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ESL materials & ideas developed in China
"Speech" lesson plan
a) Scenario
1. i) You have been asked to represent a group of people at an event. You must speak on their behalf, and must therefore consult them before you speak or ii) You and your friends wish to make a group speech.
b) Technique
The style of speaking is very different for different purposes. However, certain techniques can be used in most situations.
a) In public speaking, eye contact must be made with the audience.
b) The speaking speed should be slower than in conversation.
c) Ideas should be clearly separated with pauses.
d) The speech should start with a proper recognition of the people being spoken to.
e) The argument should be clearly introduced and developed logically.
f) The speech should have a clear climax.
g) The speech should have a satisfying conclusion (like a piece of music).
h) The speed and rhythm of speech should vary to keep audience interest.
i) The volume and pitch of the speaker's voice should vary to help carry the meaning.
j) Concrete examples are more easily understood by an audience than abstract ideas.
k) Too many ideas will confuse an audience. Too few ideas will bore them.
l) Try to laugh or smile sometimes. It works wonders.
m) A speech should NEVER be read.
c) Selection
You may choose to make a speech from one of the following topic areas:
a) university medal acceptance on behalf of your research team (modest)
b) obituary at the funeral of someone your friends liked/hated (not too pious)
c) after-dinner speech to launch a book (amusing)
d) coach's speech to a sports team that is losing at half-time (urgent)
e) speech at a meeting to relatives of flood victims (comforting)
b) Project Plan
1. Form a small groups of friends or colleagues to make a 7 minute speech.
2. Appoint a secretary
3. Decide the topic area of your speech, and the exact situation.
4. Decide if one person will give the speech for you, or whether it will be a shared speech. If it is shared, decide who will talk about what, and when.
5. Brainstorm things that you might include in your speech.
5. Assign each person in the group to make up at least two minutes of content for the seven minute speech.
6. Collect the content from group members and edit into one, coherent speech.
7. Rehearse your speech as a group and decide how to present it to the class.
"Speech lesson plan" copyrighted to Thor May 1999; all rights reservedback to Last Message index