Dazzle and Influence Your Audience with Your Public Speaking Prowess!
Table of Contents
PART ONE: THE FOUNDATIONS OF PUBLIC SPEAKING
Chapter 1: Introducing Public Speaking Chapter 2: Public Speaking and You Chapter 3: Getting Started: Your First Speech Chapter 4: Developing Speaker Confidence Chapter 5: Overcoming Your Fear 4 6 11 17 24
PART TWO: PREPARING YOUR SPEECH
Chapter 6: Selecting Your Topic Chapter 7: Analyzing Your Audience 32 37
PART THREE: DEVELOPING YOUR SPEECH
Chapter 8: Organizing Your Speech Chapter 9: Outlining Your Speech 42 50
PART FOUR: PRESENTING YOUR SPEECH
Chapter 10: Preparing Your Visual Aids Effectively Chapter 11: Delivering Your Message Effectively Chapter 12: Final Questions 54 56 73
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PART ONE
THE FOUNDATIONS OF PUBLIC SPEAKING
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but even to persons of high rank such as scholars. such as the way we think or act. Speaking in public can sometimes be a real challenge. if not a source of embarrassment. It gives an edge to keep abreast with the fast pace of the times. Its influences are vast and affect almost all aspects of life. Or perhaps. They may have hesitations in facing an audience. which are often controversial. has increased the need for public speaking.Chapter 1 Introducing Public Speaking Communication is a vital key in this new century. often accompanied by sweaty palms. artists and entrepreneurs. stuttering. People need to voice out their views to function well in society. These dilemmas often cause untold problems to the speaker (especially in self-expression) and unpleasant effects to the audience. and the tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon. It is also used in court proceedings. and have realized this can help you. The diversity of opinions today. you saw the link between success and effective speaking. Public speaking definitely works towards this goal. For some four thousand years. doctors. public speaking has been the key in building and keeping a democratic society and way of life. and even in the plain setting of a classroom. 4 . not only to normal people. in congress. Hopefully this book would do just that. You probably got this book because you are up for a speech delivery soon and you need valuable tips.
Technical terms or jargons in public speaking are explained here. and become better with each succeeding speech. to help you grow as a good public speaker. and in a humane way. 5 . It aims to help people write and deliver an interesting. and ultimately. public speaking is also about developing speakers. the same rules apply.” Thus. and cogent speech quality. The habit of preparing makes good speakers. This book aims to do what other books have not in terms of giving direct beneficial information. There are scores of books on public speaking. and how they have led to success. clear. Whether the speech is short or long. good character. like the rule of preparation. Aristotle said “a speaker needs three qualities – good sense. Careful thought has been given to people who really love to speak publicly but do not have the luxury of time to prepare for such. This will help you make your next speech a great one. Some would say that they speak from “inspiration. But few really give practical help. This book also tries to answer the questions and fears of the occasional speaker.” when in fact they have been preparing their speeches all their lives. and goodwill toward his hearers. Included also in this book is a summary of experiences in public speaking. decent human beings.
therefore. you are not alone when you say that you do not enjoy making speeches and speaking in front of a large audience. Perhaps you think your career does not entail public speaking. public speaking ultimately will come into the picture in some ways. Hence. Stage fright is inevitable. This chapter. Four General Types of Public Speakers CATEGORY The Avoider CHARACTERISTICS Does everything possible to avoid facing an audience. they do so with great reluctance. Resisters may not love to speak in public. When they speak. This fear may be strong. avoiders seek careers that do not involve making presentations. The Resister Becomes fearful when asked to speak. but they have no choice. focuses on the significance of public speaking in our daily lives and on some specifics of the communication process. Accepters occasionally give presentations and feel good about 6 . Actors are always nervous to a certain degree before every play. The Accepter Can do presentations but is not that enthusiastic to do them. Most are not. Well. this is where you’re wrong because no matter what your job is. In some cases.Chapter 2 Public Speaking and You Some people are born speakers.
