Digital @ The Arts Unit Creative Classes

The power of public speaking

Introducing public speaking and prepared speeches

Student public speaking resource developed by The Arts Unit

Years 3 to 6 public speaking

About

What will I learn?

You will:

  • define public speaking and explore public speaking examples

  • identify types of speeches

  • reflect on the elements of a prepared speeches

  • organise your ideas

  • practise your own prepared speech.

Before you begin

You will need:

  • an ideas notebook and a pen or pencil

  • palm cards or pieces of paper.

What is public speaking?

Before we start exploring the world of public speaking let's see what you already know!

Think about the following 3 questions:

  1. What is public speaking?

  2. What does it mean when we talk about the 'purpose' of a speech?

  3. Should all public speakers be the same? Why or why not?

Write down your answers.

Select the 3 collapsible text boxes below to reveal the answers!

  1. What is public speaking?

Public speaking is when you speak in front of an audience.

It's more formal than everyday conversations. For example, the speaker usually talks to an audience (without being interrupted) in a structured way.

2. What does it mean when we talk about the 'purpose' of a speech?

The purpose of a speech is the reason why you're speaking. In other words, it's what you are trying to communicate with the audience.

For example, you might want to:

  • inform them about a topic

  • persuade (convince) them of your point of view

  • make them feel sympathetic about an issue.

This is your purpose.

3. Should all public speakers be the same? Why or why not?

All speakers will be a bit different in their style and presentation. What they say and how they say it will depend on the:

  • personality of the speaker

  • experience of the speaker

  • content of the speech (what their speech is about)

  • purpose of the speech.

Public speaking in the real world

Public speaking isn't just something you have to do in school! It's actually pretty common. Let's think about times people might need to do public speaking during their lifetime.

Task 1

Think of times you might need to do public speaking. List as many as you can!

When you're finished, compare your list with other classmates and discuss.

Task 2

Now let's think of some jobs that require public speaking. List as many as you can!

As a group or a class, combine your lists and see how many you can think of!

Task 1 example answers

When you might need to do public speaking:

  • public speaking competition at school

  • sharing your ideas in a front of a group

  • talking in front the class

  • presenting at school assembly

  • in a debate

  • presenting a project.

Task 2 example answers

Jobs that involve public speaking

  • teachers speaking in class

  • lawyers presenting in court

  • politicians speaking in parliament

  • business people presenting at staff meetings

  • television/video presenters, radio/podcast hosts and news readers

  • celebrants at a wedding or a funeral

  • environmental activists speaking at a rally

  • ministers, priests or other religious leaders preaching in places of worship

  • officials presenting at award ceremonies or on important days (such as ANZAC day)

  • university professors presenting to students

...and many, many more!

Task 3

Scroll through the image carousel below and select 3 images to analyse. For each picture you've selected, discuss:

  • where is this speech happening?

  • why is the person speaking (what is their purpose)?

  • who might the audience be?

  • what might the speaker be saying?

  • what sort of language would they be using (for example: formal, casual, technical)?

Why is public speaking a good skill to learn?

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.

  1. Discuss: why do you think it's important to learn how to speak in public?

  2. Public speaking can help you develop lots of important skills! Can you guess what some of them are? Write down as many as you can think of.

After you have written your list (for question 2), check the list below by selecting the drop-down.

Public speaking can help you learn to:

  • speak clearly

  • organise your thoughts in a logical way

  • express ideas with confidence

  • develop your imagination

  • learn about new and interesting topics

  • consider different points of view and opinions

  • use your voice, body language and words to communicate

  • keep an audience interested in what you are saying.

Types of speeches

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).

Both speeches have a time limit and are delivered in front of an audience. Speakers are judged on how well they communicate their ideas to the audience.

Prepared speeches

You will have plenty of time to prepare and practise this speech.

Timing: approximately 3-5 minutes

Topics: You might have to write your speech around a topic, or it might be free choice.

What adjudicators are looking for: they will be looking at the 3 Ms – matter, manner and method.

Impromptu speeches

You will get about 5 minutes to prepare for this speech.

Timing: approximately 1-2 minutes

Topics: You will be given a broad topic (for example: 'choices') to base your speech on.

What adjudicators are looking for: they know that these speeches won't be as well prepared, just try to do your best and focus on developing an idea related to the topic!

How public speaking competitions work

Task

Many public speaking events are organised like the event shown in the photo.

Examine the photo.

See if you can find:

  • the speaker

  • other contestants

  • the chairperson

  • the adjudicators

  • the audience

Image of public speaking event showing the speaker on stage, the other contestants sitting next to speaker, the chairperson sitting with other contestants, the adjudicators sitting in front of audience, audience sitting in front of speaker

Now match each group to their definition?

Which group:

  • introduces each speaker and the topic of the speech.

  • listens and mentally responds to the speaker.

  • delivers their speech to the audience.

