The Paper Bag Speech
A Self Introduction
Purpose
• The purpose of the Speech is to introduce
yourself to your audience
• The purpose of the Paper Bag is for size.
Anything that can fit in the bag is the right
size Visual Aid for this speech.
• *The bag should be left at your desk or
under the podium (not a distraction)
Content & Organization
• Follow basic Outlining format for
presentations
• Everything will be spoken, including your
SIGNPOST (preview to main points)
• Answer the questions on the Speech
Inventory worksheet to help you decide
what to include (things that make up who
you are)
Visual Aids
• Place items into your Paper Bag that will be
used to illustrate your main ideas in your
speech
• Items must be able to fit in the bag, but be
able to be seen by the entire audience
• Examples: a book that influenced you, a
piece of jewelry, a large photo, a statue…
Visual Aids
• PRACTICE your speech with your Visual
Aids ahead of time
• Choose the appropriate time to show your
V.A. during each main point
• Do not pass your V.Aids around the room,
as this will distract from your speech
• Be sure to explain the significance of each
Content & Organization
• Organize your ideas into 3 MAIN POINTS
• Your MAIN POINTS will be the 3 main
ideas that will include your content…
• Ex. (1) My Background
(2) My Characteristics
(3) My Accomplishments
• Or “Past, Present, Future” of My Life
Support and Analysis
• Under each main point, include examples,
stories, and a VISUAL AID from your bag.
• Be sure to explain any claim that you make
• Ex. “Music has played a big part in my
life…” now, follow that up with “why,”
“how,” “in what ways,” etc…
• That’s support with analysis!
Introduction
• Don’t ever begin your speech with “ok” or
“um” or “ok, I’m going to begin.” Just
jump right in with your ATTENTIONGETTER
• Be sure to have clear and definite parts of
the Intro
Conclusion
• NEVER end a speech with “That’s it,” or
“ok, I’m done.”
• Be sure to include the very important parts
of the Conclusion: the SUMMARY and the
CLINCHER
• Hints: the Summary is the same as your
Signpost & the Clincher can round out the
Attention Getter!
Delivery DOs and DON’Ts
• Don’t hide behind or hold onto the podium
when you speak
• Do use controlled gestures to help you
illustrate your points
• Don’t write out your speech or else you will
read to us, and that is not the goal
• Do speak from an Outline, PRACTICE to
be able to be free from your notes, and
speak conversationally to your audience
Delivery DOs and DON’Ts
• Don’t be silly or distracted by audience
members
• Do use controlled humor and/or jokes to
entertain your audience
• Don’t chew gum, put hands in pockets,
cross arms or legs, or shift weight/rocking
• Do stand straight and tall, and practice to
avoid nervous mannerisms
DO ADD ENERGY!
• Make sure you are smiling and friendly to
your audience during a speech
• Make sure you PRACTICE for the time
limit, and to reduce nervousness
• PRACTICE using your Visual Aids, and
plan out when they will be shown
• Have FUN with this one!
TIME LIMIT
• The time limit for this speech will be 3-5
minutes
• PRACTICE your speech several times
WITH your visual aids ahead of time!
• Time signals will be given during your
Speech
DUE DATES
• Bring notes for Test Review on Monday
• Test day will be Wednesday – bring #2
pencil
• Be prepared to work on your SPEECH both
of these days, as well
• Speeches will be DUE on March 4, 11, 13 –
Bring Bag of Visual Aids at that time