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Discover how 'matter' impacts public speaking
Discover how 'matter' impacts public speaking
Student public speaking resource developed by The Arts Unit
Years 3 to 6 public speaking
What will I learn?
What will I learn?
You will:
discover the importance of matter in public speaking
brainstorm speech topics
investigate personal and world perspectives in a speech
organise your ideas
practise your own prepared speech.
Before you begin
Before you begin
You will need:
an ideas notebook and a pen or pencil
palm cards or pieces of paper.
Review
Review
Public speaking is when you speak in front of an audience. Some examples of when you might need to do public speaking include; talking in front of the class, in a debate, presenting a project or participating in a public speaking competition at school.
It's more formal than everyday conversations. For example, the speaker usually talks to an audience (without being interrupted) in a structured way.
Some people love to talk and some people can't think of anything worse than public speaking! Even though it can sometimes be scary, public speaking is a great opportunity because it gives you a chance to communicate your ideas, knowledge or opinions to a large group of people.
Every year, hundreds of students take part in public speaking competitions in NSW schools. Some students go on to compete in local district, regional, state and national finals. At public speaking events, students make 2 speeches:
a prepared speech (which they have rehearsed)
an impromptu speech (a speech made up on the day, based around a surprise topic).
When we discuss a speech (and when adjudicators judge a speech) we look at something called the 3 Ms:
Matter is what you say
Manner is how you say it
Method is the structure of a speech.
In public speaking, the most important element is matter. Matter matters most!
However, it is also important to have good manner and method if you want your speech to be really effective.
In this class we are going to explore matter in depth.
Let's get started!
Matter
Matter
Matter is what you say in your speech. It's the words, stories, ideas and examples you use to explain your topic to the audience.
Watch the video Matter to learn more!
Matter
Duration: 01:17Clarify anything that came up in the video that you don't fully understand.
In a group or individually, discuss and answer the questions:
What is 'matter'?
Why is it important to have a point of view?
Why should you avoid writing a speech that's exactly like an information report? How could you improve it?
Should your whole speech only include personal stories? Why or why not?
Select each of the 4 drop down boxes to reveal some important information about matter.
Matter matters the
most! You can have fantastic manner and method, but if a speech is on a boring topic (or if it doesn't make sense!) it will not be a great speech.
Each speech should have
a purpose (or goal). In a speech you could entertain, persuade or inform your audience.
For example, if your topic was about the importance of recycling, your purpose would be to persuade the audience to recycle more.
Talk about something that
matters to you! When you have a platform to speak uninterrupted in front of others, it should be valued and used wisely. Public speaking is a chance for students to express something they are passionate about – this is why matter matters most!
Make your speech
unique and interesting! If you're talking about a common topic (e.g. the environment), try and find a fresh and interesting way to talk about it!
Coming up with your topic
Coming up with your topic
If you have the opportunity to come up with your own topic for a speech it can be difficult to know where to start!
When you pick a topic, don't forget to 'PIP' – pick something you are Passionate about, something that is Interesting, and something that is Purposeful.
Passionate: is this something you are genuinely interested in or passionate about?
(select the drop down arrow for more info)
The audience can tell straight away if you are not interested in your own topic. When you are public speaking you have an opportunity to entertain, excite and perhaps even persuade the people in front of you. Don't waste this opportunity and spend your time reciting facts to your audience.
Think, what do you love? What do you think is really interesting to talk about? Is it something from history or science? Is it something that is happening right now in the world? The sky is your limit!
Interesting: is this topic unique or interesting? If it's a common topic, do I have a new and interesting perspective?
(select the drop down arrow for more info)
Start by thinking "Have I heard someone else make this speech before?" If the answer is yes, you should pick a different topic or find another way to talk about it.
For example, if you'd like to talk about the environment, find a new angle. Perhaps you've heard about some fantastic new technology that helps the environment. Or, you could discuss how certain things (such as a pandemic, major events or natural disasters like bushfires) might affect the environment.
Purpose: does it have a purpose or direction?
(select the drop down arrow for more info)
Do you want to persuade your audience, entertain them or make them think about something a bit differently?
For example, don't just talk about your favourite sport because you love it. Find a purpose – why should your audience be interested in this topic? Your purpose could be:
to encourage people to play this sport over other sports
to explain how this sport improves teamwork skills
to describe how this particular sport has evolved through history and why it has changed over time.
Topic brainstorms
Topic brainstorms
Super circle brainstorm
Super circle brainstorm
Participate in a super circle brainstorm by completing the following 8 steps:
Step 1
On a piece of paper draw a Venn diagram
(2 circles that over-lap).
See picture for an example.
Step 2
Label the first circle 'things I am passionate about'
Label the second circle 'things that are interesting to talk about'.
Where it overlaps, label that section 'both'.
Step 3
Set a timer for 5 minutes. Get ready to write down as many ideas as you can.
Organise your ideas as you go by putting them in the correct section or circle.
Passionate circle: things you're really interested in (but may not make a super interesting speech).
Interesting circle: things that are interesting (but you're not really passionate about).
Both section: It's interesting and something you're passionate about!
Step 4
Go! Write down as many ideas as you can in 5 minutes.
Hint: it's okay if it's messy – cross out ideas and move them if you need to!
Step 5
Phew! Okay, after you take a few seconds, review the both section and think about ones that could have a clear purpose.
