Speak Up, Speak Out!

1. Speak Up, Speak Out! Casey Scarborough County Extension Agent Yell County Extension Service

2. Speak Up, Speak Out • Research skills • Writing skills • Speaking skills • Gain confidence

3. Speak Up, Speak Out! • A 4-H program of the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service designed to: • Help you improve your public speaking abilities • Provide a format for you to gain confidence in your ability to communicate

4. Speak Up, Speak Out A Public Speaking Contest Session I: Instruction on public speaking Session II: Your classroom competitions Session III: School competitions by grade Session IV: County Speak Up competition

5. Contest Rules: • 7th & 8th grade students only • Speeches must be original! • Speeches should be 2 – 5 minutes 4. No visual aids are allowed

6. Contest Awards & Prizes • Certificates for all participants • Top 5 per class- Rosette Ribbons • Top 4 per grade- T-Shirts • Top 5 in county- Engraved plaques • 1st place in county- $50 Savings Bond • School team award- Engraved plaque

7. Speech Writing

8. Basics of Speech Writing • Choose an interesting topic • Research your topic • Organize your speech (3 main parts) • Make an outline of main points • Develop main points & ideas

9. Choosing A Topic • Must be interesting or important to YOU!!! • Provide information to the audience • Stir the emotions • Provide public awareness

10. Research Your Topic • Look for alternative view points • Use this information in writing your speech • Use a variety of reputable resources • Library • Internet • Journals • Teachers, Practitioners, Personal Experience • Government Agencies • Cull information heavily

11. Internet Sources • U of A Extension web site www.uaex.edu click on publications • Yell County Extension web site www.uaex.edu/yell • Library of Congress loc.gov • Other web sites with extension of .edu or .gov

12. Speech Organization • Introduction • Get the audiences attention • Give a sneak preview • Body of the Speech • Main Point # 1 • Main Point # 2 • Main Point # 3 • Conclusion or Summary

13. Get Their Attention! • Ask a question • Tell a story • Give a quotation • Refer to the audience • Tell a joke • Draw a mental picture

14. The Sneak Preview • Make sure your introduction relates to the overall theme of the speech • Identify the topic or subject quickly • Introduction should flow easily into body

15. The Body of the Speech Must: • Be well planned • Adequately cover the topic • Not include too many points • Use facts to back up your statements

16. Rules for Main Points • All points develop or support a central idea • Develop 3-5 main ideas • Main points should be complete thoughts • Each main point covers only one idea • Main points should be parallel

17. An Effective Conclusion • Hint that the speech is about to end! • “In conclusion. . .” • “In closing. . . .” • Summarize quickly (have it planned out) • Leave an impression • Call for action • Tie back to the opening • End with a challenge

18. Speech Delivery

19. Keys to Public Speaking • Verbal communication • Non-verbal communication • Self confidence • Preparedness

20. Verbal Communication • Volume: • Consider room size and acoustics • Try to speak loudly, but not deafening • Consider background noise • Rate: • Slow down • Tendency to speak too fast • Use pauses for transition and effect • Clarity: • Know how to pronounce all words in the speech • Make an effort to speak clearly

21. Verbal Communication(continued) • Quality • Tone & Pitch • Avoid sounding monotone • Direction • Face the audience • Project your voice • Use a Dynamic & Energetic voice • Vary rate and volume • Work to avoid fillers & repetitive words such as “uh, um, well, you know”

22. An Effective Speaker Will. . . . • Speak with confidence and authority • Speak with expression and sincerity • Speak loudly enough to be heard • Avoid stammering • Use good vocabulary • Use correct pronunciation and enunciation

23. Non-verbal Communication • Appearance • Dress appropriately • School clothes for school contest, • Church clothes for County Contest • Motions or gestures • Use subtle gestures • Avoid distracting movements • Facial expressions • Smile or nod • What is the tone of your speech?

24. Non-Verbal Communication(continued) • Gathering • Collect thoughts • Make sure judges & audience are ready • Listen to your audience • Look for signals from the audience • Position & Posture • Don’t hide behind podium • Maintain good posture

25. Practice Makes Perfect • Practice the speech out loud • Practice at least 6 times • Rehearse in front of family or friends • Video tape your practice sessions • Include tone & gestures when practicing • Use different voice pitches

26. Overcoming Fear of Public Speaking • Prepare well • Organize • Keep simple • Practice at least 6 times • Know audience • Dress well • Take every opportunity to speak

27. A Few Last Pointers • Be considerate of your audience • Know your opening statement well • Don’t rely on notes or read your speech • Maintain eye contact • Use body language effectively • Handle mistakes naturally & keep going! • Practice, Practice, Practice