Public Speaking
Speak to the public.
Empower yourself.
Our online and in-person public speaking classes meet weekly and are taught by award-winning public speaking coaches. Students learn a wide variety of public speaking skills, including how to speak extemporaneously, how to bolster arguments with well-sourced research, and how to effectively use tactics like gestures and voice projection.
Class Level Descriptions
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Public Speaking
Public Speaking | Level 1- During this course, students gain a variety of foundational skills including overcoming public speaking anxiety, communication competence, and achieving long-term speaking goals. A measurable outcome for the class is giving 2-5 minute speeches with very little prep, otherwise known as impromptu speaking. Students will have the chance to compete at monthly intramurals in this speaking format, and present an end-of-class showcase.
Public Speaking | Level 2- During this course, students build a professional public speaking foundation using their existing fundamentals. Students learn how to develop and assemble ideas into intentional long-form speeches for different settings. They also learn the basics of speech outlines, scripts, memorization, and rehearsed performance. They will explore opportunities to give professional speeches in their day-to-day lives and have a chance to do several speech showcases throughout the class.
Competitive Public Speaking- Competitive Public Speaking is our highest level Public Speaking class. Its focus is on preparing students to compete in NSDA speech events at weekend tournaments. Specifically, this class will help students prepare the following events: Oratory, Informative, Extemp, and Impromptu. Simulating a team environment, students may re-enroll in this class for multiple years to create, practice, and then compete using their own new original speeches.
This class requires first completing PDA’s Public Speaking 1 & 2 classes or having significant prior experience competing in speech or debate tournaments.