“Any Old Bag Will Do” Speech
Objective:
For this three-minute speech, you will fill “any old bag” with six items. The bag and each item chosen should symbolize something about your life: two items should describe something about your past, two items should relate to something about your present, two items should explain something about your future. The bag should also symbolize something about you in some way.
Try to think of innovative items that will give the rest of the class insight into your interests, hobbies, job, goals or concerns. Avoid items that are too small to see (driver’s license, keys, pen, small photos) and other items are too common (textbooks, notebooks, class schedules). Be creative, but also be reasonable. No illegal substances, firearms, etc. If in doubt, ask me before you bring it to school.
Ideas for bags: Shopping bags, gym bags, luggage, diaper bags, fanny packs, bowling ball bags, pillowcase.
Ideas for past objects:a large band-aid (as a child, always wanted attention), a bag of coffee bought in Caracas Venezuela (en route home from serving in Desert Storm), a mason jar of farm dirt (symbolizing responsibility and hard work), a stuffed cow (used to be bull-headed), bread crusts in a zip- lock bag (as the youngest of ten children, got lots of hand-me-downs and leftovers), and a bandanna (as a former gang member).
Ideas for present objects: a campus map (claimed to be lost on campus and in life), a troll doll with hair standing up on end (“Eek! I’m stressed!”), a pair of eyeglasses (to see where life will take you), an assortment of fast food wrapper (always on the run), etc.
Ideas for future objects: a miniature one dollar bill (going into teaching), a sling (sports medicine), a stuffed monkey clutching a blanket (looking for security), a stack of handwritten legal pads (a rough draft of a novel waiting to be published), a magnifying glass (forensic science), and tax forms (accountant).
Criteria for Speech:
Prepare your speech notes (Max. 6 note cards)
Organize your speech into 3 main points – 1) past 2) present 3) future
Practice, practice, practice
Outline/Framework to organize your speech:
Introduction:
I)Get audience’s attention (Introduce your topic and discuss why you chose your “bag.”)
II)Preview Main Points (Tell audience what you will discuss in the body of the speech)
Body:
I)Past
II)Present
III)Future
Conclusion:
I)Summarize Main points
II)Clincher
Taken from “Public Speaking Icebreaker: Any Old Bag Will Do” by Merry C. Buchanan of University of Central Oklahoma as published in the Fall 1996 issue of the Speech Communication Teacher.