Frequently Misspelled Words

of paragraph 2]") 
A different kind of consideration? (money versus time). 
Think about your paragraph topics and brainstorm until you find the most relevant links between them. Click here to see more suggestions for transition words.
You'll also want some kind of transition from the last paragraph to your conclusion. One way is to sum up your third body paragraph with some reminders of your other paragraphs. You don't need to restate the topics fully (that comes in the conclusion) but you can refer to a detail, or example, or character as a way of pulling your ideas together and signaling that you are getting ready to conclude.
Speaking & Listening Skills
How to Give an Oral Report 
In many ways, planning an oral report is similar to planning a written report. 
Choose a subject that is interesting to you. What do you care about? What would you like to learn more about? Follow your interests, and you'll find your topic.
Be clear about your purpose. Do you want to persuade your audience? Inform them about a topic? Or just tell an entertaining story?
An oral report also has the same three basic parts as a written report.
The introduction should "hook" your audience. Catch their interest with a question, a dramatic tale or a personal experience that relates to your topic.
The body is the main part of your report, and will use most of your time. Make an outline of the body so that you can share information in an organized way. 
The conclusion is the time to summarize and get across your most important point. What do you want the audience to remember?
Research!
It's important to really know your subject and be well organized. If you know your material well, you will be confident and able to answer questions. If your report is well organized, the audience will find it informative and easy to follow.
Think about your audience. If you were listening to a report on your subject, what would you want to know? Too much information can seem overwhelming, and too little can be confusing. Organize your outline around your key points, and focus on getting them across.
Remember—enthusiasm is contagious! If you're interested in your subject, the audience will be interested, too.
Rehearse! 
Practicing your report is a key to success. At first, some people find it helpful to go through the report alone. You might practice in front of a mirror or in front of your stuffed animals. Then, try out your report in front of a practice audience-friends or family. Ask your practice audience:
Could you follow my presentation?
Did I seem knowledgeable about my subject?
Was I speaking clearly? Could you hear me? Did I speak too fast or too slow?
If you are using visual aids, such as posters or overhead transparencies, practice using them while you rehearse. Also, you might want to time yourself to see how long it actually takes. The time will probably go by faster than you expect.
Report! 
Stand up straight. Hold your upper body straight, but not stiff, and keep your chin up. Try not to distract your audience by shifting around or fidgeting.
Make eye contact. You will seem more sure of yourself, and the audience will listen better, if you make eye contact during your report. 
Use gestures. Your body language can help you make your points and keep the audience interested. Lean forward at key moments, and use your hands and arms for emphasis.
Use your voice effectively. Vary your tone and speak clearly. If you're nervous, you might speak too fast. If you find yourself hurrying, take a breath and try to slow it down. 
Nerves
Almost everyone is nervous when speaking before a group. Many people say public speaking is their Number 1 fear. Being well prepared is the best way to prevent nerves from getting the better of you. Also, try breathing deeply before you begin your report, and remember to breathe during the report. Being nervous isn't all bad-it can help to keep you on your toes! 
One last thing
Have you prepared and practiced your report? Then go get 'em! Remember: you know your stuff, and your report is interesting and important.
Speaking & Listening Skills
Listening Skills
You probably spend more time using your listening skills than any other kind of skill. Like other skills, listening takes practice. 
What does it mean to really listen?
 Real listening is an active process that has three basic steps.
Hearing. Hearing just means listening enough to catch what the speaker is saying. For example, say you were listening to a report on zebras, and the speaker mentioned that no two are alike. If you can repeat the fact, then you have heard what has been said.
Understanding. The next part of listening happens when you take what you have heard and understand it in your own way. Let's go back to that report on zebras. When you hear that no two are alike, think about what that might mean. You might think, "Maybe this means that the pattern of stripes is different for each zebra."
Judging. After you are sure you understand what the speaker has said, think about whether it makes sense. Do you believe what you have heard? You might think, "How could the stripes to be different for every zebra? But then again, the fingerprints are different for every person. I think this seems believable."
Tips for being a good listener
Give your full attention on the person who is speaking. Don't look out the window or at what else is going on in the room.
Make sure your mind is focused, too. It can be easy to let your mind wander if you think you know what the person is going to say next, but you might be wrong! If you feel your mind wandering, change the position of your body and try to concentrate on the speaker's words.
Let the speaker finish before you begin to talk. Speakers appreciate having the chance to say everything they would like to say without being interrupted. When you interrupt, it looks like you aren't listening, even if you really are.
Let yourself finish listening before you begin to speak! You can't really listen if you are busy thinking about what you want say next. 
Listen for main ideas. The main ideas are the most important points the speaker wants to get across. They may be mentioned at the start or end of a talk, and repeated a number of times. Pay special attention to statements that begin with phrases such as "My point is..." or "The thing to remember is..."
Ask questions. If you are not sure you understand what the speaker has said, just ask. It is a good idea to repeat in your own words what the speaker said so that you can be sure your understanding is correct. For example, you might say, "When you said that no two zebras are alike, did you mean that the stripes are different on each one?"
Give feedback. Sit up straight and look directly at the speaker. Now and then, nod to show that you understand. At appropriate points you may also smile, frown, laugh, or be silent. These are all ways to let the speaker know that you are really listening. Remember, you listen with your face as well as your ears!
Thinking fast
Remember: time is on your side! Thoughts move about four times as fast as speech. With practice, while you are listening you will also be able to think about what you are hearing, really understand it, and give feedback to the speaker.
Speaking & Listening Skills
Conducting an Interview 
Books, magazines, and the Internet aren't the only sources for research. Conducting an interview can be a great way to learn about a subject, too! An interview can be a lot of fun. You may learn unexpected things, and you'll feel like a reporter. 
Before the Interview
Make a list of questions you plan to ask. What would you like to learn about? Let's say your subject is the assassination of President Kennedy. You could ask the person you are interviewing where they were when they heard the news. Who were they with? How did they feel? What concerns did they have for the country? 
Call the person to set up a time and place for the interview. If you don't know the person yet, bring a parent along or do the interview over the phone.
Get together everything you will need to do the interview. Items might include a tape recorder, paper, and pens or pencils.
During the Interview
If the person gives you permission, tape record the interview. If you tape record it, label the tape with the date and the name of the person. Even if you tape the interview, you should take notes so that you'll remember important points.
At the beginning of the interview, ask when and where the person was born. This will save you from having to backtrack and figure out dates later.
Don't interrupt or correct the person you are talking to. People sometimes remember things wrong. That's okay-you can check dates and facts later. The important thing is to hear about the person's impressions and feelings.
Listen carefully. Something the person says may inspire you to ask a question you hadn't planned. For example, let's say that the person you are talking to mentions that she will never forget seeing television footage of the Kennedy children at the president's funeral. You might ask why it was so unforgettable. What did the children do? How old were they?
Let the person have plenty of time to talk. But if they start to ramble, try to get them back on the subject by asking one of the questions you brought along.
After the Interview
Thank your subject at the end of your meeting. Afterward, write a thank-you note.
If you recorded the interview, listen to the tape. Write down important points and interesting quotations.
Look back over the questions your prepared before the interview. Did the interview help to answer them? If you are going to do an oral report, think about how you will present your information. You might talk about what you had hoped to get out of the interview, and what you learned from it that was unexpected. You could also talk about the difference between reading a book and getting a personal view.