Spoken Arguments

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Spoken Arguments

• Notes from Everythings an Argument

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Introductions and Conclusions

• Provocative statements
• Puzzling statements
• Opinion
• Question
• Memorable anecdote
• Powerful quotation
• Vivid visual

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Toni MorrisonNobel Prize for Literature Speech

• Once upon a time there was an old woman.
  Blind but wise. or was it an old man? A guru,
  perhaps. Or a griot, soothing restless children.
  I have heard this story, or one exactly like it,
  in the lore of several cultures.
• Once upon a time there was an old woman.
  Blind. Wise

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Structures and Signposts

• Organizational structures must be crystal clear
• Offer overview of main points toward beginning
• Clear beginning, middle, end
• Pause between main ideas/points
• Use signposts to mark change of topic

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Signposts explicit transitions

• First, second
• Finally
• Next
• On the contrary
• Example the second major crisis in the Soviet
  Union was
• OR repeat key words or phrases
• Example MLK Jr. I have a dream

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Diction and Syntax

• Pay attention to sentence length
• Sentence organization
• Concrete terminology
• Illustrate abstractions with descriptions of
  concrete examples

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Using Figurative Language

• Repetition
• parallelism
• Climactic order
• Comparisons

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Visuals

• Get your message across
• Support your claims
• Use
• Examples
• Illustrations
• Data

• Make sure visuals are
• Simple
• Clear
• Easy to read

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If you use slides

• Follow the visual directions
• Overview
• Dont repeat what you say aloud
• Dont rely on color or graphics
• Use bullets
• Use headings
• Use large print and few words (3-6 per bullet)

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!!Most important!!

• DELIVERY, DELIVERY, DELIVERY
• Practice your speech delivery with visuals
• Even the professionals practice!
• Make sure you are audible
• Enunciate
• Stand
• Use a lectern

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Tips

• Each 8.5 x 11 sheet of writing 2.5 minutes
• Each 5 x 7 index card 1.5 minutes
• Time yourself
• Ask a friend in the audience to signal you
• Too much length/detail bored audience

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SCHEDULE
Mon. 3/8 Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. 3/12
Proposal due outline due Independent Novel Meetings Speeches start (15 for speaking today) Victoria Maddie Riley
Mon. 3/15 Tues. 3/16 Wed. 3/17 Thurs. Fri. 3/19
McKinzey Michelle Anna Maddie Madison? Kylie? Sara Riley?? Hayley Andrea Emily Independent Novel Meetings
Mon. 3/22 Tues. 3/23 Wed. 3/24 Thurs. 3/25 Fri. 3/12
Bart Chris Cheylin Ricky Kit Camille Moriah Kyly Marcus Independent Novel Meetings