Here are five model contest speeches. There is no such thing as a perfect speech. We can join the throngs of speakers who hone in on the one or two misspoken words and overlook the brilliance of the rest of the speech, but that is not fair and counterproductive. These speeches were chosen for several reasons, which I will highlight. However, I will also indicate spots for improvement. Please read through my comments before watching the speeches.
Model Contest Speech #1 - Herb
This is a great speech given on a difficult topic. Not only is economics confusing, it is a pretty dry subject to most people. James was able to explain the topic and offer some examples. However, the speech rolled on a bit too long. This speech earned an A-.
Room for Improvement- James had a real good use of hands. It is important that in between hand gestures, the speaker finds a resting place for their hands, preferably the side of the podium, so fidgeting does not distract the audience. James kept touching his finger tips together in a nervous tick. There was a bit of swaying. Movement is good because it shows animation. However, swaying is due to nerves and can distract the audience from the points of the speech.
Positives- James clearly has solid command of the material, but even more so, he was able to deliver it with a confidence that gave him the image of someone who should be listened to, someone who knew their stuff. Whether that confidence is real or manufactured, it makes a difference. James was very animated, doing a great job of using hands. Formal dress sends the right message to the audience as well.
Model Contest Speech #2 - Juliet
Juliet designed a wonderful speech which tied her life story into the times of the Roaring Twenties. Her focus was on giving the speech, which she did. However, it would have been better if she focused on delivering the speech. Juliet earned a B- on this speech.
Room for Improvement- Juliet needed to play the role of the person she invented for this speech. The speech was given with little emotion and seemed mechanical. For example, she talked about her husband jumping off a building with little to no change in tone, face, or volume. Acting or tears are not necessary, but something more than the words is required. The volume was too low throughout and Juliet could have been more animated with her hands.
Positives- The character approach is one that opens up such a great opportunity to get the audience invested. Juliet seemed the most relaxed when she was speaking as the character instead of delivering content. The speech was really well written and creative. In terms of content, Juliet painted a pretty vivid picture of time period.
Model Contest Speech #3 - Butch
This was a good speech that was given about the Harlem Renaissance. Butch demonstrates an approach that shows him speaking in a comfortable manner throughout the speech. Butch did venture off script and ramble a bit. Overall, the speech earned a B-.
Room for Improvement- There is no need to start the speech off with your name. Jump straight into the hook of the speech to capture the audience. Towards the end, Butch wandered off topic a bit, which took the audience into a dead end. The speech also went too long. More is not always better.
Positives- Butch did a great job of story telling. You got the sense that here was an old man talking about the old days. he clearly knew his content and spoke with confidence. It is subtle, but Butch did a wonderful job of working topic sentences into his speech to help the audience follow him through transitions. For example, he posed the question of how white citizens heard about Jazz music and then went into his 30 second answer.
Model Contest Speech #4 - Jane
Jane had clear command of the material and presented a solid historic account of the times. However, this is an example of the absence of the commonly overlooked portion of an effective speech: the delivery. Overall, Jane earned a B+ for this speech
Room for Improvement- From the onset the audience is confronted with the issue of too low of volume. Unfortunately, in this instance some people will change the channel. Jane needs to get into character more. She is talking about her alcoholic husband who abandoned the family, but there is no real emotion. Be outraged and disgusted, add some sass. The conclusion deserved some more attention as well.
Positives- Jane absolutely knew her content and her speech is evidence of ample practice. She should have confidence in this as speak up with a stronger voice. She did a great job of tying the history to her personal story. Clearly effort was put into developing transitions ad Jane did well in pausing between points. Finally, Jane had solid eye contact throughout the speech, which helped to engage the audience.
Model Contest Speech #5 - Edith
Great speech overall. In fact this is the best speech featured in these samples because it ties together knowledge of the content with a great delivery. This speech was an easy A.
Room for Improvement- Edith should not bother to try to remember specific dates as this is just taking up precious memory space for an item that will be forgotten by the audience moments later. There was some topics that were kind of presented with a smile or joke that could have potentially been approached with some more gravity.
Positives- Edith did a great job if selling the character. You got the sense that this was the way she behaved herself, before and after the speech, which was not the case. Edith did a great job of varying her tone and volume of voice as if she was talking with a good friend about something that happened to her. The storytelling approach makes the content so much more accessible than just speaking. Edith told us her story and in designing the speech this way, she also made it easier for her to remember.
