know teaching public speaking can be terrifying—both for your students and, let’s be honest, for you. But let’s get real: helping our kids find their voices is one of the most powerful things we can do as teachers. Whether they’re presenting projects, debating hot topics, or prepping for life beyond high school, students need those public speaking skills.
So grab your favorite pen (or coffee mug, no judgment) because I’ve got some super practical tips, fun activities, and no-stress ideas to make your public speaking unit a total win. Let’s do this! 🎉
1. Break the Ice: No Awkward Silences Allowed!
The first step? Get them talking without the fear of death by awkward silence. I’m talking simple, fun icebreakers that won’t make anyone cringe.
- “Two Truths and a Lie”: An oldie but a goodie! Your kids get to share about themselves without overthinking it.
- “Would You Rather” Challenges: Throw out some silly scenarios and let them defend their choice. No pressure, just laughs!
Bestie Tip: Use this time to sneak in a chat about body language and eye contact—without making it a whole lecture.
2. Nail the Basics Without Making Them Snooze
Before diving into full speeches, hit them with the basics in a way that won’t make their eyes glaze over:
- Structure: Quick and dirty—introduction, body, conclusion. Boom.
- Clarity: Keep the jargon out of it. We’re not making lawyers here (yet).
- Engagement: Talk about tone, voice inflection, and connecting with the audience.
Try This: Have them write a one-minute speech about something they love—whether it’s Taylor Swift or the best snack in the vending machine. This keeps things light but sneaks in some serious skill-building.
3. Keep It Short, Keep It Fun
Nobody needs to start with a 10-minute TED Talk. Focus on quick, fun speeches to build confidence.
- “If I Were President…”: Three changes they’d make if they ran the country. It’s hilarious and insightful!
- “Sell That Product!”: Grab random objects and have them pitch it like they’re on Shark Tank.
- “My Superpower Would Be…”: Helps them practice persuasive speaking in a fun way.
Bestie Tip: Reward them for creativity, not just for being polished. Confidence first, polish later!
4. Body Language: Because the Face Says It All
We both know half of what they’re saying isn’t coming out of their mouths. Spend a lesson on body language basics:
- Posture: No slouching—standing tall is an instant confidence boost.
- Gestures: Teach them how to move those hands with a purpose.
- Eye Contact: Challenge them to look at at least three different people during their speech.
Fun Activity: Record them giving a speech and have them critique themselves—trust me, they love seeing themselves on video (even if they pretend they don’t).
5. Tackling Nerves Like a Pro
If we’re being honest, most of them (and us) want to crawl under a desk before speaking in public. So let’s talk about handling nerves:
- Breathing Exercises: In for four, hold for four, out for four—works like magic.
- Positive Visualization: Picture them crushing it—no awkward pauses, no flop sweat.
- Peer Feedback: Make it a thing for them to point out three things they loved about a speech before any critique.
Pro Tip: Share stories about famous speakers who started out nervous wrecks. If Oprah can do it, so can they.
6. Make It Persuasive: Arguing for Fun (and Grades)
Once they’re comfy, level up with persuasive speeches:
- The Rule of Three: Make them pick three solid reasons to back up their argument.
- Facts Matter: Challenge them to bring at least one stat or fact to the table.
- Emotional Appeals: Explain how a well-placed personal story can seal the deal.
Activity Idea: Have them try to persuade you to change a school rule—like longer lunch breaks. You’ll get some laughs and some seriously good arguments.
7. Bring on the Tech (Because Why Not?)
Let’s be real: our kids love their screens. Why not use that to your advantage?
- Flipgrid: A total lifesaver for practice speeches without the stage fright.
- Teleprompter Apps: Helps them with pacing and makes them feel like news anchors.
- Speech Analysis Tools: There are apps that flag fillers like “um” and “like”—amazing, right?
Here are some powerful and classroom-friendly famous speeches that you can use as models in your public speaking unit. These speeches cover a range of themes—courage, justice, equality, leadership, and change—and offer great examples of rhetorical devices, persuasive techniques, and effective delivery.
1. “I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King Jr. (1963)
- Why Use It: A masterclass in repetition, metaphors, and emotional appeal. It’s also a powerful example of advocating for justice and equality.
- Key Moments to Highlight:
- Use of anaphora (“I have a dream…”).
- Vivid imagery to paint a picture of equality.
- Classroom Activity: Have students write their own “I have a dream” speech about an issue they care about.
2. “The Gettysburg Address” by Abraham Lincoln (1863)
- Why Use It: Short but incredibly impactful. A great example of brevity and purposeful language.
- Key Moments to Highlight:
- Use of parallelism (“government of the people, by the people, for the people”).
- Focus on unity and sacrifice.
- Classroom Activity: Challenge students to write a powerful 2-minute speech on a modern issue.
