"It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver." - Mahatma Gandhi
If you are feeling anxiety or stress related to the coronavirus, know that there are resources and services to help you manage your concerns.
Click here for tips and resources about supporting your mental health during COVID-19.
Dr. Emily Landon speaks at Illinois Governor's COVID-19 Press Conference Announcing Initial Stay at Home Order.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead - American cultural anthropologist
Words are powerful. Speak about topics that you are passionate about. Use your speaking opportunities to ethically impact your audiences and your communities.
Oprah Winfrey received the Cecil B. de Mille Award at the 2018 Golden Globes and gave a rousing speech that addressed recent developments surrounding sexual harassment and sexual misconduct.
“If you don't love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?" -- RuPaul
Although not everyone can draw on natural charisma to capture an audience, we can all strive for an engaging delivery by employing vocal variety (changing our rate, volume, and pitch), facial expressions, and gestures. A dynamic delivery is the perfect complement to excellent content.
Billy Porter, who plays the flamboyant ballroom emcee Pray Tell in FX’s “Pose,” made Emmy history in 2019 by becoming the first openly gay black man to win the lead actor in a drama category.
“In times of stress, the best thing we can do for each other is to listen with our ears and our hearts and to be assured that our questions are just as important as our answers.” -Fred Rogers
When you're stressed and irritable, your instinct may be to wrap yourself in a cocoon. Instead, reach out to family and friends and make social connections. Social contact is a good stress reliever because it can offer distraction, provide support and help you tolerate life's up and downs. So take a coffee break with a friend, email a relative or visit your place of worship. Got more time? Considering volunteering for a charitable group and help yourself while helping others. (Source: Mayo Clinic)
Stress. It makes your heart pound, your breathing quicken and your forehead sweat. But while stress has been made into a public health enemy, new research suggests that stress may only be bad for you if you believe that to be the case. Psychologist Kelly McGonigal urges us to see stress as a positive, and introduces us to an unsung mechanism for stress reduction: reaching out to others.
"Love what you do and do what you love. Don't listen to anyone else who tells you not to do it. You do what you want, what you love. Imagination should be the center of your life." -- Ray Bradbury, Author and Screenwriter
Tip: No matter how hard you try; you cannot figure out your passion by thinking about it. You need to take action and feel your way to your truth, from the inside out. Read more: http://www.oprah.com/supersoulsunday/the-secret-to-finding-your-passion-hint-its-not-what-you-think_1#ixzz5gNNeutxB
Speech of the Month: Glenn Close won the 2019 Golden Globe for best actress in drama. She gave a powerful acceptance speech that emphasized the importance of finding your own passion.
"One of the most powerful networking practices is to provide immediate value to a new connection. This means the moment you identify a way to help someone, take action." -- Lewis Howes (author and former professional athlete)
"Having the right professional contacts can help you expand your business and open the door to new opportunities. One of the best ways to meet those contacts is by attending networking events. Whether you're at an industry-specific conference or a general entrepreneur meetup, you're sure to connect with people who can help you grow." -- Forbes
We often find ourselves stuck in narrow social circles with similar people. What habits confine us, and how can we break them? Organizational psychologist Tanya Menon considers how we can be more intentional about expanding our social universes -- and how it can lead to new ideas and opportunities.
“Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don’t recognize them” -- Ann Landers (American advice columnist)
“There will be days when you feel as though you just can't take it anymore and that you are in over your head. But it is these moments that define us and feed our character. Keep working toward your goal. When you look back, you'll be proud of the progress you've made. After all, pressure makes diamonds.” – Young Entrepreneur Council
In this speech, Oprah is giving the commencement speech to Harvard graduates in 2013. She speaks about her struggles and how her ability to persevere through those difficult times allowed her to become a better version of herself. She speaks about her upbringing and how she never imagined that she would be living her dream, but because of her determination, she succeeded.
“Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself. Do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it.” – Bruce Lee (Hong Kong and American actor, film director, and martial artist)
Don’t forget to be yourself when giving a presentation. It’s important that you don’t become a talking head – in any type of communication. You will establish better credibility if your personality shines through, and your audience will trust what you have to say if they can see you as a real person.
Caroline McHugh helps people effectively be themselves for a living. In this TEDtalk, she gives a fascinating talk on the art of being yourself.
Speakers are made not born. -- Origin unclear
Start strong! Just as you need a strong opening statement to begin your speech, you also need a strong start to a new academic year. Have fun, make strong relationships with classmates, hall mates, faculty, and staff. EIU prides itself on close relationships between students and faculty/staff. The people who work at EIU are here because they love being in a student-centered environment. Always remember, reach out to a faculty or staff member if you have questions, have trouble, need something, or just want to chat with someone.
