TED talk assignment

Choose a topic that you are passionate about and one that you want to share with others. Consider also how engaging your topic will be to your audience (your peers mainly, although the wider Cheshire Academy community could be included in your audience, especially if you are considering using this speech to fulfill your graduation requirement).

Make sure your topic is narrow enough so your speech will not be too vague, but also make sure it is not too narrow so that you will have enough material to fill approximately 5 minutes of speaking.

 Some students may choose a topic that models a “Problem/Solution” type of format, whereas others may wish to format the topic in a “This I Believe” style – you have a lot of freedom in choosing a topic, and your topic may get changed or refined as you begin your research and consider what you truly want to say.

A five-minute speech, spoken at an average rate, should be approximately 650 words long, so that should be your guideline for writing this speech. All speeches need to contain the following elements:

1.       An engaging opening strategy or “hook” that catches the audience’s attention

2.       Well-organized content (different points separated into different paragraphs)

3.       At least three credible sources consulted on your topic

4.       At least one credible source quoted in the speech

5.       A clear “Takeaway” for the audience: boiling down your main point to a few sentences

6.       A strong closing strategy to leave the audience with something profound to think about

This project will be a multi-step process. First, you need to brainstorm and choose a topic. Then, you need to complete substantive research (the final calls for at least 3 credible sources, but you may need to consult as many as 10 sources until you find the appropriate information). Next, you will write and revise several drafts of your speech. After that, you will memorize and deliver the speech in class, and you will have the opportunity for several “takes” with feedback given in between. Finally, you will turn your speech into a multimedia TED talk type of speech, video it or use iMovie to enhance it, upload it to YouTube, and post it on your blog.

Notes from Mazie

Speech Evaluation Rubric

Introduction 

Did it capture attention & interest?
Was the topic introduced clearly?
Was the topic related to the audience?
Did the speaker have topic-credibility?
Was the body of the speech previewed?

Body 

Were the main points clear?
Were the main points supported?
Were the main points logically presented?
Were the transitions between main points clear & effective?

Conclusion 

Was the transition to the end of the speech signaled?
Was there a summary of principal points?
Was there an effective close and/or call to action?

Language 

Was the language used appropriate for the topic & the audience
Was the language varied?

Delivery 

Were the notes, visual aids etc. organized before the start?
Was the beginning poised?
Was there good use of eye contact?
Was the body language (posture & gesture) controlled & effective?
Was the speaking rate - flexible & effective?
Was the speaking volume appropriate & varied?
Was there fluency, an absence of fillers like 'ahs' & 'ums'?
Was vocal variety used, changes in pitch & tone, & good use of pausing?
Did the speaker show enthusiasm for the topic?
Were there visual aids & were they appropriate & integrated into the speech?
Did the speech finish with poise?

Overall evaluation 

Did the speaker achieve the assignment's purpose?
Was the topic researched?
Did the topic adapt well to the audience?
Were the audience interested?
Was the speech completed within the time limit?

Friday, October 23rd

Hi all,

I will be at the Wally Lamb author talk during class today. so Mr. Poisson will be covering class (be nice to him and well-behaved! No yelling out the window or any other shenanigans!).

We will finish the Lightning Round Debates on Monday instead of today.

Today, instead, we will start the How-To Speech Project. Here are your instructions for today's class:


How-To Speech:

The first project in the speech unit is the "How-To Speech." Please read this entire webpage: http://www.write-out-loud.com/demonstration-speech-topics.html including clicking on the links for the speech template outline and sample evaluation. Then choose three topics that you might be interested in writing about, and write a short paragraph on each about why those might be good topics. Post the topics and paragraphs on your blog.


This is also posted on the portal under the Topic "Speeches." If you do not finish during class, finish for homework.

Have a good weekend!

Lightning Round Debate Topics

Changes to Debate 2 Structure

We decided in class on the following structure for Debate 2:

Opening Statement: 2 minutes each

Rebuttals: 1.5 minutes each

Closing Statement: 2.5 minutes each

The topic is: the effect of social media on teens -- Jyotsna's group argues for the positive side, and Hannah's group argues for the negative side

Debate in the News

Here is an interesting article and video from The Washington Post about the debate that Harvard lost to a prison debate team:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2015/10/07/why-you-shouldnt-be-surprised-that-convicted-criminals-crushed-the-harvard-debate-team/

Check it out!