Recently students have been speaking out about issues that they want to change, whether it is about the requirements for the spartan safe snack list, renovating a pool, or saving the world. Their outlet? The college class public speaking.
Over the past few weeks students have spent time developing their topics, figuring out how to address all of the interference expected during a speech, and delivering them to their audiences: the class and potentially the school.
The most recent speeches follow a format of persuasion called Monroe’s Motivated Sequence. The format is designed to adapt speeches to make them relevant to the audience.. Speakers used a specific call to action, which include having fellow students sign petitions to be submitted to the corresponding group or even make donations. Over 30 petitions were available to be signed, each one advocating for an important cause.
Senior Alyssa Paulson has experienced the class and is grateful to have taken it. “I enjoy listening to everyone’s speeches and opinions. I have been persuaded by many people to support things I was originally wary of. I love that this class gives students a voice.”
Not only has the class given a voice to many unheard opinions of unpopular topics, it has also given way to augment the self-esteem, professionalism, and critical thinking abilities of the enrolled students according to lumenlearning.com.
Paulson was of the similar impression, thinking back to the work it made her do. “Public speaking has allowed me to understand how to organize my thoughts better. I have grown a lot as a speaker and believe that I can express my ideas more clearly now.”
While she may have been one of the more highlighted speakers, Paulson says this is hardly all that matters. “I believe that persuasive speeches will make a large impact overall. While each one may just make a little change these little changes will add up quickly.”
Lauren Groenenboom was one such person. She changed the Turnabout dance from the recent switch to an informal dance after a basketball game to its former glory.
Public speaking has been an outlet for students to speak out about topics when before they would have remained silent. With the end of year comes the end of the class for those taking it this semester and the beginning for those taking it next semester, and therefore a whole new batch of speeches and persuaders.
