Speaking to Youth
How to speak to youth and keep them
awake at the same time
I. Personal Preparation
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The Message: Why say anything at all?
The Audience: Who’s listening?
The Method: How will they hear my voice?
The Messenger: Look who’s talking!
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Commit to practicing what you preach
Commit to being yourself
Commit to glorifying God
Commit to excellence
II. Objective Preparation
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The SCORRE Method: If you don’t know
what you’re aiming at, you’ll never hit it.
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Subject
Central Theme
Objective
Rationale
Resources
Evaluation
Subject
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Do I know enough about my chosen subject to speak
intelligently?
Fear
Faith
Self-Control
Love
Christ
Caring
Suicide
Music
Prayer
Drugs
Sex
Bible
Easter
Occult
Discipleship
Life
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The subject for my speech is: _____________
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2. Choosing a Central Theme
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Could you be more specific?
A single aspect of the subject.
Theme must be brief, clear and expressed in a phrase.
Example: Fear
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Remedies of fear
Identifying fear
Coping with fear
The effects of fear
The possible themes for my subject are (keep it brief, 2-3
words):
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
My Central Theme is: __________________________
3. Clarifying your Objective
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What are you trying to say?
Why am I giving this talk?
Step #1: Write a Propositional Statement
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The obligatory proposition
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For a speech of persuasion.
Designed to move your group to take action, make a
commitment, or consider belief.
Every __________________should____________________
The enabling proposition
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For a talk that gives instruction or direction.
It will show the youth how to do something or how to
understand a concept.
Every __________________can_______________________
Your Speech
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Fill in the blank, and write a propositional
statement for your central theme:
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The subject for my speech is: _________________
My central Theme is: _______________________
My propositional statement is:
Every ________________should/can________________
(Choose only one)
Clarifying Your Objective (cont.)
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Step #2: Question the Proposition:
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Obligation  ask the question “WHY?”
Enabling  ask the question “HOW?”
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Other questions, such as “where”, “when”, and “what”
are answered in the body of the speech.
Assume that you have chosen the enabling
proposition “Every person can learn to ride an
elephant.”
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The natural question for the proposition is
More…
The steps taken to learn this skill might be as follows:
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Go to the main tent of the circus at 10:00 A.M. on Friday.
Ask for Ralph the elephant man.
Sign up for lessons.
The questions “when?”, “with whom?”, and “what?”
are answered within the body of the speech.
Step #3: Answer the question “why” or “how” with a
Phrase that uses a Key Word
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Obligatory Proposition  because of or for
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Proposition: Every Christian should learn to love his/her neighbor
Question: Why?
Response: because of the commands given by Christ.
Key word: “commands”
More on the subject…
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Enabling Proposition  by
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Proposition: Every parent can be more effective
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Question: How?
Response: by developing two communication skills.
Key word: “communication skills”
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The key word is always a plural noun that
embodies the ultimate focus of your message –
the very heart of your speech.
Review of Objective Formatting
Type of speech
Question
Response
Key Words
Rules
Commands
Advantages
Reasons
Obligation
Why?
Because of
Truth
Steps
Enabling
How?
By following the…
Principles
By obeying the…
Instructions
By understanding
the…
Rewards
Examples
Blessings
Your Objective Statement
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Choose either an obligatory or an enabling proposition.
Fill in the first blank with a word descriptive of your
audience (i.e. youth, girls, Christian)
If you speech is enabling, circle the word “can”; if is an
obligatory speech of persuasion, circle the word “should”
Circle the correct question for your proposition.
Choose the proper words to begin your response.
Write your response in the second blank (descriptive plural
noun “key word” that describes the points you will use to
drive home your objective.
Every _____________________should/can___________________________
Why? How? ___________________________________________________
Because of / for / by _________________(
) ______________
Key Word
Developing your rational: What are
the main points of your Message?
Every _____________________should/can___________________________
Why? How? ___________________________________________________
Because of / for / by _________________(
) ______________
My key word is: _____________________________
My main points are:
1.____________________________________________________________
2.____________________________________________________________
3.____________________________________________________________
4.____________________________________________________________
Gathering & Using Resources:
Frosting the Cake
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It comes from the resource of everyday life.
Illustrations and anecdotes are the glitter and sparkle
that make people want to listen to our message.
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Will the illustration or story interest the audience?
Will the illustration or story enhance and support the
message?
Don’t hurt people with your illustrations.
Be realistic (The Father, train, and his son)
Draw stories from real life
Short poems can add tremendous power to speeches
Evaluation
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Did I follow the steps in the SCORRE method?
Have I considered the needs of my audience?
Does my speech apply to the kid’s needs?
Is the subject of my speech one that interests the kids?
Do I know what I’m talking about, or do I need more research?
Does my speech fit the guideline I’ve been given?
Has my objective been written clearly? Do I know exactly what
I want to accomplish with my audience?
Are my main points of logic (rationale) tied directly to the key
word in my objective?
Have I limited my rationale to a few points, or have I tried to
cover too much material?
Have I added life to my speech with interesting
illustration/stories?
Are my rationale and objectives consistent with the truth found
in Scripture?
SUMMARY of
Objective Preparation
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Choose a subject: ________________
Choose a central Theme: ______________
Write your objective: _________________
Choose your rationale: ________________
Add resources: ______________________
Evaluate: __________________________
During your Lesson
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Present stories in an interesting way just to
grab attention.
Involve the youth by asking questions that
have a purpose of discovering the truth – not
ordinary questions (open-ended)
The 1st 50 words and the last 25.
Pausing during the talk – why and how?
Physical barriers removed