Seekers work hard at building their professional communication skills and self-confidence by speaking often. he decided to give public speaking a try and was successful. In fact. he came to enjoy the experience and even volunteered to give more speeches.them. influence. It can broaden your horizons through personal development. The Seeker Always looks for opportunities to speak. The speaker becomes more confident especially when the audience responds positively. and advances in your profession. But after a self-study on building up confidence. There was once a student who dropped a course five times because he hated speaking in front of the class. and satisfying. realizing man’s self-worth ranks the highest. It also reduces anxiety when asked by an authority to speak in front of some people. What Roles Can Public Speaking Play in Your Life? Success in public speaking can open a whole world of opportunities for you. 7 . Occasionally the presentations can be quite persuasive. Public Speaking Improves Your Personal Development In Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. 1. Seekers understand that anxiety can be a stimulant that fuels enthusiasm during presentation. Giving speeches helps the speaker realize self-worth through the personal satisfaction he experiences whenever a good speech is given. It can help you conquer new frontiers.
Most governments heed the voice of their citizens. and thus. with proper communication skills.Through public speaking tools like research. you will be able to express yourself better. All these contribute to your self-esteem. You will also become more open to other people. and organization. This reflects your level of communication skills and acumen. An example of this would be a community discussion. 2. public speaking satisfies your sense of achievement when the audience accepts you warmly. whether formally or otherwise. Public Speaking Influences Your Society It is not only you who can benefit from the art of communication but society as well. There is really no way you can avoid public speaking. to citizens voicing out national issues. you have a systematic and effective way of presenting your ideas. it discusses certain issues or courses of action. Usually when a neighborhood holds regular meetings. From kids reciting in school. speaking skills put you in a more significant role as you talk with people of high standing. to folks in a town meeting. In the discussion. from a plain market vendor. 8 . conceptualization. Lastly. to a president of a company. various opinions are expressed and there you have a clear interplay of public speaking. you can represent the public in voicing out your rights and opinions. People from all walks of life need to speak in public. Furthermore.
She enrolls in a public speaking seminar that teaches two hours a week for six weeks. and the more you must speak effectively. the more your responsibilities in leading people under you. If he is not 9 . your finances. she is promoted to senior engineer! Her boss has been noticing her superb presentations. the more your boss will ask you to preside over meetings and to give talks to the staff and subordinates or the clients. Those who give more speeches tend to have higher salaries than those who give less or no speeches. Public Speaking Advances Your Profession Public speaking can help in your career.” Aside from big organizations like IBM and General Motors. Take the high school coach. The higher your position. and eventually. A manager once said. The longer you work for an organization and the higher you climb the organizational ladder. success is gauged by answers to questions like. Usually. nearly everyone in business speaks in public or makes a speech at some time or the other. “From the chairman of the board to the assistant manager of the most obscure department. “How long have you been in your job?” or “Do you hold an MBA degree or something similar?” However. researchers have proven that the best indicator of success in any profession is whether the person is often asked to give speeches. small organizations and businesses in the country also need workers who are good public speakers. After two months.3. Take this average engineer. for example.
This is also true for nurses. their children may end up still wearing uniforms in school. if parents are not convincing enough when they complain about a school dress code. In the same way. firemen. doctors. 10 . Even employees of General Motors meet regularly to make group decisions that they will present formally to management. then fewer people would buy their products.persuasive enough to tell the school board that new gym equipment is needed. The bottom line is this: Whichever road you take. police personnel and other professions. you will encounter instances that require you to speak in public. the school athletes might have to bear with the old gym equipment. If salespeople cannot explain their products with a convincing sales pitch.
