An extemporaneous speech is a speech you prepare fully ahead of time, but when you present to an audience, you only use limited notes. (Refer to Module #2).
Your topic: Three Types of Social Justice Reform Our Country Needs Right Now. For examples of different types of pressing social justice issues, you can see a partial list here.
The speech should follow the basics of public speaking format (Refer to Module #2).
Only limited speaker notes are allowed (Explained later in this module).
The speech should be between 2-3 minutes. (There is a 15 second grace period under or over. No LESS than 1:45; no MORE than 3:15.) There will be a 5 point deduction for going under or over time. You need to practice and edit until you meet time parameters.
Basics of public speaking format:
A Brief History of Rock-and-Roll
HOOK: During the late-1950s, Elvis Presley introduced the United States to a new genre of music: rock-and-roll.
TOPIC:In the next few minutes, we are going to explore rock-and-roll music.
PREVIEW:First, we will look at the roots of rock-and-roll music. Second, we will look at current trends in the genre. Last, we will explore possibilities for the future of the industry.
POINT A:The history of rock-and roll can be broken into two parts: musical influence from other countries, and African-American pioneers that created the genre in the United States.
SUB-POINT 1: When it comes to rock-and-roll, the essence of the music, particularly its use of drums and rhythm, can be traced back to other countries…primarily from the African continent. When African slaves were rounded up and brought to what would become the United States, they brought tribal dancing, music and rhythms to this land.
SUB-POINT 2: These rich tribal histories resulted in African-American communities, particularly in the southern United States, steeped in musical tradition. A young Elvis Presley was introduced to such music, and he used black blues, rhythm-and-blues, and gospel music to become the “King of Rock”.
POINT B:Modern day rock-and-roll can be analyzed through two different lenses: traditional bands, and cross-over acts that are merging musical genres.
SUB-POINT 1: Traditional rock-and-roll bands tend to use a lead singer, background vocals, a lead guitar, bass guitar and a drummer. Although bands will have variations around the traditional rock-and-roll sound, there is a “rock” style. Such bands with hits in 2020 include Pearl Jam, Five Finger Death Punch, Stone Temple Pilots and Incubus.
SUB-POINT 2: However, there are some bands pushing the envelope of rock-and-roll as they merge it with different types of instruments and melodies. For example, Panic! At The Disco has successfully fused emo, punk and vaudeville to create a different type of rock-and-roll sound, while bands like Tape Five have fused swing and Nu jazz with a rock flair.
POINT C: The future of rock-and-roll is bright in two different ways: emerging technologies increasing access to the music, and youth cultures around the globe embracing the style.
SUB-POINT 1: As of 2020, almost 50% of the world’s population owns a smartphone. Music and music downloads are now only a click away, and rock-and-roll music is a top contender. Furthermore, the United Nations declared that Internet access should be a global human right, introducing rock-and-roll music to new audiences anywhere there is an Internet connection.
SUB-POINT 2: Youth cultures around the globe are increasingly gravitating towards rock-and-roll music. In Japan, a youth underground culture has formed infatuated with 1950s leather jackets, poodle skirts and yes…Elvis music. Our world’s newest country, South Sudan, is seeing a resurgence of jazz, blues, funk and traditional rock-and-roll, helping to ensure its place as a musical genre going forward.
SUMMARY:Today, when we looked at the topic of rock-and-roll, we discussed three main points: the history of rock-and-roll, present day trends, and what the future holds.
CONCLUSION: Elvis was dubbed the “King of Rock-and-Roll”. But as we have learned, the roots of the music existed long before, and its influence will carry it far into the future.
