Introduction to Public Speaking from the Institute
for Excellence in Writing (IEW) is a focused 12-week course that teaches middle
and high school students the art of effective oral communication. Built on the
classical Five Canons of Rhetoric (invention, arrangement, elocution, memory,
and delivery), this program helps students craft and deliver clear, confident
speeches while developing strong listening and evaluation skills.
Students progress from basic outlines to polished
presentations, learning IEW’s signature keyword outline method along with
practical techniques for poise, eye contact, voice projection, and delivery.
The course culminates in a five-minute impromptu speech.
Key Curriculum Features:
Step-by-step
training in the classical Five Canons of Rhetoric
Practice
writing and presenting five speech types: self-introductory, narrative,
expository, persuasive, and impromptu
Strong
emphasis on both speech creation and constructive peer evaluation
Techniques
for poise, eye contact, elocution, content development, and memory
Helpful
speech checklists and practical delivery tips
Balanced
mix of teacher-guided instruction and independent practice
Program Components:
Teacher’s
Manual: Detailed guidance, video summaries, implementation tips, and
weekly overviews
Student
Packet: Class notes, speech templates, checklists, and practice
materials
Student
Binder: Organizational system for course materials
Portable
Walls for Public Speaking: Quick-reference charts
Instructional
Videos: Available as DVDs or Forever Streaming
Important Notes:
Complete
Sets are available with either DVD or Forever Streaming video formats.
Non-video
components can be purchased individually.
Designed
for middle and high school students.
Introduction to Public Speaking stands out for its
classical foundation, clear structure, and practical approach that builds
confident, capable speakers. It is an excellent choice for students seeking to
develop strong public speaking and communication skills.
Browse all Introduction to Public Speaking resources
and sets below!
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Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Other
Other methodologies
Religious Content
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
