking

Session II: Your classroom competitions

Session III: School competitions by grade

Session IV: County Speak Up competition

Contest Rules:

1. 7th & 8th grade students only

2. Speeches must be original!

3. Speeches should be 2 – 5 minutes

4. No visual aids are allowed

Contest Awards & Prizes

• Certificates for all participants

• Top 5 per class- Rosette Ribbons

• Top 4 per grade- T-Shirts

• Top 5 in county- Engraved plaques

• 1st place in county- $50 Savings Bond

• School team award- Engraved plaque

Speech Writing

Basics of Speech Writing

I. Choose an interesting topic

II. Research your topic

III. Organize your speech (3 main parts)

IV. Make an outline of main points

V. Develop main points & ideas

Choosing A Topic

• Must be interesting or important to YOU!!!

• Provide information to the audience

• Stir the emotions

• Provide public awareness

Research Your Topic

• Look for alternative view points• Use this information in writing your speech • Use a variety of reputable resources

– Library– Internet– Journals– Teachers, Practitioners, Personal Experience– Government Agencies

• Cull information heavily

Internet Sources

• U of A Extension web site www.uaex.edu click on publications

• Yell County Extension web site www.uaex.edu/yell

• Library of Congress loc.gov

• Other web sites with extension of .edu or .gov

Speech Organization

I. IntroductionA. Get the audiences attention

B. Give a sneak preview

II. Body of the SpeechA. Main Point # 1

B. Main Point # 2

C. Main Point # 3

III. Conclusion or Summary

Get Their Attention!

• Ask a question

• Tell a story

• Give a quotation

• Refer to the audience

• Tell a joke

• Draw a mental picture

The Sneak Preview

• Make sure your introduction relates to the overall theme of the speech

• Identify the topic or subject quickly

• Introduction should flow easily into body

The Body of the Speech Must:

• Be well planned

• Adequately cover the topic

• Not include too many points

• Use facts to back up your statements

Rules for Main Points

• All points develop or support a central idea

• Develop 3-5 main ideas

• Main points should be complete thoughts

• Each main point covers only one idea

• Main points should be parallel

An Effective Conclusion

• Hint that the speech is about to end!– “In conclusion. . .”– “In closing. . . .”

• Summarize quickly (have it planned out)

• Leave an impression– Call for action– Tie back to the opening– End with a challenge

Speech Delivery

Keys to Public Speaking

1. Verbal communication

2. Non-verbal communication

3. Self confidence

4. Preparedness

Verbal Communication

• Volume:– Consider room size and acoustics– Try to speak loudly, but not deafening– Consider background noise

• Rate:– Slow down– Tendency to speak too fast– Use pauses for transition and effect

• Clarity:– Know how to pronounce all words in the speech– Make an effort to speak clearly

Verbal Communication (continued)

• Quality– Tone & Pitch– Avoid sounding monotone

• Direction– Face the audience– Project your voice

• Use a Dynamic & Energetic voice • Vary rate and volume

• Work to avoid fillers & repetitive words such as “uh, um, well, you know”

An Effective Speaker Will. . . .

Speak with confidence and authoritySpeak with expression and sinceritySpeak loudly enough to be heardAvoid stammeringUse good vocabulary Use correct pronunciation and enunciation

Non-verbal Communication

• Appearance– Dress appropriately– School clothes for school contest,– Church clothes for County Contest

• Motions or gestures– Use subtle gestures – Avoid distracting movements

• Facial expressions– Smile or nod– What is the tone of your speech?

Non-Verbal Communication (continued)

• Gathering– Collect thoughts

– Make sure judges & audience are ready

• Listen to your audience– Look for signals from the audience

• Position & Posture– Don’t hide behind podium

– Maintain good posture

Practice Makes Perfect

• Practice the speech out loud

• Practice at least 6 times

• Rehearse in front of family or friends

• Video tape your practice sessions

• Include tone & gestures when practicing

• Use different voice pitches

Overcoming Fear of Public Speaking

• Prepare well

• Organize

• Keep simple

• Practice at least 6 times

• Know audience

• Dress well

• Take every opportunity to speak

A Few Last Pointers

• Be considerate of your audience

• Know your opening statement well

• Don’t rely on notes or read your speech

• Maintain eye contact

• Use body language effectively

• Handle mistakes naturally & keep going!

• Practice, Practice, Practice