Your Fifth Speech
Prepare and deliver your fifth short speech: write a clear three minute talk, practice aloud, use notes, and receive friendly feedback to improve public speaking.
Step-by-step guide to Your Fifth Speech
Step 1
Pick one topic you care about for your fifth speech.
Step 2
Decide who you will speak to and one main thing you want them to remember.
Step 3
Write three simple main points you will cover in your talk.
Step 4
Write a short attention-getting opening sentence that makes people want to listen.
Step 5
Write one short paragraph for each of your three main points using simple clear sentences.
Step 6
Write a short closing that restates your main idea and thanks the listeners.
Step 7
Copy key words and short phrases onto note cards so you can glance at them while speaking.
Step 8
Sit in your quiet space and read your speech aloud once while watching the clock.
Step 9
Set the timer to 3 minutes and read the speech aloud while timing it.
Step 10
If the speech is too long or too short tweak one or two sentences and try the timed read again.
Step 11
Practice the speech using natural gestures and look at your listener instead of reading the cards.
Step 12
Give your speech to your friendly listener and ask for two things they liked and one tip to improve.
Step 13
Make one simple revision from the feedback and practice the final version one more time.
Step 14
Share your finished speech on DIY.org.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
I don't have note cards or a timer—what can I use instead?
Fold scrap paper or use sticky notes for your note cards and use a smartphone stopwatch, a kitchen timer, or a wall clock for the 3-minute timed read.
My speech keeps running over three minutes or I read the whole time—what should I do?
Follow the instructions to tweak one or two sentences after a timed read to shorten it, copy only key words on the cards so you glance instead of read, and practice with natural gestures to help you look at your listener.
How can I adapt this activity for a younger child or a teen?
For younger kids, choose one main idea with one short paragraph, use picture cues on large cards and a 1–2 minute timed read with a parent as the friendly listener; for teens, keep three main points, refine the attention-getting opening, and prepare to share the final speech on DIY.org.
How can we make the speech more engaging or personalized?
Add a single prop or simple visual for one main point, record a timed practice to review your gestures and pacing, and use the friendly listener's feedback to make one meaningful revision before sharing on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to deliver Your Fifth Speech
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Facts about public speaking for kids
🕒 A three-minute speech is roughly 360–450 words at a clear speaking pace (about 120–150 words per minute).
👂 Friendly feedback after practice can quickly improve timing, clarity, and confidence — listeners are powerful coaches.
📝 Most great speakers use short notes or cue cards instead of memorizing every word — notes are a pro trick!
🧠 Practicing your speech aloud helps memory and delivery — saying words out loud builds muscle memory and confidence.
🎤 Up to 75% of people report some fear of public speaking — it's one of the most common anxieties!
How do you prepare and deliver your fifth short speech?
What materials do I need for a child's three‑minute speech?
What ages is this activity suitable for?
What are the benefits and tips for giving friendly feedback to improve public speaking?
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