WJHS -- 8 th
Grade English Updated August 2014
B
B
S
Background : Public speaking is the #1 social phobia in the United States. The key to success is being in command of your topic. For our first speech, you will be talking about something you know more about than anyone else – you will be talking about yourself. Visual aids can also play an important part in a speech. For this speech, you will be using a number of visual aids to illustrate your main points.
Tasks & Requirements:
Before Speech Day:
1. Plan what you will tell the class about yourself – family, hobbies, interests, etc.
2. Select between seven (7) and fifteen (15) items to place in or on your grocery bag to illustrate and explain what you are saying. All items must fit in or on your bag. Each photograph that you share will count as one item.
3. Get your bag ready. You will be given a paper bag to use if you choose. If you bring items and materials to decorate your bag to school in advance in a plastic bag or backpack, you can decorate your brown bag during wrap-up so that it will not be damaged during transport to school.
On Speech Day:
4. Explain the significance or importance of each item. Rather than saying, “Here is a baseball.
I play baseball,” give us more detailed information such as how long you have played, your favorite position, favorite moment, etc.
5. Present the information in a logical order rather than randomly grabbing and/or pointing to items. You might want to divide the bag into different sections for different topics.
6. Use a natural and audible speaking voice.
7. Talk to your audience rather than the bag or the items. Keep your head up and make eye contact with a variety of audience members.
8. Take your bag and/or items home at the end of the day.
**
Evaluation: The following rubric will be used to determine your grade:
Criteria
Creative Expression/
Thoughtful Preparation
Exceeds/Meets
Expectations
(5 or 4)
Items are already affixed to a paper bag, include a variety of media, and demonstrate clear organization
Room for
Improvement
(3)
Items are taken from a paper grocery sack and affixed to the bag as part of the presentation in a well-thought out manner
Unacceptable – Needs lots of work
(2)
Items are taken from a plastic grocery sack, undecorated gift bag, or undecorated shopping bag from a “mall store”
Items or Props
Explanation of Items
Meets the required number by including between 7 –
15 times (each picture counts as one)
Items are selected and explained with adequate and engaging details in an organized fashion – categories or chronology,
Exceeds the limit of 15 items (each picture counts as one)
Items are selected and explained with adequate and engaging detail in a random pattern – indicating no apparent plan
Does not meet the minimum requirement of 7 items
Items are presented by not explained with adequate detail to both inform and engage the audience
Voice etc.
Speaks loudly and clearly so that all can hear easily
Speaks too softly/too fast for all audience members to hear easily
Uses an “unnatural” speaking voice which is inappropriate for this type
Eye Contact
Makes eye contact with a wide range of audience members throughout speech
Limits eye contact to a few audience members of speech
Avoids eye contact throughout speech
**3 points will be deducted for each day the bag remains in the classroom after you have presented to the class. After 1 day, a 95 (A) drops to a 92(A-); after 2 days, the grade drops to an 89 (B), etc.

WJHS -- 8 th
Grade English Updated August 2014
List the items that you plan to place in or on your bag below. Include what you plan to say about each item. Remember the goal is to talk about you, using the props to illustrate your interests, hobbies, talents, families, etc. The speech is not about the stuff. Also remember your target number of items is between 7 -15.
1. Item –
Explanation –
2. Item –
Explanation –
3. Item –
Explanation –
4. Item –
Explanation –
5. Item –
Explanation –
6. Item –
Explanation –
7. Item –
Explanation –
8. Item –
Explanation –
9. Item –
Explanation –
10. Item –
Explanation –
11. Item –
Explanation –
12. Item –
Explanation –