Some words of wisdom from Michelle Obama. Especially for first generation college students.
“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by [hu]mankind” - Rudyard Kipling
Think before you speak. That means you should try to connect with the feelings of the other person in order to show that you genuinely care about the conversation that is going between the two of you.
Camilla Cabello’s speech about "Dreamers" at the Grammy’s. This speech was given by Camilla Cabello at the 2018 Grammy Awards. She herself is an immigrant, and wanted to use this opportunity as a platform to share her belief on the importance of Dreamers and the way that they are beneficial to our country.
"Never be limited by other people’s limited imagination” - Dr. Mae Jemison, first African-American female astronaut
For informative speaking, explain the importance of the topic. Why should the audience listen? Will this information improve their lives in some meaningful way? Especially with a captive--involuntary--audience, a speaker must establish a connection between their topic and the interests of the audience. (Adopted from University of Pittsburg)
Speech: Yara Shahidi acceptance speech for Young, Gifted, and Black Award at Black Girls Rock!
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead - American cultural anthropologist
Words are powerful. Speak about topics that you are passionate about. Use your speaking opportunities to ethically impact your audiences and your communities.
Oprah Winfrey received the Cecil B. de Mille Award at the 2018 Golden Globes and gave a rousing speech that addressed recent developments surrounding sexual harassment and sexual misconduct.
“Listen with curiosity. Speak with honesty. Act with integrity. The greatest problem with communication is we don’t listen to understand. We listen to reply. When we listen with curiosity, we don’t listen with the intent to reply. We listen for what’s behind the words.”
― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
Be confident in your ideas. You should always be confident of what you are speaking and should take ownership of your words. This is will increase the trust that the other people have in you and make the conversation flow more freely.
Donovan Livingston, a master's candidate at Harvard University, was selected to speak at the school's convocation Wednesday. After he performed his poem titled "Lift Off," Donovan Livingston's speech went viral, with over 5 million tuning in.
"Balance is the key to everything. What we do, think, say, eat, feel, they all require awareness, and through this awareness, we can grow." - Koi Fresco
Set priorities and seek balance. College life is a mixture of social and academic happenings. Don't tip the balance too far in either direction.
Coca Cola's former CEO Mukhtar Kent speaks at Georgia Tech's 2014 Commencement
“Silence is for fools. Communication is for leaders. Justice is for those brave enough to not stand another moment dealing with people that feel the solution to any problem is through cold indifference because of their lack of courage and insecurities.” - Shannon L. Alder
While nerves may always be a part of the public speaking process, know that the audience does not know how you feel or what you are thinking on the inside just because they are looking at you. These phenomenon is known as the illusion of transparency. Make sure to realize that the audience simply cannot read that far into your presentation. In fact, often times speakers who review a taped version of their speech are pleasantly surprised to find that their nerves were not apparent as they believe them to be! Remember that the audience can only see what you display on the outside.
Early in her time as part of the royal family, Princess Diana was known as “Shy Di” for her avoidance of being snapped in pictures and giving speeches. Princess Diana, despite being known throughout the United Kingdom and world, had a substantial amount of speaking anxiety. She began overcoming this fear by engaging in more public speaking, reducing her uncertainty by continuing to speak publically. After a trip to Angola where she became aware of the scourge of landmines, she felt passionate and confident enough to deliver a speech to the Royal Geographical Society to raise awareness about and ultimately take steps to eradicate the landmines. In the short clip below, note how she exuded confidence and calm even though she was undoubtedly still somewhat nervous on the inside.
“Words have power, and when you speak you give them life. Speak into the atmosphere. Speak into existence what you believe, desire, dream, and hope.”
Research will always take longer than you expect. Make sure to start your research early and avoid the pitfalls that come with procrastination.
Harvard graduate, Donovan Livingston addresses fellow graduate by reciting an original poem titled, "Lift Off."
“Take advantage of every opportunity to practice your communication skills, so that when important occasions arise, you will have the gift, the style, the sharpness, the clarity, and the emotions to affect other people.” – Jim Rohn (motivational speaker)
Visualize your success this semester and be sure to stay on top of the things that you need to do in order to achieve it. As you delve into your CMN 1310 course and begin giving speeches, you can visualize yourself successful and the audience's positive response to your presentation in order to help lessen your speaking anxiety. Cheers to another great semester at EIU!
