MTEL Speech Test Breakdown

The Role of Public Speech in Democratic Societies has four subareas with a total of 55 to 57 questions and counts 40 percent of the final score.

Theories of Rhetoric: theories and elements of classical, modern and contemporary, definitions, purposes and components of criticism, principles and their applications, subject, purpose and audience, analyzing techniques, arrangement and organization, style and tone, and forms of delivery.
Oratory, Public Argument and Debate: texts from ancient times to the present, policy and legislative debate, understanding of the importance of purpose, meaning, audience, delivery, rhetorical devices, organization and relationships between ideas, analysis of significant speeches by past and present world figures, parliamentary procedure, and other necessary elements of conducting meetings.
History of Public Discourse and Debate in the United States: purpose, modes and development, speakers, movements and activities of the public lecture circuit of the 19^th and early 20^th centuries and analysis of significant debates and speeches by past and present American figures based on an understanding of purpose, meaning, audience, delivery, rhetorical devices, organization, and relationships between ideas.
Ethical and Legal Decisions Related to Communication: the foundations of freedom of speech, evolution of freedom of expression, free speech and democratic theory, analysis of US Supreme Court decisions, ethical issues in democratic societies, examples of unethical communication, modern media issues, and the responsibilities and obligations of journalists.

Public Speaking has four subareas with a total of 43 to 45 questions and counts 40 percent of the final score.

Public Speeches: planning, preparation and organization, types of speeches and their particular elements, topic selection, outlines, language strategies, introductions and conclusions, transitions, notes, consideration of the situation, setting and audience, gathering and evaluating data, and the elements of various organization patterns.
Effective Speech Delivery: voice, diction and structure, characteristics of various delivery methods, nonverbal communication, cues, impact of the environment, audiovisual aids, rehearsals, managing fear and overcoming anxiety, dealing with distractions and questions, critical listening skills and evaluating various communication styles, strategies and content.
Argumentation and Debate: principles, elements and rules; identifying and analyzing errors in logic, debate formats, rules and procedures; evidence, reasoning, guidelines for refuting and cross-examining; and judging criteria for debates.
Persuasive Communication: theoretical approaches and models, strategies and appeals, preparation and organization, evidence and reasoning, rhetorical devices, adapting to listener attitudes, credibility, interviewing skills, evaluation, and negotiation.