Grow, Brain, Grow!: Questions About Public Speaking

Hey 807!

Here's the list of questions I pulled from your diagnostics. They're anonymous and in no particular order. My next few posts will select questions that apply to where we are in the writing process. Right now we're working on brainstorming and coming up with our MAIN IDEA and SUPPORTING DETAILS. You should have those and your introduction written for Monday, April 16.

That said, here is the writing process if you'd like to work ahead:

1. Brainstorm - select topic, write three questions you have about it

2. Identify your main idea and supporting details (usually 3). ex. Main idea: Hockey is too violent. Supporting details: There are more concussions. Players are bigger and faster than ever. Negative impact on young people watching.

4. Research some interesting points that support your ideas.

3. Write your introduction. Try to avoid "Good afternoon teachers, students, etc.." Catch the attention of the audience then identify your main idea and how you will explore it.

4. Write the body. Go through your support details and include your research.

5. Write the conclusion. Restate your main idea and provide some reflective questions or ideas for the audience.

6. Edit and revise. Take a break from your speech for a day then come back to it, read it again - ALWAYS OUT LOUD - and make corrections of rearrangements where you think you need to. Then have someone else read it out loud to you and ask them their ideas.

7. Rewrite based on those corrections above.

8. Practice, and work on memorization.

9. Practice, and work on breathing and posture.

10. Do some yoga, breathe, eat a good breakfast, breathe, present

Okay, here's the questions from the diagnostics:

Do you need to memorize your speech? (How can you memorize a speech?)
Is public speaking essential in everyday life?
Should I include the audience? Is it okay to mess up?
What do people look for in a speech? Generally speaking, what makes it good?
Do you find it harder after doing a lot of speeches?
Does public speaking help other aspects of learning or education? Does it help us to absorb more information more efficiently?
Can we have a sheet (cue cards)?
Is it better to memorize your speech?
What's the best way to start a presentation?
What are some tricks to public speaking that could make standing in front of a crowd less nerve-racking?
How many points or supporting details should we have in our speech?
How do you find a place to look at so it's like you are looking at the audience but not in their eyes so it's not awkward?
How do you use visuals to enhance your presentation?
What tone of voice should you speak in? Serious/happy/enthusiastic?
Do we have to memorize or can we use cue cards?
How should the speech be organized?
Do you have to memorize it?
How can you make sure you speak fluently and at a good pace if you are nervous and speak faster when you are nervous?
How do you look up from your notes when talking? How do you become comfortable with the speech?
To give a good oral presentation, what are the most important things to remember?
Is public speaking important in many types of jobs? How can someone become a better public speaker?