Michelle Obama gave a motivational farewell speech at the White House honoring the School Counselor of the Year Award. She urges us to be informed and engaged as citizens and to get the best education possible so that we can think critically and express ourselves clearly. She stresses the importance of hope and empowering ourselves with a good education and leading by example.
"You may delay, but time will not, and lost time is never found again." - Benjamin Franklin
Do your winter cleaning. Go through your hard copy files and computer files and throw away or delete anything that is no longer useful to you. Studies show that clutter greatly affects your stress level and can even make you less productive.
Tim Urban knows that procrastination doesn't make sense, but he's never been able to shake his habit of waiting until the last minute to get things done.
To be persuasive we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible; to be credible we must be truthful. -- Edward R. Murrow
Nonverbal cues are an important aspect in persuasive speaking, especially when they are coming from your audience members. Recognize that the audience is constantly processing what you (the speaker) is saying. Nonverbal reactions are common for an audience listening to a persuasive speech. Whether it is a nodding head or rolling eyes, these can be signals from audience members that indicate that they either like or dislike what you are saying. Acknowledging these nonverbal reactions can help you explain certain points with more detail.
Watch well-known famous actor Leonardo DiCaprio deliver a powerful persuasive speech about why action needs to be taken for this crisis.
"You can speak well if your tongue can deliver the message of your heart." -- John Ford (American Film Director)
One method to gain audience attention in your introduction is to draw attention to your subject by describing a scene so vividly that your listeners are compelled to visualize it.
Watch Emmy-winning actress, Viola Davis deliver an acceptance speech addressing diversity and opportunity in Hollywood during the 2015 Emmy Awards Show.
"All those iconic presenters of today were a shy little kid back then." -- Aayush Jain
Even the highly-visible and prolific speakers of our world rely on both support and practice in delivering their speeches. Using notecards are a valuable means of support while giving a speech. Notecards allow for gesturing, responses, free movement, and more eye contact as opposed to being encumbered by a full script. It also functions as a valuable safety net to keep the speaker on track all the while. Practicing with notecards and keeping the amount of them used low can make the speech even more effective and make you more comfortable in your delivery. But remember, the notecards should become an extension of your body, not something to fidget with during the speech.
Jon Stewart is a former television host, actor, director, writer, comedian, critic, and producer; an all-around modern day Renaissance man. As the former host of Comedy Central’s satirical news program, The Daily Show, Jon Stewart spoke in front of a live studio audience and was then broadcast out to millions of homes for sixteen years. Even as a skilled public speaker, Jon Stewart still uses notecards during this speech for the start of the Warrior Games. Even after years and years of practice, the pros may still need the same support tools to practice their craft.
Speakers are made not born. -- Origin unclear
Start strong! Just as you need a strong opening statement to begin your speech, you also need a strong start to a new academic year. Have fun, make strong relationships with classmates, hall mates, faculty, and staff. EIU prides itself on close relationships between students and faculty/staff. The people who work at EIU are here because they love being in a student-centered environment. Always remember, reach out to a faculty or staff member if you have questions, have trouble, need something, or just want to chat with someone.
Dr. Richard G. Jones, Jr., Associate Professor and Basic Course Director in the Department of Communication Studies was named EIU's Faculty Laureate for 2016-2017 and delivered a speech titled, "Welcome to your Academic Home and your Academic Family" at Convocation on August 19th 2016. Dr. Jones coordinated and supervised all CMN 1310/1390: Introduction to Speech Communication courses at EIU.
See the text of the speech here.
Speech is the skin of the self. -- Seneca (Roman philosopher and statesman)
As you choose your persuasive speech topic and deliver your speech, think about the topics that are important to you. As Seneca's quote above suggests, our speech is a part of us. When you speak about something you care about, your delivery will be better and you will enjoy the speech writing and delivery process more.
April is Asian American heritage month and in the following video, actor George Takei, speaks at the site of a Japanese interment camp in Rohwer Arkansas. Takei spent time as a prisoner in this camp as a child, which comes through in the speech as he clearly connects the topic to his experiences.
"One thing is clear: The human mind can imagine both how to break self-esteem and how to nurture it -- and imagining anything is the first step toward creating it." -- Gloria Steinem
Always consider the gender of your audience and focus on finding ways to make your topic relevant to everyone in the room. Some students fall into the trap of stereotyping when considering the gender of their immediate audience. What seems to be sensitivity to gender can turn out to be disguised sexism.
Emma Watson, Women Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations, presented a moving speech to kick off the HeForShe campaign in September of 2014. HeForShe's mission is to engage men and boys as agents of change for the achievement of gender equality and women's rights by encouraging them to take action against inequalities faced by women and girls.
