From education to business to politics, there is no doubt that public speaking is a critical skill in many important fields. To ensure success when talking in front of a large audience, you need to be able to speak confidently and eloquently. However, many students are in the dark about how they can improve. Fortunately, there are a number of opportunities both at Bridgewater-Raritan High School as well as outside of it to hone these skills and become an effective speaker.
First, joining the Forensics Speech and Debate Team enables students to compete in a number of different events that all involve public speaking. Debate categories such as Lincoln-Douglas and Public Forum not only test logical argumentation, but also require persuasive delivery.
Aidan Mannathukkaran, a sophomore at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, gave his thoughts on the club.
“Debate has given me the ability to speak effectively even under pressure. Especially in front of [inexperienced] judges, I have to maintain my composure as I quickly come up with new arguments on the spot,” he said.
There are also many speech categories within the umbrella of Forensics. It places a heavy emphasis on a competitor’s oratorical abilities. For example, in Impromptu Speaking, students choose one topic out of three to deliver an off-the-cuff speech with little to no preparation.
In Original Oratory, students prepare in advance and deliver 10-minute speeches on any topic of their choosing.
Freshman Tharun Naguleswaran gave his thoughts on the activity.
“At first, I was scared to speak even in front of my parents. But each time I did Speech, I got a little more confident. My captains Sriridhi Pothu and Siyona Naidu helped me a lot with my speaking skills that will last a lifetime,” he said.
Next, Model United Nations (MUN) simulates the real United Nations. Students are able to roleplay as delegates of various countries to enhance their leadership and problem-solving skills. Bridgewater-Raritan High School’s MUN club attends many conferences throughout the school year, and competitors can partake in both moderated and unmoderated caucuses in which they discuss potential solutions.
Freshman Kaustav Badri gave his thoughts on participating in MUN.
“Due to the constant moderated caucuses in which I have to speak and display my facts, I’ve become more confident in my speaking. Additionally, unmoderated caucuses propel my soft skills as they make me better at talking to people in an informal way,” he said.
Freshman Mohnish Gumedelli had similar positive comments to share on the activity.
“MUN consistently taught me how to confidently share my ideas and has been a great source for becoming a better speaker,” he said.
Additionally, in Mock Trial, students can simulate a courtroom environment, with participants playing the part of attorneys, witnesses and jurors. This gives students insight into real legal procedures, augmenting their speaking, writing and critical thinking skills.
Freshman Mythili Madhusoodanan gave her thoughts for this article.
“In mock trial, I was a witness questioned by competing attorneys. This allowed me to practice my public speaking as I learned to stitch together different ideas on the spot in a conversational style, something I wasn’t used to earlier,” she stated.
While it may be hard to find opportunities to improve public speaking, there is no doubt that Bridgewater-Raritan High School offers a number of activities that can certainly help better these skills. The art of oratory is timeless, and certainly, being able to speak in front of a large audience will continue to be important in many different fields.
