Top 3 Debate Topics

1.) sexism between women and men's sports at Cheshire academy
2.) drinking age
3.) homework on long weekends/holidays

Possible Debate Topics

1.) Abortion should be legal/illegal
2.) Drinking age lowered to 18
3.) Public prayer should/not be allowed in schools
4.) Uniforms should/not be required
5.) Single sex schools are better/not for students

This Sure is a Dramatic Blog Post

This monologue greatly helped my understanding of putting emotion into speeches. All of our monologues had characters with backstories, interest and ideas that we needed to relate to while talking. These were not meant to sound monotone or speech-like, but relate to the person we were trying to portray. I learned a lot from this monologue and had a lot of fun memorizing and performing it.
Memorizing the monologue was particularly hard because of its length. It seemed longer then my "Who Am I?" monologue that I wrote. It was hard for me to act out going crazy and being mad and yelling because I usually try not to do that often. I had to do this because in the monologue, I believe my character was in a mental hospital, due to her craziness after her mothers death. I thought it was great being able to choose our monologue and I was nice not having to write it. I feel that this monologue is harder because you need to memorize the whole thing, plus make eye contact that relates to the character, plus make body movements that relate to the character.
It was a lot of fun being able to pick out this monologue from other sources. I feel like this allowed people to be able to relate more, to the piece of writing they picked, or choose something more outside their comfort zone (like I did). I feel like writing the speech, like our "Who Am I?" monologues, allows us to memorize faster. But, this makes us use our brains more because we need to find different ways to memorize. We can do this by practicing more, listening to ourselves, color coordinating parts of the speech and more.
I did many things differently in this monologue compared to the first monologue. I think this is because of the fact that this was dramatic, compared to a more ordinary speech. I was able to embrace my characters emotions using different tones of voice, facial expressions and arm movements. In my "Who Am I?" speech, I mostly stood still and had closer to a monotone, but still interested, voice. Also, in my dramatic monologue, I tend to use my arms and body more for certain emphasis. In my other monologue, I simply stood still and made eye contact with everyone else in the room.
So far, I have only seen Hannah's monologue but I thought that it was really amazing and learned quite a lot from it. I thought it was very cool how quickly and easily she was able to memorize and perform it. I learned from her that you have to truly embrace your character, and it may take a couple tries but you will eventually be able to complete your final project.
At the moment, I still need to practice my speech more and hopefully have the finalized version ready for presenting by Monday. I still need to practice my acting skills because I feel that I need to capture the essence of my character and her state of depression and insanity. I also need to thoroughly memorize it because for some reason I can't seem to memorize pieces of writing very easily.


http://image.slidesharecdn.com/tipsonhowtomemorizeaspeech-111125094757-phpapp01/95/tips-on-how-to-memorize-a-speech-1-728.jpg?cb=1322214656

Dramatic monologue backstory

I believe that the main character in this monologue is angry at the doctors for not being able to save her mother. I believe that her mother died of a disease and the girl doesn't want to deal with doctors again. I actually think the girl is in a mental hospital of some sort because she seems to be going crazy, yelling and crying at the people around her. The stress of her mothers death could have sent her over the edge. Some blocking I could use are getting angry and yelling at some points and seeming sad and thoughtful at others.

Much Madness

I want to be alone - I can't be around other people -

(Pause. Looks up, afraid)

I get really scared - I almost feel like I can't breathe -

(Panics a little)

I just need to be alone, Doctor -

(Angry)

You don't really care - you're simply doing your job - once I'm "better" you'll be through with me - then it's on to another person -

(Gives a mean look)

You're just like everyone else -

(Speaking viciously)

- you probably haven't cared about anyonne in years - that would be unprofessional - and a burden you don't need for yourself -

(She pauses. Calms a little)

Please, just let me go - I know what I need better than you -

(Angry again)

You're not God, you know - you don't have the powers to cure everything - I know what you can and can't do -

(Screams)

Go on - get out now!

(Long pause and silence. Cries)

No one really cares, do they -

(Struggles to talk through her tears)

You think you can help me - change me -

(Pause)

People should only fix what's broken -

(Furious)

I said I don't want to talk anymore! Leave me alone! I don't have to tell you anything! I'm not a little kid.