“It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.” – Maya Angelou
Remember, when selecting a speech topic, it is important to select a topic that is relevant to your audience, which requires you to get to know the diverse group of individuals in your class. Once you have selected a topic and begin the research process it is important to recognize yourself and your own position, that way you can be conscious not to approach your research process from your angle alone.
A very moving and inspirational speech delivered by EIU’s own Austin Mejdrich, a Political Science major from Charleston, IL. This speech took place at the FundEIU Rally on Eastern Illinois University’s campus in February 2016.
"Starting strong is good. Finishing strong is epic." - Robin Sharma (writer and leadership expert)
Now is the time to start off the semester strong and motivated to do well and succeed. Being able to finish strong and meet your goals for the semester will be an epic accomplishment. Stay on track with due dates, study hard for exams, and go to class. Here's to a great semester. Good luck!
Great moments are born with great opportunities, and that is what you have here today as students. You have the great opportunity to be a student and obtain an education in order for you to achieve your goals and start your dream career. With it being after the holidays and it finally being time to finish out the school year, THIS IS YOUR TIME, to succeed, now go out there and make it happen! Good luck this semester, we know you'll do great!
"I need context, nuance and the warmth and tone that can only come from a human voice." -- Danielle Steel, American Author
On November 14, 1970, a tragedy in collegiate athletics occurred in West Virginia. A chartered jet crashed near the intended airport in Kenova, WV with no survivors. Passengers on-board included the Marshall University's football team, coaches, staff, and townspeople. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the crash.
Here we see a scene from We Are Marshall in which Coach Jack Lengyel, played by Matthew McConaughey, seeks to inspire the Young Thundering Herd. Notice how he puts language in context.
“If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then come back and hit it again. Then hit it a third time — a tremendous whack.” - Winston Churchill
"Pause for two or three seconds and audiences assume you've lost your place; five seconds they think the pause is intentional; after ten seconds even the people texting can't help looking up. When you start speaking again the audience naturally assumes the pause was intentional... and that you're a confident and accomplished speaker. A poor speaker abhors a vacuum; only confident speakers are secure with silence. Take one long pause to gather your thoughts and the audience will automatically give you speaker bonus points." - Seth Godin on spreading ideas.
In the film, "Milk," Harvey Milk speaks at a Gay Pride Rally with great dynamism.
"You have to be prepared to speak to a particular audience on a particular occasion. Ultimately, then, a great speech is only partially about you. It's also about the audience and the occasion." – Nick Morgan (Speaking Coach and Author)
Being true to yourself during your speech is something the audience will take notice of. Do not attempt to become someone else while speaking publically, but instead let who you are shine through. When you speak genuinely, your speech is more conversational and your audience is more engaged.
The always hilarious actor and comedian Jim Carrey gives the commencement speech at Maharishi University of Management. Even though he is in an official capacity as the commencement speaker, he allows his personality and humor to come through. His comedy and personal narratives elevate the speech as he draws in the audience in and delights them. He also does not let these elements overwhelm the inspirational message of speech.
"Speech is an arrangement of notes that will never be played again." – F. Scott Fitzgerald
When delivering your speech, stick with simple and short language. By doing so, your idea becomes more clear to your audience. If shorthand would remove repetitiveness from your speech, clearly define the term used and state that from that point on, the term will be used rather than the longhand version.
Oscar Winner, Lupita Nyong’o, addresses Black Women of Hollywood on the meaning of beauty. She uses a number of strong personal narratives and audience centered language to relate to her audience, both in person and to a wider internet viewing.
"If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten." -- Tony Robbins
When speaking, don’t be afraid to take an unpopular position if you are able to support your arguments with credible facts. You won’t always be “preaching to the choir,” so realize you must know the arguments for and against your position and that it can be very useful in your speech to recognize and deal with any counterarguments to your position. It tells your audience you know there is more than one side to the story and that your side is the most credible and worthy of their attention.
Highlights from Prime Minister Netanyahu's Speech before the UN General Assembly 2014
"Of the modes of persuasion furnished by the spoken word there are three kinds. The first kind depends on the personal character of the speaker; the second on putting the audience into a certain frame of mind; the third on the proof." -- Aristotle, Rhetoric, Book I
As you are selecting topics for your informative speeches, you may have noticed a challenge in finding something relevant to you and your audience. Don't worry, there is no magical formula for this task and it's likely that you will end up with a topic not everyone is interested in. One thing you can do to help, is to employ audience centered language. Use inclusive language such as "us" and "we" in order to make the audience feel like the speech is centered on them.
