Name: _____________________ Class: ____ Date: ___________
JAM Speeches An extension of “Fact or Fallacy: From dinosaurs to reptiles…”
INTRODUCTION Some people give very long speeches. But, at times, it makes sense to keep speeches brief – even as short as a minute. In fact, just-a-minute (JAM) speeches can be very effective if you prepare them well. Within those 60 seconds, you would aim to pack in the most compelling facts in the clearest way possible for impact on your audience. Let’s try this by using this month’s Fact or Fallacy story. First, read “Fact or Fallacy: From dinosaurs to reptiles…” (page 11, What’s Up July 2014). The six belief statements given below become clearer when you have understood the article. INSTRUCTIONS 1. FORM six teams by dividing your class into fairly equal numbers. All team members pretend to be wildlife experts. Each team picks one belief statement from the list below. No two teams should pick the same statement. BELIEF STATEMENTS a) Research on dinosaurs helps us to save wildlife that still exists today. b) Research on dinosaurs does not help to save any of today’s wildlife. c) The best way to save today’s wildlife is to study species that still exist. d) The best way to save today’s wildlife is to use action, not research. e) Humans must try to stop wildlife species from becoming extinct. f) Human should accept species becoming extinct as a natural part of life. 2. PREPARE your JAM speeches individually. That is, every student should compose a one-minute speech on the topic picked by that student’s team. 4. DELIVER your speech within your team. Every team then selects three speakers to compete with the rest of the class. The remaining team members should help their three speakers by giving them feedback when they practice. 5. CONDUCT the JAM session as a whole class. Each team fields its three speakers. As every speaker speaks for only one minute, the 18 speakers would take less than half an hour altogether. 6. VOTE, as a whole class, for the JAM speakers who convinced you of their belief statements. 7. REFLECT on how a JAM speech is different from longer speeches. What are its pros and cons? Share your observations with What’s Up readers in other schools by emailing a note to
[email protected]. IDEAS 2014-07
