The theme of this year’s Library Summer Reading Challenge is “express yourself.” Thinking that being able to speak publicly with confidence is part of expressing yourself we are hosting a learning circle on “The Art of Public Speaking.”
Our learning circle will meet weekly for 5 sessions beginning June 12. We will be using selected lectures from the Great Courses’ Art of Public Speaking. Each week we’ll watch 1 or 2 episodes and then meet up to share what we’ve learned and to deliver a speech of our own. You can access the Great Course via Hoopla at: https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/11899995
Interested in joining us? Email ayosco@lapl.org and we'll get you signed up.
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Here is a tentative plan of study:
Class 1: Watch Episode 1: Overcome Obstacles. Prepare a brief introductory speech for the group which covers who you are, why you are interested in the program, what your experience with public speaking has been to date, and what your personal obstacles are as you face the challenge of public speaking. Practice a few times before we meet. Be prepared to discuss the content of the episode & your reaction to it.
Class 2: Watch Episode 3: Be Yourself. Prepare a brief autobiographical sketch of yourself in which you share an illuminating experience from your life. Be prepared to discuss the content of the episode & your reaction to it.
Class 3: Watch Episode 5 Make it a Story. Prepare an educational speech and use a story to make your speech friendlier. Choose as a topic something you are familiar with / good at that others might not be. Be prepared to discuss the content of the episode & your reaction to it.
Class 4: Watch Episode 2: Practice Your Delivery & Episode 9: Focus on Your Audience. Rewrite your speech from week 2 or 3 with a specific audience in mind (you’ll tell us what your imaginary audience looks like before you begin so we can role play ourselves as that audience) and incorporate some suggestions from episode 2 in your presentation. Be prepared to discuss the content of the episode & your reaction to it.
Class 5: Watch Episode 11: Change Minds & Hearts. Take a side on a controversial topic and prepare a persuasive speech that supports your side. Be prepared to discuss the content of the episode & your reaction to it.
