Activities

1. Make a list of qualities needed in an effective speaker.
   
   
2. Given a prepared speech, practice reading the speech using appropriate eye contact, adequate volume and clear pronunciation.

3. While watching a video of a speaker, note effective qualities and ineffective qualities he possesses as a speaker.
   
   
4. Given a short informational article, prepare note cards and practice presentation of ideas.

5. Give an effective small group presentation on the topic, “Teenagers without a parental escort should not be banned from the mall.” Present claims and findings, sequencing ideas logically and using pertinent descriptions, facts, and details.  Use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume and clear pronunciation.
   
   
6. Give an effective whole-class presentation on the topic, “Zoos are not appropriate places for animals to live.” Present claims and findings, sequencing ideas logically and using pertinent descriptions, facts, and details.   Use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume and clear pronunciation.

Answer Key/Rubric

1. Student makes a list of qualities needed in an effective speaker.  Student makes a correct list of traits that an effective speaker has.  Student lists numerous qualities of the effective speaker.  Some qualities the student may list are:

• Effective speakers make eye contact with the audience.
• Effective speakers are loud enough for everyone to hear.
• Effective speakers modulate their voice so it is not monotone sounding.
• Effective speakers speak clearly.
• Effective speakers are prepared and know what they want to say.
• Effective speakers do not rush or speak too quickly.
• Effective speakers wear clothing appropriate to the occasion and message.
• Effective speakers have and maintain good posture.
• Effective speakers understand their audience and tailor the message to them.

2. Given a prepared speech, student practices reading the speech using appropriate eye contact, adequate volume and clear pronunciation.  Student practices reading speech multiple times.  Student looks at audience as he/she speaks. Student uses adequate volume when speaking. Student speaks clearly. Student presentation is effective.
   
   
3. While watching a video of a speaker, student notes the effective qualities and the ineffective qualities the speaker possesses.  Student makes a list critiquing the traits of the speaker.  Student correctly lists qualities that indicate the speaker is effective.  Student correctly lists qualities that the speaker could improve upon.  Student may look for the following items, as well as others:

• Effective speakers make eye contact with the audience.
• Effective speakers are loud enough for everyone to hear.
• Effective speakers modulate their voice so it is not monotone sounding.
• Effective speakers speak clearly.
• Effective speakers are prepared and know what they want to say.
• Effective speakers do not rush or speak too quickly.
• Effective speakers wear clothing appropriate to the occasion and message.
• Effective speakers have and maintain good posture.
• Effective speakers understand their audience and tailor the message to them.

4. Given a short informational article, student prepares note cards and practices presentation of ideas.  Student understands the audience he is presenting to and tailors the message to them.  Student writes ideas he/she will present on note cards.  Student places only one idea per note card.  Student organizes note cards so information is in logical order.  Student practices giving presentation using note cards.  Student understands:

• Effective speakers make eye contact with the audience.
• Effective speakers are loud enough for everyone to hear.
• Effective speakers modulate their voice so it is not monotone sounding.
• Effective speakers speak clearly.
• Effective speakers are prepared and know what they want to say.
• Effective speakers do not rush or speak too quickly.
• Effective speakers wear clothing appropriate to the occasion and message.
• Effective speakers have and maintain good posture.

     Student presentation is effective.

5. Student gives an effective small group presentation on the topic, “Teenagers without a parental escort should not be banned from the mall.”  Student presents claims and findings, sequencing ideas logically and using pertinent descriptions, facts, and details.  Student uses appropriate eye contact, adequate volume and clear pronunciation.   Student carefully researches topic using credible print and online resources.  Student understands the audience and tailors the message to suit the audience.  Student prepares a written essay or notes to use when speaking.  Student uses adequate facts, examples, quotes and other information to fully develop the speech.  Student practices the speech before presentation.  Student states claim in speech clearly.  Student’s facts, examples, quotes, pertinent descriptions and other details back up the speech’s claim.  Student’s ideas are in a sequence that makes sense.  The listener is not left with unanswered questions.  Student does not include irrelevant facts, descriptions, examples, quotes or other details in the speech.  Student presentation is effective.

6. Student gives an effective whole-class presentation on the topic, “Zoos are not appropriate places for animals to live.” Student presents claims and findings, sequencing ideas logically and using pertinent descriptions, facts, and details.  Student uses appropriate eye contact, adequate volume and clear pronunciation.   Student carefully researches topic using credible print and online resources.  Student understands the audience and tailors the message to suit the audience.  Student prepares a written essay or notes to use when speaking.  Student uses adequate facts, examples, quotes and other information to fully develop his speech.  Student practices the speech before presentation.  Student states claim in speech clearly.  Student’s facts, examples, quotes, pertinent descriptions and other details back up the speech’s claim.  Student’s ideas are in a sequence that makes sense.  The listener is not left with unanswered questions.  Student does not include irrelevant facts, descriptions, examples, quotes or other details in the speech.  Student presentation is effective.