You have probably heard me before talk about this part of your Speech and Debate Journey… welcome to the Exploratory Phase - the time when you should be exploring ideas, options, cases, even books (please tell me you aren’t only using a search engine)! Honestly, this is one of my favorite times - I have stacks of books scattered around my house, coaching appointments are made up “idea generating sessions”, the TV, radio, newspaper could give me a lead on the next best idea! So why is it that so many people struggle with this Phase!!?
While you are in the Exploratory Phase… you need to do just that - EXPLORE! How else are you going to decide what you want to talk about for the next 4-10 months (you think I am over exaggerating, but I’m not). In order for you to make progress… you actually have to put in the work! Here, I’ll help- I will break it down in a little check list for you to decide if you will be able to sell your idea to your future audience…
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We live in changing and turbulent times in which we are made increasingly aware of upheavals in our melting pot culture that stem in part from a carelessness in speaking and acting. If you are going to become a public speaker, it’s important that you consider how to be a relevant speaker.
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One more time! After a whirl wind of Speech Camps, I decided to run one more… for anyone that didn’t make it to an in-person camp… for any new coach that wants to learn how I teach, for any family who wants to jump in and explore what Speech looks like! I will be mostly breaking down the three types of speeches we see in Speech and Debate, the myths, why we should do them, and how to go about them. Special emphasis will be put on the new events – Interp in a Box, Biblical Presentation, and After Dinner Speaking. Whether you want an overview, a fresh new take, or an inspiring afternoon. Come hang out with me… click HERE to sign up. Or go to – https://lastingimpact.info/product/camps10241/
The recording will be FREE to those who sign up. For questions contact heather@lastingimpact.info
The year I first broke in debate was my third year competing. My previous two years of competition had been my formative years of speaking, and I was ready to break through. But I needed a push; I needed to start earlier!
Organized practice debating pushed me across the finish line.
This coming debate season, make the pledge: No more first tournament icebreaking.
If you’re a young debater or are having trouble breaking, you should consider practicing debate in the fall (months before the first tournament) as much as possible…
Here at Lasting Impact!, we can’t wait to see all of your smiling faces in our camps, clubs, and coaching sessions this year! Whether you’re new to the world of public speaking or are a veteran, there are a plethora of opportunities coming up! Asking for advice can seem daunting, which is why our coaching philosophy is to come alongside you and support you every step of the way. We want to be an encouraging, uplifting sounding board for all of your ideas and strategies, while helping you craft your message to make the strongest impact possible! We know the struggle – all of our coaches are either parents or former students who have been blessed with a platform to pass on the experiences and skills that they have gained.
No matter what you’re looking for – Platform, Interp, Limited Prep, Juniors, Team Policy, Lincoln Douglas, general public speaking – we have a coach who would be happy to work with you to accomplish your goals. Whether you want to have a one-on-one session focused specifically on your speech, or if you’d rather be in a class setting, fellowshipping with other students while receiving valuable instruction, we would love to serve you this fall! It’s not too late to sign up… Here are the following clubs and coaches that are getting ready to launch…
Lasting Impact! has a great new resource for speech coaches and parents looking to simplify their lesson planning process. The Grab-and-Go Speech Guide has articles, lesson plans, and handouts designed to simplify the preparation process for new coaches and parents who might be intimidated by the idea of teaching public speaking for the first time or even more experienced teachers who just don’t have the time to spend hours preparing a lesson plan each week.
In this guide, Heather Neumann has compiled a collection of her own lessons that she uses when she teaches clubs and camps, and she loves that she can share the insights that the Lord has given her over many years of working with students with the coaches and parents who make everything happen.
As a sneak preview, we thought we’d share some of the team’s favorite lessons from the Grab-and-Go Guide!
Heather loves the lesson on the I-test. The I-test helps students create connection with their audience. This is one of Heather’s favorite lessons because it speaks directly to the vision of Lasting Impact! which is to equip students to be lifelong communicators whose impact goes beyond the competition room. Giving students the tools to evaluate their speech in terms of the connection that it will create is the goal of this lesson. Students learn how to Inform, Interest, Impact, and Inspire with the I-test lesson. Incorporating these elements into a speech is a huge part of becoming a successful communicator!