(Bends over and buries her face in her hands. Cries for a bit and then is much calmer)

There's so much you don't know -

(She looks up at the sky)

- if only I could fly -

(her eyes look in wonder)

I'm leaving all the Earthly matters to you - I belong near a different sun -

(Points to a star)

I wish I were a star - part of some constellation so I would never be lonely.

- it's so free out there - no one can toouch you or hurt you - you can simply shine -

(Pauses)

People don't like it when you shine - that's why stars are up there and not down here - humans think the brightness is offensive -

(Pause - looks and smiles at the stars)

My mother is a star now -

She always seemed like one to me - but stars don't like it very well where they can't be stars anymore - so they fade away - never shining again -

(Pause - grows sad)

I want to be a star - stars having meaning - stars I understand -

END OF SCENE

Who Am I Monolouge Final!

http://youtu.be/aeGZc6rlpV4

Reflection of Monolouge

    I learned a lot from this "Who am I?" Monologue. Writing and performing this speech allowed me to figure out my strengths and weaknesses. I was able to figure out what I need to work on in the future and how I need to present myself by learning from my peers. This was a fun project that allowed me to reflect on what I will be able to improve on.
I learned a lot about my writing when creating this monologue. I now realize that I need to be more precise and to-the-point when my speech should only be about a minute long. I tend to add extra details that aren't quite necessary when writing. Performing this speech taught me a lot about myself. For example, I never realized how much I move my legs and fidget when talking. I also seem to get quieter and more rushed once I'm near the end of a sentence. Therefore I believe that my weaknesses would consist of, often fidgeting, dropping sentences and memorizing. When memorizing this speech, I actually found it quite difficult and had to practice many, many, many times before I could get it right. Although my weaknesses were many, I also figured out some of my strengths over the course of this assignment. I realized that I could memorize the sentences, just not the order they came in. I also believe I am able to make a good amount of eye contact with others when delivering my speech.
I learned a lot about presentation from my teacher and other students. I now know that standing up straight and talking loudly (but not yelling) makes you seem very confident. I also learned that even if you have no idea what your talking about, if you sound confident and convincing, most of the time, everyone will believe what you are saying. If you are delivering a speech and you stutter, especially a real speech with people watching you, you have to keep going. Often, I would say the wrong word and then completely stop and start over. If you are in a conference, you can not just say "wait sorry let me start over." You will look unprofessional. That is why you must continue as if nothing happened, and most people won't even notice.
      In my next monologue, I will have to work on making the first draft more precise, and start the process of memorization earlier to make sure that I can really get it. I have learned many techniques to help with memorization including; recording and listening to yourself, making different parts of the monologue different colors, making each sentence on a new line, and always practicing out loud with other people.
Writing and delivering this monologue was a very enjoyable experience that allowed me to learn and grow. Thanks to my peers and amazing teacher, I have learned so much about delivering monologues and speeches. And its only been the first two weeks of school! I am looking forward to using what I have learned for future assignments and projects.

Importance of Public Speaking

   Public speaking is an important skill that will help throughout your entire lifetime. It is great to be able to learn early in life so that as time passes, it gets easier to speak in front of others. In this public speaking class I have learned many critical things including training yourself to be still, how the right pacing and tone is very significant and how to properly project your voice. 

     It is necessary to stay still or have controlled movements when giving a speech. If you are swaying or moving around, the audience could get distracted and not be listening to what is actually being said. People have things that they do when they are nervous. For example, adjusting feet, twirling hair, bending papers, twisting hands, ect. When talking, these movements can show nervousness and make you seem unprepared or scared. Even if you are nervous, you want to seem proud and confident. Always try to keep movements to a minimum as to not distract others from your speech. 

     Proper pacing, tone and pronunciation is neseccary so that the listeners can clearly understand and hear everything you are saying. You want to speak at a pace that is not too fast and not too slow. If you are speaking too fast, the listeners will not be able to keep up, but if you are too slow, they will become bored or feel insignificant. Tone is important because you do not want to speak to a group of adults the same way you would speak to a group of toddlers. Your tone has to match your speech and the people you are reading it to. You need to pronounce all your words more then you would in a regular conversation. It may seem weird at first, but to the audience, you appear to be speaking completely normally and clearly. 

