Public Speaking and Presentation//Lesson Plan for Monday, February 14, 2011

Public Speaking and Presentation

Materials of the Chester Youth Court Volunteers at Swarthmore College

Objective:
By the end of the lesson plan, students will be able to deliver a polished Youth Court advocate
statement that incorporates the public speaking and presentation techniques ( eye-contact, enunciation, and confidence) as taught in the lesson.


I. Introductory Activity (15 minutes)
a. Show students a funny video clip of various public speakers that demonstrates
the strengths and styles of good persuasive public speaking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6wRkzCW5qI
b. Divide students into two groups and within these smaller groups and discuss: 

• “What are some of the qualities of good public speaking?”
• “What are some of your personal goals and ways in which you want to improve your public speaking?”

II. Eye-Contact and Enunciation Activity (20 minutes)
a. Ask students to pick a partner and give them sample speeches, which they will read to
their partner while maintaining good eye-contact.
b. Pencil Activity: Have students then read the speech while biting a pencil or
pen to improve their enunciation.


III. Presentation and Delivery of the Youth Advocate Speech (20-30 minutes)
a. Have two college students present the same Youth Advocate Speech. One will speak, exemplifying some of the presentation mistakes that have been discussed previously during class. The other will present the speech with confidence, good enunciation, eye contact, and overall strong delivery.  
b. Ask the students, “What are the differences between the two speeches?”
c. If there is time, break the students up into two groups again and have them each take turns
delivering a pre-prepared Youth Advocate statement to their group.


IV. Conclusion (5 minutes)
a.  As a “ticket out," students will, in the large group, volunteer aspects of
good public speaking and explain why these aspects are important.


Download the lesson plan here.