Some may have special interests in public speaking. He did not experience the usual symptoms of speech anxiety.Chapter 3 Getting Started: Your First Speech Imagine you’re in a classroom. when he finally did his speech and saw it on video. they are born speakers and you are not. or speaking very softly and hearing chuckles in the audience. If no video of your speech is available yet. it may surprise you that they’re probably thinking the same thing about you! They may also feel that you are a born speaker and envy you because they have fears in public speaking. Two weeks before. he discovered that he has actually improved in public speaking. he realized that it was not as bad as he expected it to be. It pays to find out by actually doing it and by seeing yourself doing it. Then again. the night before his speech. He could not sleep at night. He needed to prepare a long speech. such as going blank while speaking. he did not sleep at all. Who do you think speaks excellently? You may select those who look smart or those who often recite in class. You may think that these people are actually more confident than you think they are. Well. you can watch yourself speak formally in front of a mirror. Through the video. However. You may be just like this student during his first speech in class. you may actually be a good speaker without realizing it. he had started writing his speech. Or perhaps. 11 . but most people do not know anything about it. In fact.
Ponder upon what the audience wants to hear. Consider how the setting of the place and other unforeseen factors could affect the way you deliver your speech. Consider the occasion in delivering your speech. · Come up with an argument that is reasonable. capabilities. Organize your ideas so that the audience will not have a hard time following and digesting your ideas. · Anticipate response from the audience. Make sure the language you are using is one that your audience is comfortable with. There might be more materials available for you to make your speech more colorful. · Search for other sources of information. · Add structure to your message. biases and potentials. · Gain an understanding of your audience. 12 . Make sure that the purpose of your speech is supported by clear and reliable data to formulate a sound argument. Discover your own knowledge. · Talk directly to your audience. what they believe in and what they want to know. what provokes their interest.Preparing Yourself to Speak Here are the basic rules of public speaking: · Gain an understanding of who you are. · Gain an understanding of the situation. Make sure you have a clear purpose in mind so that the audience will respond in the way you want them to.
gender.· Gain self-confidence through practice. Good speakers do not look down on their audience. you can have command over your speech. hence communicating to each of them effectively would also entail different methods. What do they know about your topic? What are their beliefs and values? By looking at these factors. 13 . and cultural backgrounds. Before actually organizing a speech. They know that the listeners have different backgrounds. Master the flow of your presentation by repeatedly rehearsing it. to prevent this pitfall. That way. Consider such things as age. It is only through practice can you effectively present your speech. Dull presentations clearly point that a lot of people do not give much importance to good speeches. you can choose a topic that suits them and style your speech in the way you feel would be most effective. They consider the audience as equals. Becoming a Good Public Speaker You have probably heard professors give boring and monotonous lectures. you must remember some basic principles. These speakers may even be unaware that they are boring or ineffective because they lack knowledge about the basic characteristics of a good speech. 1. Hence. you have to take into consideration your audience. Respect the variety of the audience.
it depends on good listeners as well. How comfortable or uneasy they look speaks volumes in terms of their interest or comprehension. Three parts of a well-organized speech: 14 .The whole experience can be more enjoyable if you prepare well for the individual and cultural differences of your audience. will both male and female listeners appreciate the information you will prepare? Would your Hispanic audience be comfortable with the language you’re using as much as the Native Americans would? Would some of your comments offend the senior citizens while addressing the younger generation? The more you know about the audience. It is a two-way process. the better the chances that you will capture their attention and the more you can make your speech fit their situations. For example. It is effective because the listeners will be able to follow your arguments and will not get confused along the way. 2. 3. Know as much as possible about listening. Successful communication does not only depend on good speakers. it would be useless if the audience does not listen. If the speaker prepares a very polished speech. Know also how to “listen” to the gesticulated reactions of your audience. The best presentations are those with interconnected ideas that flow smoothly from one idea to the next. Organize carefully to improve understanding and recall. They would feel comfortable listening to you and you would have a better interaction with them.
