Soapbox Challenge

• TTO
• Middelbare school
• mavo, havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 2-5

Soapbox Challenge

A public speaking contest  for pupils in bilingual education

School round: 22 February 2024

Selection round: 11 April 2024 (Utrecht)

Final: 19 April 2024 (Utrecht)

Why "soapbox challenge"?

A soapbox is a raised platform on which one stands to make a speech, often about a political subject. 

The term originates from the days when speakers would elevate themselves by standing on a wooden crate originally used for shipment of soap, or other dry goods, from a manufacturer to a retail store.

What makes a speech
a good speech?

• A famous/important person delivering it
• Important moment in history
• Use of language is important: Repetition, metaphors, inclusive language
• It has to motivate people to do something.
• Confident speaker
• etc

Writing a speech - the elements

Introduction:

You have to capture your audience's interest and state your cause. 

Body:

This is where you provide the audience with background information.

Conclusion:

What do you want your audience to take away from your speech?

Your choice of words is important

What makes a good speech?

Pathos - an appeal to emotion

Inclusive language 

using 'we' and 'us' instead of 'you' and 'they' (especially in an appeal to action)

Rhetorical questions 

"Have you ever thought about..."? 

Descriptive language and literary devices

imagery, repetitions, metaphors... 

Logos - an appeal to logic

Facts and figures

Use outcomes from research done on the topic.

Examples

Provide clear examples to support your statements.

Ethos - an appeal to credibility

Speaker credibility

The speaker has to be knowledgeable and experienced in the field.

Ethics

What are common values about the topic?

There are lots of public speaking competitions and events. This clip shows a Canadian teenager giving a speech about mobile phone addiction. 

00:43

How does the speaker use 'ethos' in his introduction?

02:27

How does the speaker apply "logos" in the body of his speech?

06:42

How does the speaker use "pathos" at the end of his speech?

"Did you know that 80% of children check
their phones every five minutes? Crazy, right?"

This is a(n)

1. simile
2. metaphor
3. rethorical question
4. hyperbole

Rhetorical question:

A question the speaker does not expect the audience to answer.

Now hold on a second. I'm sure many of you are thinking "that's not me, I'm not addicted."

"Now hold on a second" is a(n)

1. simile
2. metaphor
3. alliteration
4. interjection

Interjection:

Phrases such as "Hold on", Wow", "Stop", "Yay"

"So then you post another photo and another photo just to see how many likes you get"

This is an example of:

1. metaphor
2. repetition
3. alliteration
4. interjection

Repetition:

When words are repeated for effect.

Your turn!

Three age categories:

Category 1 = 12 – 13 years old (born between 11-04-2012 and 12-04-2010)

Category 2 = 14 – 15 years old (born between 11-04-2010 and 12-04-2008)

Category 3 = 16 – 19 years old (born between 11-04-2008 and 12-04-2004)

Speech length:

Category 1 = speech of 2.30-3.30 minutes 

Category 2 = speech of 3.30-4.30 minutes 

Category 3 = speech of 4.30-5.30 minutes 

Bepaal welke leerlingen tot welke categorie behoren. De schoolronde zullen we wel op lesjaarniveau laten plaatsvinden. 

Speech topics

A

AI: yes or no?

What I'm

passionate about

Current global issues

Final round topic: Be the change

Pupils can choose from these three topics. If they go on to the Final round they have to write a new speech.  (They don't need a new speech for the Selection rounds)

What's next?

You are going to write a speech. 

Guideline: 

3 minutes is around 400 words, 4 minutes 500-600 words, 5 minutes 600-800 words

You will have to learn your speech by heart and practice it so you stay within the time limit. 

You will upload your speech as well as a recording of yourself giving your speech to your tto portfolio and hand it in to your mentor. 

You may be selected to perform your speech during the school round.

Please let pupils hand in their speech and the recording in Teams or SOM as well for easy access. 

Soapbox Challenge School round

The school round will take place on 22 February.

All tto pupils from your year will be present as audience.

There will be a jury consisting of 3 people and a timekeeper. 

Please let pupils hand in their speech and the recording in Teams or SOM as well for easy access.