Giving a Speech

Giving a Speech

Speech Instructions

Speech must be 2-3 minutes long.

Choose a topic that you feel strongly about; the goal is to convince others about it. 

It’s fine for it not to be a serious topic, but the quality still needs to be serious.

This is not a research project, but facts and examples add credibility and interest to your topic.

You may choose to deliver the speech in person or record yourself speaking on the Screencastify Chrome extension.

You may use visuals, but if recording, you must include video of you, not just your voice and slides.

Speech Instructions, Continued

Memorizing the speech is not necessary; you are welcome to use notecards.

Once you know what you want to say, practice your speech so that you can deliver it articulately and with poise.

Speech Content Pointers

• How to start? 

  A quote

  A joke

  A fact or statistic

  What if…

  Imagine…

  Question

  Powerful statement

Speech Content Pointers

• How to end?

  Summarize main points

  Quote

  Question

  Anecdote (story)

  Make the audience laugh

  Inspire / Call to action

Delivery Pointers

• Speak clearly and fluently.

• Sound conversational; project your voice.

• Have good posture; Seem confident.

• Connect with the audience.

• Make eye contact.

• Deliver it passionately.

• Feel free to gesticulate (use gestures).

What Not To Do

• Do not rush.

• Do not read it.

• Do not fidget.

• Do not sway or rock back and forth.

• Do not use verbal fillers (um, uh, like...)