and give them a background of your topic. · Body: Start with your main ideas. · Conclusion: Provide a recap of all your points and join them together in a way that will create an impact on your listeners.· Introduction: Capture the attention of your audience. The simpler the language you use. Sound natural and enthusiastic. boost their interest. 4. Use language effectively. making them remember your points. Keep it short. 5. the more powerful and interesting your speech will be. Keep them organized and support them with visual and verbal aids as much as possible. 15 . The problem with first timers is they either memorize the speech verbatim or rely on too many flashcards for their notes. it would be like discussing a favorite subject with your friends. Basically. Treat it like an ordinary conversation with your usual companions. Talk normally to people so they would listen more to you. Too many words expressing a single idea will only confuse the audience and will make your argument weak. your audience will remember what you will say and they will appreciate it. avoid putting up a “speaking disguise” when you talk. These can make the speaker sound unnatural. By being natural and enthusiastic. By keeping it short but accurate.
Develop good arguments through sound logic and concrete evidence. or attitudes of the audience through clean persuasion. it becomes unethical because it prevents listeners from making informed choices. avoid making poor visuals because they become more of a distraction than support.6. A simple text containing key phrases and pictures is an example of a visual aid. visual aids (Chapter 10) can be anything that supplements your speech. force. when trying to persuade. It also gives credibility to your speech. Avoid plagiarism. This is ethical persuasion. or pressure. It would be difficult for your audience to make informed choices if the information you give is false or vague. However. deceive. values. Basically. which makes you feel more relaxed and confident throughout. Also. Give only ethical speeches. Use high-quality visual aids. falsification and exaggeration of your information. It will greatly help your listeners to follow the flow of your ideas and to understand them at a faster rate. do not manipulate. 16 . Accuracy is very important. Usually. good speakers aim to change the beliefs. 7. Research to ensure credibility and clarity. Once information is falsified. Treat visual preparations with equal importance as the speech preparation itself.
more people are afraid of public speaking than they are of dying. confident people. visual. and vocally.Chapter 4 Developing Speaker Confidence No matter how interested and experienced we may be in public speaking. and strained vocal quality). and vocal signals are in unity. when we are confident and our verbal. the audience will likely notice more our negative vocal and visual signs (for example. 17 . but when we are anxious. we are communicating in three ways verbally. Individuals who confidently express themselves are viewed as more competent. Yet. We experience it especially as the day of the speech gets closer. you are not alone! According to a commonly quoted survey. When we speak. We start to ask questions that make our stomachs churn. poor posture. we look more credible. lack of eye contact. People who experience a high level of apprehension while speaking are at a great disadvantage compared to more conversational. Confidence develops a positive impression while anxiety creates a negative one. hesitant delivery. They also create a better impression during job interviews and are more likely to be promoted than apprehensive people. Our verbal delivery may be clear and well organized. For example: Will the audience like me? Will my mind go blank when I begin to speak? Have I prepared adequately? If the thought of delivering a speech makes you nervous. visually. anxiety cannot be avoided.
Second. knowing the strategies for managing speech anxiety can help lessen your apprehension. Most speakers who have experienced speech anxiety know the importance of being calm and confident when speaking. we need to boost our confidence. Factors in speech anxiety differ from person to person. But general factors apply to all of us. or communication apprehension. Call it speech anxiety. Finally.If we want people to believe us when we speak. stage fright. Factors Contributing to Speech Anxiety Speech anxiety is not new – it’s been around for as long as people have been talking to one another. This chapter will give you some tips on how to manage speech anxiety to give more confident and professional deliveries. including: · · · · Poor preparation Inappropriate self-expectations Fear of evaluation Excessive self-focusing 18 . if we want to improve the impressions we make. Some feel nervous while others stay calm and relaxed when speaking. speech anxiety can incapacitate you. you have to understand it for numerous reasons. Knowing the causes of speech anxiety is the first step in managing it effectively. First. misconceptions about it can strengthen your anxiety. Many anxiety-generating factors affect nearly all of us.
