Public Speaking Template, Tips, and

Tricks
The 1-2 Minute Informative Speech

Free From Portable Gifted and Talented

Copyright 2012 by Mark Steven Hess

All Rights Reserved

Copyright 2017 by Mark Steven Hess, Portable Gifted and Talented, All Rights Reserved
 One to Two Minute Informative Speech Template

“Grabber” Notes: (Choose one—use vocal variety, humor, interesting quote or fact, act)

State the Main Idea in One Clear Sentence:

Supporting Detail Note #1:

Supporting Detail Note #2:

Supporting Detail Note #3:

Restate the Main Idea—Use Different Words:

Copyright 2017 by Mark Steven Hess, Portable Gifted and Talented, All Rights Reserved
Copyright 2017 by Mark Steven Hess, Portable Gifted and Talented, All Rights Reserved
 One to Two Minute Supporting Speech Rules,
Tips, and Best Practices
(Upper Elementary Version)
 In public speaking, use your voice and gestures to emphasize key points and to keep
your audience interested.
 Can everyone in the room hear you? If not, you just lost part of your audience.
 It’s not a good idea to use a visual aid in such a short speech. It will distract your
audience, and before they know it, you are done speaking . . . “Oooo! Cool artifact!
What did that person just say?”
 You’ll never need a partner or assistantant for this speech. Let your friends support you
by being a good listener in the audience.
 Grab your audience’s attention. Make them want to listen right away. This is very
important in such a short speech. “Ho, hum . . . Oh, look. Someone is speaking. Oh,
wait . . . they’re done already. What did they say?????”
 Stay on track. Your job as speaker is to prove one main idea and one main idea only
with examples and explanations. In such a short speech, you have no room to talk
about anything else. It’s like a good paragraph.
 Use no more than one notecard per minute.
 Do not write out supporting details. This is a speech, not an essay. Work out what you
will say through rehearsing the speech.
 Write out your main idea sentence, your concluding sentence, and any important
quotes. Know them by heart.
 Rehearse. Rehearse again.
 Look at your audience as much as possible, and make sure you’re not staring at one
person the whole time. Now that would be awkward! Some people feel shy about
looking at the audience. If that is an issue, simply look just barely over the top of their
heads at the back wall. They’ll never know the difference!
 Be you. Use your personality. Use your “voice.”
 Be confident. Everyone is in the same situation. Take a deep breath. Rehearse some
more. Take another deep breath. You’ll do fine!

Copyright 2017 by Mark Steven Hess, Portable Gifted and Talented, All Rights Reserved
 Name___________________________________

General Speech Evaluation Rubric

Beginning Progressing Accomplished

Unclear where speech
moves from beginning to
middle to end. Fuzzy
transitions in-between main
ideas.
Either the introduction or
conclusion is unclear.
Sometimes we get lost
between main ideas.
The beginning, main ideas,
and conclusion are clearly
signaled. Transitions
between main ideas are
seamless.

Hard to follow . . . just too Everyone could hear well— Vocal variety made this not
soft of a voice. even at the back of the only clear but entertaining
room. as well.

We are left with the feeling Clear explanations. We We not only understand, but
that we need more details understand through well- word choice humors us,
and explanation to truly chosen details. entertains us, or allows us to
understand. empathize.

Hmmm . . . it all kind of Ahhh . . . we nod and Encore! Encore!

seems fuzzy in the end. applaud.
Keep after it!

Recommended Grade

Copyright 2017 by Mark Steven Hess, Portable Gifted and Talented, All Rights Reserved
 One to Two Minute Informative Speech Template Sample on The Lolo Pass

“Grabber” Notes: (Choose one—use vocal variety, humor, interesting quote or fact, act)
As Thomas Jefferson:Woolly MammothErupting VolcanoMtn. Pure Salt

State the Main Idea in One Clear Sentence: “In September of 1805, Lewis and Clark crossed a
dangerous, ancient Indian route that had been important for centuries in North America—the
Lolo Pass.”

Supporting Detail Note #1: most important exploration in American history? looking for
waterways7,000 ft Bitterroot MtnsClark: “I have been wet and as cold in every part as I ever was in my
life.” Horseback—trail like a cliff imagine what would happen! Narrow, steep, Clark: “ if either a man or
horse were precipitated they would be dashed to pieces!”

Supporting Detail Note #2 with Transition Words: transition: wasn’t the first time or last
important crossings were madeancient Indian buffalo salmon1877 Chief Joseph Nez Perce War
flee Gen Howard

Supporting Detail Note #3 with Transition Words: transition: remains important today though
not so dangerous civilian conservation corps 1930snational historic landmarkClearwater
National Forest

Restate the Main Idea and Close—Use Different Words: “Lewis and Clark couldn’t have known in
1805 that their dangerous trip over the Lolo Pass would serve as a symbol to connect America’s ancient
native past to an age of exploration, transition, and hope for the future. What important journeys will be
made across the Lolo Pass in the future? “

Copyright 2017 by Mark Steven Hess, Portable Gifted and Talented, All Rights Reserved
Copyright 2017 by Mark Steven Hess, Portable Gifted and Talented, All Rights Reserved