Speeches are given to communicate ideas and information to others. Good speeches take time and preparation.

First, think about your audience. What age are they? What information might they know about your topic? What is the purpose of your speech? How are you going to keep your audience interested?

Second, use an outline format with notecards to do your speech. Write your notes on 3 x 5 notecards. Be sure to write short phrases, not complete sentences. The purpose is to keep you organized, but you should not read directly from the notecards.

Finally, give a good conclusion to wrap up your speech.

Your speech should last 3 to 5 minutes and include a large visual that you can refer to throughout your presentation. This may be a large poster, an overhead transparency, slides, video, etc.

Prepare an activity that the class can do related to your topic. This may be a vocabulary word search or crossword puzzle, an activity the whole class can participate in, such as a game, a demonstration, or anything that you can create that will help the class gain a deeper understanding of your research. (I have had some students who have, for example, studied lawyers and then set up a mock trial; studied basketball and then taught and played the game; studied cartooning and then taught the class some basic drawing techniques.) Be creative and have fun with this part!

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