However when we better recognize why our bodies respond as they do. Speech anxiety will intensify as the It’s all up to you. So keep the secret to yourself and start acting confident. Mostly. On the contrary. 3. The audience is inherently hostile Most listeners are polite especially and will be overly critical of what we do. if any. Everyone will know if a speaker has speech anxiety. will notice. when the speaker is obviously trying to do well. of the speech. Reality Few. 4. a wellspeech progresses. speech anxiety may improve a speaker’s effectiveness. Myth / Misconception 1. we become more prepared to face our anxieties.· · Fear of the audience Not understanding our body’s reactions Misconceptions about Speech Anxiety No one would agree that experiencing speech anxiety is enjoyable. 2. Let us examine some misconceptions and how to counter them. it will. prepared speaker will relax as the speech progresses. Speech anxiety will ruin the effect If you let it. 19 .
For instance. practice using them. 20 . try to know your listeners beforehand (if possible) and organize your speech and visual aids for this specific group. you learn strategies that work especially for you.Strategies for Managing Speech Anxiety Every speaker has to know the different strategies available for managing speech anxiety. if you will be standing during your speech. Nothing can make you feel more anxious than knowing that you are not well prepared. Next. Knowing that you are well prepared will help lessen much of your apprehension. To prepare adequately. Lastly. Be Well-Prepared and Practice Your Speech. If you will be using visual aids. Using these notes. Let’s look at some strategies that have been very effective to many speakers. practice your speech three or more times from start to end – speaking out louder each time. As you give speeches. isn’t your anxiety all about looking stupid in the eyes of your audience? Poor preparation will guarantee this. prepare easy-to-follow notes. first. Mentally thinking through your speech is not the same thing as actually speaking in front of the audience. stand while practicing. time yourself to check if you have to shorten or lengthen the speech. After all. expect possible questions and prepare answers for them. 1. As you practice.
think that the pressure and nervousness are slowly draining down your arms and out your fingertips. you’ll need to warm up your voice and loosen your muscles. try singing up and down the scale. changing your volume. pounding your fist. As you exhale. 4. Read aloud a note or a page from a book. Practice different gestures such as pointing. rate. Speakers are no different from singers who warm up their voices. or athletes who warm up their muscles before a performance. Before giving a speech. they will relax. Most speakers find that once they get a favorable audience reaction. pitch. Just like musicians and athletes. Warm Up First.2. This involves taking in deep breaths through your nose. and down your body and legs and out your toes. and quality. Various techniques can help you do this. or shrugging your shoulders. Repeat the procedure a second or third time if necessary. these warm-up exercises will help you relax and will make sure that you are prepared to present at your very best. the way singers do before a concert. This is why several speakers begin with humor – it relaxes 21 . 3. Do some stretching exercises such as touching your toes and rolling your head from side to side. One fast way to calm your anxiety is through deep breathing. musicians who warm up their fingers. Prepare an Introduction That Will Relax You and Your Audience. and then slowly exhaling through your mouth. For instance. Use Deep Breathing. holding it while you count to five.
Focus on Meaning. explain the concept again or add another example. Use Visual Aids. 6. just put up your next visual aid. A speaker who is focusing on the audience soon forgets about being anxious. using visual aids such as posters. Visual aids (Chapter 10) make listening easier for your audience and increase your confidence as a speaker. 5. be sure your listeners are following the order of your speech and understanding your ideas. make your initial moves work so you can feel comfortable throughout your speech. If you’re unsure of the next point. Pay close attention to their nonverbal feedback. so you’ll be bothered less by your appearance. They make it practically impossible for you to forget your main points. Rather than worrying about how you look or sound. Moreover. sharing a personal experience is another alternative. flipcharts. If a humorous introduction is improper or you are uncomfortable with humor. focus your energy on getting your meaning across to your audience. If they look confused.them and their audience. or about whether you are impressing your listeners. or actual objects not only can add eye-catching movements to your presentation. In other words. 22 . Whatever you prefer. but can also keep you fully engaged in your presentation.
