Public Speaking
Public speaking is the act of delivering a speech or presentation to an audience. It involves effective communication skills, including clear articulation, body language, and engaging delivery. Public speaking is used in various settings such as conferences, presentations, or speeches, and it helps convey ideas, inspire, inform, and persuade listeners.
| Topic | Description | Goals |
| Lesson 1 Intro to Public Speaking Meaning | This lesson will be the student’s first introduction to the foundational tools of public speaking. This will involve an introduction to the hierarchy of needs and education as a tool to achieve meaning. Students will simulate how to start breaking down meaning by analyzing the “why” of the situation. Secondly, students will exercise playing roles as a tool for education. Finally, students will practice effective means of topic selection. | Introduce the concepts of: Audience focused speech Self-actualization Practice Start with “why” Choosing a Topic |
| Lessons 2 Ideas | In this lesson students will examine why we as a society choose certain ideas to share and discuss. As a means of practice, students will attempt to “show and tell” about an object of their affection. Each student will have to deliver a formal presentation for the length of one minute and hold a Q&A with their audience. | Learn how to come up with ideas. What is writer’s block, and how to overcome it. |
| Lesson 3 Specifics | Students will be introduced to the concepts of facts, numbers, data, and concrete examples in the context of public speaking. Students will then put theory into practice by analyzing how these concepts can be used to provide context in storytelling. Students will use these examples as a way to add depth and detail to a story. | Learn about specifics. How to use specific details to make a story stronger. |
| Lesson 4 Story Structure | Students will be introduced to different ways story structure commonly flows in presentation. Students will deconstruct the flow of the monomyth, heroes’ journey, and the golden circle. Students will expand on that knowledge by using their understanding of the “Once upon a time…” to explore story structure, premise proof, the catalyst to adventure, and finally to perform the “because of that” exercise. | In this lesson we will deconstruct the flow of presentations. We will learn about Monomyth, the Heroes journey, the golden circle, and the “Once upon a time…” Story Structure. We will conclude with “because of that” game |
| Lesson 5 Research | There are all too many ways a public speaker can approach research and analysis in preparation for their presentation. To minimise choice paralysis, students will be introduced to the most efficient ways to prepare background knowledge for a presentation. Secondly, students will simulate this preparation using example challenge topics. | Learn core research tools. Practice researching for specific information. |
| Lesson 6 Monomyth | Students will come to learn about the long history of the monomyth in various cultures, as well as its significance in world history. Secondly, students will learn in detail all the facets of the monomyth structure and their underlying symbolism. Finally, students will have the opportunity to experiment with their own monomyth construction. | Use the monomyth to create a story. Practice the 3 act structure. |
| Lesson 7 Public Speaking | What are the essential elements of properly delivering a speech to your audience? Students will explore the essential theory necessary to delivering a successful speech, as well as useful tips and tricks to give them shortcuts. Most importantly, students will be given speechmaking challenges to simulate in class, as well as real-time feedback to help them identify what can be improved. | Practice speech using the elements learned thus far. Stylistics tips to improve what was done. |
| Lesson 8 Logos | Logic and reasoning are one of the main tools in the speechmaker’s arsenal when it comes to convincing their audience. Students will first learn the fundamental basics of using logic. Secondly, students will explore “Descartes” use of logic, as well as logic concepts including, “I think therefore I am”, premise proof, and inductive and deductive reasoning. Students will simulate what they’ve learned with logically related teaching drills as well as the “how do I know” exercise. | Learn the structure of a strong argument: Statement, Explanation, Example, and Conclusion (SEEC). |
| Lesson 9 Pathos | Emotions is one of the main tools used to connect with one’s audience when delivering a speech. Students will learn what is used to impact hearts and minds when communicating with another person. Students will analyze the interaction of emotional speech with the setting, senses, and characters. | Learn tools to effectively express emotion via tone modification and dramatic impact. |
| Lesson 10 Presentation | The conference will involve the execution of all the previously learned lessons in a more formal and competitive setting. Students will employ research and analysis, persuasive reasoning, and proper speech delivery to outshine their competitors and win the audience’s approval. | Practice public speaking in a competition like setting. |
| Lesson 11 Ethos | Expertise, or trust in the person who is speaking, is a necessity when it comes to having the audience believe in your words. Students will explore the interaction between trust, reliability, and relying on others with persuading an audience. It will be up to the students when they exercise these tools to sound as reliable as possible and increase trustworthiness as much as possible in the context of their speech topic. | Learn how to use authority to strengthen speeches. |
| Lesson 12 Persuasion | In any speech that seeks to influence an audience, the structure and tools of persuasive speech is a necessity. Students will combine their knowledge of logic, emotion, and expertise as a means to influence their audience’s views. This class will simulate persuading a live audience through exercises and getting direct feedback in response to how well the speaker has managed to sway their audience’s opinions. | Use Pathos, Ethos and Logos to persuade different types of audiences. |
| Lesson 13 Self Expression | In this class the ability to express oneself in the context of public speaking will be explored. Students will firstly explore biographical methods of self-expression. Secondly, students will conduct various useful thought experiments such as “sapien tribe”, “evolution of identity”, and the “Who am I” exercise. | Learn how to use one’s own words and express one’s own ideas. Practice using the aforementioned techniques. |
| Lesson 14 Conflict Resolution | There is more to public speaking than persuading a monolithic audience. In this class, students will learn speech structure in the face of various “groups” who are at odds with one another. Students will learn how to purvey empathy, as well as the essential theory behind mediation. Finally, they will participate in mediation exercises aiming to bring groups together by focusing on common interests. | Learn how to use public speaking for conflict resolution. Practice mediation. |
