Journal #30

Say something persuasive.  One good sentence.

You might start like this:

"I encourage you..."

"I demand that..."

"It is my hope that..."

"To make the world a better place, we should..."

debate project overview and task list

Check here for daily updates.

We're working on a Debate / Research Project this month, to focus on argumentation, research, and presentation skills.

A packet full of debate information is available for download as a PDF using this link. Enjoy!

1. Day One - 10/24
Library. Introduction to the research process. Creating Essential Question document. Informed about source requirements.

2. Day Two - 10/25
Library. Topics chosen / recorded. Introduction to "BDW" - books, databases, websites. Yellow BDW sheet begun.

3. Day Three - 10/26
Library. BDW work continued. Yellow sheets due Thursday (tomorrow). Introduction to NoodleTools.

4. Day Four - 10/27
Yellow BDW sheets due. Beginning citations and 6 notecards (from various sources) on NoodleTools.

5. Day Five - 10/28
Continuing citations and 6 notecards (from various sources) on NoodleTools. Evidence assessment survey.

6. Day 6 - 11/1
Continuing citations and 6 notecards (from various sources) on NoodleTools. Assessment criteria discussed.

7. Day 7 - 11/2
Citations / notecards due.

physical characteristics of speaking

Posture / Stance
Does the speaker’s posture suggest confidence? Any problems with rocking or swaying? Does the speaker stand equally on each foot? How wide is the speaker’s stance?


Movement
Does the speaker stand still? If / when needed, does the speaker move from place to place effectively? Is the movement seamless? Is it distracting? Too mechanical or wooden?


Eye Contact
How often does the speaker look at the audience? Does the speaker look up or down, or off to the side, distractingly? Does the speaker focus person-to-person throughout the group?


Facial Expression
Does the speaker smile, frown, etc. when appropriate? What is the speaker's "neutral" expression?


Gestures
Are gestures purposeful, smooth, and appear natural and unforced? Do they complement the content, or are they distracting? Are gestures used too little, enough, or too much?


Unconscious Body Language, Etc.
Leaning forward. Slouching. Furtive glances versus direct gaze. Where hands are / what hands are doing when not in use (In pockets? At side?). Nervous habits--key-jingling, pen-clicking, hand-rubbing, etc.

Journal #22

What are some things you can do to improve your physical / nonverbal communication?

(You may--and should--take notes as Mr. A. provides examples.)

vocal characteristics of speaking

Volume
Is the speaker loud enough to be heard throughout the room? Does the speaker vary volume for effect, for instance, quieter when saying something "extra important?"


Pitch (i.e., how high or low)
Is the normal pitch low, medium, or high? Does the pitch vary (high-to-low) or is it monotonous? Does the variance match the content and emphasis? Does the voice have “musicality?”


Tone
How does the voice sound? Rich? Sonorous? Pinched? Nasal? Throaty? Airy or breathy? Raspy or growly?


Rate / Enunciation
Are all words distinguishable? Is the rate too fast? Too slow? Does it vary for emphasis? Any effective pauses? Any awkward pauses?


Fluency
Do words and phrases flow together? Are rhetorical structures employed? Any problematic or overused “filler” words—“um,” “uh,” “like,” “y’know,” “and,” etc.?

Journal #21

1. Describe your voice. Consider vocal characteristics:
* Volume
* Pitch / Tone
* Rate / Enunciation
* Fluency

2. Tips to immediately improve your speaking voice, including...

Hydrate
Your vocal cords need water. Just plain water is best.

Record yourself
Listen to your own voice--you sound different, not like you think you do!

Practice enunciation
Use the "pen drill." Use Skittles or M&Ms. Open your mouth wider when talking. Do tongue twisters.

Sing!
Take singing lessons. One of your voice's best features is its musicality.

Imitate
View YouTube videos. Imitate interesting accents and styles.