This document discusses the art of persuasion and public speaking. It provides examples of famous speeches from Martin Luther King Jr., Winston Churchill, and John F. Kennedy. Students are asked to analyze excerpts from these speeches by taking notes on what each speech is about, how the speaker delivers it, and what language devices are used. The document also addresses the common fear of public speaking and asks students to reflect on a past public speaking experience. The overall goal is to help students understand rhetoric, persuasive devices, and techniques for writing and delivering an effective speech.

1. The Art of Persuasion
LO: To explore what it is that makes an
excellent speech writer and public speaker.

2. By the end of this Unit:
• Some will be able to use rhetoric and persuasive
devices to write and perform an engaging and
effective speech.
• Most will be able to identify rhetoric and begin to use
persuasive devices to write and perform an engaging
and effective speech.
• All will be able to use persuasive devices to write and
perform a speech.

3. Which film won 7 awards
at the Baftas?
Hint: starred Colin Firth

4. Let’s have a look…

5. The King’s Speech
This amazing film tells the story of King
George VI of Britain, his impromptu
ascension to the throne and the
speech therapist who helped the
unsure monarch become worthy of it.
What do the underlined words mean?
(Dictionary Challenge)

6. The King’s Speech shows that….
An excellent speech does not require a brilliant
orator - anyone can do it! Aside from King
George VI, Winston Churchill is commonly
regarded as one of the greatest speakers in the
English language, yet he regretted the lack of
practice in public speaking that he would have
gained had he gone to university and he
suffered from a slight lisp and a stammer. The
key is preparation.

7. Who can name some other
well-known orators?

8. Here are just a few…
John F. Kennedy
Martin Luther King
Barak Obama
Nelson Mandela
Margaret Thatcher

9. Task…
Write 3 headings:
Martin Luther King Winston Churchill John F Kennedy
Take notes on the following when listening to excerpts of their speeches
What is each speech about?
How do they deliver their speech?
What language devices do they use?
Which one do you find most interesting and engaging?

10. Let’s listen to some excerpts from
their famous speeches…
http://www.no-fear-public-speaking.com/exampleofpublicspeaking.html
Pay attention, you may have to answer
questions on these speeches!

11. As you listened to those examples, I
hope you felt something.
If you did, it might be worth going back and working out
what exactly hooked you in.
QUESTIONS
Choose your favourite speech and explain what it was about….
What was interesting about the speaker’s delivery?
What was interesting about the language devices they used?
Why was this speech your favourite?

12. Martin Luther King
‘I have a Dream’
• http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream
.htm

13. No-Fear Public Speaker!!!
These examples stand out among the thousands
of examples of public speaking from the 20th
Century.
Work out why ... and you will be well on your way
to being a better, more persuasive and, most
importantly, a no-fear public speaker.

14. What is Public Speaking?
Public speaking is the process of
speaking to a group of people in a
structured, deliberate manner intended
to inform, influence, or entertain the
listeners.
Who is scared of speaking in public?

15. ‘Stage Fright’
The common fear of public speaking is called
glossophobia.
When asked to get up in front of an
audience, people can suffer common
reactions like sweaty palms, increased heart
rate, increased levels of anxiety, loss of focus
and even in extreme cases, vomiting and
fainting!

16. Task
Think of a time when you have had to speak publicly.
Write down the Who, What, Why, Where, and How for that event.
Did you enjoy speaking? Why? Why not?
• Be prepared to share your memory with the
class, be it good or bad!

17. Think
• What makes a good speech and presentation?