Photo by Richard Clyborne of Music Strive
Read More: Get Tips for a Winning Speech
The Star Tribune’s Youth Criminal Justice Contest, with entries due August 16th, is accepting entries in 3 different formats: written essay, audio recording, or video.
As a debater, your voice is powerful. Have you considered applying to the contest with a recorded speech?
You’ve already learned how to develop compelling arguments. Your voice brings them to life. Use these resources for inspiration, tips, and tricks if you decide to enter the contest with a recorded speech (via video or audio format):
Build Your Basics & Get Inspired by The Eloquent Woman
The Eloquent Woman
This blog, by late public speaking expert, Denise Graveline, showcases powerful speeches by women. She identifies the strengths of each speech, analyzes its impact, and provides advice and techniques to improve your own speaking. Check out the Index of Famous Speeches by Women and the Eloquent Women site.
Borrow These Tips for Nationally Competitive Persuasive Speaking
Halima Badri (NSDA Website)
The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) provides free resources to help you become a stronger and more persuasive speaker. Check out their range of resources at the NSDA website:
- To Read: NSDA Full Resource List
- To Read: How to write a persuasive speech (Original Oratory format)
- To Watch: Original Oratory 2020 Finals
- To Watch: JJ Kapur – 2017, Halima Badri – 2018, Haris Hosseini – 2019
Get Comfortable With Speaking on Any Filming Device
(via Pixabay)
Even if you’ve been Zoom-ing since March, you might feel nervous about recording your speech on camera. Use these resources to help you feel more comfortable with presenting yourself on video:
- The Wistia Guide to Being on Camera
- 27 Ways to Feel Natural In Front of the Camera
- Tips for Recording Videos with a Smartphone
More Places to Find Tips & Tricks
- The Accidental Communicator: A humorous, in-depth guide to public speaking
- Six Minutes: A Guide to Being an Effective & Competent Public Speaker
- The Art of Public Speaking by Dale Carnegie: Available as a free, 19-hour audiobook.
- Subscribe to the MNUDL Youtube Channel for a compilation of public speaking tips!
How Would You Make the Criminal Justice System More Equitable and Just? Enter the Creative Criminal Justice Contest With Your Ideas.
Contest Details
The submission should be entirely created by students, although others may teach new skills, such as operating a camera, microphone or computer software. Submissions must come from young people between the ages of 10 and 18, using their age as of Dec. 31, 2020. You may also submit a group project with up to six friends (seven people total).
Written essays must be no more than 700 words, typed, double-spaced and in 12-point font. Video and audio submissions should be no longer than two minutes and must be submitted in a file format that can be uploaded to YouTube. Any materials from other people (research, writing, video or audio clips, etc.) must be given credit either in the submission or in an additional text document not more than 50 words long.
How to Enter:
Questions can be sent to essaysubmissions@startribune.com. To enter, fill out this form and submit your essay, video or audio file by Aug. 16.
This is your chance to be passionate, be creative, and use their own personal experiences as evidence to argue for change in our community.
There is no right or wrong answer. You have the chance to make change. We look forward to hearing your voice.