  • evaluates the speeches. At the end of a competition, these people decide the winner. One will announce the winner and gives general comments on the speeches.

  • listen respectfully to the speaker.

Answers

  1. The speaker... delivers their speech to the audience.

  2. The other contestants... listen respectfully to the speaker.

  3. The chairperson... introduces each speaker and the topic of the speech.

  4. The team of adjudicators... evaluate the speeches. At the end of a competition, these people decide the winner. One will announce the winner and gives general comments on the speeches.

  5. The audience... listen and mentally responds to the speaker.

A prepared speech

A prepared speech – as the name suggests – is a speech that you've had time to prepare for. This means that adjudicators (the judges) expect you to have strong, well thought-out ideas. They will also expect that your prepared speech will be better rehearsed as you've had time to practise.

When we discuss a speech (and when adjudicators judge a speech!) we look at something called the 3 Ms.

Let's dive more into this below!

The 3 Ms: matter, manner, method

What are the 3 Ms?

The 3 Ms are the 3 things we focus on when we judge or discuss a speech. They are:

  • 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 matter if you want your speech to be really effective.

Let's take a closer look at each of the 3 Ms below.

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.

  • Matter matters the most!

  • 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 (for example: the environment), try and find a fresh and interesting way to talk about it!

Watch the video Tips for matter to learn more!

Tips for matter

Duration: 01:17

Manner

Manner is what you look and sound like when you give your speech. In other words, your mannerisms.

When we talk about manner, we think about how the speaker uses their voice, face (expressions) and body (movements, hand gestures) to communicate clearly with the audience.

Watch the video Tips for manner to find out more!

After watching the video select each of the 3 drop down boxes to reveal some important information about matter.

Voice – think about ...

Volume: are you speaking loudly or softly?

Clarity: are you mumbling or easy to hear?

Tone: are you speaking with a serious tone, a joking tone or something else?

Body – think about ...

Stance: are you swaying, standing very still or standing in a nice and relaxed way?

Movement: are you using big gestures, regular gestures or do you not move at all while you are speaking?

Face – think about ...

Expression: are you over-acting and making exaggerated expressions, are you speaking with some expression or is your face not moving at all?

Eye contact: are you looking at your palm cards the whole time, do you look up a little bit, or look at the audience a lot?

Method

Method is how you structure or organise your speech. It's similar to how you might write a text: with an introduction, middle and conclusion!

Speeches are similar to writing; your structure will depend on the purpose of your speech (whether you want to inform, persuade or entertain your audience).

However, there are a few things speakers should and shouldn't do! After watching the video select each of the 3 drop down boxes to find out more.

Introduction (beginning)

Don't: start with "Hi, my name is... and I'm going to talk about..."

Do: Start with something interesting to engage your audience! A relevant joke, story, fact or anecdote are good ways to start.

Middle

Don't: Talk about too many different ideas in your speech. A speech shouldn't be a list of random thoughts or facts.

Do: include about 2-3 arguments or ideas that are interesting and relevant to your topic.

Conclusion (end)

Don't: end with "thank you for listening."

Do: end with a powerful phrase or sentence that leaves your audience interested. It's even better if it links back to your introduction!

WAGOLL (What a good one looks like)

Let's look at 2 prepared speeches from the 2020 NSW Multicultural Perspectives Public Speaking Finals. These speeches were presented via live video to a panel of adjudicators. They are both great examples of a prepared speech and can be used to describe WAGOLL (what a good one looks like)!

Make sure you think about the 3 Ms as you watch each prepared speech.

What did Flynn and Olivia do well? Think about:

  • Manner (what was good about their voice, stance, gestures, expression and eye contact?)

  • Matter (what makes the speech interesting to listen to?)

  • Method (did the order make sense, did the speech have a clear beginning, middle and end?)

You might like to discuss what you liked about each speech in pairs or small groups.

Reflecting on your strengths and goals

In order to become a great public speaker, you need to take time to reflect on what you are already good at and what you need to work on to become even better.

Describe 2 different times you have given a speech to an audience. Make sure you explain when and why you were speaking. What did you talk about?

Consider your public speaking skills. Write down:

  • What your strengths are, what you do well and what you feel confident about.

  • Some things you would like to improve upon.

Record a speech

Write a speech on your favourite topic then record yourself (or ask a family member or friend to record you) presenting the speech. This can be at home or at school. Aim to speak for 3-4 minutes.

Consider the 3 Ms

Watch the video of yourself presenting your speech and write down what you notice. Make sure you think about each of the 3 Ms. For each 'M' give yourself 2 stars and a wish (2 things you did well, and 1 thing you would like to work on).

  • Manner: how was your stance, voice projection, expression and gestures?

  • Matter: was it interesting, did it have a clear purpose, was it engaging?

  • Method: was it easy to understand, did the speech flow and make sense?

Discuss

You can share your reflections with your teacher. You might also want to compare your reflections with a classmate and discuss what you both noticed.

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:

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