Stage Presence Worksheet Stage Presence
Lesson 1: Public Speaking & Presentation
Speak Up Unit
Student Resource
Student Name
Date
The Three Pillars of Presence
Watch the demonstration and take notes on the three key areas of non-verbal communication.
1. Body Language
How do you stand? What do you do with your hands?
2. Eye Contact
Where do you look? How long do you hold a gaze?
3. Vocal Variety
Pitch, volume, pace, and the power of the pause.
Taming the Nerves
List three physical symptoms you feel when nervous about speaking, then brainstorm a "Cool Down" strategy for each.
Mastering the Hook
A great speech starts with a bang. Draft a 30-second introduction (a hook) for the following topic: "Why breakfast should be served all day." Focus on using vocal variety and eye contact.
Debate Dictionary
Foundational Terminology
Speak Up Unit
Reference Guide
Resolution
The formal statement or topic being debated (e.g., "Resolved: The United States should eliminate the death penalty").
Affirmative (Pro)
The side of the debate that supports or argues in favor of the resolution.
Negative (Con)
The side of the debate that opposes the resolution or argues against the Affirmative's case.
Burden of Proof
The responsibility of a debater to provide sufficient evidence and reasoning to support their claims.
Cross-Examination
A period during the debate where one side asks the other side direct questions to clarify points or expose weaknesses.
Rebuttal
A speech that specifically addresses and counters the arguments made by the opposing side.
Case
The complete set of arguments and evidence presented by a side to support their position.
Constructive
The first speech given by each side, used to "build" their initial case and arguments.
Evidence / Card
Specific information (statistics, quotes, facts) used to back up a claim, often called a "card" in competitive debate.
Impact
The reason why an argument matters; the ultimate positive or negative consequence of a claim.
Term Application
Match the scenario to the correct debate term:
A debater explains that if their policy isn't passed, 5,000 people will lose their homes.
The "Pro" team reads their prepared 4-minute speech to start the round.
"Is it true that your statistics come from a blog written in 2004?"
Stage Presence Slides Command the Room
Stage Presence & Public Speaking Basics
The Goal
It’s not just about what you say, but how you say it.
Credibility
If you look and sound like you believe yourself, others will too.
Connection
Non-verbals bridge the gap between you and your audience.
01. BODY LANGUAGE
A
The Power Stance
Feet shoulder-width apart, weight balanced. No "the penguin" or "the tree."
B
Open Gestures
Use your hands to emphasize points. Avoid crossing arms or pockets.
Avoid the "Fidget-Sphere"
Hair touching
Pen clicking
Swaying/Rocking
Fixed at the podium
02. EYE CONTACT
The "Room Scan" Technique
Divide the room into three zones: Left, Center, and Right. Hold eye contact with one person in each zone for 3-5 seconds (one complete thought) before moving.
3s
The Minimum Lock
1-on-1
Human Connection
Z-Path
Movement Strategy
03. VOCAL VARIETY
Volume
Project to the back wall without shouting.
Pace
Slow down for impact. Speed up for excitement.
Tone
Matching your emotion to your message.
The Power of Silence
A pause creates tension. A pause lets a point sink in. A pause beats an "um" or "uh" every time.
THE NERVES ARE
YOUR FUEL
Adrenaline is just energy. The difference between "terror" and "excitement" is how you label it.
Reframing
"I'm nervous" → "I'm ready to perform."
Preparation
Knowing your first 30 seconds reduces 80% of anxiety.
