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PUBLIC SPEAKING

Universally considered to be one of the most important life skills - - and we could not agree more!

Debate Camp welcomes all aspiring young speakers, from the reluctant to the super-keen and able.  Our goal is to help campers become comfortable and good at standing in the company of others and clearly expressing an idea, key information, perhaps solving a problem or even just to entertain.

In spite of all our communication technologies, we at Debate Camp believe that public speaking is a life skill and our program is built on the following principles:

 

• good speeches begin with interesting topics

• organized thought is key to maintaining audience interest

• it is important to be both clear and concise

• real life speeches will not be memorized

• being in the moment, as one speaks - is essential

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Outlined here are the speaking formats campers are exposed to at camp.  In all program areas, campers will exercise impromptu speaking skills daily.  

 

 

FORMAT

- aims to raise awareness of a societal problem

- speaker advocates for possible solutions

- employs multiple tools of persuasion

- evident research and knowledge of topic

- 5 - 7 minute speaking time - junior

- 7 - 10 minute speaking time - senior

- limited notes permitted

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FORMAT

- aims to inform and entertain an audience

- speaker may assume a fictional role

- allows for unlimited creativity in topic selection

- strong attempt at humourous oratory

- 3 - 5 minute speaking time - junior

- 5 - 7 minute speaking time - senior

- limited notes permitted

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FORMAT

- topics provided 2 - 5 minutes in advance

- organized thought encouraged

- no notes permitted

- 2 - 3 minute speaking time - junior

- 3 - 5 minute speaking time - senior

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PUBLIC SPEAKING

COMMON ROOM SET-UP AT CAMP

2

3

1

ROLES

1. SPEAKER

1 - 2  JUDGES OR COACH

SMALL AUDIENCE

LIFE AT DEBATE CAMP

PUBLIC SPEAKING PROGRAM - ALL CAMPS

SAMPLE TOPICS
LEVEL UP

PERSUASIVE

SPEAKING

PROBLEM - SOLUTION

PREPARED

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AFTER DINNER

SPEAKING

ENTERTAINMENT

PREPARED

 

IMPROMPTU

SPEAKING

MULTI-PURPOSE

UN-PREPARED

Debate Camp has developed a bank of impromptu speaking topics.  We are happy to share some here - - as examples. More are developed each summer!

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SAMPLE

TOPICS

OPEN PROGRAM
PLUS PROGRAM
LEVEL UP

IMPROMPTU TOPICS

OPEN PROGRAM / Grades 5 - 6

  • My three favorite animals.

  • What you would find in my closet.

  • The best letter of the alphabet.

  • A day that stands out.

  • If I had a million dollars to give away.

  • If cats/dogs ruled the world.

  • A trip to remember.

  • If I could only eat three foods forever.

  • If I could design a school.

  • Why books are important.

  • ​​A job I'd love to have.

  • If I could have dinner with anyone.

  • If I could travel through time

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PLUS PROGRAM / Grades 7 - 9

  • Professional athletes are overpaid

  • Should everyone learn a second language?

  • ​​Present a brief timeline of the history of your country.

  • Create a perfect - but non-lethal - punishment for badly behaved students.

  • You should always know the career path you want... (why? / why not?)

  • Intelligence is not enough to succeed in school. (because)

  • ​If you sang performed with a professional musician, which one would it be with?

  • What is your favorite piece of art?

  • Do you prefer poetry, drama, or opera?

  • What would make the world a safer place?

  • The expression / slogan / motto that best describes my view of life is…

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LEVEL UP / Grades 8 -11

  • Capital Punishment (Death Penalty). Should a criminal ever be executed?

  • Genetic Cloning (making an exact copy of a person) Should it be allowed?

  • Euthanasia - Is it ever justified? If so, when?

  • If you could change one thing in history what would it be and why?

  • The assassination of a dictator can/cannot be justified

  • Exams are/are not good forms of assessment

  • Why it's important to meditate

  • A nation can be judged by how well it treats its poorest people. (why).

  • What moral issue best defines you?

  • What is the biggest effect of the internet?

  • ​​Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder. (because)

  • ​​A child’s home life affects their success in school the most. (because)

  • Is capitalism the best political and economic system? Defend your choice.

  • Is knowledge more important than wisdom?

  • ​​Does technology live up to its promise?

  • Your school has to cut art, music and drama or science. Which do you fight to keep?

  • Love is a choice

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