New
New
Year 10
Edexcel

Preparing to deliver a powerful speech

I can deliver a powerful and convincing persuasive speech.

New
New
Year 10
Edexcel

Preparing to deliver a powerful speech

I can deliver a powerful and 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. It's okay to feel nervous, find the strategies that work for you.

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

  • Compelling - to be so persuasive or interesting that it convinces or captures the attention of an audience

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.

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.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Students will need an existing speech they have written to complete the tasks for this lesson.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), 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...
focussed on the ground.
focussed on your script.
focussed on one member of the audience.
Correct answer: focussed generally on the audience.
Q2.
What is the definition of paralanguage?
Correct answer: The features of verbal communication other than words.
The physical gestures and body language used in communication.
The way someone holds themselves when seated or standing.
The deliberate repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of words.
Q3.
Which of the following is not a feature of paralanguage?
tone
pace
Correct answer: vocabulary
pitch
volume
Q4.
Which of the following is not a tonal word suitable for speech delivery?
assertive
enthusiatic
optimistic
Correct answer: passive
Q5.
Which word beginning with 'p', refers to the way someone holds themselves when they’re seated or standing?
Correct Answer: posture
Q6.
The term kinesics refers to...
the features of verbal communication other than words e.g tone, volume and pitch
Correct answer: the way body language, facial expressions and gestures can communicate meaning
the highness and lowness of your voice
the attitude and emotion of your voice

6 Questions

Q1.
The way someone holds themselves when they’re seated or standing is known as...
Correct answer: posture.
pitch.
pace.
eye contact.
body language.
Q2.
Which of the following indicate confident body language?
fiddling with your hair
standing with your hands in your pockets
Correct answer: having your hands free and open
Correct answer: standing without fidgeting
Q3.
What is the purpose of creating cue cards for a speech?
to memorise the entire speech word for word
to ensure the speaker relies solely on the script during the delivery
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 two answers should not appear on your cue cards?
Correct answer: your full speech
sentence starters
Correct answer: full sentences
key information
rhetorical devices
Q5.
Which of the following is an example of a tentative phrase?
Absolutely, I am certain of that.
Correct answer: Perhaps, there could be some truth to that.
Definitely, without a doubt.
No, that's completely incorrect.
Q6.
What is the purpose of using and posing open questions after listening to a speech?
to limit audience engagement
Correct answer: to encourage developed responses beyond "yes" or "no"
to provide closed-ended answers
to avoid answering questions effectively