Public Speaking
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What is Expected in ACT PESA Speeches?
Prepared Speeches
Overview
It is important to remember that speeches have their own form which is fundamentally different from an information report, a series of anecdotes, a comedy routine or a dramatic monologue. They are at their best when they combine fresh information with engaging analysis and interpretation from unexpected vantage points, as well employ tools such as humour or irony, drawing these elements into
a well-woven whole. Speeches that are overly performative or deliberately seek to subvert the structure of a speech in order to stand out are not judged favourably in the PESA competition. Instead, participants are encouraged to speak for a purpose, using effective structures and natural delivery to convey their message.
Speech Purpose
There are three purposes common to competitive speech-making—being persuasive, making calls to action, and providing informative entertainment (infotainment).
While elements of all three aspects are often present in good competitive speeches, traditionally the most common form is the persuasive speech. This is also true for PESA, where successful speeches have generally sought to persuade an audience of some issue of pressing importance, often suggesting a problem and solution. It is possible, though, that providing an implied or softer call to action can be as valid as a call for more dramatic change, if the perspective or action is nuanced and thoughtful.
The key challenge of persuasive speech writing is finding a fresh perspective you want to share, especially in approaching issues that can appear familiar or obvious to an audience. Examining engaging evidence and drawing listeners to reflect on or re- evaluate a question, issue or story is fundamental to a successful persuasive speech. Integral to this, an effective speech also reveals the genuine connection between the speaker's context and their topic, deepening the authenticity of their engagement with their subject matter.
Speech Content
PESA ACT is a competition that encourages diverse viewpoints and critiques of the world. As such, there are no topics that are barred from discussion during the competition, provided that care is taken by a speaker to deal with their material in a way that is sensitive to the beliefs and values of other students and audience members.
Natural curiosity and student interests are the first and best guide. Content that appeals to a student often provides better stimulus than prominent issues that may be important but are not naturally connected to them.
Engaging with the myriad of potential sources in news articles, books, online commentary, anecdotes, personal experience or direct observation is advisable for all speakers as an aid to selecting your speech material. Such connections with real-world events often offer fresh and engaging content that matches who the speaker is.
Speech Structure
Organising material effectively is a key aspect of speech writing. The two obvious starting points that a speaker should always consider when planning their speech are:
Establishing a defined idea of what the speech is about — this should be expressible in one or two clear sentences.
This idea of the speech should show a clear, well-linked evolution — from its introduction through to its conclusion.
The most successful speeches bring nuance and perspective to the audience, therefore, exploring one idea thoroughly is almost always the most effective approach to structure. Avoiding the impulse to cram material is a key strategy in ensuring the structural integrity of the speech. Because one of the real advantages of a prepared speech is having time to work on its structure and linking threads, adjudicators are actively looking for these links.
Speech Delivery
ACT PESA believes that the focus in speaking should always be to engage the listener through a natural, conversational tone. While manner of delivery is considered secondary to the content of a speech, it does play a clear role in the communication of its ideas and is valued by adjudicators where it engages the audience.
What is almost always true is that the quality of a speaker’s delivery tends to follow how personally engaged they are with their material. If a speaker cares about what they are saying, then the clarity, pacing and expressiveness of their delivery are likely to follow naturally.
Impromptu Speeches
Overview
All speakers are required to deliver an impromptu speech as part of the competition. The impromptu speech is weighed equally with the prepared speech by the adjudicators in making their decisions.
An impromptu speech should have the same fundamental characteristics and structure as a well-organised and envisaged prepared speech and is judged using the same values described in the Introduction to PESA through the guiding principles of Ethos, Pathos and Logos. The core different characteristic of an impromptu speech is the need to respond to a set stimulus. This stimulus, chosen by the adjudicator(s) on the day of the event, is generally in the form of a saying, common phrase or idiom.
There is no universal way to respond to a given stimulus in ACT PESA, though generally, interpretations can fall into explicit and implicit forms of engagement. An explicit form of engagement might be a literal interpretation of the stimulus, crafting a speech that responds directly and specifically to the ideas present in the phrase
set by the adjudicators. An implicit form of engagement may take a more indirect approach to interpretation, forming more abstract or tangential links to the ideas.
A sophisticated and nuanced response to the impromptu stimulus will most likely involve direct and indirect engagement, and potentially aim for interplay with the idea inherent in the stimulus, or even a subversion of it. The key point to remember is that real, rather than superficial, engagement with the stimulus is essential.
The most important factor evaluated in the impromptu section is a speaker’s ability to be reflective and perceptive while speaking about an unprepared topic, in keeping with the historical, inventive spirit of the activity of public speaking.
Successful Impromptus
A successful impromptu should contrast with the speaker’s own prepared speech and, where possible, should avoid using themes or material from the other speakers’ prepared speeches. The impromptu section should be looked at as a chance for speakers to differentiate themselves and break free from their prepared material and provide a contrast for the judges.
Considering context is valuable with impromptu material as this helps situate a short- form speech and make it relevant. Speakers are encouraged to bring their personal experiences and perspectives to the impromptu section as a means of making real connections with their material and thereby engaging the audience.
Impromptu Preparation Tips
It is best to avoid creating ready-made material for an impromptu or any kind of prepared template. Adjudicators are less likely to find these types of approaches engaging, mostly because set responses and scaffolds fail to engage with the stimulus in a nuanced and perceptive fashion.
The best preparation is to consume a variety of different sources of media and perspectives from around the world. Newspapers, articles, conversations, radio – even forums, TikTok’s and Reddit threads provide useful preparation for impromptu speeches. Such engagement with the world provides a wide understanding that can be drawn on in response to the stimulus.
Statistics and data from these readings are less valuable than insights and reasoning that students can piece together in their reflections.