Partner Introduction Speech

Goals: I can…
• interview a partner and record details
• compose a speech outline following a specific format
• present a speech to my classmates

Purpose: This first assignment is designed to help you practice writing and speaking and to get to know your classmates.
Steps:

1. As you interview your partner, use the questions below as a guide. Take good notes – ask for details.
(You will write your speaking notes on an index card later.).
● How do you pronounce your name?
● Family (parents, siblings, pets, traditions)

● Friends (best friends, how they met, what they like to do)

● Hobbies (interests, extracurricular activities, how they got involved)

● School (favorite subjects, hardest subjects, accomplishments, challenges)

● Favorites (movies, books, music, actors)

● Goals (short and long-­term personal or academic goals) Where do you hope this journey takes you?

● Traits (unique traits, qualities, or abilities)

● Experiences (memories, vacations, life lessons)

● Anything else from their introduction of Self slides

● What things (big and small) matter most to you, and give your life meaning?
● Tell me something random and fun about you.

*** During the interview: practice good conversation skills – make eye contact with your partner, smile, nod,
be interested in what they say. (If you’re sitting saying nothing, you are not doing it right!)

2. Choose three topics from above, and find out even more details from your partner.
Go back and ask follow-up questions. Make sure that you have plenty to say about each
topic when you talk to the class.

3. Organize your facts on a notecard. Can you group the information into 3 areas?

4. Practice speaking in the mirror, in front of your family, or friends so that you are
comfortable and prepared on the day of your speech.

5. Present your speech to the class. You may use your notecard for this speech.
PARTNER INTRODUCTION SPEECH FORMAT:
Start with your speech with an attention-getter:
Tell us briefly the coolest thing you noticed about your partner as
you interviewed them and/or tell us something random & fun
about your partner.
Then tell us your partner’s name:
“This is my partner _______________ (slowly and accurately
pronounced). Take your time; you’re teaching us! Then continue
to say your partner’s name often during your speech.
Next, tell us what you came to say:
Tell us a few stories – using concrete examples – helping us
understand 3 general areas about your partner.
Finally, close positively:
End your comments with a supportive statement about your
partner.
[practice to accomplish these goals
with a two-minute speech,
give or take 30 seconds or so]