Teaching Youth Communication
Skills
Claudia Mincemoyer, Ph.D.
4-H Curriculum Specialist
March 2003 Statewide In-Service
The Communication Process
“ a process by which information is exchanged
between individuals through a common system
of symbols, signs or information”
“ . . .through a common system of
symbols, signs or information”
• The method or format chosen to share the
message
– Make an anti-smoking speech at 4-H teen council
meeting
With any communication project,
youth should . . .
• Clearly define their message (try to keep it to
one key idea)
• Carefully identify their target audience. (be
very specific)
• Select the methods, approaches and formats
that will work best for the target group.
• Provide feedback to youth on how they did
Delivering a Speech-voice
• Project voice
• Use a conversational tone with familiar words
• Speak at a comfortable pace
• Enunciate (pronounce clearly)
• Don’t slur words
Delivering a Speech-eye contact
• Maintain eye contact with audience
• Memorize opening and closing statements
• Try not to stare at a fixed object
• Look for friendly faces to make eye contact
Delivering a Speech-gestures and
expressions
• Use natural gestures
• Smile!
Delivering a Speech-posture
• Put notes on podium if available, but don’t lean
on it
• If walking while speaking, maintain good
posture, hold notes at waist
• Avoid pacing
Reducing Stage Nerves
• Be prepared
• Speak about things you know well or that interest you
• Identify anxiety symptoms. Learn to prepare and overcome them
• Chat with your audience before speaking to feel comfortable
• Eat light and avoid carbonated beverages
• Practice
• Learn a quick stress-reducing routine for relaxing your neck, shoulder
and facial muscles
• Visualize yourself succeeding!
Writing for Public Speaking
• Choose a comfortable topic
• Consider the audience-target the message
• Develop an outline-introduction, discussion and
conclusion
• Use the introduction to grab attention
• Be logical and thorough
• Get personal-use personal examples and stories
• Summarize speech
Tips for Public Speaking
• Tell them what you’re going to say in the Introduction.
• In the Body, say what you want to say.
• In the Conclusion, tell the audience what you said!
• Follow your notes or an outline
• Avoid memorizing
Tips for Effective Demonstrations
• Picking a topic
– Pick a well-defined skill or activity that can be
demonstrated in a short period of time
– Select a topic that can be easily broken down into
illustrated steps
– Think about how much the audience will already
know about a topic
Tips for Effective Demonstrations
(cont.)
• What is your purpose?
– To educate?
– To inform?
– To persuade?
Tips for Effective Demonstrations
(cont.)
• A well organized speech has three parts:
– Introduction-grab the audience’s attention
– Body-present the step-by-step procedure,
explaining key points as you go
– Conclusion-re-state the purpose of the
demonstration and give a brief summary
Tips for Effective Presentationsdelivery
• Be enthusiastic
• Dress for the part
• Briefly introduce yourself
• Know your subject and explain what you’re doing as you
do it. Briefly explain if something goes wrong
• Be sure your audience can see what you’re doing
• Speak clearly
• Stay within your allotted time
• End by showing your finished product and answer
questions
Providing Feedback
• Set a positive tone. Create a safe, caring,
positive learning environment.
• Sandwich approach-focus initial comments on
what the speaker did well. Then, discuss
areas where improvement is needed. End with
a positive observation.