2 Approaches to Platform Speeches (Workshop Tonight!)

Which do you pick first? A platform speech category or a specific platform speech topic? Do you decide to write a persuasive and then look for the perfect persuasive topic or become passionate about a speech on baking long before you decide it’d make the perfect after dinner on household mishaps and management? Maybe you haven’t ever thought about this question, but it is an important step in the process of crafting an excellent platform speech. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, so how you choose to answer the question will shape the rhetoric of your speech, its momentum, and your own growth as a speaker. If you’ve decided that you want to invest in a platform speech this year, whether you have brainstormed ideas or not, this is the workshop that will help you take the next steps. We’ll review the basic categories of platform speeches and look at their goals. We’ll examine the reasoning behind choosing topics and choosing platform categories, giving special attention to the relationship between these two approaches. We’ll also spend time working through potential topics ideas you may have. Our goal is to make this workshop an energizing and interactive experience that deepens your understanding of how to craft excellent platform speeches. We hope to see you there!

For more info read on or CLICK HERE to sign up…

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Mars Hill Impromptu by: Isabelle Clausen

Some of you may or may not have ever heard of the Speech Event called Mars Hill Impromptu. What is it? Mars Hill Impromptu is offered in Stoa. The competitor uses books, movies, and other genre to discuss the appeal and impact of the theme(s) within the topic, holding them up in light of Christian truth found in the Bible. In other words- applying a Biblical Worldview to life around us. Join me on Friday evening for Mars Hill 101, an Online Workshop, as we explore this amazing speech category…

To sign up CLICK HERE or read the article below

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TP Debate Prep Online Workshop TONIGHT – 8pm CT

We still have room available… whether you are a coach, parent, or student – these workshops are for YOU! Workshops will be added… our October schedule will be coming out soon.

TP Debate Prep with Eric Meinerding – TONIGHT 8pm CT

As the tournament season approaches you may be starting to panic at the thought of all the research you’re going to have to do between now and your first tournament. How, you may ask, will I prepare to debate cases I don’t even know of yet? The strategies taught, can be cross applied to different leagues!

Eric Meinerding will be going over a different argument and research method that will not only help you make the most of your preparation time before the tournaments start, but also give you a strategic edge against your opponents in round. While debating for Liberty University’s varsity debate team, their seasoned professional coaches taught Eric this approach to debate that has literally decades of proven success. Whether you’ve been debating for four years or this is you first season, Eric will be able to teach you how to research arguments that can apply well to every case and interact with one another to secure rounds against squirrel cases where you may not have the first idea what they are talking about.

Sign Up HERE.

On Friday evening, there will be two more online workshops…

Platform Development with Heather Neumann – 7pm CT

Which do you pick first? A platform speech category or a platform speech topic? Do you decide to write a persuasive and then look for the perfect persuasive topic or become passionate about a speech on baking long before you decide it’d make the perfect after dinner on household mishaps and learning to laugh at yourself?

Maybe you haven’t ever thought about this question, but it is an important step in the process of crafting an excellent platform speech. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, so how you choose to answer the question will shape the rhetoric of your speech, its momentum, and your own growth as a speaker. If you’ve decided that you want to invest in a platform speech this year, whether you have brainstormed ideas or not, this is the workshop that will help you take the next steps. We’ll review the basic categories of platform speeches and look at their goals. We’ll examine the motivations and reasoning behind choosing topics and choosing platform categories, giving special attention to the relationship between these two approaches. We’ll also spend time working through potential topics ideas you may have. This workshop will be an energizing and interactive experience that deepens your understanding of how to craft excellent platform speeches.

Sign Up HERE.

Mars Hill with Isabelle Clausen – 8:15pm CT

Mars Hill Impromptu is an event that can be applied to any aspect of life, regardless of where you are or who you hang out with. I think that MHI is one of the most beneficial events for competitors because it helps train them in how to connect culture and Christianity outside the speech and debate world. Throughout my time at college, I have been able to share the Gospel with numerous people by just talking about a popular song or movie. It truly is such an amazing event, and I think that every competitor should take part in it!

The following topics will be covered in my MHI workshop:

– How to write an effect synopsis
– How to develop a theme for each topic
– How to systematically build the bridge between culture and Christianity
– How to be conversational with rhetoric and body language
– How to share the Gospel in a conversational manner
– How to maximize the efficiency of your prep time

Sign Up HERE.

