Public Speaking help needed

[upgray]

I took public speaking (dantes) today and it was much tougher that the 84% pass rate listed on the military sites allude to. There is no way to write a 3-5 minute speech (unless i simply talk too fast) in 10 minutes without using an outline or a key point format. I wrote for 10 minutes straight and still ended up with only about a 2.5 minute speech. For another 30 seconds I attempted to keep talking coherently about my topic to meet the 3 minute mark (as it is a mandatory fail if shorter than 3 or longer than 5). Out of the 14 tests I have taken, this one may be the one that i don't pass. My advice is to actually do at least three practice speeches on topics listed in previous discussions (my topic was actually one listed) to determine how you will create 3-5 minutes of speech with only 10 minutes prep. This was the greatest obstacle. As a recommendation, I would suggest creating a long conclusion that can be shortened as you speak if close to the maximum time but used if you find yourself running short of the 3 minute minimum; just have some way to add time if you get to the end and need it. I used my wristwatch to time myself. The cassette tape was provided by Dantes. When recording your name and social you can stop and then listen to the recording to make sure that it wasn't a partial recording. The instructors' notes tell them to record your name and social then stop. My recording actually didn't start until late and it actually cut off part of the recording. After your ten minute prep, they read you more instructions which I ignored and continued to think of points to add to my prep. The multiple choice was easy/common sense.

[fiveninerzero]

Does anyone know if Public Speaking is a requirement for the Excelsior BS GB exam?

'tis not...

[fiveninerzero]

I took public speaking (dantes) today and it was much tougher that the 84% pass rate listed on the military sites allude to. There is no way to write a 3-5 minute speech (unless i simply talk too fast) in 10 minutes without using an outline or a key point format. I wrote for 10 minutes straight and still ended up with only about a 2.5 minute speech. For another 30 seconds I attempted to keep talking coherently about my topic to meet the 3 minute mark (as it is a mandatory fail if shorter than 3 or longer than 5). Out of the 14 tests I have taken, this one may be the one that i don't pass. My advice is to actually do at least three practice speeches on topics listed in previous discussions (my topic was actually one listed) to determine how you will create 3-5 minutes of speech with only 10 minutes prep. This was the greatest obstacle. As a recommendation, I would suggest creating a long conclusion that can be shortened as you speak if close to the maximum time but used if you find yourself running short of the 3 minute minimum; just have some way to add time if you get to the end and need it. I used my wristwatch to time myself. The cassette tape was provided by Dantes. When recording your name and social you can stop and then listen to the recording to make sure that it wasn't a partial recording. The instructors' notes tell them to record your name and social then stop. My recording actually didn't start until late and it actually cut off part of the recording. After your ten minute prep, they read you more instructions which I ignored and continued to think of points to add to my prep. The multiple choice was easy/common sense.

I failed this twice, LOL, but for others reading this' benefit, here are a couple of topics from my encounters, and also from my friends:

Should Healthcare be subsidised by the gov't?

Should high school students have to do community service in order to graduate?

I had one more, but I can't think of it!

Hey, don't try to write your speech out. You should have just made an outline with a thesis statement and some main points and elaborated on them for 4 minutes. There really is no way you are going to write a speech out and give it verbatim in 10 minutes.

Currently I am taking the class from Brigham Young referred to above. I think I give up on the test.

[decall]

My topic was also one of the commonly listed ones.
A little more than an hour before the test I made four quick outlines w/ possible topics and practiced giving a 3-5 min speech for each of them. For the test, I fortunately was given the one I wanted. I think practicing w/ the outline helped a lot.

For anyone looking to take the test, focus your preparation efforts on your speech-making ability. The questions are all pretty easy. Read over a Public Speaking term list. Know the difference between different types of speeches.

[lrh3200]

Took the test about 8 months ago, passed the written with a 65, failed the actually speech, reason was not loud enough. Think the second part is unfair, was not aloud to listen to speech after performing it. I think tape player was too far away, but had no way of telling. Topic was drug testing.

when you say drug testing, do u mean like drug testing in the workplace? or what? im trying to make up some practice speeches on the topics ive heard alot of people talk about. Thanks a lot!

[L_Hancock]

Here's a fun idea for the outline/prep portion of the speach - and will be trying it tomorrow (already tried with practice speaches & LOVE it).

I'm guessing you don't have a computer to do it on, so, that means pencil & paper.

What if, you tore/cut the paper as you worked so each topic...header...section...supporting detail...idea was a different piece of paper. Then, the speach could be re-arranged to make more sense instead of something with bad organization.

Also, maybe a good outline with keywords would be better for 10 min than trying to hand-write a good essay to read off for a persuasive in that time-frame.

[nylonsmile]

Hmmm.....after reading this thread I am now admittedly scared. I'm taking this test this upcoming Tuesday.....I didn't think it would be THIS challenging, after reading these reviews. I figured the multiple choice would kind of be common sense and the writing portion wouldn't be too hard, and the speech would be the hardest portion, but they wouldn't be expecting TOO MUCH since they are giving you minimal preparation. But.......is it really that hard?

How does it possibly have like an 80% pass rate, then?

[Maniac Craniac]

There is no way to write a 3-5 minute speech (unless i simply talk too fast) in 10 minutes without using an outline or a key point format.

The ancient Greeks and Romans used to use the Method of Loci to help them follow points of a speech. Maybe it would work for you?

[Maniac Craniac]

Hmmm.....after reading this thread I am now admittedly scared. I'm taking this test this upcoming Tuesday.....I didn't think it would be THIS challenging, after reading these reviews. I figured the multiple choice would kind of be common sense and the writing portion wouldn't be too hard, and the speech would be the hardest portion, but they wouldn't be expecting TOO MUCH since they are giving you minimal preparation. But.......is it really that hard?

How does it possibly have like an 80% pass rate, then?

I'm sure it must have been hard for the 20% who failed.

[Tasman]

Try BYU for public speaking