3. “Their Finest Hour” by Winston Churchill (1940)
- Why Use It: A strong example of pathos (emotional appeal) and rallying a nation during adversity.
- Key Moments to Highlight:
- Building momentum and urgency.
- Use of repetition for emphasis (“We shall fight…”).
- Classroom Activity: Have students write a speech to inspire classmates facing a tough situation.
4. “The Man in the Arena” by Theodore Roosevelt (1910)
- Why Use It: Focuses on courage, resilience, and taking risks—perfect for encouraging students to step outside their comfort zones.
- Key Moments to Highlight:
- Metaphors and vivid descriptions of bravery.
- Classroom Activity: Ask students to write about a time they stepped into the “arena.”
5. Malala Yousafzai’s UN Speech (2013)
- Why Use It: A powerful example of personal storytelling combined with a call to action for education rights.
- Key Moments to Highlight:
- Use of ethos (credibility) through her personal story.
- Strong call to action for global leaders.
- Classroom Activity: Have students write a speech on an issue they feel strongly about, using personal stories to build credibility.
6. “We Choose to Go to the Moon” by John F. Kennedy (1962)
- Why Use It: An inspiring example of vision and optimism in leadership.
- Key Moments to Highlight:
- Use of rhetorical questions and visionary language.
- Classroom Activity: Have students write a speech on achieving something difficult, using similar motivational techniques.
7. Steve Jobs’ Stanford Commencement Address (2005)
- Why Use It: A blend of personal anecdotes and life lessons—perfect for modeling how to mix storytelling with advice.
- Key Moments to Highlight:
- The “three stories” structure.
- Encouragement to “stay hungry, stay foolish.”
- Classroom Activity: Have students write a speech giving advice to next year’s incoming class.
8. Emma Watson’s “HeForShe” UN Speech (2014)
- Why Use It: A great example of using ethos (credibility) and pathos (emotional appeal) to advocate for gender equality.
- Key Moments to Highlight:
- Use of inclusive language to appeal to both men and women.
- Personal experiences to build credibility.
- Classroom Activity: Have students write a persuasive speech advocating for a cause they care about.
9. “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” by Frederick Douglass (1852)
- Why Use It: A powerful example of logos (logical appeal) and confronting uncomfortable truths.
- Key Moments to Highlight:
- Use of rhetorical questions to provoke thought.
- Building a case with logic and evidence.
- Classroom Activity: Have students write a speech analyzing a tradition or belief critically.
10. Greta Thunberg’s Climate Change Speech at the UN (2019)
- Why Use It: A current and relevant example of a young person using emotional and logical appeals effectively.
- Key Moments to Highlight:
- Direct, powerful statements (“How dare you!”).
- Use of statistics and facts to support arguments.
- Classroom Activity: Have students write a speech on an environmental issue, using facts to build their argument.
11. “Ain’t I a Woman?” by Sojourner Truth (1851)
- Why Use It: Short, impactful, and a great example of repetition and challenging societal norms.
- Key Moments to Highlight:
- Repetition of “Ain’t I a woman?” for emphasis.
- Classroom Activity: Have students write a speech using a powerful question as a repeating anchor.
12. Barack Obama’s “Yes We Can” Speech (2008)
- Why Use It: An inspiring example of hopeful rhetoric and repetition to build momentum.
- Key Moments to Highlight:
- Use of anaphora (“Yes we can”).
- Uplifting tone and focus on collective action.
- Classroom Activity: Have students write a motivational speech using a repeated phrase for emphasis.
13. “Farewell Address” by George Washington (1796)
- Why Use It: A classic example of advice and foresight in leadership.
- Key Moments to Highlight:
- Use of warnings about political division.
- Classroom Activity: Have students write a “farewell address” to their class with lessons and warnings for the future.
14. Oprah Winfrey’s Golden Globes Speech (2018)
- Why Use It: Combines storytelling, emotional appeal, and a powerful call to action.
- Key Moments to Highlight:
- Personal storytelling to build credibility.
- Clear, powerful call to action.
- Classroom Activity: Have students write a speech honoring someone they admire.
15. Ronald Reagan’s “Challenger” Speech (1986)
- Why Use It: A strong example of consoling a nation while inspiring resilience.
- Key Moments to Highlight:
- Balancing empathy and optimism.
- Use of metaphors to honor the astronauts.
- Classroom Activity: Have students write a speech to console or uplift their peers after a tough situation.
Key Takeaway: Let Them Choose!
After modeling a few of these speeches, let your students choose one they connect with most. Have them analyze the rhetorical techniques and then write their own speech inspired by the one they picked. Teaching public speaking doesn’t have to be a nightmare. With these tips, your students will be stepping up to the mic like they’re accepting an Oscar.
