UPper School Speech and Debate

What is Scholarship and Feedback with regards to Speech and Debate?  

Scholarship of speech and debate reflects a student's ability to turn work in on time and to actively listen, take notes, and behave as a scholar during class.  Feedback is a grade specific to speech and debate.  It is the active commenting upon speeches and debates of others.  It requires active listening and critique both positive and growth comments for others so that they can grow in their ability to connect better with their audiences.  Examples include but are not limited to:  good volume, good pace, comments on fidgeting or eye contact, as well as specific comments about statements said during the speech which connected well with the audience or were confusing to the audience.  Because feedback is the number one way that a speaker can grow, this is considered an integral part of the class and receives an exam grade for the class.  

HOMEWORK EXPECTATIONS:  There should only be homework if students do not complete their work in class.  

Week of 11/11:Students will begin a new speech on Monday.  They will have time to write their speeches in class, but they may need to tweak them at home. Speeches will begin being given on Wens and continue until finished.  This is a larger project worth more than typical points, so hopefully, students will take it more seriously.

Prompt:  Pretend that you are running as the next President of the United States of America.  Write a persuasive speech explaining why people should vote for you.  What will you do to change the policies of the US and to make our country a better place?  Speech should last a minimum of 4 mins..  

Further instructions:

Use the 3 E's

Grab the audience's attention within the first 20 seconds.

Do NOT start with a quote or a question this time.  Start with a clear, bold statement of why you should be the next President of the US.  You may do research and watch/read/listen to previous speeches given by other Presidential candidates for inspiration, however, do not plagiarize their speeches.  

Later in the week:  Students will be asked to write a persuasive speech on a former US President.  The prompt is which US President was the best.  Alternatively, a student may choose to give a speech about the worst US President.  The goal of this project is to persuade the audience to agree with the speaker.  It must follow the persuasive speech format.  Some research will likely be required at home.