    Being loud and projecting is always good when delivering a speech, but there is a difference between projection and yelling. You do NOT want to yell at the audience (unless you are purposefully doing it to prove a point or capture their attention) but generally, the audience does not like being yelled at because it can make them feel accused. You will still  have have to talk louder than you would regularly talk, but not loud enough to scare others. 

     I learned that all these points and more can help make the delivery of your speech successful. Standing still and tall will make you seem confident and minimize distraction. Proper pronunciation will help the audience understand clearly everything you are saying. Being able to project will always ensure that everyone can hear you, even in the back of the room. Some things I would like to accomplish this year are: trying to stop moving around as much when I talk in front of others, stop being so nervous in front of people and acting more confident than I actually am. Hopefully all these reasons and more will help me and others become a better public speakers. 

 

   

"A script is obviously less than a play, while a production is more." - from How to Read a Play

In my opinion, this quote means that although a script or speech is great, it is truly the delivery that is important. A piece of writing can be fantastic, but when presenting to other people, how you read the material reflects back onto the writing. This is important in this class because the more confident and prepared you are, the better the speech will seem.

Monologue

"Who am I?" Monologue

          Hello, my name is Ella Hampson. Today's topic is "who am I?" To be completely honest, I have no clue, I'm still trying to figure it out. I feel that before I can honestly answer that question, I need to experience more. But, I can still tell you about myself. Just because I have no idea what I want to do or who I want to be, doesn't mean I don't have a personality at all. At this point in time, I realize what made me the person I am today.

     As a citizen of the community, I try to help out when I can. I sometimes do community service at a local child center and also am part of the junior fire department. I live in a small town in the North-West corner of Connecticut with about a thousand other people. I believe growing up with the same grade of 14 people for 9 years has influenced the person I am. In my town we have one general store, one gas station, and a hardware store. You can't go anywhere without seeing someone you know. In 8th grade, I was ready to leave. It was sad, moving away from my extended family, but, I needed more, something new and exciting. Thats why I'm at boarding school. To get out of that tiny town in the corner of Connecticut. My decision actually turned out better than ever expected.

     Well, that pretty much sums it up. How I got to be the person I am today.  Although I have no idea what the future holds, hopefully something great will be coming.

     Hello, my name is Ella Hampson. Today's topic is "who am I?" To be completely honest, I have no clue, I'm still trying to figure it out. I feel that before I honestly can answer that question I need to experience more. For example I need to love, lose, feel true happiness and discover my weaknesses. But, I can still tell you about myself. Just because I have no idea what I want to do or who I want to be, doesn't mean I don't have a personality at all. 

     At this point in time I believe I'm hardworking. I always try my hardest no matter what it is. In school I always try my best, although procrastinating is definitely a problem. I like to blame that on the distractions in the dorm, when it is most definitely my fault. In sports and try to be a good teammate no matter a win or a loss. I think that as long as you always try your hardest, and do your best, you have succeeded. 

     I always support my friend's and family's' decisions, no matter what they are. Even if I don't quite agree with them, I try to help them in ways that I can. When people are sad, I try to make them feel better. When they are happy I try not to be depressing and ruin their mood. I always try to branch out and meet new people, and hope it leads to new experiences. In my family, I'd say I'm pretty nice to all of them. I know I'm not the best child, I know I could be better, but I do attempt, always. I have a little brother that I'm constantly getting into fights with, but it's just because he is very, very annoying. 

     As a citizen of the community, I try to help out when I can. I sometimes do community service at a local child center and also am part of the junior fire department. I live in a small town in the North-West corner of Connecticut with about a thousand other people. I believe growing up with the same grade of 14 people for 9 years has influenced the person I am. In my town we have one general store, one gas station (that technically isn't even in our town) and a hardware store. There is also a restaurant about 15 minutes away. My town is very small. You can't go anywhere without seeing someone you know. In 8th grade, I was definitely ready to leave. It was sad, all these people I grew up with. They became my extended family. My 14 brothers and sisters. But, I still needed more, something new and exciting. Not predictable and boring. That why I'm at boarding school. To get out of that tiny town In the corner of Connecticut. And my decision actually turned out better than ever expected. Hopefully the friends I make here will still be my friends 20 years from now.

     Well, that pretty much sums it up. How I got to be the person I am today. And although I have no idea what the future holds, hopefully something great will be coming.