Abby Wright was the 2015 NCFCA National Champion speaker in After Dinner Speaking. An After Dinner Speech is an original humorous platform speech that informs, inspires and/or attempts to persuade the audience on a noteworthy topic. After a two year hiatus, NCFCA has brought ADS back. What makes this category unique, how should one go about tackling it? We have a lot to say about this topic (and we have more articles to come)! Today, Abby explores her thought process of tackling an ADS…
I came across Grace’s article on Facebook. I knew I wanted to share her valuable insight with all of my readers, especially students who procrastinate writing their speeches. The time to write is NOW! Below is her article, titled 5 Tips for Academic Paper Success on her site- rightingyourownwriting.org
Although her specific points are addressing academic papers, I believe the concept can be applied to speeches, especially if you are at “crunch-time”. I know some of you are die hard IEW fans (I am too), but as writers we sometimes get stuck. I feel it is always helpful to look at a new approach! This article is posted with permission by her- thanks Grace!
Continue reading “Guest Blog- Tips for Writing your Speech By: Grace Rankin”
Wow! What a year! We started this journey just a little over a year ago. Recently, Kristi and I actually got to be together not at a Speech and Debate tournament! It was so much fun to be together! We decided to celebrate by producing a video for you. Thanks for coming along with us! We look forward to where God is going to take us next!
I get asked all the time, how did I start coaching, what is the process I use to coach, etc. Although I consider myself a "Speech Coach", I actually think I am more of a "Mentor". Lately I have been analyzing the difference between coaching and mentoring, and what approach I have, so that I can help you become a better coach (or mentor). Maybe what I do is more of a hybrid method...
Last week, we had an awesome three part series on Impromptu by Kaitlyn Butts, National Champion and Lasting Impact! Coach/Intern. We thought we would start off this week with an article by Kate Peters AND a pod cast by Abbey Lovett (see below) geared toward helping you communicate with out the “ticks and ums”, otherwise known as filler words…
Continue reading “Guest Blog- Filler Words by: Kate Peters and Abbey Lovett”
“Prepare to be Unprepared:” Practicing Impromptu Every Day
In the world of speech and debate- Interpretative speeches require hours of cutting, blocking, and intensive rehearsal. Platform speeches require brainstorming, editing, memorizing, and regular repetition to keep them stored solidly in your mind. Apologetics requires studying theology and searching for Scriptures. Extemporaneous, at least theoretically, requires surveying the weekly news highlights and becoming familiar with the political mindset of various sources. Impromptu offers the luxurious opportunity to compete in a speech event without doing a lick of work. Wrong. Participating in impromptu offers such an opportunity. The entire point of speech and debate, however, is not mere participation, but visible growth both in character and capability. Mastering impromptu and honing your ability to think on your feet requires rigorous practice. While you can never prepare for a specific impromptu round, you should be perpetually preparing to be unprepared. Practice impromptu every single day.
Continue reading “Impromptu – Practicing (part 3) By: Kaitlyn Butts”
“Once Upon a Time:” Storytelling, Impromptu, and Human Interaction
Once you’ve caught the vision and built a system, it’s time to develop a confident and persuasive impromptu style. It’s quite likely that if you’re just getting started with impromptu, you’re also new to the very idea of delivering speeches. The good news is that impromptu is the best way to improve your vocal and physical delivery. Storytelling is the powerful key in speech and debate that will simultaneously unlock your impromptu potential in four ways…
Continue reading “Impromptu – Storytelling (part 2) By: Kaitlyn Butts”
Impromptu Intimidation
Impromptu strikes fear into the heart of almost every speech and debate competitor when they begin their speech journey. I remember being handed a slip of paper with the word “joy” on it one day in speech club when I was twelve years old. After two minutes of preparation time, I stood in front of my peers and mumbled about how joy was different than happiness for approximately thirty seconds. Sound familiar?
Continue reading “Impromptu- Mind Mapping (part 1) By: Kaitlyn Butts”
In the last article, we analyzed where novices could/should start in Speech and Debate, in general. That included debate, as well as the type of speeches - Platform, Interp, and Limited Prep. Today we are going to look at the specific categories of speeches offered in different leagues, because I often get asked the question, "what speech event should my novice/beginning student do?"
I am sure if you were to ask ten different Speech and Debate Coaches what type of Speech or Debate is good to do for a beginning student, you might get ten different answers. Of course each and every senerio is going to be unique and so here are some of my thoughts when encouraging new students to start Speech and Debate…
We hear all the time that one of the speech events that most alumni competitors wish they would have done whether they competed in it or not, is Apologetics! Matthew 18:20 says, ” When two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.” Learning and growing in Apologetics is so much bigger then a speech competititon. We are looking forward to another great year of seeking God’s Truth together!
Our goal in Online Apologetics is to…
– Discuss and dig into the life-transforming answers God’s Word provides.
– Expose you to a variety of Apologetics resources, introduce you to a variety of passionate Apologetics speakers, and encourage you with challenging discussion and weekly application.
– Equip you to powerfully, gently, and clearly defend the foundational doctrines of Christianity.
– Give you the opportunity to practice and receive feedback on your Apologetics speeches.
Continue reading “Online Apologetics – Growing Together – by: Rachel Bechtel”
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