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PROFESSIONAL COMMENTARY

In this lesson, students learn oral presentation techniques for informal and formal speech. Working in small groups, students begin with informal speeches to gain the confidence and skills required for effective public speaking. Students analyze a variety of speeches and identify the the techniques authors use to convey their ideas. Applying their understanding of effective speeches and public speaking, students write and deliver a formal speech, organizing and linking ideas logically and making language choices appropriate to an audience of classmates. Links to online resources and assessment guidelines are provided at the website. (author/ncl)

CAREER APPLICATION

Since it is likely that students will have to talk to a group during the course of their careers, oral communication skills are important. This activity begins in small groups and progresses to larger and larger groups until the student is giving a speech in front of his entire class. Students learn gradually to lose their fear of public speaking. Speeches are also modeled for them by the teacher and through the media. Also, an important part of this lesson is peer criticism, which is exactly what they will face as an adult making a job-related speech. This is an ideal lesson to use in a cooperative or team situation where the English/Language Arts teachers and the CT teacher combine forces. This unit might be shortened by cutting out some of the media examples in class.

OHIO STANDARDS
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English Language Arts Standards
Reading Applications: Informational, Technical and Persuasive Text Standard
Communications: Oral and Visual Standard
NATIONAL STANDARDS
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Standards for the English Language Arts
Reading strategies, language use, and conventions
Write, speak, and visually represent to create text
Purposes for using spoken, written, and visual language
RESOURCE TYPE
Instructional Resource
PRACTICE LEVEL
Promising Practice
STANDARDS ALIGNMENT
Grades 8–10
CAREER FIELDS
General Career Skills
TOPICS
English Language Arts --
Writing;
Writing Process;
Communication;
Speaking;
KEYWORDS
formal and informal presentations;
effective speaking strategies;
presentation techniques;
informational speeches;
rhetorical devices;
point of view
Publisher: Unitec Institute of Technology
Author: Jan Foote