In this scene from "V for Vendetta" V addresses the citizens of London. To encourage them to see the relevance of his points, V addresses the viewers using audience centered language. This use of language implies that V's points are important because it centers the topic around the audience.
Quote: “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou
When trying to persuade or motivate an audience remember to keep it interactive and refer to their needs, goals and well being. Talk about their goals, their aspirations, their anxieties. Cicero, a Roman statesman and orator, and one of the greatest speakers in the history of the world, said, "Tickling and soothing anxieties is the test of a speaker's impact and technique." He meant that you can capture attention if you remind an audience of a felt need, a pain point, or a threat to their well-being.
John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address
"...everything on the earth has a purpose, every disease an herb to cure it, and every person a mission. This is the Indian theory of existence." -- Mourning Dove Salish
With persuasive speeches starting, as well as "This I Believe" speeches taking place in a few weeks, remember that your opportunity to speak provides a platform to discuss important issues with your audience. Consider how Marlon Brando and Sacheen Littlefeather utilized winning an Oscar in 1973 to problematize the treatment of American Indians in the film industry. As said by Mourning Dove Salish, everything on earth has a purpose and every person has a mission. Dig into what you are passionate about and share it with others. Every day you have an opportunity to make a difference!
When nominated at the Oscars for his role in The Godfather for Best Actor, Marlon Brando rejected the award via Sacheen Littlefeather, a Native American civil rights activist, whom was sent to represent him during the acceptance portion of the award. Although Brando prepared an extensive speech for her to read about the mistreatment of American Indians , she was forced to follow the 60 second limit to speak on his behalf. She improvised this short speech, but it still remained powerful and caused quite a controversy.
Speech has both an individual and a social side, and we cannot conceive of one without the other. -- Ferdinand de Saussure, Course in General Linguistics
As you prepare your informative speeches, remember the different types of supporting materials you can use to explain your topic: facts and statistics, narratives, examples, definitions, and testimonies. Each of the supporting materials has strengths and weaknesses. Using the proper supporting materials in your speech will help form the substance of your speech.
Noveslist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie explains the danger of telling a single story all while using narratives, examples, and other supporting materials. Her speech personal, yet social.
I will prepare and someday, my chance will come. -- Abraham Lincoln
As you start the semester, many of the assignments you are given may seem daunting or maybe, you feel they aren't worth your time. Each and every task and assignment you receive here has its purpose in your academic career: to prepare you for the next step. Preparation is key to your future success, not only in college, but also, in work and other areas of your life. Thinking ahead and having a plan of action will better prepare you to seize opportunities as they come and will also help in easing anxiety about your future. While life doesn't always go as planned, being prepared helps you deal with the inevitable twists and turns of the journey.
In this scene of The King's Speech, King George VI is addressing millions of listeners in the British Empire to declare war with Nazi Germany in September 1939. For anyone to be an effective leader, preparing and delivering speeches is a necessary skill. What you see in this clip, is King George VI succeeding. What you don't see, and what is depicted throughout most of the movie, is King George VI practicing his delivery with a speech therapist for countless hours, so that when the chance came, he was able to show the public that he was worthy to be their king. This clip is a great example of the benefits of preparation.
Speech is the skin of the self. -- Seneca (Roman philosopher and statesman)
As you choose your persuasive speech topic and deliver your speech, think about the topics that are important to you. As Seneca's quote above suggests, our speech is a part of us. When you speak about something you care about, your delivery will be better and you will enjoy the speech writing and delivery process more.
April is Asian American heritage month and in the following video, actor George Takei, speaks at the site of a Japanese interment camp in Rohwer Arkansas. Takei spent time as a prisoner in this camp as a child, which comes through in the speech as he clearly connects the topic to his experiences.
Grasp the subject, the words will follow. -- Cato the Elder
For the informative speech you have learned to gather information from credible sources and present it in an engaging and interesting manner to your audience. Now for the persuasive speech you have to learn how to build an argument and present it effectively while addressing potential counter arguments. Also keep in mind that although there are going to be people in the audience who disagree with you, you still need to treat them and their viewpoint with respect and not discount their view or alienate them. Learning how to construct (and deconstruct) an argument is a valuable life skill that you will certainly come to use in your future.