Katie loves the lesson on cutting interps. This lesson tackles a topic that many students struggle with, especially because it can be extremely intimidating to pick up a full length novel for the first time and realize that you have to condense it down to a nine and a half minute speech! Ah! This lesson is Katie’s favorite because it gives students practical tips and guidelines that simplify the cutting process into something that students feel equipped to accomplish.
Another feature in this guide that our whole team loves are the parent and coach resources in the back of the book. Our Writing a Ballot handout is an amazing resource for new parents who want to give helpful, constructive feedback to their kids but don’t feel like they have anything useful to contribute. Every parent is a potential judge, and students need feedback from many different perspectives in order to succeed. This handout is perfect for giving parents the confidence to give feedback that students can use to become better communicators.
Whether you are a speech and debate club leader, or a parent, this is a resource you must have for your toolbox! We know you don’t have time to create plans or figure out what assignments will make the most out of your limited time. Why not go straight to the ultimate source and use her ideas? Heather Neumann teaches Public Speaking, Speech Clubs and Camps, and Coaches students all year round in the art of communication. This is what she does! Do you want to know how she does it? Heather is sharing the tips and tricks she has learned in this very simple guide to help provide you with the direction you need. The Lasting Impact! Team has created this simple Grab and Go Guide to help you and your students feel equipped for competition, and most importantly the art of communication.
Packet includes over 25 worksheets/handouts…
Making a Plan
Choosing a Platform
Picking an Interp
Citations
Introductions
Hooking Your Audience
Making Public Speaking EC (Easy)
Memorization
Character Analysis
And more!
Great for club leaders, parents, co-ops, and more!
Please note, this product allows you to print one copy of the Lesson booklet and one copy of the Handouts and Worksheets booklet. Check out the Speech Grab and Go… HERE
Ok- so I didn’t post this yesterday, because no one would have read it! I waited until the day after when you are ready to get to work! Ahhh- The Fourth of July! Does anyone feel like the summer is halfway over? Or is it just beginning? Needless to say, I decided to use today to provide some inspiration! Ideas inspired by the fourth…
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It’s April. The birds are singing, regionals are HERE, just around the corner, or you are at your “last chance to break” speech and debate tournament for the rest of the season. Ah- yes, it’s that special time of the year when people start thinking to themselves, “can I really keep giving this speech for the next three months without going insane?” You know what that means—it’s the perfect time for mid-season revisions! But this season, while you’re tweaking your conclusion or working on that one exampleyou just don’t like, I challenge you to spend a little bit of time thinking about style…
Last week, we posted and wrote about how nonverbal communication skills can help elevate you, as a speaker. But the content in a speech is also important. Heather Neumann likes to share the I-Test with her students and Ted Talk clients. The I-Test is a series of questions she came up with, you can ask yourself to determine if your topic, as well as the content is a good choice for your speech. She believes these four things can make a huge impact on your judges or audience, whether they realize it or not. If you have already selected your topic or written your speech, you can still use the I-Test to see if there is anything you should add to improve your speech.
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“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” ~ Chinese Proverb
Heather Neumann has been teaching a Public Speaking Class or Club for over a decade. Each year she prays about the lesson plan- the journey she is about to embark on with her students. At this point she has literally coached thousands of students, both nationally and internationally. I have been one of her students, I have sat in her Zoom Room watching apprehensive beginner students turn into writers, speakers, and more importantly confident human beings. Mrs. Neumann has given me permission to share her ideas with you this year. A first hand glance at what she is teaching. This year’s mantra for her classes and clubs - Observe, Think, Practice! Sounds easy. These three little words can really pack a punch if we put them to work and are being purposeful. Every year she has a new perspective or way to wrap our brains around God given gift and privilege we call the art of communication. Each week she offers us students a challenge on how we can implement her lessons, and how they can make an big IMPACT, not only in Public Speaking, but for life... Are you ready to observe, think, and practice? If so- be ready to GROW...
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The Problem – You Don’t Have to Defend Transhumanism This Year It has come to my attention that this year’s Lincoln Douglas resolution is breeding uneasiness among rank-and-file debaters and parents in the NCFCA. Of course, almost everyone is uneasy about new resolutions, because, well, they’re new. But the present distress goes beyond standard concerns about definitional vagueness or bias: some have questioned whether it is even morally permissible to defend the Affirmative position…
The season for contemplating speech topics is upon us, and as camps, clubs, and the start of a new year of Speech and Debate competition approaches, one dreaded question will swirl amongst them all.
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