ESU IPSC Round #1 Speech "Feeling Words"

nah bro imma own this shiii :p

Speech topic

The importance of words and how they impact people’s self-esteem. How parents and people influence an individual’s self-image. Taking agency of the collective self-esteem.

What website is used as a source in the first paragraph?

The official UNICEF Data and Analytics Website, last updated late 2025.

What is the ratio of children experiencing violent discipline at home?

Two in every three children —> 2:3 children.

How many children experience violent discipline at home?

1.6 billion children

Within that number, how many children have experienced physical and/or psychological abuse at home?

400 million (25% of those kids)

The statistic of 400 million children applies only to those…

Under the age of five

What saying is used as an example?

“Words cut deeper than knives”.

What joke is made with the intent of hyperbole? (Word-for-word)

“I would probably be flying first-class up in the sky with designer clothes plastered all over my body. I’d even have my fingers full of diamond rings!”

What assumption is made?

That most people in. the room heard that saying about words at least once.

“Words have a bigger impact than we think they do.” – What examples are given for “words” right after?

Affirmations, meditation, prayers, mantras.

What are things such as affirmations and mantras classified as?

Tools of Worth

[Continue the speech] “Like putting on rose-colored glasses, Tools of Worth are…”

“those phrases and sayings that help change someone’s perspective of things.”

What is the effect of repeating words, or a specific phrase/affirmation over and over?

Believing it.

What would happen to the audience if they were made to believe everyone in the room was evil?

Their pulse would’ve gone up, their alertness would be off the radar and their body’s response would’ve been to leave.

What would happen to the audience if they were made to believe everyone in the room was nice?

Their brains would begin to form a pattern (neural pathway) to see the good in others (e.g, noticing a kind smile instead of an odd-looking glare).
Their bodies would feel more at peace and relaxed.

What is a neural pathway?

A neural pathway is a connected series of neurons (nerve cells) that act as a communication route, allowing electrical impulses to travel between different parts of the brain or the nervous system

What is typically easier to believe? Negative or positive things?

Negative things.

“Therefore, we can appreciate how…”

“malleable our brains and bodies are.”

According to what source is the definition of “neuroplasticity” given?

The University of California San Francisco.

What is the definition of neuroplasticity according to UCSF?

The ability of the nervous system to undergo structural and functional changes in response to new experiences.

What is neuroplasticity in the development of children and adolescents?

A predominant factor.

What are families?

The first institution people are a part of and from where they take most of the things they learnt to apply them into their daily lives.

“When a child is raised to think they are “worthless”, “unkind” or “dumb”…”

“They will most likely carry those beliefs into adulthood.”

What is implied by “good parenting”?

The setting of boundaries, teaching values and reminding children of their self-worth.

Good parenting is…

“More than just “important”. It’s the basis of our society and the key to improving as one.”

[Continue the speech] “Nevertheless, just by taking one look around we can already see that most of us in this room simply aren’t parents.”

“But we shouldn’t have to be to take the agency of the collective self esteem.”

[Continue the speech] “We know what the power of words is… But how can we use it?”

“Well, we can apply Tools of Worth to our daily lives.”

Applying Tools of Worth.

1) Conscious and actively choosing our words wisely with others and ourselves.
2) Being mindful, gentle and appreciative.

Communicating with and to others.

1) Compliments > Playful insults.

2) Being direct and honest.

3) Acknowledging and appreciating people’s hard work.

4) Recognizing people’s attributes.

5) Sharing light.

[Continue the speech] “There’s hidden, loving beauty…”

“…in recognizing what someone is rather than what they are not.”

Link to the poem:

The light of candle

Is transferred to another candle –

Spring twilight

“And it’s as easy as sharing a little light so then they can give a fragment of said light to someone else and so on.”

Explanation for the link

“Light” as in positivity. Giving people light and sharing it, makes everything nicer and helps to lead to a rebirth of positivity — linking it to “spring twilight” as well.

Analogy for self-communication

Airplane analogy.

Airplane analogy.

“If you’ve ever been on a plane, you probably heard a member of the flight crew carefully explain what the passengers should do in the event of a pressure drop inside the cabin. “Put on your mask before assisting others!””

[Continue the speech] “Well, that is exactly what people should be doing with themselves. You cannot help others, much less…”

“empathize or communicate with them if you cannot do so with yourself effectively.”

Factors for why a child doesn’t have good self-esteem + Why it isn’t worth getting into.

Factors:

1) Abusive parents
2) Bullies
3) The Media

Why not bother: Endless reasons and an endless debate.

'“But once that child grows into an adult, they have enough capability to do part of the work themselves.” – What can an adult do to improve their quality of life?

Consuming optimistic media, practising gratitude, and staying positive in the midst of life’s troubles.

The things to improve their lives are considered to be…

“Baby steps”.

Is that self-growth hard?

Yes.

[Continue the speech] “Even in my own personal experience, sometimes you will need help from an outside source. That is perfectly fine.”

“What is not is to expect someone else to come save you. No one can keep you floating if you’re only willing to drown.”

What does it begin with? (Word-for-word)

“Being willing enough to start over and change the narrative you look at things from.”

“Because words have power. Words can be harsh or they can be

soft. We…”

“form connections and break them because of words.”

Words are all around us. Where exactly?

• When speaking

• Inside a book’s pages

• Within our deepest thoughts hopes, fears, and dreams.

• In our simple existence

“Writing has kept a record of history…”

“talking has kept a trace of our stories.”

[Continue the speech] “If words can start wars, words can end them.”

“Words exist because we do and we feel them because we’re human.

Thank you.”

“You talk about ‘Tools of Worth’—is that your own concept, or based on something psychologists already study?”

“Can you give a real-life example of someone using positive language to actually change their self-esteem over time?”

“How long does it realistically take for those ‘neural pathways’ to change?”

“If words are so powerful, why do some people hear positive things and still struggle with self-worth?”

“Is positive thinking enough on its own, or do people need other kinds of support too (like therapy, environment changes, etc.)?”

“You say people should take responsibility as adults—what about those who never had the tools or support to learn how?”

“How do cultural differences affect parenting styles and the way words are used?”

“What role does social media play today in shaping self-worth compared to family?”

“Do you think schools should actively teach this idea of ‘Tools of Worth’?”

“What made you personally care about this topic?”

“Have you ever had to change your own self-talk? What worked for you?”

“What’s one small thing we can start doing today after hearing your speech?”

“If you had to summarize your message in one sentence, what would it be?”

“What’s the biggest mistake people make when trying to ‘be positive’?”

“How do we help someone who rejects compliments or kind words?”