| Description |
Public speaking (and if there is interest, also debate)
Throughout our lives we all want and need to convince and inspire others to do or believe something. This group will help you organize your ideas that you want to convey to others, and be more comfortable and effective in saying them. The topics/skills we will cover (see below) are applicable to every age of learner. Everybody will make a presentation every week and by the end of the season, I guarantee that everyone will be great! I have run this group with homeschoolers before and they all practiced and all were wonderful. If there is enough interest (and time), we will also work with some or all of the group on debate.
Here is a rundown of possible goals for the group and range of topics:
Preliminary Goals for the Group (list to be developed by the group):
Build speaking and general confidence
Public speaking basics
Organize what you want to say
Improve the art and skill of speaking
Learn to speak more elegantly
Brevity
Separating emotion from logic
Practice extemporaneous speaking
Learn how one sounds
Improve listening skills
Learn critical listening skills
Learn how to critique arguments
Learn to recognize & avoid “ad hominem” and tautological arguments
More generally:
Practice at establishing personal goals
Become more organized
Learn research skills
Improve logical thinking
Possible Topics:
Types of speaking and debate: Informational, persuasive, consensus building
Types of statements & arguments, Evidence v. opinion
Thinking about your audience
Research!
Organizing your ideas
Stating the goals of your talk in the beginning
Approaches to organizing ideas: Chronological, general to specific, weakest to strongest, mixed
Transitions from one thought to another
Logic and emotion balance
Refining, editing and summarization:
Vocabulary choices
Quotes
Recognizing and avoiding tautological and ad homanim arguments
Visual and other aids
Great listening
Focus on speakers
Note taking
Techniques and use of active listening
Elements of formal debate (if desired):
Teamwork
Timing in a debate
Organizing your resources
Rebuttal
Ethics of speaking and debate
Speaking confidence
The ”Act” of speaking: mental focus, body position, eyes, breathing, How I sound?, How do I look?
Consensus building
Other public speaking formats: extemporaneous, expository |