Public Speaking

Lyrics

Chorus
Public speaking, don’t be freaking
Just listen to the RRR technique in… (×3)
Public speaking, don’t be freaking
Just listen to the RRR technique in public speaking

Verse I
Have you ever seen a hip hop show
Where the emcee’s completely locked into the flow?
His words are clear, his voice is loud
And she really knows how to interact with the crowd
In public speaking you need the same types of things
It’s important to keep the audience engaged
So use eye contact, make sure you look around
Don’t just stare at the page or the sky or the ground

Keep a steady pace, make sure you don’t rush
Project your voice, don’t let it be hushed
‘Cause you could have some great points to convey
But they mean nothing if we can’t hear what you say
Humor is a great way to break the ice
And to emphasize your points, hand gestures are nice
And you can make your talk stronger with visual aids
Like a PowerPoint®, photo, or a graph that you made

Chorus

Verse II
Public speaking’s easier when you feel refreshed
So the night before, make sure you get plenty of rest
And it’s always critical that you know your audience
When it comes to this, just use some common sense
If you’re talking to a panel for college admissions
Use vocab. that shows intellect and ambition
But if you’re talking is a group of third graders instead
All those big words would go over their heads

Be sure to use voice inflection when you speak
‘Cause if you talk in monotone you’ll put the people to sleep
And the best way to master all of these tactics?
Practice, practice, practice!
Practice with your family, practice in front of a mirror
Practice so that every word is clearer
Practice builds confidence and makes you less nervous

Chorus

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Description

“Public Speaking” teaches presentation skills and how to give a speech. The song is useful for persuasive speech, toastmasters, oral classroom reporting, and for getting over a fear of public speaking by offering simple public speaking tips. Teachers have also used it for teaching related topics, such as Ancient Greece, where public oration was an important part of civics. The additional resource materials including lesson plans and worksheets, assist speech writers, students, and teachers in writing speeches and creating effective lessons on the song topics. Students will become more adept and comfortable at public speaking.

This song is suitable for advanced elementary school, middle school, and high school students, and as part of any public speaking course.

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Related Reading and Activities

Reading

Education World
Books in Education Article: “Speaking Up, Speaking Out: A Kids’ Guide to Making Speeches, Oral Reports and Conversation”
This article reviews the book, Speaking Up, Speaking Out: A Kids’ Guide to Making Speeches, Oral Reports and Conversation. If able to acquire from the library, this book will be helpful for providing further reading on public speaking. Teacher Resource

KidsTurnCentral.com
Speechmaking
This site has quite a few links to a variety of sites that can help middle school students write and develop a speech with confidence.
Grades 5-8

Afraid-of-speaking
Speaking confidently
Though a little wordy, this site has some excellent suggestion for helping students make notes and plan a speech.
Grades 4-8

Lesson Plans & Activities

ABCTeach
Write a Speech
This simple worksheet helps students form an outline for a speech.
Grades 4-8

Education World
It’s Up For Debate
This activity asks student to engage in debates about various topics as to develop their public speaking skills. It also provides links to other debate activities.
Grades 3-8

The Educator’s Reference Desk
Adopting a Dress Code
Students are asked to create a mock jury, and then other students present cases for or against a new school dress code. This activity helps students to become better public speakers, and better analysts of speeches and arguments.
Grades 6-12

Delivering a Persuasive Speech
This activity teaches students about how to deliver a persuasive speech. It involves both performing and analyzing others.
Grades 9-12

Effective Speaking in a Debate
This activity teaches students how to deal with stage fright in relation to public speaking. (Though it is intended for high school students, it could work for middle school students, too.)
Grades 6-12

Four Corners Debate
This classroom activity asks students to choose one of four positions on a controversial topic chosen by the teacher. Students must then defend their position to the class.
Grades 6-12

Introduction to Argument
This activity breaks down the process of creating a strong argument, and asks students to think critically about how to approach public speaking. Useful for English writing classes as well.
Grades 7-12

PBS: Standard Deviants TV
All About Public Speaking
This website provides helpful hints for becoming a strong public speakers, as well as a quiz and links to other resources.
Grades 6-12

Pete’s PowerPoint Station
Speaking and Listening
This is a collection of PowerPoint presentations to use in the classroom, ranging from how to write a speech to 101 ways to improve your communications skills.
Grades 3-9

Teaching Ideas
Speaking Nonsense
This classroom activity teaches students to drop negative speaking habits and to pick up stronger ones.
Grades 2-6

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State Standards

State standards listed here are representative of school standards across the United States.