Frank Zappa is arguing against the censoring of music deemed to be "porn rock" which was advocated for by the PMRC (Parents Music Resource Center) who believed that Rock music lyrics were harmful to children. Tipper Gore (Al Gore's wife) was one of the main voices behind this and it gained a lot of political traction leading to the senate hearing. Frank Zappa (among other artists like Dee Snyder) argued that there should be no censoring of popular music sold in stores on the grounds that it violated the 1st amendment.
– Alice in Wonderland (Lewis Carroll)
Show enthusiasm for your speech! If you do not appear to care about your speech, your audience will not care either.
This speech clip from "A Knight's Tale" (2001) portrays the character of Geoffrey Chaucer making a speech of introduction. The speech shows the power of enthusiasm and audience acknowledgment in speech delivery as Chaucer successfully engages and riles up his audience.
The only difference between professional speakers and novices is that the pros have trained their butterflies to fly in formation. – Edward R. Murrow
As you begin your college journey or just start a new semester in your journey already started, remember that speaking skills are important in professional, academic, personal, and civic contexts. Speaking anxiety, which is a form of communication apprehension, is one of the most researched topics in communication studies. Although it is very common (70% of college students have moderate or high levels of communication apprehension) this anxiety leads many people to dread public speaking or to avoid it all together. Confront and manage your anxiety so that you can take advantage of the power of public speaking. Taking a public speaking class is a great way to do this!
In the following speech, an award winning student with fear of public speaking gives an inspirational speech about facing his speaking anxiety and the benefits of doing so.
Your silence will not protect you. - Audre Lorde
One of the most important components of speech giving is to make sure you have something you want to say. If you care about what you are saying, and if you are passionate about it, the rest of preparing and delivering your speech becomes that much easier. This is especially effective for persuasive speeches, because you have the opportunity to change your audiences beliefs or actions!
This speech is given by Michael Gambon, portraying Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Dumbledore gives his beginning of term speech, welcoming students and new faculty, as well as important information and reminders.
"Early in life I had learned that if you want something, you had better make some noise." - Malcolm X
Use repetition strategically. Use repetition strategically.
Malcolm X’s speech on nationalism is an amazing speech. His fiery rhetoric caused waves in American society that are still felt today. In this speech X draws a sharp contrast between himself and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., by advocating for Black Nationalism. Malcolm X does a great job of utilizing his tone and rate of speech strategically to reach his audience. By using an argument by analogy, X argues that countries like Uganda and Algeria gained their independence through nationalism and the same thing could happen here in America. The famous line, “We didn't land on Plymouth rock, the rock was landed on us” comes from this iconic speech.
"What the New Year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the New Year." - Vern McLellan
What the new semester brings to you will also depend a great deal on what you bring to the new semester. Try to get off to a good start by bringing a positive attitude and strong work ethic to the spring of 2013. It will help you in the long run to do great work from the very beginning of the semester, rather than trying to make up for a poor start. Taking all of the semester's early assignments seriously, no matter how small they may seem, can make all the difference in your final grade. Those points add up and working hard now will pay off later! Although they seem far away, finals will be here again before you know it. Work to earn a good grade in each class before finals in order to lessen the pressure later in the semester.
"Never let formal education get in the way of your learning." -- Mark Twain
As the semester comes to a close, many of you will be kicking into high gear in order to raise or secure your grades, and as you place more focus on your finals do not lose sight of the real reason you are here. Do not become consumed with getting an A or simply passing a class, aim to take a life lesson away from the classes you are in. During your study sessions, pace yourself, not making your ultimate goal a grade, but rather, a life lesson. Don't focus all of your efforts on your education and lose sight of the valuable learning opportunities available to you.
On March 3, 1993 Jimmy Valvano received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the Espy's, his acceptance speech was one for the ages. Battling cancer, Jimmy V, as everyone knew him, understood the value of courage and the willingness to fight when all odds are against you. Although Jimmy Valvano lost his battle with cancer, he did battle, and he gave inspiration to all of those that would one day face the same fight he did. As you watch this speech, examine how he uses his acceptance speech to not only inspire but call to action all those that would hear it.
“To be persuasive we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible; credible we must be truthful.” - Edward R. Murrow
As you move through the persuasive speeches and onto the group speeches, remember that this class has given you a wonderful opportunity. This is the perfect opportunity for you to stand in front of your peers, uninterrupted, and advocate for something you strongly believe in. Think about this as you choose your topics. Choose a topic that you are passionate about. Not only will the research be enjoyable, but it will make speech day less nerve-racking.
