Capstone speech rehearsal + Q&A handling

Quick-write: in 1-2 sentences, what is the BIG IDEA of your capstone? This is your speech's hook.

• Affirm the big idea — speech leads with it
• Connect: today rehearsal + Q&A

Today: CAPSTONE SPEECH rehearsal + Q&A handling. The capstone speech is 5-7 minutes (300-420 seconds). It is NOT a recitation of your essay — it is an ORAL CRAFTING of your argument for an audience hearing it in real time. The two genres differ. Speech moves: lead with the BIG IDEA (your hook); state your THESIS clearly (audience-aware); offer 2-3 KEY CLAIMS with evidence (less than the essay — speech can't hold 7 paragraphs of content); state the SO-WHAT for your audience; CLOSE with a call or image. Use PVLEGS throughout (MG-4). Use multimedia to SUPPORT, not decorate (MG-13). The Q&A is 2-3 minutes after. Q&A handling — three response patterns (today's card): (1) KNOW pattern: name what you know confidently, citing source page or paragraph. ('Yes — that data is from IPCC AR6, page 134, Table 3.'). (2) DON'T-KNOW pattern: mark what you don't know honestly. ('I don't have data on that — that's a great direction for further research.'). (3) INVITE pattern: invite dialogue. ('What's your read?' or 'I'd love to hear your perspective on that.'). The mature speaker uses all three. Bluffing erodes credibility; acknowledgment builds it. Today: draft script, rehearse with PVLEGS, practice Q&A.

• The mature speaker isn't defensive. The mature speaker engages.

  model 'That's a great point — the policy doesn't solve bus-route logistics. I focused on policy intent; you're naming an implementation challenge. From the AAP statement, bus routes can be rescheduled but it requires district investment. I don't have local cost data — that would be the next research step.' Notice: acknowledgment + partial answer + don't-know honesty + invitation to extend.

  prompt Sample Q&A exchange: AUDIENCE: 'What about students who have to wake up early for buses regardless of policy?' SPEAKER:
• Hooks vary by audience. Academic might open with a statistic; civic with a stake; creative with an image.

  model Creative-leaning, with civic stake. Sensory opening; personal anecdote leading into the larger argument. This is the lead-with-image move. Strong for creative or civic-creative-hybrid audience speeches.

  prompt Sample speech hook: 'Last summer, our river jumped its banks. My grandmother's photo album sodden. I was nine.' What audience?

• Pair-share: name your speech's hook in one sentence.
• Cold Call: name the 3 Q&A response patterns.

M-8-S-SPK-18-A Chart

Anchor: 3-pattern Q&A card (KNOW / DON'T-KNOW / INVITE) with response stems per pattern and worked examples. Print-ready 11x17.

• Draft 5-7 minute speech script from your capstone. Mark PVLEGS notes per section.

  scaffold Speech script template; MG-4 PVLEGS card
• Rehearse with peer or rehearsal mirror. Time. PVLEGS peer feedback.

  scaffold Timer with 5/6/7 minute warnings; PVLEGS peer-feedback card
• Q&A practice with peer. Peer asks 3 questions. Speaker uses all 3 response patterns (KNOW, DON'T-KNOW, INVITE).

  scaffold Q&A 3-pattern card

• Submit your speech script draft.
• Submit peer-feedback PVLEGS + Q&A notes.

• Restate: speech is oral crafting, not recitation; Q&A uses 3 response patterns
• Preview lesson 19: K-8 portfolio reflection + final speech polish

• Rehearse capstone speech 2x at home with timer. Refine multimedia aid. Continue annotated reading log final piece.