This document provides guidance on professional dress for speeches and presentations. It recommends dressing professionally to feel comfortable and show respect for the audience's time. For girls, it suggests dresses, pants or skirts with shirts and closed-toe shoes. For boys, it recommends nice pants, collared shirts, suits or ties with closed-toe shoes. The document warns against distracting elements and notes that failing to dress professionally will result in not being able to present or receiving a zero.

1. Expectations for Professional Dress!

2. Why is it important to dress professionally for a speech or presentation? “Dressing appropriately and being put together helps you feel comfortable and smart. Dressing professionally also helps the audience feel live you've taken trouble for them and that their time is being respected.”

3. What does professional dress look like for girls? Dresses Pants or a skirt Shirt (no bra straps showing) Shoes (no slippers) No jeans, sunglasses, hats, etc.

5. What does professional dress look like for boys? Nice pants (no jeans) Shoes (no slippers) Collared shirt Aloha shirt Suit Tie No jeans, t-shirts, sunglasses, hats, etc.

7. BEWARE… Make sure you don't go too far with your professional dress and unintentionally distract the audience, for example, with a flashy tie or a low neckline or a short skirt.

8. What happens if we don’t dress professionally on the day of our speech? You will not be able to present that day. You will be assigned another presentation day. On your next presentation day, if you are still not dressed professionally, you will lose your opportunity to present and will receive a ZERO for the assignment.

9. HAVE FUN WITH THIS! This can be a really neat way to express yourselves, especially since you’re all so sick of wearing green shirts! Feel smart and ready for your first real speech in high school. And, as always, let any of your teachers know if you need help finding professional clothes to wear. We would be more than happy to help you.