California

6th Grade
1.0 Listening and Speaking Strategies - Support opinions with detailed evidence and with visual or media displays that use appropriate technology.
1.0 Listening and Speaking Strategies - Use effective rate, volume, pitch, and tone and align nonverbal elements to sustain audience interest and attention.

Florida

6th Grade
LA.6.5.2.2 - Deliver narrative and informative presentations, including oral responses to literature, and adjust oral language, body language, eye contact, gestures, technology and supporting graphics appropriate to situation.

7th Grade
LA.7.5.2.2 - Analyze persuasive techniques in both formal and informal speech
LA.7.5.2.3 - Organize and effectively deliver speeches to entertain, inform and persuade, demonstrating appropriate language choices, body language, eye contact, gestures, and the use of supporting graphics and technology.

8th Grade
LA.8.5.2.3 - Select and use a variety of creative oral language techniques for clarity and effect.
LA.8.5.2.4 - Research, organize, and effectively deliver speeches to entertain, inform, and persuade.
LA.8.5.2.5 - Demonstrate language choices, body language, eye contact, gestures, and appropriate use of graphics and available technology.

Illinois

3rd Grade
4.B.1a - Present brief oral reports, using language and vocabulary appropriate to the message and audience (e.g., show and tell).

4th-6th Grades
4.5.2.a - Present oral reports to an audience using correct language and nonverbal expressions for the intended purpose and message within a suggested organizational format.

7th-8th Grades
4.B.3.a - Deliver planned oral presentations, using language and vocabulary appropriate to the purpose, message and audience; provide details and supporting information that clarify main ideas; and use visual aids and contemporary technology as support.

9th-10th Grades
4.B.4.a - Deliver planned informative and persuasive oral presentations using visual aids and contemporary technology as individuals and members of a group; demonstrate organization, clarity, vocabulary, credible and accurate supporting evidence.

11th-12th Grades
4.B.5.a - Deliver planned and impromptu oral presentations, as individuals and members of a group, conveying results of research, projects or literature studies to a variety of audiences (e.g., peers, community, business/industry, local organizations) using appropriate visual aids and available technology.

Massachusetts

5th-6th Grades
General Standard 3: Oral Presentation - Give oral presentations for various poses, showing appropriate changes in delivery (gestures, vocabulary, pace, visuals) and using language for dramatic effect.

7th-8th Grades
General Standard 3: Oral Presentation - Use appropriate techniques for oral persuasion. Give oral presentations to different audiences for various purposes, showing appropriate changes in delivery (gestures, vocabulary, pace, visuals) and using language for dramatic effect.

New York

6th Grade
Speaking, Literacy Competencies - Speak with expression, volume, pace, and gestures appropriate for the topic, audience, and purpose of communication.

7th Grade
Speaking, Literacy Competencies - Use variety of speaking techniques (e.g., adjusting tone, volume, and tempo; enunciating; and making eye contact) to make effective presentations.

8th Grade
Speaking, Literacy Competencies - Speak with expression, volume, pace, and gestures appropriate to the topic, audience, and purpose of communication.

Texas

6th Grade
110.18 (b) (27) - Speak clearly and to the point, using the conventions of language. Apply earlier standards with greater complexity. Give an organized presentation with a specific point of view, employing eye contact, speaking rate, volume, enunciation, natural gestures, and conventions of language to communicate ideas effectively.

7th Grade
110.19 (b) (27) - Speak clearly and to the point, using conventions of language. Apply earlier standards with greater complexity. Present critique of a literary work, film, or dramatic production, employing eye contact, speaking rate,
volume, enunciation, variety of natural gestures, and conventions of language to communicate ideas effectively.
8th Grade
110.20 (b) (27) - Speak clearly and to the point, using the conventions of language. Apply earlier standards with greater complexity. Advocate a position using anecdotes, analogies, and/or illustrations, and use eye contact, speaking rate, volume, enunciation, a variety of natural gestures, and conventions of language to communicate ideas effectively.

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