Princezz Raras: Tips on Public Speaking in the Middle School Class Room

If middle school students are apprehensive about speaking in public, even if the public consists of fellow classmates, they are not alone. In survey after survey, when people are asked to list the thing they fear most in life, public speaking is the number one answer – even above death and dreaded diseases.With instruction and some practice, middle school students can find that public speaking is not all that difficult. It can even be fun.

Before the Speech
- In order to give an effective speech, you must know what you are talking about. Make certain you understand the topic, and do your research. This process is akin to writing a research paper. Jot down notes and where the information came from, then put together the main points in some cohesive way. Prepare the speech with a beginning, middle and end. A good way to start off is to get the audience's attention with a personal anecdote. Keep in mind that audiences like to be entertained, so think about closing with humor to leave them laughing.
Presentation
- Even if you prepare the world’s greatest speech, if the audience can’t understand what you are saying, it will not be effective. Speak clearly and loudly, and vary your pitch and speed so you don’t put the audience to sleep by using a monotone. Practice your speech at home. Bring note cards with an outline to class instead of reading your speech word for word. This will help you maintain eye contact with the audience and a conversational tone. Use natural motions and move around instead of standing stiffly behind the lectern. Take your time and talk at a slow and steady pace, pausing before important points. Using a visual aid adds interest to your speech and can help keep you on track.
Improving
- One effective way to improve is to ask audience members what they thought of your speech. Teachers can prepare a scoring rubric for classmates to complete as each student gives his speech. Students might score others on a scale of 1 to 5 in the areas of preparation, voice and eye contact. Another way to improve is to watch videos of excellent orators, like Martin Luther King or John F. Kennedy. Notice how they get and keep your attention. Knowing your subject backward and forward will help you give a more relaxed speech, so work on your research skills.