Archived Tips, Quotes, and Speeches of the Month

March 2012

Quote of the Month

“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

Tip of the Month

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.

Speech of the Month

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!

February 2012

Quote of the Month

“Knowing one’s self is the beginning of all wisdom.” -- Aristotle

Tip of the Month

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.

Speech of the Month

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!”

January 2012

Quote of the Month

“It's not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think you're not.”
-Author Unknown

Tip of the Month

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.

Speech of the Month

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.”

December 2011

Quote of the Month

"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." - Ralph Waldo
Emerson (1803-1882)

Tip of the Month

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.

Speech of the Month

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!


November 2011

Tip of the Month

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.

Quote of the Month

"It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech. " - Mark Twain

Speech of the Month

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?


October 2011

Tip of the Month

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.

Quote of the Month

"Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Speech of the Month

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?

 


September 2011

Tip of the Month

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.

Quote of the Month

“No culture can live if it attempts to be exclusive” – Mohandas Gandhi

Speech of the Month

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.

 

August 2011

Tip of the Month

Think of public speaking as an opportunity. Your voice is powerful and you can use it to make personal, professional, and public/social change.

Quote of the Month

"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)

Speech of the Month

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.

 

April 2011

Tip of the Month

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. 

Quote of the Month

"It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it." -- Joseph Joubert (French Author and Philosopher) 

Featured Speech of the Month

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.