We look forward to seeing you! If you can not attend, we hope to have the videos (in the SHOP) available for purchase by the end of the weekend.

Workshop Wednesday – Making the Most of TP Debate Prep by: Eric Meinerding

Eric Meinerding saw much success in High School Speech and Debate, and now he has been a college debater for the last two tears. He has gleaned many pivotal lessons from his professional collegiate coaches. He can’t wait to share what he has learned this Wednesday night! Join us  in his live online workshop (only $5 for members) titled, “Making the Most Out of TP Prep”, for more info click HERE.

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Research Tips For the Novice Debater by: Catherine Alles

As a novice, you probably have a lot of questions about speech and debate. I know it can be like drinking out of a fire hydrant when all this new information is thrown at you. Researching for Debate is something that a lot of novices are intimidated by. After all, the world wide web is a BIG place, with LOTs of information… where do you even start?

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Lasting Impact! Syllabus 2.0 (Extended Version)

It’s the beginning of a new speech and debate year! Why not have a new syllabus, right? Each year club leaders go above and beyond creating their syllabus for their club. This is our second year creating one. Lasting Impact Syllabus 1.0 using Vol. 1 is still available. In fact, we had a lot of clubs that chose to use it! So why did we create another one? And what makes this one better?

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Public Speaking Opportunities – Scholarships and More!

“Remember, there is $10,000 riding on this speech. Don’t—mess—up.”
I stared at the contest administrator wide-eyed. Was that advice supposed to be helpful? Giving a speech with $10,000 riding on it already felt like the most nerve-wracking competitive experience of my life… But it was also amazing!!

Did you know you can give speeches for scholarship money? In the busyness that often defines high school, many skilled communicators neglect incredible opportunities to hone their public speaking skills while earning money for college. Yet a number of public speaking scholarships are out there just waiting to be contested. In this article, I’ll tell you about 5 amazing speech scholarship opportunities and share some valuable tips on how to succeed at them…

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Sign Up NOW for September Online Workshops

If you can’t make it to physical camp or workshop, let Lasting Impact! come to YOU! We are so excited to be offering more online workshops this fall.

Signing up for an Online Workshop is easy!! All workshops are through an online forum called Zoom. It’s a quick and easy download that your instructor will send to you, as part of their introduction email (usually within 24 hours of your workshop). Check out what September has to offer…

Limited Prep Workshop with Abbey (Lovett) Kish – CLICK HERE
Sat. Sept. 8, 8:00pm CT
$5 members/$20 non members

Limited prep events were by far the most valuable and exciting events I ever competed in. Years after competition, I’m still using the skills I learned in limited prep speeches in interviews, meetings, casual conversations, and more! I competed in limited prep events for seven years, and I won both a team policy speaking national championship title and an Impromptu national championship title.

In this workshop, we’re going to over tactics to help you succeed as a limited prep speaker both in competition and in life! Learn how to create confidence, use prep time well, tell powerful stories, and bring your personality alive!

If you have any interest in limited prep speaking, or even just becoming a better speaker in general, this is the perfect workshop for you.

Specific Categories
– Apol., Impromptu, Extemp.
Prep time (How to best use your prep time)
– Using your time well
– Organizing
– Planning for the full speech time
Delivery
– Storytelling
– Eye contact
– Personality
Commanding the room
– Walking in the room (commanding the audience from the beginning)
– Closing
– Ending your speech
– Exiting the room

Making the Most of TP Debate Prep with Eric Meinerding – CLICK HERE
Wed. Sept. 19, 8:00pm CT
$5 members/$20 non members

As the tournament season approaches you may be starting to panic at the thought of all the research you’re going to have to do between now and your first tournament. How, you may ask, will I prepare to debate cases I don’t even know of yet?

Eric will be going over a different argument and research method that will not only help you make the most of your preparation time before the tournaments start, but also give you a strategic edge against your opponents in round. While debating for Liberty University’s varsity debate team, their seasoned professional coaches taught Eric this approach to debate that has literally decades of proven success. Whether you’ve been debating for four years or this is you first season, Eric will be able to teach you how to research arguments that can apply well to every case and interact with one another to secure rounds against squirrel cases where you may not have the first idea what they are talking about.

