Progressive Era Soapbox Speech Competition
provides each student with the opportunity to research and prepare a 3-4 minute
speech on a topic as part of our Unit Four instruction. This project is
intended to model the appropriate steps in preparing a successful speech,
stagger the preparation to ensure understanding and quality, and tackle the
challenge of public speaking head on. The contest also gives students the
chance to actively contribute to the instruction of the educational community and
showcase their skills to judges. The speech will be given without notes. This
is an individual project that is worth 150 points. These directions are your
friend showing you the easiest and quickest way to complete this task and do it
well. Mr. Durnell can be your personal tutor and guide you through every or any
step of this process. Utilize the website (www.speechguardianangel.blogspot.com)
for sample work and helpful suggestions.
Speech Topics: Students are expected to research a reformer that they pull
from a hat in class. The project will begin on Wednesday October 25th.
The reformers include Alice Paul, Jane Addams, Margaret Sanger, Florence
Kelley, Ida B. Wells, W.E.B. Dubois, Booker T. Washington, Susan B. Anthony,
Eugene V. Debs, John Dewey, Lincoln Steffens, Upton Sinclair, Jacob Riis,
Samuel Gompers, and John Muir. These topics are rich in history, accounts,
footage, testimonies, and primary sources.
Proof of Research Notes: Due Friday November 3rd - 20 points
Proof of research will be at
least 3 to 5 sides of hand written research notes (no skipping lines) on the
topic including specific quotes, stats, details, and examples. Length
expectations will be adjusted for large writers. This must be hand written,
typed material will not receive any points. Do more than the bare minimum. I am
more than happy to make an appointment with any student and tell them
everything I know about a topic. Utilize YouTube to watch documentaries which
not only give information, but model the outline for the topic. Use the pause
button and steal all of the info you can. Documentaries range from 2 minutes to
2 hours.
Soapbox Speech Format: Soapbox speeches
are organized to capture the attention of people walking by, quickly educate
them on the topic, explain how they can create change, and spur them to action.
You are looking to recruit people. This is not a biography, this is not a bio,
this is not a biography. Use present tense
1.
Hook- This
opening section is intended to catch people’s attention. It can be a short
story or a series of rhetorical question. There should be some good volume and
animation. “Imagine you...”
2.
Problem-
Briefly explain the problem and how it has been handled in society. This your
chance to insert historic events, examples, statistics, and quotes to
demonstrate that this problem must be addressed immediately. Paint a negative
picture that must be dealt with.
3.
Solution-
Introduce the ideas and actions of your Progressive Era reformer and explain
how these are the correct steps to address the problem. How did your reformer
seek to solve problem
4.
Counter Argument-
“Some would argue that…but…” This is your chance to briefly address a
counterargument or two and then crush it.
5.
Why Do I Care?-
Explain to the average person in the audience why they should care and need to
get involved now to create meaningful change in the world.Sell that this needs
to be dealt with
6.
Clincher-
This is your conclusion. It should contain a connection to modern day and a
well thought out final statement which clearly demonstrates your message.
Speech Outline: Due Friday November 10th -15 points
Open a Word document, click on the bullets button, type in
the 6 bold faced words listed in the Format section above, transfer the info
from your research notes into whatever category applies, edit the sections to
move or cut items, read the outline out loud while timing yourself, and if it
is not 3 1/2 minutes add info and cut if it is over 4 minutes. The final step
is to practice, practice and practice more without notes. Outline is detailed
bullet points, not sentences or paragraphs. Do not write, “Talk about _____”.
Instead detail what you are going to say.
Practice Sessions: Before &
After School November 14-16, makeup on 20th - 30 points
Students will be required to come in for a 15 minute
practice session after school between 2:30 and 5pm during the week of November
13th. Students will hand over their outline, step on the box, and give their
speech without notes. The signup sheet will be passed around the week before,
so check with your boss, coach, parents, and club sponsors before you sign up.
Students will lose points for rescheduling. Students who do not show up or show
up unprepared will lose points and be asked to sign up for another session.
Parent Practice Speeches: Due Monday November 20th - 20 points
Each student must do three different practice speeches in
front of a parent or teacher (friends do not count). Each speech must be done
without notes, or aides, and should be timed as well. I would like for these to
be done at three different times or days.
This way students can have time to think through their revisions and
practice more before trying it out again. The parent should provide some
feedback. Students must turn this paper in with a parent’s signature and cell
number.
Small Group Practice Speeches
The class will break into small
groups and given the opportunity to practice their speech in front of a small
group. Group members will time the speech and offer positive constructive
criticism. Speeches will be done without
the outline or notes. The goal is for each student to go through their speech
2-5 times.
Student Scoring Rubrics: Assigned on day student are not speaking -15 points
Students will be assigned the task of grading three of their
peer’s speeches on days that they are not giving their own speech. They are
graded on completion, effort, and quality of feedback.
Enlistment Vouchers: Each student will
be given two Enlistment Vouchers. The purpose of any soapbox speech is to
enlist others to get active in the cause. As students listen to other speeches
they can enlist or join the two causes/speeches that are the most convincing.
Students will earn an extra credit point for each two voucher they are given.
Students can only award one voucher to a given person.
Final Speeches: Tuesday 11/28 and Wednesday 11/29 - 50 points
Students will perform their final
speech in front of their peers and some judges. Students are required to dress
formally. Students who miss the time limit of 3-4 minutes by 1-60 seconds will
lose a letter grade and two letter grades for going under 2 or over 5 minutes. Speech
order is determined on 10/25 at beginning of project, but everyone must be
prepared to give their speech on 11/28. Students must go the day they are called,
there is no rescheduling. Students will lose two letter grades for unexcused
absences on the day of their speech. Judges and students will grade student
performances. The audience will take notes on each topic.
