Speech Lab
Name 2 reasons why practicing out loud helps you give a better speech.
True or False: You should speak faster when you're nervous so the speech ends sooner.
False. Speaking faster makes it harder for the audience to follow and increases your nervousness.
Fill in the blank: You should always arrive _____ before your speech.
Early
What are 2 things you can do before a speech to relax?
Sample Answers: Deep breathing, stretching, positive self-talk, listening to music.
True or False: If you mess up, you should always apologize to the audience.
False. Don’t apologize. Just keep going confidently.
Pretend to give the intro of a speech using subtle notes (no reading).
Must glance occasionally at notes, not read directly. Maintain eye contact, use natural tone.
One person on your team must read a paragraph aloud in 30 seconds, keeping a calm pace.
Speaking should be clear and measured.
Name 3 things you should test before the audience arrives.
Microphone, slideshow/visual aids, lighting/room setup.
Describe how you'd visualize your speech going well.
Must describe being confident, voice steady and clear, and/or audience engaged and clapping.
What’s one funny or lighthearted thing you could say if the mic suddenly goes out?
Any light-hearted, appropriate joke works.
List 1 way to choose a topic that keeps both you and your audience interested.
Pick something you’re passionate about; make it relatable to the audience; include interesting facts or real-life relevance.
Why is it important to rehearse with a timer every time you practice your speech?
So you stay within the time limit and learn to pace naturally under pressure.
Volume check! A teammate introduces themselves (“Hi, my name is...”) on the opposite side of the room, and others decide if it’s “Too Quiet”, “Too Loud”, or “Just Right”.
Correct if teammates accurately identify speaker’s volume as too quiet, too loud, or just right.
Why is it helpful to remember that your audience wants you to succeed?
It reduces fear—knowing they’re on your side makes it easier to connect and be confident.
You trip over your words. What is 1 graceful way to recover and keep going?
Sample Answers: Pause and breathe, rephrase the last sentence, smile and keep going.
What’s wrong? You’re reading your entire speech word-for-word. What is 1 thing you could do instead?
Use bullet-pointed note cards and memorize key transitions. Focus on talking to the audience, not at them.
Choose the best pace—Lightning Fast, Relaxed & Clear, or Turtle Slow—for these 3 scenarios: Confident TED Talk, Reading off a script in monotone, Nervous class presentation.
Lightning Fast = Nervous class presentation. Relaxed & Clear = Confident TED Talk. Turtle Slow = Reading off a script in monotone.
The mic cuts out mid-speech. What do you do?
Sample Answers: Speak louder to reach audience, project voice, or calmly step aside to fix mic while.
One teammate walks up to give a speech. They pause, smile, count to 3, and introduce themselves.
Correct if student pauses, makes eye contact, smiles, then begins naturally.
List 3 things you could say or do if you totally lose your place during a speech.
Sample Answers: “Let me go back”, take a pause and breathe, glance at notes discreetly.
Your team has 1 minute to deliver a mini “speech” about your favorite movie—no notes allowed! Use at least one fact or stat.
Must speak freely with enthusiasm and include one fact.
One teammate reads a paragraph, and the other plays a “pace coach”, watching the clock. Finish reading the paragraph in approximately 90 seconds.
Coach must give helpful cues like “slow down,” “pause,” or “breathe”. Speaker adjusts accordingly and shows improvement.
In 1 minute, list everything you’d do during a 10-minute early arrival at your speech venue. Most ideas wins double points!
Sample Answers: test equipment, walk the stage, review notes, do breathing exercises, visualize success, sip water.
Together, create a 30-second "Pre-Speech Pep Talk" someone could say to themselves backstage.
Accept if it includes encouragement and positive affirmations.
Create a short skit where something goes hilariously wrong mid-speech—and your team saves it with humor and/or grace.
Must include a clear mistake, a calm/funny reaction, and a smooth return to speech.