The Speaker Scorecard Rubric Speaker Scorecard
Speech & Debate Presentation Rubric
Speak Up Unit
Teacher Resource
Speaker
Judge / Reviewer
Final Score / Rank
Criterion Novice (1-2) Competent (3-4) Exceptional (5) Body Language Posture, gestures, and movement in the space. Rigid or excessive fidgeting. Closed posture. Distracting movement. Mostly stable posture. Some intentional gestures. Minimal fidgeting. Commanding stance. Purposeful, natural gestures. Controlled movement. Eye Contact Engagement with the entire audience. Reads from notes/floor. No eye contact or stares at one person. Occasionally looks at audience. Mostly focused on center of room. Consistent, inclusive contact across the whole room. Direct engagement. Vocal Variety Volume, pitch, pace, and use of pauses. Monotone or too quiet. Rushed delivery. Heavy use of fillers (um/uh). Audible volume. Variable pace. Fillers are present but not distracting. Dynamic range. Strategic pauses for impact. Clear, confident articulation. Content & Logic Clarity of arguments and evidence used. Unclear main points. Lack of supporting evidence or reasoning. Clear main claim. Some supporting data. Logic is mostly sound. Sophisticated argumentation. Strong evidence. Persuasive reasoning. Impact Overall ability to convince or move the audience. Audience remains unengaged or confused about the goal. Audience is engaged. The purpose of the speech is clear. Highly persuasive. Memorable hook and strong, resonant conclusion.
Judge's Feedback
Strengths (Glows)
Areas for Growth (Grows) Unit Facilitation Guide Speak Up
5-Day Unit Facilitation Guide
Speak Up Unit
Teacher Resource
Unit Objectives
Master non-verbal communication and stage presence.
Build structurally sound arguments using the C-W-D model.
Identify and counter logical fallacies.
Conduct credible academic research for evidence.
Daily Pacing
Day 1: Presentation SkillsSTAGE
Day 2: The C-W-D ModelBUILD
Day 3: Logic & FallaciesTHINK
Day 4: Evidence & ResearchHUNT
Day 5: LD vs PF FormatsCLASH
DAY 01
Stage Presence Basics
Hook: Play a 30-second clip of a famous speech (e.g., MLK or Kennedy). Ask students what they saw before what they heard .Main Activity: Guided practice with the "Stage Presence Slides." Students complete the "Hook" exercise on the worksheet.Closing: Students perform their 30-second hooks for a partner using the "Speaker Scorecard."
Materials - Slides: Command the Room
DAY 02
The Argument Engine
Hook: Two-minute drill. Students argue "Is a hotdog a sandwich?"Main Activity: Introduce Claim-Warrant-Data. Use the "Argument Blueprint" worksheet to deconstruct professional arguments then build their own.Closing: "Claim Swap"—Students trade claims and must brainstorm one "Warrant" for their partner's claim.
Materials - Worksheet: Argument Blueprint
DAY 03
Logic Lab
Hook: Logical Riddle (e.g., "All birds fly, penguins are birds... wait.")Main Activity: The "Fallacy Finder." Students analyze commercials or political ads to spot the fallacies listed on the worksheet.Closing: "Syllogism Race." Teams compete to write the most creative but logically valid syllogism.
Materials - Worksheet: Logic Lab
DAY 04
Proof Seekers
Hook: "True or Fake?" Present three wacky facts. Students guess which is real and ask for the source.Main Activity: Research Trail. Students use laptops to find evidence for the "Mandatory Service" prompt using the CRAAP test guide.Closing: Evidence exchange. Students verify a partner's source using the CRAAP criteria.
The Argument Blueprint Worksheet The Argument Engine
Lesson 2: Claim-Warrant-Data Model
Speak Up Unit
Student Worksheet
Student Name
Date
Building a "Case"
In debate, an argument isn't just an opinion. It is a structure. We use the C-W-D model to ensure every argument is solid.
1. Claim
The "What." The point you are trying to prove.
2. Data
The "Proof." The evidence or facts that back it up.
3. Warrant
The "So What?" The logic that connects data to the claim.
Practice 1: Deconstruction
Read the following argument and identify its components:
"School days should start at 10:00 AM because adolescents require more sleep for brain development. The CDC states that 70% of high schoolers get less than 8 hours of sleep. Since more sleep leads to higher cognitive function, starting later will improve student test scores."
Identify the Claim
Identify the Data (Evidence)
Identify the Warrant (Logic)
Practice 2: The Argument Blueprint
Build your own argument for the following topic: "Video games should be considered a varsity sport."