Back in August, Springfield, MO city council heard from the public as they debated a new rule adding LGBT people to the list of minorities protected from discrimination. Rev. Phil Snider of the Brentwood Christian Church lashed out at the council for "inviting the judgment of God upon our land" by making "special rights for gays and lesbians." He goes on to invoke the Bible and morality and the end of days a few more times before suddenly appearing to lose his train of thought. And then his speech changes directions in a surprising way. As you watch this, think about how the speaker employs audience analysis and persuasive strategies to try to make his message have more impact.
"Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one." -- Malcolm Forbes
As you begin to put together and deliver informative speeches, keep in mind that even something as simple as a household object can spark your audience's imagination and teach them something. When you pick a topic that you are interested in, it is easier to get the audience interested in it too. Remember, when you brainstorm topics nothing is too "out there" to consider. Think of a few questions when deciding a topic: Does it meet the assignment criteria? Is it something I am interested in? Is it a topic that can benefit my audience or teach them something? How can I make this topic stand out from other speech topics?
Joe Smith, "How to Use a Paper Towel" from TED Talks.
“Be still when you have nothing to say; when genuine passion moves you, say what you've got to say, and say it hot.” --- D.H. Lawrence
The delivery of a speech is best when no one notices it. Practice so people can clearly focus on the message.
Charlie Chaplin's speech in The Great Dictator.
"The harder I work, the luckier I get." - Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin's words above are words to live by, especially for college students. Many of you reading this are first time college students and although this will be one of the most fun times of your life, it will also take some work. As with anything, working hard on a speech or other assignment will pay off. The classmate who earned an "A" on his or her speech, didn't just get lucky. That student made his or her luck happen. So, good luck as you start another school year. Have fun and work hard!
David McCullough's "You Are Not Special" commencement speech to the graduating class from Wellesley High School. Notice the speaker's skillful use of language and humor, how he tailors the speech to his audience, and how he keeps them engaged with a provocative thesis.
"Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever." ~ Lance Armstrong
Push though the pain and exhaustion, you are almost finished with the semester - four weeks until summer break!!!
Speech of the Month: Jill Bolte Taylor - Stroke of Insight
“There are three things to aim at in public speaking: first, to get into your subject, then to get your subject into yourself, and lastly, to get your subject into the heart of your audience.” -- Alexander Gregg
When beginning to write your speech you need to have a specific and focused goal or objective in mind. Print or write the goal out on a separate sheet of paper and keep the paper nearby so you can always refer back to it as you write your speech. Does all the information relate to the main goal of my speech? Be sure you can confidently answer with "yes" so your speech remains on target.
In the movie Independence Day, the President of the United States (played by Bill Pullman), delivers his speech to the pilots about to go into battle, he attempts to both inspire and persuade his crew to fight for one common cause. Notice how he uses logos, ethos, and pathos appeals to support his main objective. Also, find the ways in which he relates to his audience and develops a common ground. Throughout the speech the President transforms from a leader to a fellow fighter and fellow citizen fighting for the right to live. Even though his audience may be comprised of very different people, he is able to unite the pilots toward one goal: save mankind!
“Knowing one’s self is the beginning of all wisdom.” -- Aristotle
You cannot manage what you do not measure. As we progress beyond our first set of speeches, let us remember to learn from what we did well as well as the things that we can improve. Knowing our strengths and weaknesses is a vital element of strong public speaking. If we learn from our strengths and mistakes and apply that knowledge, we can only get better.
In this speech from the movie Any Given Sunday, Tony D'Amato (played by Al Pacino) pumps up his team by letting them know that football – like life – is a game of inches. He reminds us that “the inches we need are all around us.” Much like football and life, giving speeches is a battle of inches. As we progress throughout the semester, we must make those tiny steps that seem like inches, because, as Coach D’Amato said, “when we add up all those inches that’s going to make the…difference between winning and losing!”
“It's not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think you're not.”
-Author Unknown
It is the start of a new semester and a new year, a fresh start with new classes and new expectations. While you are starting this new semester, think positively. If you visualize your goals from the beginning and have confidence in yourself throughout the semester, you will be more likely to achieve your goals.
Severn Cullis-Suzuki stood before the UN at a meeting in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, at age 12, along with group members Michelle Quigg, Vanessa Suttil, and Morgan Geisler. Severn confidently addressed environmental issues from an adolescent perspective. The video has since become a viral hit, known as “The Girl Who Silenced the World for 5 Minutes.”
"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." - Ralph Waldo
Emerson (1803-1882)
Winter break is approaching with every passing day, but there are
still a few things to wrap up for most of us. As you are finalizing
the most crucial details of your final projects, take a moment every
now and then to go for a walk outside or just to take a deep breath
because you deserve it. If something that you are working is
particularly difficult, remember to be proud of what you have done and
always envision what you can do. Focus of the future and set goals to
get there. It is the toughest moments that get us motivated to
complete the next step. After the work is done go home, rest, and
come back refreshed.
