How to give a persuasive speech Oral Presentations in VCE English

Why give a Speech? What is the purpose of your speech? What are you trying to achieve? Engage Convince Impact

How do you prepare an effective speech? Understand the task – what do you need to do? ▫Present a point of view on a current issue ▫Have a clear contention with supporting arguments ▫Use a variety of evidence and persuasive techniques ▫Consider (and rebut) opposing views

How do you prepare an effective speech? Brainstorm your ideas for the topic ▫What is the issue? ▫What is your initial opinion? ▫What other points of view could you take? Research your ideas for the topic ▫How has the issue been reported in the media? ▫What are the arguments for and against? ▫What research evidence, expert opinions and anecdotal evidence can you find to support your view?

How do you prepare an effective speech? Form a Contention ▫Clearly state your point of view Decide your main reasons ▫What are your main points and what order will you present them in? ▫Should the strongest argument be first or last? ▫Is the progression of ideas logical? ▫Do you have a rebuttal in your final point?

How do you prepare an effective speech? Flesh out ▫Develop supporting explanations for each point ▫Give different types of evidence: statistical/research, experts, eyewitness, anecdotal Persuasive techniques ▫Which techniques will you employ to persuade your audience? ▫What tone will you speak in? ▫Consider the context – are you adopting a persona or addressing a particular audience?

Structuring your Speech: Introduction Introduction: ▫Greet your audience and introduce yourself ▫HOOK - Grab attention – unusual fact, emotive anecdote, statistic, quote, question, shock tactic. ▫State your contention clearly ▫Refer to main points you will expand on, in the order you will make the points.

Structuring your Speech: Body Body: Give the reasons that support your contention in a clear, logical order (like paragraphs) Paragraph 1, 2, 3,4: ▫State argument (TOPIC SENTENCE) ▫Give evidence: statistics, research, expert, personal anecdote, quote etc. ▫Elaborate and persuade: repetition, hypothetical, personalisation, comparisons, emotional appeals, emotive language etc. Last Body Paragraph: Rebuttal of Opposing views ▫Acknowledge opposing arguments ▫Give your disagreement/rebuttal/counterargument ▫Give evidence ▫Elaborate and persuade.

Structuring your Speech: Conclusion Conclusion: Restate and Challenge  Restate your contention  Refer to main arguments (briefly)  Offer recommendations/solutions/suggestions  Challenge the reader/listener to act.  Finish with punch: question, quote, prediction

How to deliver your speech The 3 Ps: ▫Pause: use gaps in your speech to add meaning and emphasis. Wait before and after important points to ensure your message is being heard. ▫Pace: watch the speech of your deliver – if it is too fast, your audience won’t follow and your words will have less impact. Vary the pace to be interesting. ▫Pitch: Vary your volume, register, and intonation to maintain interest and emphasise different points. Don’t be monotone and DON’T READ! Know your speech and avoid ums and aahs Don’t giggle, laugh or apologise

How to deliver your speech The Audience ▫The focus of your speech should be the audience. Don’t ignore them. ▫Make meaningful eye contact – Four Corners rule (ensure you direct your attention to all parts of the room, not just at the teacher) ▫Speak to them, don’t read to them

How to deliver your speech Resources ▫Use resources to support your speech ▫They shouldn’t detract from what you are saying ▫Visual texts should support the point you are making ▫Slideshows should have minimal words (10 per slide). ▫Words on the slide must be consistent with what you are saying! ▫Videos should be short (30 seconds) and relevant ▫Practice using your technology to ensure it runs smoothly. ▫No excuses for technology failure

How to deliver your speech Non-verbal communication: ▫Posture: stand straight and strong, don’t slouch, sit, lean. Square your shoulders. ▫Body Language: Don’t slouch; keep your head up; open body (don’t cross arms or turn away). ▫Movement: Move purposefully across a room, if you wish to use the space, otherwise keep still, don’t shift your weight from leg to leg. ▫Gestures: can be powerful and meaningful, but must be intentional. Avoid hand movements that are distracting: tapping, playing with your hair, general waving, shrugging etc. ▫Eye Contact: make regular contact with individuals in all areas of the room.

How to deliver your speech Cue Cards ▫Have notes as prompts for your speech, dot points and key facts. ▫Small enough to hold in one hand. ▫Don’t have an A4 page or strips of an A4 page cut up! ▫Key words will help you speak your ideas rather than read them ▫Do not write too much on one card, or write it too small – use as many cards as you need. These can help you from losing your piece.

How to deliver your speech Rehearsal ▫ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL!! ▫You need to completely know your speech and what you want to say. ▫Reading your speech will not allow you to pass the outcome ▫Use all your resources when practising (cue cards, powerpoint) ▫Practise in front of a mirror, friends, family. ▫Take critical feedback and improve.

How to deliver your speech Believe what you’re saying: ▫Your audience won’t be convinced if you’re not. ▫Ensure you know your issue and are speaking from the heart (or appear to be!). This will engage the audience.

What prevents people from making an effective speech? Fear, nerves, Lack of Knowledge and rehearsal; underprepared Reading Speed of speech (usually too fast) Not interested in the topic Thinking you must be perfect Think that the audience will be critical Speaking to the teacher! Trying to give too much information without leaving the audience time to process and think.

How to overcome these things Practise, Practise, Practise