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A bit off topic, but I would appreciate some help

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Nathan

10-23-2003 14:15:09

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I know this is a bit off topic, but from what I've read in these posts, it seems like you guys might be experts in this area. At my high school, I am currently taking a speech class, and the speech we just started preparing for is a speech to inform. It must be 3-5 minutes long. I was thinking of talking about how physical farm sizes (i.e. acreage) and equipment sizes have changed from the early 20th century until now. This may be too broad, given the time limit, so if anyone has any ideas or suggestions on how to narrow it down or information I can use, I would appreciate it. BTW, the speech is due next Tuesday, October 28th, so responding after that date won't help too much.

Thanks a lot,
Nathan

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Nolan

10-24-2003 03:14:42

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Re: A bit off topic, but I would appreciate some h in reply to Nathan, 10-23-2003 14:15:09

Well, we've gone from horse drawn plows to massive diesel powered tractors in that time. We can do more in less time.

Economies of scale have made it necessary to farm larger plots of land in order to break even, let alone make a profit.

The population of the country had greatly expanded, making marginal farmland quite valuable, thereby making it far more difficult for a small homestead type farmer to afford to keep it.

As areas have built up, many county governments have swung from rural to urban steered. Small farms are frequently taxed at residential rates. Small farms are often subjected to complaints from urban neighbors and harrassed out of existance.

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Ernie Bob

10-23-2003 22:43:13

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Re: A bit off topic, but I would appreciate some h in reply to Nathan, 10-23-2003 14:15:09

Nathan;

This brought back a memory of a speech I had to give for college in 78. I also was petrified to get up in front of the class and to make it worse the speech was video taped for the class to critque. I figured that the best way to get through it was to pick a topic that was humorous to some and off base to others. I had read an article in People magazine about a worm farm in Southern California that grew worms, dried and bottled them to br used as a topping for salads.

I started my speach out with the poem "Nobody likes me. Everybody hates me. Guess I'll eat some worms. Long, skinny, slimey ones. Big, fat, juicy ones. Oh how they wiggle and they squirm." I had half the class laughing and the other half looking pale as I went on to describe the worm farm that grew worms for eating. I had a great time and enjoyed it as the time went by. I got an "A" on the speech and the video review went great. I guess what I found is that if you can find a topic that the class can get interested in and enjoy it goes a lot better. I have since used this in other speeches that I have given over the years. Start it out with something that will get the audience relaxed and interested.

Hope this helps, good luck!
Ernie Bob

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Brian

10-23-2003 20:34:06

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Re: A bit off topic, but I would appreciate some h in reply to Nathan, 10-23-2003 14:15:09

Just to show how much times have changed- think about this. My topic was how to field strip a Colt .45 automatic. I did this in 7th grade about 30 years ago. Got the ok from the principal as long as it was in a locked case stored in the office. Try to get that one approved today!

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RayP(MI)

10-24-2003 16:44:08

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Re: Re: A bit off topic, but I would appreciate so in reply to Brian, 10-23-2003 20:34:06

Brian,
Think you topped me - but I'm going to claim a close second.... Our agriculture teacher decided it would be neat if each of his students made a visual aid for his teaching library (for him to use in future years.) I made a slide show showing the proper way to set dynamite charges for rocks, and stumps, complete with pictures of rocks and stumps in mid-air. WHERE WOULD EITHER OF US HAVE BEEN IN TODAY'S SCHOOLS, besides outside looking in?

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Dave S. (OH)

10-23-2003 21:25:40

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Re: Re: A bit off topic, but I would appreciate so in reply to Brian, 10-23-2003 20:34:06

Haha, Reminds me of when I was in FFA (also 30 years ago) We had a fruit sale. First place, I won a Savage Arms 222 rifle with a scope on it. Very nice varmit gun. Another one that people would frown upon in todays time.

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10-23-2003 20:10:13

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Re: A bit off topic, but I would appreciate some h in reply to Nathan, 10-23-2003 14:15:09

You might try a speech tht covers the evalution or the tractor. You could start out with steam traction engines from the 1850 and progress to the oil/gas machines like the Rumley, Avery, Case and the early gasoine traction engines (Twin Cities, Hart-Parr, Case). And then progress into the Deeres, Farmalls, Fordsons. Depending on your resources, a speech about farming with the old steam tractors would be good. Details of their use for breaking soil with their plows, working the belts for harvesting, and some basic operations shold take about 5 minutes.

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Kerry

10-23-2003 19:00:29

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Re: A bit off topic, but I would appreciate some h in reply to Nathan, 10-23-2003 14:15:09

Nathan,

I just went through that a few years ago, I hated giving speeches and presentations but finally got pretty good at it and have even used that skill to make presentations to the board at work a few times. The biggest mistake I remember making on my first couple of tries was running out of time before I ran out of material. Practice it a time or two and time yourself. You'll be surprised how quickly it will go by.

