Week 4 of 5

Conclusion, cue cards and voice

Session 1 · AUTHOR: Organise

Conclusion and the Thread Test

10 minThe four moves of a conclusion: RETURN to the hook, CONNECT the three body paragraphs, TWIST to a deeper idea, LEAVE a final challenge or question.
5 minWarm-up: 'In conclusion, I have talked about this topic' versus 'So here's my challenge to you…'. Which performs the twist and leave?
25 minWrite your conclusion. Echo a word or image from your hook. End with an imperative: 'So here's my challenge to you…'.
10 minThread Test: read the whole speech. Does every paragraph clearly link back to your angle? Strengthen one weak link.

Session 2 · AUTHOR: Organise

20 minTransfer your polished speech onto cue cards: key words only, one card per paragraph, numbered, with pause marks.
20 minVoice lab: say the same line five ways (fast, slow, loud, soft, with a pause before the key word). Choose where to use each in your speech. Add one gesture.
10 minTime a full run-through with a partner. Aim for three minutes.

Getting started

Use five cue cards with the paragraph name printed at the top of each.

Stretch

Deliver your speech with only three cue cards, or none.

Checkpoint

A complete speech on cue cards, timed at around three minutes, and a practised introduction.

Activities for this week