My Rap Speech Sample Experience in the Classroom

A Rap Speech About Artificial Intelligence

Recently, I created a rap speech sample with the help of ChatGPT. The goal was to help students prepare a speech that appealed to their creative or preferred communication style. Eventually, the students warmed up to the idea, and several students overcame anxiety and rapped speeches in front of the classroom audience. In addition, using rap music enticed students to speak up with poise and have an engaging presence.

What's the Difference Between Rap and Speech?

Distinguishing music from speech can sometimes pose a challenge. Consider rap. Is rap music or speech? Vocal styles like calling, emoting, speaking, and singing often overlap, challenging categorization.

Wikipedia describes rap as a musical form of vocal delivery that incorporates rhyme, rhythmic speech, and street vernacular. Titze, I. (2021). Is Rap Music or Speech? Journal of Singing, 77(4), 519. https://vocology.utah.edu/_resources/documents/is_rap_music_or_speech_titze.pdf. The definition highlights that rap occupies a gray area between speech, prose, poetry, and singing.

Some contrasts between speaking and singing at an acoustic level, include differences in word intelligibility, pitch, intensity, accents, and use of vital lung capacity.

Speaking shares similarities with singing in terms of word intelligibility but maintains continuity through voiced consonants that can degrade intelligibility. The use of accents in rap is more for rhythmic clarity than semantic clarity, further bridging the gap with music. However, when considering fundamental frequency and the limited notation and prescription, rap falls more into the category of speech than music.

Rap can be considered a hybrid between music and speech, residing somewhere in the middle of these two categories.

Rap Speech Sample

Here are the lyrics to a rap speech sample that discusses what artificial intelligence is, how engineers use artificial intelligence, how standards for AI will impact the world, and how the United States should defer to the UN in developing global standards.

Have you thought about rapping your speech or using rap in the classroom? Using rap music or lyrics in the classroom can be an effective and engaging way to teach public speaking. Here are three ways a teacher can incorporate rap music or lyrics to teach public speaking:

Amplifying Public Speaking Skills through Rap: Five Engaging Strategies for the Classroom

1. Rhyme and Rhythm: Rap music is known for its intricate rhyme schemes and rhythmic patterns. Teachers can use rap lyrics to highlight the importance of rhythm, cadence, and flow in public speaking. Students can analyze rap verses, identify the rhymes, and practice delivering their speeches or presentations with a similar rhythmic style. This exercise helps students develop a sense of timing and delivery, making their speeches more engaging and memorable.
2. Wordplay and Figurative Language: Rap music often employs wordplay, metaphors, similes, and other figurative language techniques. Teachers can use rap lyrics to introduce and explore these literary devices. Students can analyze rap verses, identify examples of wordplay or figurative language, and discuss how they enhance the overall message and impact of the lyrics. Encouraging students to incorporate these techniques into their speeches can make their presentations more creative and captivating.
3. Freestyle and Improvisation: Freestyle rap involves improvising lyrics on the spot, often based on a given topic or theme. Teachers can use freestyle rap exercises to help students develop impromptu speaking skills. Students can take turns freestyling on various topics, challenging themselves to think on their feet, and delivering coherent speeches in real-time. This activity enhances their ability to organize their thoughts quickly, improve their confidence, and effectively communicate their ideas spontaneously.
4. Lyric Analysis and Interpretation: Rap lyrics often contain rich themes, social commentary, and storytelling elements. Teachers can select rap songs that have meaningful and thought-provoking lyrics. Students can analyze the lyrics, discuss the messages conveyed, and interpret the underlying themes. This activity helps students develop critical thinking skills, articulate interpretations, and construct persuasive arguments. It also encourages them to explore different perspectives and engage in meaningful discussions.
5. Collaborative Songwriting: Engage students in collaborative songwriting activities where they write their rap verses as a group or in pairs. Assign a specific topic or theme relevant to the subject being taught, such as historical events, scientific concepts, or literary analysis. Students can brainstorm ideas, research information, and craft their lyrics. This exercise promotes teamwork, creativity, and effective communication. It allows students to express their understanding of a topic uniquely while practicing their public speaking skills during performances or presentations.

By incorporating rap music and techniques into public speaking lessons, teachers can create an interactive and dynamic learning environment that captivates students' interests and helps them develop essential speaking skills.