The Process of Developing a Platform Speech: Topics and Categories with Kaitlyn Butts – CLICK HERE
Fri. Sept. 21, 7:00pm CT
$5 members/$20 non members

Which do you pick first? A platform speech category or a platform speech topic? Do you decide to write a persuasive and then look for the perfect persuasive topic or become passionate about a speech on baking long before you decide it’d make the perfect after dinner on household mishaps and learning to laugh at yourself?

Maybe you haven’t ever thought about this question, but it is an important step in the process of crafting an excellent platform speech. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, so how you choose to answer the question will shape the rhetoric of your speech, its momentum, and your own growth as a speaker. If you’ve decided that you want to invest in a platform speech this year, whether you have brainstormed ideas or not, this is the workshop that will help you take the next steps. We’ll review the basic categories of platform speeches and look at their goals. We’ll examine the motivations and reasoning behind choosing topics and choosing platform categories, giving special attention to the relationship between these two approaches. We’ll also spend time working through potential topics ideas you may have. This workshop will be an energizing and interactive experience that deepens your understanding of how to craft excellent platform speeches.

Mars Hill 101 with Isabelle Clausen – CLICK HERE
Fri. Sept. 21, 8:15pm CT
$5 members/$20 non member

Mars Hill Impromptu is an event that can be applied to any aspect of life, regardless of where you are or who you hang out with. I think that MHI is one of the most beneficial events for competitors because it helps train them in how to connect culture and Christianity outside the speech and debate world. Throughout my time at college, I have been able to share the Gospel with numerous people by just talking about a popular song or movie. It truly is such an amazing event, and I think that every competitor should take part in it!

The following topics will be covered in my MHI workshop:
How to write an effect synopsis
How to develop a theme for each topic
How to systematically build the bridge between culture and Christianity
How to be conversational with rhetoric and body language
How to share the Gospel in a conversational manner
How to maximize the efficiency of your prep time
I hope you all can attend this workshop! It definitely will be very informative, yet fun and exciting as well!

What’s Oratorical Interp with Kristi Eskelund and Heather Neumann – CLICK HERE
Thur. Sept. 27, 8:00pm CT
$5 members/$20 non members

Have you heard about Oratorical Interp but are wondering where to go with that?
Do you have questions about how to start?
Would you like a little inspiration on what it could be?

Join us Sept. 27 for an hour long workshop while we explore some of the aspects of this event and the great potential it has as an interpretive event.

Big Picture Argumentation with Luke McConnel – CLICK HERE
Sat. Oct. 6, 11:00am CT
$5 members/$20 non members

Luke is excited to share his argumentative strategy that allows you to prep better for rounds, know all the vital details of your case, unlock the lost art of conversation, and overall appear more professional and persuasive to your audiences. Nothing makes Luke more excited than young and talented individuals that have a message and a powerful empowering voice through which that message can be heard and received.

Benefits to a Brainstorming Coaching Session by: Kaitlyn Butts

​The biggest question students ask themselves as the summer weeks wind towards another academic year is: what should I write my speeches about? Parents ask themselves: how do I help my students decide what they should write their speeches on? Each feels the gravity of answering that question too soon, too late, incorrectly, insufficiently, etc. An ambitious student may average three speeches a year for six years, resulting in a grand total of eighteen platform and interpretative opportunities… but this number can feel paltry when there are so many books to dramatize, subjects to explore, and ideas that need to be addressed!

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Thinking of a Limited Prep? Start with Apologetics! By: Michael Tant

1st Peter 3:15 says “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Holy, and always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that is within you.”

This verse is one widely considered to be the foundation for all Christian Apologetics and is one that gives Christians a high responsibility. To ALWAYS be ready to give an answer means that we can’t delay in our preparation or in our willingness to answer anyone who asks us about the hope that we have in Christ. Nothing prepares us better to do this than learning and competing in the speech event Apologetics… even as a beginner!

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Running a Club (while also having a life) By: Rikki Eskelund

Rikki Eskelund participated in Speech and Debate for six years as a competitor. Yet after she graduated, while going to college, and working, still found time to run a Speech and Debate Club!! There is a huge need for clubs in all areas. If a working, college student can do it- so can you! Here are Rikki’s tips for running a club, while still having a life…

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