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      Delivering a speech to an audience

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can deliver a speech to an audience.

      Key learning points

      1. A speaker should introduce themselves and their speech title when they first start speaking.
      2. Using eye-contact helps to make a speech successful.
      3. It is important not to speak too fast when delivering a speech.
      4. Using body language and gestures will help to reinforce your purpose for speaking.

      Keywords

      • Delivery - Delivery refers to the way in which something is presented to an audience.

      • Eye-contact - Eye-contact is when a person is looking directly into someone else's eyes when speaking to them.

      • Pauses - Pauses are temporary stops or breaks in something.

      • Gestures - Gestures are physical movements made with the hands, arms and other body parts.

      • Volume - Volume refers to how loud or quiet something is.

      Common misconception

      Pupils speak too fast.

      Pupils can use note cards to remind them when to pause for emphasis and to control speed.

      Teacher tip

      Adding a speaking and listening game at the start of this lesson where you can analyse how the pupils are speaking to an audience would be a good way to begin to get the class to think about what makes an effectively delivered speech.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What does the word 'preparation' mean?

      the way that a person does something
      Correct answer: the action or process of getting ready to do something
      the length of time a person does something for

      Q2.
      The structure to use when writing a speech is called PEPS, but what does that stand for?

      point, explanation, preparation, summary
      Correct answer: point, explanation, proof, summary
      point, evidence, proof, summary

      Q3.
      Before writing their speech, a speaker must first decide on the title of their speech and what else?

      Correct answer: the purpose of their speech
      the length of their speech
      the clothes they will wear to deliver their speech

      Q4.
      When delivering their point, which word will a speaker use to signal that they are now going to justify their opinion with reasoning?

      and
      but
      Correct answer: because

      Q5.
      What is the name for the part of a speech when a speaker recaps the important things they've already said?

      point
      explanation
      proof
      Correct answer: summary

      Q6.
      In the summary, one section of the PEPS structure would likely be repeated in full. What section is this?

      Correct answer: point
      explanation
      proof

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What is the name for the word that refers to the way in which something is presented to an audience?

      style
      Correct answer: delivery
      pace

      Q2.
      Where should an introduction be added to a speaker's speech?

      Correct answer: the very beginning
      the very end
      the middle

      Q3.
      Correctly order these parts of an introduction.

      1 - a polite greeting directed to the audience
      2 - stating your name
      3 - saying what you are doing and the speech title

      Q4.
      Who should the speaker make eye-contact with when speaking?

      one person in the audience
      nobody
      their friends in the audience
      Correct answer: as many people in the audience as possible

      Q5.
      Which of these are things a speaker should try and do when delivering their speech?

      move around as much as possible
      Correct answer: use positive and professional body language
      Correct answer: speak at a suitable volume for the space
      keep completely still

      Q6.
      Which of these is a benefit of using pauses when delivering a speech?

      Correct answer: building suspense at certain points in the speech
      making the audience think the speaker has forgotten what to say
      surprising the audience when speaking loudly after a pause

      To help you plan your 4 English lesson on: Delivering a speech to an audience, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...