Public Speaking

Burke’s views learning to speak well before an audience to be an essential skill for girls, one through which they develop self-confidence and refine their ability to express a well thought out message in a compelling manner.

Seventh grade students are required to take a trimester of Public Speaking. Students discuss the challenges of public speaking, the strengths of good speaking and practice reading aloud and speaking both extemporaneously and from notes in the small class setting. They then prepare brief speeches to deliver before the assembled Upper School.

Eighth grade students, as a part of the eighth grade English course, choose a poem, speech or passage from literature to memorize and recite before the Upper School during assembly. This recitation is more than just memorizing words; rather, it is a Declamation, an opportunity for each girl to use literature as a way to communicate a message to an audience of her peers.