Simulations Materials

1. Simulations’ schedule

2. PUBLIC SPEAKING

Here you may find some useful tips on how to address a speech and some examples of important orators in History.

2.1. SPEECH

The speech is an important tool which allows all delegates to publicly communicate during the working formal session. The turn and the moment to give a speech are set by the Speaker’s List while the duration is given by the Speaker’s Time. 

The main function of the speech is to communicate and express the position of all represented countries in connection with the topic under discussion. 

Giving a speech represents one of the most important moments of the whole simulation for all delegates. 

When a delegation has their time to speak, it will be done from the podium in larger committees or standing up in smaller ones. 

The decorum requests silence during public speaking and it allows the speaker to attract more attention and better reception of their speech. 

The speech can be delivered during all working sessions of the simulation, except for the voting procedure.

2.2. SPEECH IN DIFFERENT PHASES OF THE SIMULATION

The speech does not have a fixed content. It will change according to the progress and development of the simulation. 

For example, at the beginning of the session a speech should express the position of a determined country in relation to the topic under discussion. In this case the position paper plays an important role as a fundamental source and base of ideas and facts to be used in order to deliver an opening speech. 

As the conference progresses, the speech can posit some solutions for the coalition, as well as ideas and invitations to cooperation between states which share the same goals and positions. 

A speech can be useful, especially during the final phases of the working sessions, to convince and involve more delegates to vote for the Draft Regulation and to support it. 

Each delegate is suggested to pay attention to the evolution of the working session and all speeches.

2.3. STRUCTURE OF A SPEECH

A speech has got a very simple and linear structure. It begins with a formal greeting (“Honorable Chair, fellow delegates”) and finishes with a grateful ending (“Thank you Chair, Thank you delegates”). 

In the middle of a speech there is the main body which constitutes the important message from a delegation to others. It is suggested to add, at the end of the main body and before the final thanks, a particular phrase which can summarize the whole message and advice other delegates to act. The more creative and incisive the main body of a speech is, the bigger and heavier the political weight it can have. 

All the efforts of delegates must be focused on being clear and concrete on the exposition of the main body. For this reason, the following suggestions can be useful: Short and incisive sentences with preferably active form verbs. 

Adding codes and elements of the previous Regulations which were approved and adopted in the past at the European Union. Statistical data and quotations of political authorities with facts and figures can increase the weight of a speech and make the position and potential solutions more credible. Paying attention to the evolution of the simulation and to all speeches so that a delegation can modify its own discourse according to the development of the committee and showing the training and attention level. 

The duration of all speeches is set by the speaker’s time and it can be changed. In this case a speech should be modifiable in order to add or eliminate parts of it, and short sentences can facilitate this process. It is useful to write speeches with 5-10 seconds less than the fixed speaker’s time. 

It is useful to perform and act the speech with pauses and while looking at the audience. Change of tone, visual contact with other delegates, right pauses, and possibly a final phrase with effect, contribute to strengthening the content of the speech. 

Indeed, the speech is an important tool to attract attention and to let all delegates know about the delegation and its position, so it is important to act and perform a speech in order to be a potential leader as well.

3. TIPS FOR IMPROVING YOUR PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS

While captivating an audience is a skill that takes years to develop, there are some simple ways to instantly improve your speaking and presentation skills. Good communication is never perfect, and nobody expects you to be perfect. 

However, putting in the requisite time to prepare will help you deliver a better speech. 

You may not be able to shake your nerves entirely, but you can learn to minimize them. Here there are some tips you could take into account when preparing your speech:

3.1. Nervousness Is Normal. Practice and Prepare!

All people feel some physiological reactions like pounding hearts and trembling hands. Do not associate these feelings with the sense that you will perform poorly or make a fool of yourself. 

Some nerves are good. 

The adrenaline rush that makes you sweat also makes you more alert and readier to give your best performance. The best way to overcome anxiety is to prepare, prepare, and prepare some more. Take the time to go over your notes several times. 

Once you have become comfortable with the material, practice—a lot. Videotape yourself or get a friend to critique your performance.

3.2. Organize Your Material

Organize Your Material in the Most Effective Manner to Attain Your Purpose

Create the framework for your speech. Write down the topic, general purpose, specific purpose, central idea, and main points. Make sure to grab the audience’s attention in the first 30 seconds.

3.3. Feedback

Watch for Feedback and Adapt to It

Keep the focus on the audience. Gauge their reactions, adjust your message, and stay flexible. Delivering a canned speech will guarantee that you lose the attention of or confuse even the most devoted listeners.

3.4. Let Your Personality Come Through

Be yourself, don’t become a talking head—in any type of communication. You will establish better credibility if your personality shines through, and your audience will trust what you have to say if they can see you as a real person.

3.5. Don’t Read Unless You Have to. Work from an Outline

Reading from a script or slide fractures the interpersonal connection. By maintaining eye contact with the audience, you keep the focus on yourself and your message. A brief outline can serve to jog your memory and keep you on task.

4. Videos

FIVE BASIC PUBLIC SPEAKING TIPS

TOP 10 FAMOUS SPEECHES IN HISTORY

TOP 10 MOST POWERFUL ORATORS IN HISTORY

MOST EPIC MOTIVATIONAL SPEECHES EVER (ALL TIME)

5. Members of the European Parliament: Useful Materials

In order to prepare for your roles as members of the European Parliament, please take a look at the following materials: