15. Public Speaking in Debate

Objectives

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• Develop effective communication skills.
• Improve logical structuring of argumentative speeches.
• Master non-verbal communication techniques.
• Acquire strategies for managing public speaking anxiety.

1. Introduction (20 minutes)

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Objective: Engage students and introduce the topic.

Activities (20 minutes)

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Phase 1: Spontaneous Presentation (10 minutes)

Students deliver very brief speeches (1 minute) on given topics. These speeches should not be based on research but should aim to persuade the audience on a particular stance. Suggested topics for spontaneous argumentation:

1. Social Issues:
   
   • "Is technology improving or worsening human relationships?"
   • "Are social media a tool for connection or isolation?"
   • "Does school education truly prepare young people for the workforce?"
2. Ethical Issues:
   
   • "Should civil service for young people be mandatory?"
   • "Is artificial intelligence a threat or an opportunity?"
   • "Should smartphone use among students be restricted?"
3. Environmental Issues:
   
   • "Should cities be completely pedestrianized?"
   • "Does meat consumption significantly impact climate change?"
   • "Is nuclear energy a sustainable solution?"

Presentation Criteria:

• Clarity of the main argument.
• Use of at least one concrete example.
• Logical transitions between premises and conclusion.

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Phase 2: Collective Analysis (5 minutes)

• Identifying effective communication aspects.
• Recognizing emerging challenges.
• Guided self-correction by the teacher.

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Phase 3: Discussion on Difficulties (5 minutes)

The teacher leads a discussion using guiding questions such as:

• What made you feel most uncomfortable?
• What were your main fears?
• When did you feel most confident/insecure?

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2. Core Lesson: Speech Structure Techniques (35 minutes)

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Students analyze the typical structure of a short speech using real debate examples. The focus is on rhetorical structure, thesis construction (or reinforcement), techniques to capture audience attention, and methods to make abstract concepts tangible.

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Rhetorical Structure of a Speech:

• Classic structure: Introduction, argumentative body, conclusion.
• Engaging Opening Techniques:
  
  1. Provocative question:
     
     • "Are you ready to imagine a future where learning truly includes everyone?"
     • "If you could change one school rule, what would it be?"
  2. Personal anecdote:
     
     • A story about turning failure into an opportunity.
     • A moment that changed one's perspective.
  3. Surprising statistic:
     
     • "Did you know that 65% of students will work in jobs that don’t yet exist?"
     • "On average, a young person today will change careers 5-7 times."

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Building and Reinforcing the Thesis:

Key principles:

• Clarity and conciseness.
• Formal yet accessible language.
• Use of light intellectual provocation.

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Techniques to Capture Attention:

1. Immediate contrast
   
   • Example: "While some see obstacles, we see opportunities."
2. Metaphors
   
   • Example: "Innovation is like a seed—it requires care, patience, and courage."
3. Argumentative paradox
   
   • Example: "To build the future, we must first dismantle our certainties."

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Making Abstract Concepts Concrete:

1. Examples & Scenarios
   
   • Turning abstract concepts into practical scenarios.
   • Examples:
     
     • Sustainability → a school recycling project
     • Equality → inclusion stories from personal experience
2. Experiential Storytelling
   
   • Using concrete narratives to illustrate theoretical principles.
   • Structure:
     
     • Real-life context
     • Concrete challenge
     • Innovative solution
     • Lesson learned

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Practical Examples of Openings:

• Provocative Question: "What if I told you your classroom could be the laboratory of the future?"
• Personal Anecdote: "When I failed my first year of high school, I never imagined that moment would positively shape my career."
• Surprising Statistic: "Only 1% of the Earth’s water is available for human consumption—are we ready for a world with over 10 billion people?"

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3. Non-Verbal Communication and Anxiety Management (45 minutes)

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Students are introduced to techniques for managing body language and anxiety, based on observations of public figures and debate speakers.

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Elements of Proxemics:

• Space management
• Posture
• Hand movements
• Eye contact

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Emotional Control Strategies:

• Breathing techniques
• Thorough preparation of speeches

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Practical Exercises:

• Speech simulations with feedback on non-verbal behaviors
• Video analysis of professional speakers

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4. Final Exercise (20 minutes)

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Activities:

• Preparation of a mini-speech on a controversial topic
• Individual presentation (approx. 1 minute)
• Peer evaluation using a shared assessment grid

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Evaluation Criteria:

• Clarity of speech
• Argumentative coherence
• Communication effectiveness
• Non-verbal language management

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Homework/Additional Research:

• Analysis of a public speech
• Report on observed communication techniques

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