For example: Assistance dogs might be something you are passionate about and you think it will make an interesting speech topic. Can you think of a good purpose for that topic? Yes! Your purpose could be to encourage more people to sponsor assistance dogs or to get involved in training an assistance dog.
Step 6
If something is in the both column and has a clear purpose give it a tick, highlight or circle it.
Step 7
Have a good think about the ideas you highlighted in the both section. From there, pick your favourite ... you've got your winning topic!
Bonus step 8
Before you finish, review your two other circles.
Is there anything in the interesting circle that you'd actually like to learn more about (and might become passionate about)?
Is there anything in the passionate circle that actually could be interesting if you found a good angle? If so, give these ones an asterisk or use a different colour highlighter. These might be something to come back to in the future.
Engaging topics
Engaging topics
Making sure your speech is unique
Sometimes in public speaking, everyone is asked to talk about the same topic.
Other times, you might get to choose your own topic.
How do you make it stand out; how do you make a speech unique?
Depending on the situation, you can either:
pick a unique and unusual topic, or
find a new and interesting perspective for a common topic.
Watch the video Engaging your audience to hear more about making your topic unique.
Engaging your audience
Duration: 2:34Watch the following 2 speech examples.
Discuss how both Tanisha and Lara presented a unique speech on the topic multiculturalism.
Tanisha Chari – Colour-blindness
Duration: 4:30Lara Lawson – Australia on the screen
Duration: 4:20Task 1
Task 1
In a small group or individually, think about the broad topic of technology.
Brainstorm some unique and interesting speech ideas for this topic? Write them down.
Task 2
Task 2
This time, complete the task in pairs or individually.
Brainstorm as many interesting and unique ideas as you can for the topic 'Better together'.
Making connections
Making connections
Personal perspectives and world perspectives
One handy way to elaborate on your speech is to look at a topic from a personal perspective then zoom out to a world perspective.
Or, you could look at an issue from a global perspective before zooming in on how it affects you and your world.
Task 1
Task 1
Watch the 2 speeches by Sophie and Zachary.
Discuss: did they use more than one perspective? What did they say?
Think: did they zoom out into a world perspective, or zoom in to a personal perspective?
Sophie Worner Tomlinson – Belonging
Duration: 03:39Zachary Mu – What makes a community?
Duration: 03:07Task 2
Task 2
How can we make connections?
Use the theme 'The future', brainstorm ideas of personal thoughts, stories and ideas.
Pick one of the ideas as an example. For example: In the future I'd like to be a scientist (personal).
Think about how this could also be discussed in a broader sense. For example: Learning about STEM subjects is the way of the future (broader, world view).
Discuss what the purpose of this speech could be. For example: The importance of teaching STEM subjects.
Repeat this task again with a different idea or topic.
Task 3
Task 3
Think of your own experiences
Have a go at coming up with a few personal links for the topic 'Stories'. You could write down your favourite story, a memory about telling stories or something else completely!
Pick your favourite idea and think about how it links to the broader world (for example: the importance of being read bedtime stories, or how books become commercial by getting turned into movies).
You might like to share your ideas in pairs or small groups.
Balancing act
Balancing act
Your speech shouldn't be a whole narrative, nor should it sound like you are reading an information report. You need a bit of both!
Speeches are a balancing act. You could ...
start with a relevant story before explaining how something (related to that story) works.
start with some information then explain your opinion.
start with a story then use that to persuade the audience on a matter.
start with some interesting facts, link the facts to a story, then end with a persuasive argument!
The opportunities are endless!
Using a balance of methods in your speech helps keep the audience engaged and also helps you meet the purpose of your speech.
Watch Romany's speech. Notice how she uses both facts and personal stories in her speech.
Discuss, why is this effective? Why can it be a good thing to do in your speech?
Romany Janssens – Kids can make a difference
Duration: 03:33Finding your purpose
Finding your purpose
We've talked a little bit about how important it is for your speech to have a purpose. Your purpose is the reason you are giving the speech. Some examples could be to:
persuade the audience to drive less and walk more
become aware of the risks of using social media when you're too young
encourage the audience to explore and try new cuisines
learn about the origins of the Olympic Games and how it has changed the world
consider the benefits of including more art and music in schools.
Task 1
Task 1
1. Watch the video and listen out for 2 tips from champion speaker Himaja Dave.
2. Discuss: why is it important to choose a topic that you care about?
Being aware of your purpose – Himaja Dave
Duration: 01:04Task 2
Task 2
Watch the following speech by Josie Birtles.
Describe: what was the student's purpose?
Explain: how did you know what their purpose was?
Josie Birtles – Getting a multicultural education
Duration: 04:55Practise in a group
Practise in a group
In small groups, take turns presenting a prepared speech to your group.
If you are at home, have a go at recording yourself (or ask someone to record you). Video your prepared speech and watch back the video for reflection, You might also like to share your video with your classmates online.
After you present, reflect on your own performance and give yourself
'2 stars and a wish' (2 things you think you did really well and 1 thing you would like to improve upon).
Congratulations!
You have completed this Digital @ The Arts Unit Creative Class
You are on your way to becoming a great public speaker!
To investigate public speaking in more detail and explore a range of skills building activities you might like to complete these Creative Classes:
Third-party content attributions
Third-party content attributions
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