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Year 9

Preparing and delivering a powerful speech

I can deliver a convincing persuasive speech.

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New
New
Year 9

Preparing and delivering a powerful speech

I can deliver a convincing persuasive speech.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Reading from a script, or memorising a speech word for word, can lead to a less engaging delivery.
  2. If you take questions at the end, you should respond with new content rather than repeating parts of the speech.
  3. Asking open questions can invite developed responses.
  4. Body language and eye contact support the successful delivery of a speech.
  5. Speeches are much more engaging when the speaker does not simply read off a page.

Keywords

  • Convincing - to make something believable by presenting strong evidence and reasoning

  • Speculate - to make guesses or predictions about something

  • Body language - non-verbal cues or gestures such as facial expressions and posture

  • Naturalistic - with reference to speech delivery, this means speaking in a relaxed way without scripts

Common misconception

That memorising the speech, or having a script, makes for a more confident delivery.

An effective speech will have an element of spontaneity and naturalism about it. Relying on a script, or repeating a speech word for word, can lead to a robotic delivery and a less convincing speech.


To help you plan your year 9 english lesson on: Preparing and delivering a powerful speech, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Students will need an existing speech they have written to complete the tasks for this lesson. For Task B pupils can work as a class, group or pairs, to deliver their speeches and practice asking and answering questions.
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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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6 Questions

Q1.
When delivering a speech your eye contact should be ...
focused on the ground.
focused on your script.
focused on one member of the audience.
Correct answer: focused generally on the audience.
Q2.
What is the primary purpose of a persuasive speech?
entertaining the audience
informing the audience
Correct answer: convincing the audience of something specific
educating the audience
Q3.
Which of the following is not a non-verbal feature?
pace
tone
pitch
Correct answer: vocabulary
volume
Q4.
Which of the following is not a tonal word suitable for speech delivery?
assertive
confident
urgent
Correct answer: passive
Q5.
Which of the following is an example of non-verbal communication in spoken language?
Correct answer: facial expressions
vocabulary
spelling
punctuation
persuasive devices
Q6.
Which two of the following would you use to show confidence?
closed body language
Correct answer: good eye contact
Correct answer: open body language
fidgeting
speaking too quickly

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these strategies can help you feel less nervous when delivering a speech?
Correct answer: taking deep breaths
Correct answer: practising your speech
speaking quickly
Correct answer: upright posture
using a script
Q2.
With reference to speech delivery, which word means speaking in a relaxed way without scripts?
convincing
compelling
Correct answer: naturalistic
strained
Q3.
What is the purpose of creating cue cards for a speech?
to ensure the speaker relies solely on the script during the delivery
to memorise the entire speech word for word
Correct answer: to provide key ideas and prompts to structure the speech delivery
to avoid eye contact with the audience
Q4.
Which of the following should not be on a cue card?
sentence starters
ideas from your introduction
Correct answer: full sentences
rhetorical devices
Q5.
What type of questions invite developed responses, rather than just a "yes" or "no"?
Correct Answer: open, open questions, open ended, an open question
Q6.
Which of the following is not an example of a tentative phrase?
Perhaps this is due to rising temperatures
Correct answer: No, that's completely incorrect.
This might suggest a bigger problem.
Maybe this suggests a lack of opportunities.