Claim
Data (Brainstorm a hypothetical fact/stat)
Warrant (Why does that data prove your claim?) Logic Lab Worksheet Logic Lab
Lesson 3: Reasoning & Logical Fallacies
Speak Up Unit
Student Worksheet
Student Name
Date
Deductive Reasoning: The Syllogism
A syllogism is a logical structure where two premises lead to a necessary conclusion. Structure: Major Premise + Minor Premise = Conclusion.
Example
1. All mammals have lungs.
2. Dolphins are mammals.
Conclusion: Therefore, dolphins have lungs.
Create Your Own
Premise 1:
Premise 2:
Conclusion:
Fallacy Finder
A fallacy is an error in reasoning that makes an argument invalid. Match the fallacy name to its description and example.
Ad Hominem
Attacking the person making the argument rather than the argument itself.
"You're wrong because you're lazy!"
Slippery Slope
Claiming that one small step will lead to a chain of extreme, negative events.
"If we let students have gum, eventually they'll be bringing full meals to class!"
Straw Man
Misrepresenting an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack.
"My opponent wants to ban cars, which means he hates freedom!"
False Dilemma
Presenting only two options when many more exist (Either/Or thinking).
"Either you support this law, or you love crime."
Identify the Fallacy in the following scenario:
"We shouldn't listen to the Senator's plan for education reform. After all, he was once caught speeding in a school zone!"
Explain why: ________________________________________________
Proof Seekers Research Guide Proof Seekers
Lesson 4: Evidence & Research Strategy
Speak Up Unit
Student Guide
Student Name
Date
The CRAAP Test for Evidence
Before using a piece of evidence, put it through this checklist to ensure it is "debate-ready."
C
Currency
Is it recent?
R
Relevance
Does it fit the topic?
A
Authority
Who is the author?
A
Accuracy
Is it verified?
P
Purpose
Is there bias?
Your Research Toolbox
Empirical Evidence
Data, statistics, and measurable facts. (e.g., "75% of voters...")
Anecdotal Evidence
Personal stories or specific cases. Great for emotional impact.
Expert Testimony
Quotes from specialists or professionals in the field.
Analogical Evidence
Comparing the current situation to a similar known situation.
Practice: The Research Trail
Pick a topic: "Mandatory community service for high schoolers." Brainstorm where you would look for one piece of Empirical and one piece of Expert evidence.
1. Empirical Search Strategy
Keywords to use
Potential Source (.gov, .edu, etc)
2. Expert Search Strategy
Type of Expert needed
Possible Organization
Debate Format Cheat Sheet Arena Guide
Lesson 5: Debate Formats (LD vs. PF)
Speak Up Unit
Student Cheat Sheet
Student Name
Date
Lincoln-Douglas (LD)
The "Philosopher's Arena"
Format
1-on-1 (Individual). Focuses on Values and Morality .
The Resolution
"Resolved: Wealthy nations have a moral obligation to provide foreign aid."
Key Components
Value: The ultimate good (e.g., Justice).Criterion: How we achieve/measure the value.Heavy focus on logic and philosophy.
Public Forum (PF)
The "People's Arena"
Format
2-on-2 (Team). Focuses on Policy and Current Events .
The Resolution
"Resolved: The European Union should prioritize energy security over carbon neutrality."
Key Components
Framework: How the judge should weigh the round.Coin Flip: Determines side and speaking order.Focus on evidence and real-world impacts.
Typical Timing Structure
LD (Lincoln-Douglas) Total: 32m + Prep
Affirmative Constructive 6m
Cross-Ex by Neg 3m
Negative Constructive 7m
Cross-Ex by Aff 3m
1st Aff Rebuttal 4m
Neg Rebuttal 6m
2nd Aff Rebuttal 3m
PF (Public Forum) Total: ~40m + Prep
Constructive Speeches (1 & 2) 4m ea.
Crossfire (1 & 2) 3m
Rebuttals (1 & 2) 4m ea.
Crossfire (3 & 4) 3m
Summary Speeches 3m ea.
Grand Crossfire 3m
Final Focus 2m ea.
Format Selection
Based on the descriptions above, which format interests you most and why? Consider if you prefer working alone or in a team, and if you like philosophy or policy.
