Minds On
Formal and information situations
Designing a children’s play area
There are many different situations that we share in public. Some of these situations are formal and some are informal.
Formal situations are planned and organized. Some examples of formal situations are: celebrations, speech, debates, presentations, interviews, orating a poem or story, etc.
Informal situations are spontaneous and casual. Some examples of informal situations are: conversations with friends, family, and peers, singing at a karaoke, etc.
The strategies that we would use to communicate would differ in each situation.
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
Work with a partner, if possible, or independently record some ideas of strategies you would use in a formal situation you can choose one of the previous situations or choose one of your own) versus an informal situation (choose a topic and situation for an informal conversation).
Be ready to share your ideas and with others.
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
Action
Formal or informal speaking situations
In the following multiple choice activity, determine if each situation is “formal” or “informal,” based on the definitions you explored in the Minds On section. Select the correct answer, then press ‘Check Answer’ to learn how you did.
Task 1: Formal speaking situations
Speeches
One common form of a formal situation is a speech. When do people perform speeches? Have you been in an audience for a formal speech? Have you enjoyed a famous speech? The following are different formal situations that include speeches:
- competitions – speeches and debates
- celebrations – weddings, anniversaries, ceremonies, graduations
- inaugurations – becoming political leaders
- special dates or events that many people attend – marches, holidays, anniversary dates
- speakers’ forums – often televised and recorded
- accepting awards
The following short audio clips are small excerpts of two VERY famous speeches in history. As you explore these two clips, pay close attention to the different strategies these presenters are using to make their speech effective.
Record your thoughts using a method of your choice.
Access the following audio clip entitled “Barack Obama Selma 50th Anniversary Speech” to examine an example of a famous speech in history.
Barack Obama Selma 50th Anniversary Speech
Access the following audio clip entitled “Emma Watson United Nations Speech” to examine a second example of a famous speech in history.
Emma Watson United Nations Speech
Be ready to share the strategies that you captured from the two speeches you just examined.
Elements of an effective speech
As previously mentioned, there are a wide variety of formal situations that involve speeches. Whether you are performing or receiving a speech, there are specific strategies that are necessary for an effective speech.
Examine the following table to learn about different strategies for an effective speech:
| Be attentive |
An audience needs to trust the speaker. This adds a trust level between the audience and speaker. |
|---|---|
| Tone |
Sharing in a slow and gentle manner will engage an audience and further the trust. |
| Gestures and movements |
This enhances the words of the speech and helps an audience perceive the meaning of words. It also allows the audience to concentrate on the presenter. |
| Being prepared and relaxed |
When the speaker is relaxed, the audience is relaxed as well. When a presenter practices their speech, it is easier for them to relax. |
| The length of the speech (knowing the audience) |
Taking care to know the audience will allow the presenter a chance to keep points in the speech to the topic at hand. Remembering what the audience wants to learn and take from the speech is important! |
| Choosing words carefully |
The words themselves are important in an effective speech. The words chosen will allow the audience to understand, engage and retain the message if the words are chosen carefully. |
Return to the famous speech that you explored earlier. Were these some of the strategies that you recorded from that speech?
For each of these strategies, record how the presenter in the famous speech demonstrated some of these strategies. If you choose to explore a transcript of the speech, focus solely on the strategies that include messaging and the use of the words themselves, as well as punctuation, italics, and capital use.
You can use the following checklist to identify strategies used for each speech or record them using a method of your choice.
Strategies for an Effective Speech
| Famous speech 1 | Famous speech 2 |
|---|---|
Task 2: Informal speaking situations
Informal situations are different than formal situations. One common informal situation people engage in is conversation. There are strategies that help to make conversations more engaging whether you are conversing with a friend, teacher, family member, or someone you have just met.
Examine the following table to learn about different strategies for an effective conversation:
| Be attentive |
Sometimes we don’t agree with what that person is saying or we are excited to have our turn to speak. Make sure that you are actually being attentive to the other person as they are sharing. |
|---|---|
| Be open and honest |
It is important that you are honest and truthful in your conversation. |
| Being positive |
Even if we don’t agree with what the other person is sharing, we need to be sure to remain positive. It is ok to mention that you don’t agree. |
| Ask questions |
Asking questions demonstrates that you are engaged in the conversation. |
| Take turns and be aware of the other person |
Sometimes we have a lot to share about a specific topic that we are conversing about. Be sure to let the other person share their thoughts as well. |
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
Let’s practice having a conversation! Work with a partner, if possible, or create a conversation between a few people if finding a partner is not possible.
Use the following checklist as you prepare your conversation:
Strategies for an Effective Conversation
Choose a topic that you would both like to converse about. Take turns.
Each partner should share for one minute and then give the other partner a one-minute chance to share, either out loud or in written form.
Continue to converse together for a few more minutes.
If you are creating a conversation by writing or typing, be sure to allow both people a chance to share and use the strategies from above in your conversation.
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
Let’s reflect!
Take some time to reflect on your learning. Consider the following questions:
- What strategies did you enjoy using when conversing?
- Which strategies would you like to continue to explore? Why?
Consolidation
Choose your task!
You have spent time analyzing different strategies for formal and informal speaking situations. You have learned about appropriate strategies in both situations.
Choose one of the following tasks to complete to demonstrate your learning of these strategies.
Create
You can create your own formal speech using the strategies of an effective speech. For your speech, be sure to consider the following:
- the topic and audience of your speech
- the strategies you will use to create an effective speech
- the location of your speech
Your speech can be shared in an audio recording, video recording, as a script or as a live presentation for your teacher.
Analyze
Return to the Action section and choose one of the other two speeches you did not already work with. If you wish, you could also choose another famous speech that you would like to analyze (e.g., Amanda Gordon, Autumn Peltier). For this speech, discuss the strategies the presenter used and why these strategies created an effective speech. Alternatively, you can analyze a written version on the speech and assess what strategies were used.
You can record your analysis in an audio recording, on paper, digitally, using a visual representation, or as an oral presentation for your teacher.
Compare
You can compare and contrast the effective strategies in a formal speaking situation and an informal speaking situation. Be descriptive and creative in how you record and share your information.
Reflection
As you read the following descriptions, select the one that best describes your current understanding of the learning in this activity. Press the corresponding button once you have made your choice.
I feel…
Now, expand on your ideas by recording your thoughts using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.
When you review your notes on this learning activity later, reflect on whether you would select a different description based on your further review of the material in this learning activity.