Roaring Twenties Speech Contest
Project Expectations &
Rubric
Roaring Twenties Speech Contest provides
each student with the opportunity to research and prepare a 5-6 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 from the school and community.
The speech will be given without notes. This is an individual project
that is worth 175 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,
just ask.
Speech Topics
Students are expected to research
the topic that they pull from the hat. The
project will begin on Wednesday October 21st. The topics include the
Roaring Twenties, Race Riots, Prohibition, Red Scare, 19th
Amendment, Immigration, Harlem Renaissance, Flappers, Scopes Trial, Jazz Age,
KKK, Lindbergh, Organized Crime, and Stock Market Crash. These topics are rich
in history, accounts, footage, testimonies, and primary sources.
Proof of Research Notes: 15 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.
Format Choice: 10 points
Students will be required to
select one speech format, which are listed on the back of this sheet. These
options include Informative, Persuasive, Dramatic Interpretation, Original
Poetry, & Interpretive Storytelling.
Students will declare their format on the signup sheet as they register
for practice speeches. Students cannot change formats once they are declared,
so they must put thought to this decision based on their topic and research.
Speech Outline: 15 points
This should be a detailed outline that is done in outline
format (bullets from Microsoft Word) and at an appropriate length for a 5-6
minute speech. A speech must have an intro, body topics or paragraphs, and a
conclusion just like a paper. Break speech into 10-12 small chunks as opposed
to 5-6 big ones. Outline is detailed bullet points, not sentences. Do not write,
“Talk about _____”. Instead detail what you are going to say.
Speech Transcript: 15 points
The Transcript is a copy of your
speech in paragraph form as if you just gave the best version of your speech
out loud and a stenographer recorded everything. This is meant to serve as
another step in the planning process and to establish an ideal to strive for. It
is not meant to replace your outline and it is not a paper. It is important
that when preparing for your speech you are supposed to remember the outline,
not memorize the transcript. Sit at the computer, give your speech out loud,
type what you say, time yourself reading it at a conversational pace, and edit
it if it does not take 5-6 minutes. This should be done only after practicing
at least 12 times w/out notes.
Practice Speech: 20 points
Students are expected to schedule
a period between 11/16 and 11/19 before or after school to come into class and
give their speech for the teacher.
Students will hand over their outline and transcript and do the speech
without any notes from the podium in front of class. Students will lose 5
points for rescheduling. Points will be deducted for late arrivals and the need
for verbal cues during the speeches. If
a student does a no call, no show he or she will lose 10 points and be required
to reschedule. Poor speeches will be required to come back in on 11/20. In
other words, be prepared, practice without your notes several times before
coming.
Parent Practice Speeches: 25 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 on body language, content and tone. Speech judge scoring rubrics will
be provided via email, which may be ideal. Students must turn this paper in
with a parent’s signature and cell number. It is recommended to film one of the
speeches to watch afterwards.
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. 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.
Final Speeches: 60 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 5-6 minutes by 1-60 seconds will
lose a letter grade and two letter grades for going under 4 or over 7 minutes. Speech
order is determined on 10/21 at beginning of project, but everyone must be
prepared to give their speech on 12/1. 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 and verbally reflect
on the speeches. The audience will take notes on each topic.
