How to Help Students Create a Speech about Politics
Politics is a always a "hot" topic in America. Students enjoy discussing the political issues that will impact their future. Help students understand the issues they will vote on when they turn 18 by creating a speech about politics.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Index cards to create notes for the speech
- Computer to read famous political speeches
Instructions
-
Election Results Shape Lives
-
1
Start off by explaining how the results of key elections will shape the future lives of the students. Ask them how they think future elections will change their lives.
-
2
Use computers in the classroom or library to read famous political speeches. Ask students to look at writing tools used in the speeches such as repetition of important phrases, using memorable words and creating a rhythm to the speech by using short or long sentence structure. Point out examples of imagery in the speeches. Show how words can be used to create a picture in the listener's mind.
-
-
3
Ask students to list the ten key issues that impact America now. They may work in groups to brainstorm ideas. For each political issue listed, also list at least one solution to the problem.
-
4
Use index cards to write notes about each of the issues. Create a set of note cards with key concepts and phrases that the student will use while presenting the speech.
-
5
Ask students to practice their speech at home. Ask elders in the family to offer advice about the issues they will discuss in the speech.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Read at least five political speeches before starting to prepare a speech on political topics. A great speech to read is Martin Luther King's speech, "I Have a Dream." It uses strong imagery and powerful language and rhythm.
Talk to the students about how everyone is nervous before presenting a speech.
Tell students to maintain eye contact with the audience during the speech.
Give extra credit points for the first three people who volunteer to do their speech.
Warn students to make their speech unique.
Tell students to only use note cards with brief phrases to prompt them during the speech.
Do not read aloud from a prepared speech.