Zach Wahls stood before Iowa’s House of Representatives last February
to give his testimony on being raised by two moms. In his speech,
Wahls, still a teenager, informs that assembly that he is owns and
operates his own small business, scored in the ninety-nine percentile
on his ACT, and is an Eagle Scout. Zach is currently an underclassman
and engineering student at the University of Iowa. Though the speech
was given last February, his speech remains at viral status on the
internet. This is an advocacy speech!
As we move through our persuasive speeches, toward Thanksgiving Break, pay attention to people, places, activities, and words that move and inspire you. These are wonderful places to start thinking of topics for advocacy and persuasive speeches. However, an even better place is to start looking at the things that make you mad. In the film "Network," actor Peter Finch plays struggling anchorman Howard Beale. In perhaps one of the most famous moments in American film, Beale rants at his audience, claiming they should not accept the sate of the world and should be "mad as hell" enough to change. The rant inspires his audience all across the city to shout out their windows in the middle of a storm. This example shows the power of a speaker tapping an exigence, or a deficiency, need, or wrong that must be met or righted, in his/her audience and promoting action or advocacy for change. Your final speech is a combination of a persuasive speech to actuate and inspire. As you look for a topic, think about some social or moral deficiency in our world that makes you "mad as hell" and passionate to inform, persuade, and move your classmates to change. You may be pleasantly surprised.
"It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech. " - Mark Twain
Apple founder and renaissance computer scientist Steve Jobs addresses his own past and his road to success heading Apple. Most definitely a speech to inspire, aimed at soon-to-be college graduates, Jobs tells the audience of his own hardships, but tells them to chase their dreams, and that often the little things they do in life for enjoyment will dramatically change their outlook or actions later in life. As you watch the speech, look for the little moment in Job's life that dramatically changed the way Apple engaged the world (hint: you would not be reading this text the same way now without it). Think about moments in college that you have experienced, in 1310 or outside, that you feel may change or direct your life's goals for the rest of your life. How would you tell a college graduation audience about them?
When thinking about advocacy speeches, it's important to not only provide personal opinion, but also unique or interesting information. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. While the prolific nature of this disease makes it widely relateable, it also makes the information available overused. Try to think of a novel approach to a common topic. What if more money was put into prevention than cures? What are the political and economic aspects of the pink ribbon campaign? How do insurance companies address those who are most at risk, or who possess "pre-existing conditions"? Thinking outside of the box can lead to a much more interesting speech.
"Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
In this video, First Lady Michelle Obama discusses Breast Cancer Awareness Month. She talks about how this disease effects both those with and without health insurance. Watch her speech, and then develop critical questions that address new aspects of the information. How do your questions provide a new paradigm to frame the debate? What new avenues of discussion can be opened up?
In order to generate topic ideas for a speech, culture can be a source of inspiration. Different holidays, folklore and traditions, historical events, art, or food can be very interesting speech topics. Thinking about those different aspects of life from the perspective of different cultures can provide you with interesting and novel information that would make for a great speech.
“No culture can live if it attempts to be exclusive” – Mohandas Gandhi
As a tip of the hat for Hispanic Heritage month, this speech features journalist Ysabel Durón. This speech of acceptance took place in 2009 when she was inducted in the Hall of Fame of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. Ysabel Durón takes this opportunity to share some honest thoughts on her experience and to remind us all of the importance of cultural inclusivity. Her words are encouraging and a motivation for all of the journalists who bring bits and pieces of their culture, their background, and their heart to the media.
Think of public speaking as an opportunity. Your voice is powerful and you can use it to make personal, professional, and public/social change.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead (Anthropologist)
Actor Matt Damon speaks to a gathering of teachers and students at the Save Our Schools rally in Washington DC. This is a good example of someone speaking because they are compelled by personal experience and convictions.
When using PowerPoint as a visual aid in a speech, make sure that the content you include is impacting for your audience. Include pictures that appeal to pathos (emotions) or include startling statistics or facts as bullet points.
"It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it." -- Joseph Joubert (French Author and Philosopher)
Joel Burns' speech at his local city council meeting has grown into a worldwide movement, complete with a series of YouTube videos and a collection of essays published as a book. This is a good example of how public speaking works to influence others. Councilperson Burns has been praised for reaching out to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth who often face bullying and isolation.
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