| Lesson 15 Myth Making | This class firstly explores the history and significance of myth-making. Secondly, students will examine how a myth is structured and created. The concept of the sapiens cognitive revolution will be explored to better explain the myth making process. Finally, students will discuss both the evolution and significance of language. Students will exercise this significance by being challenged to communicate a concept using limited communication. | Learn what makes a myth. What gives myths lasting power? What makes superheroes work? What’s wrong with a Mary Sue? Learn the foundation of what makes myths work and what makes myths last. |
| Lesson 16 Sustainability | Students will build on the previously explored public speaking tools to deliver two contrasting sustainability-related presentations. For the first topic, they must explain to the audience why we must prioritise this issue from a logical perspective. Secondly, another topic’s significance will be explored using other tools of persuasion, such as through an expert or emotional framework. Topics will include walkability, transportation, greenhouse gases, and the destruction of animal habitats. | Public speaking focused on sustainability. Practice with the use of examples. |
| Lesson 17 Negotiation | In this class, students will employ their public speaking tools in a different context. Students will defend their interests in the face of an opposition while being as persuasive as possible. Firstly, participants will learn the underlying theory behind negotiation and why it is done. Next, students will simulate this process by engaging in a negotiation where they come to an agreement that achieves common interests and will keep their “best alternative plan” in mind in case talks fall through. | Learn negotiation basics. Understanding the components of negotiation. State an opening position through public speech. |
| Lesson 18 Pitch | This class will discuss the pitching process and how to keep an audience’s attention when presenting a marketable idea. Students will also deliver their marketing project presentations. This involves the presentation of a startup idea and the process of finding audience support. The presentation involves a 20-minute slide show as well as hosting a 10-minute Q & A to meet their audience’s demand. | Learn the basics of pitch and elevator pitch. Practice writing a 30 second elevator pitch focusing on why, what, how. |
| Lesson 19 Inspiration | This class explores the power of speech and its ability to motivate or inspire a group of people. Students will analyse the structure of a motivational speech with historical examples. Students will be challenged to inspire an audience on a topic they’ve previously indicated they do not find inspirational. | Learn about how change agents inspire. Use those techniques in a public speech on a topic the students choose. |
| Lesson 20 Audience | This class teaches proper audience interaction as well as useful methods to get to know your audience in a helpful way. This involves an exploration of relevant word selection, audience context, and cultural relevance. Students will simulate delivering the same speech multiple times changed to appropriately match various conflicting audience types. | Learn about the different audience types. Practice adapting the same message to different audiences. |
| Lesson 21 Body Language | This class teaches useful presentation methods involving body language. Students will practice making proper eye contact, hand movement and emphasis, movement, and posture in the context of presentation delivery. | Learn body language basics. Understand the differences between body language for face to face and for the screen. |
| Lesson 22 Leadership | In the leadership class, students will firstly examine the historical interaction between leadership and speech delivery, as well as analyse elements of speeches of significance. In this leadership class, students will be taught strategies to take control of a room of people using public speaking, and how to build a coalition that favour’s your interests while acknowledging the interests of your allies. | Learn what makes a leader in speech. Review speeches with leadership impact. Practice using those elements. |
| Lesson 23 Improvisation | In this class, students will be given an opportunity to explore public speaking outside of the context of a planned speech. Apart from being introduced to improvisational methods and theory, students will be challenged to deliver effective responses with limited time for preparation. Before improvised speeches are delivered before a full audience, smaller-scale “improv” games will warm up the students and build an improvisational experience. | Learn basic improvisation techniques. Practice extemporaneous speaking. |
| Lesson 24 Ted Talk | Learn how to structure and deliver a talk in the iconic TED style.Focus on storytelling, engaging visuals, and delivering a concise, impactful message.Analyze famous TED Talks to understand different presentation techniques and audience engagement strategies. | Prepare and present a mini-TED Talk that encapsulates a powerful idea worth sharing. |
| Lesson 25 Self Confidence | Develop techniques to boost self-confidence and reduce public speaking anxiety.Practice posture, voice modulation, and eye contact to enhance speaker presence.Engage in exercises that build resilience against stage fright and audience unpredictability. | Deliver a speech with improved confidence and presence, demonstrating control over nerves. |
| Lesson 26 Story within Story | Explore the technique of embedding stories within a speech to enhance listener engagement.Learn how to weave personal anecdotes seamlessly into broader narratives.Study examples of effective use of this technique in various speech contexts. | Craft and present a speech that effectively uses the ‘story within a story’ technique to captivate the audience. |
| Lesson 27 Writing Speeches | Master the fundamentals of writing clear, persuasive, and memorable speeches.Focus on speech structure, audience analysis, and persuasive elements.Practice drafting speeches with different objectives, from inform to persuade. | Write a comprehensive speech tailored to a specific audience, with clear objectives and compelling content. |
| Lesson 28 Speech Grammar | Understand the importance of grammar in the clarity and effectiveness of speeches.Review common grammatical errors and how to avoid them in spoken English.Practice revising and improving speech scripts for grammatical accuracy. | Improve the grammatical structure of your speeches, ensuring clarity and professionalism in delivery. |
| Lesson 29 Speech Vocabulary | Expand your vocabulary to improve expressiveness and precision in speeches.Learn techniques for effective word choice to better connect with and impact the audience.Engage in activities that challenge you to use new words in your speech practice. | Enhance your speeches with a richer vocabulary, making them more engaging and effective. |
| Lesson 30 Conclusion of Program | In this class students will be given the opportunity to share what they have learned throughout the year and how their public speaking has improved. | Review the year. Share thoughts and lessons learned. |