Kerry

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Zach

10-23-2003 17:42:49

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Re: A bit off topic, but I would appreciate some h in reply to Nathan, 10-23-2003 14:15:09

Nathan Can't comment on the farm questions as I am no expert in the area but I can give you a little advice on the speech side of it. If you have to research the topic for a "how to" speech, it is not the right topic for you to talk about. The teacher is grading you on how you speak in front of the class, not on how much you know about a particular subject. Pick a subject that you know like the back of your hand. It also helps to pick something that no one else in the room will know anything about. That way if your mind goes blank during the speech, you can just make something up and no one will know the difference. (Remember, it's not about the content of your speech it's how you present it and yourself.) Besides, if your class is anything like mine were, no one cares. While you're up there talking, everyone else is thinking about what they are going to do after school, or what's for dinner, or they're wondering if they could pick their nose without anyone seeing. Who knows what they're thinking but more than likely it's not about what you're talking about. You'll also be much more comfortable talking about something you know a lot about and probably won't need note cards, if you're even allowed to have them. I graduated college back in May with degrees in Accounting and Economics. In my senior year I must have given 20+ speeches for various business classes and I ABSOLUTELY HATE giving speeches. Every one of my speeches had to deal with some aspect of the business world so I incorporated my year-long internship with Sony Electronics into them. I was very comfortable talking in front of the class because, more or less, I was bs'ing about my job. I really didn't even have to practice. The teacher was impressed and I managed to get A's on every speech. Anyhow, pick something you know inside and out and just go up there and start bs'ing. The 3-5 minutes will go by in no time and you'll do great.

HTH
Zach

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TomH

10-23-2003 16:17:31

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Re: A bit off topic, but I would appreciate some h in reply to Nathan, 10-23-2003 14:15:09

Don't worry as much about the content of the speech as the delivery. Smile, be a bit of a ham, make eye contact with your audience. Speaking in front of a group of people is a very valuable skill. It's probably more difficult to practice giving the speech that to actually give it, but practice it several times.

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Alberta Mike

10-23-2003 16:09:48

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Re: A bit off topic, but I would appreciate some h in reply to Nathan, 10-23-2003 14:15:09

I think Iowa Dave gave you some great advice, pick a simpler topic. Been through that scenario you're facing in school myself when I was "supposedly" learning to be a teacher. That 5 minutes goes as fast as lightning and you'll just start in on your topic when time will be up. The best presentation I remember a guy giving in that class was "how to fold a regular letter-sized page (8 1/2 X 11) in two different ways". That would be to fit in a regular letter-sized envelope and then how to fold it to fit into a legal-sized envelope. Everyone in your class gets two pieces of paper (8 1/2 X 11) and one letter-sized envelope and one legal-sized envelope. You show them and they follow along. The whole thing can be expanded (not enough time) if you throw in a legal-sized page (8 1/2 X 14) to fit into either of the two different envelopes. That paper could probably be had from the teacher and a couple of envelope packs are pretty cheap at Wally World. Your folks could help you with the folding systems if you haven't had much experience yourself. Do it and I'll almost guarantee success (and the class will love it).

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iowadave

10-23-2003 15:20:56

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Re: A bit off topic, but I would appreciate some h in reply to Nathan, 10-23-2003 14:15:09

Nathan,
Your post brought back a lot a memories, similar to what the last poster published. You're topic's interesting, most importantly to you, but I think you should park it for a later speech. Even using some of the other poster's suggestions it's still a broad & complex topic, too much so for your first appearance. Save it until you've had some practise or use it for a composition paper. For your first informative speech, use a simple topic that your very familiar with. This will allow you to focus on the mechanics of presenting the speech (Which you're likely to be graded on)and not struggling with the topic. The simpler the better, "How to start an Allis Chalmers 'B' tractor" or "How to make toast" even "How to put on pants". Good luck and let us know how it goes!

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Nathan

10-23-2003 16:09:16

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Re: Re: A bit off topic, but I would appreciate so in reply to iowadave, 10-23-2003 15:20:56

Thanks, you may be right.

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RayP(MI)

10-23-2003 14:48:37

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Re: A bit off topic, but I would appreciate some h in reply to Nathan, 10-23-2003 14:15:09

Pick only one type of farming, like dairy, or a particular crop, or set of crops, (like where crop rotation exists.) Also you might note how farming has become less general, more specalized. On my home farm when we were first starting, we raised pigs, dairy cattle, and chickens. We grew beans, potatoes, oats, alfalfa and hay, corn. As we eliminated extra crops, and concentrated on dairy, we became more efficient, and made more money. We eliminated the chickens, beans, potatoes, and pigs. Good luck on your speech.

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Nathan

10-23-2003 15:18:10

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Re: Re: A bit off topic, but I would appreciate so in reply to RayP(MI), 10-23-2003 14:48:37

Thanks RayP, that's a good idea. I'll keep it in mind.

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Steve from TN

10-23-2003 14:40:09

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Re: A bit off topic, but I would appreciate some h in reply to Nathan, 10-23-2003 14:15:09

Nathan, You might mention the two biggest factors of this change which in my opinion are Round-Up Ready crops and the advancement of no-till. Good luck with your speech. I can remember my first speech before a class. My knees were knocking together. Sounded like chattering teeth.

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Nathan

10-23-2003 15:17:01

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Re: Re: A bit off topic, but I would appreciate so in reply to Steve from TN, 10-23-2003 14:40:09

Yeah, me too. I don't much care for giving speeches.

Thanks a lot,
Nathan

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