testing situations. for instance) even when no real situation exists. Develop a Positive Mental Attitude. you have to visualize yourself as a successful speaker. or any circumstances in which our confidence needs a boost. When you visualize yourself speaking confidently. you can simulate feelings (of pride. vivid. you develop a positive. Positive self-imagery can be used in many aspects in life. or practice will make you successful if you deem yourself an anxious or ineffective speaker. you become more confident. encouragement. positive imagery alone will not give you the outcome you want unless you prepare and practice your speech. It can help us manage apprehension in job interviews. 23 . problem-solving discussions. With positive imagery. To succeed in public speaking.7. In your mind. Obviously. No amount of talk. and detailed mental image of yourself.
People who believe it simply want to save their face from the disgrace speech blunder may bring. Effective speakers are born.Chapter 5 Overcoming Your Fear You will benefit at the beginning of your speech if you free yourself from two misconceptions: 1.” You can become a good speaker if you have these tools: 1. A speaker is one who speaks to others for a reason. A voice. It is a fact that practice makes perfect. When you were two or three years old and first said. Let’s take a look at each of these false assumptions. or you wouldn’t be reading this book. the difference is that you didn’t treat it then as what you now dreadfully call “speech. fear and nervousness are impossible to overcome. The “born speaker” myth is an alibi for not attempting. Everyone is born a baby. Are Good Speakers Born and Not Made? You don’t actually believe this. “Mommy. it is hopeless to try being one if you were not gifted with a God-given ability. I need a glass of water. not made. For most people. and babies can’t speak. it is useless to even try. 2. 24 . Actually you’ve been making speeches from the time you could talk.” you were making a speech.
You have been saying something to others.e. Basic language construction: i. A need to express your ideas to others. Your audience is merely a group of individuals. Recognize it. We all feel fear.2. keep in mind that you are responding normally. several times everyday. you call it “conversation. 3. Public speaking is. Don’t condemn yourself for having it.or talking to the group as to one person. a working vocabulary and grammar. You have been using these tools for years. talking to a larger group. Whether your fear stems from the thought of standing alone by yourself on stage before hundreds of people. 25 . Something to say. You don’t need to be terrified of fear when you accept it as nature’s way of protecting you and helping you. 4. Accept it as nature’s way of helping you. or even from the thought of getting upstage to speak. So just think of public speaking as talking to individuals all at the same time .” Conversation is talking to a few. and under these conditions. You can talk easily with one or two individuals. essentially.. Can You Conquer Fear? There are three solutions to help you reduce fear and make it work for rather than against you: 1.
26 . you can drive out the strongest factor contributing to your fear: You can stop condemning yourself for being unusual. or when many are watching you and you don’t want to mess up. When you face a new or different circumstance. Nature adds the adrenaline in your blood stream. they fly in formation.Athletes are nervous before an important competition. Without the anxiety there would be no extra effort. It increases your blood pressure to make you more alert. Recognize it and use it well. It provides you with the extra energy you need for doing your best. Seasoned speakers never get rid of apprehension before speaking. Now that I know how to make them work for me. if you recognize the help rather than being disappointed by it. It speeds up your pulse and your responses. nor do they want to. Fear is nature’s way of preparing you for danger.” As soon as you know this and recognize it. Psychologists tell us that fear is not the real obstacle. Identify fear as a friend. musicians tremble before a concert. It is not fear itself but your feeling about it that disappoints you. real or fancied.” Knowing that you are subject to a normal and common human response. Franklin Roosevelt’s note on the speech of Henry Thoreau sums it up: “We have nothing to fear but fear itself. you are on your way to self-mastery. An experienced actor once said: “I used to have butterflies in my stomach every time I stand in front of an audience. nature does something great to help you. We feel awkward or ineffective because we think fear is improper. performers experience stage fright.
can actually help you succeed. You found you were not really afraid of fear but of yourself. Aiming for audience approval is often a better alternative because. Analyze Your Fear. Analyze your type of fear. Your next step in mastering fear is easy and effortless. your audience. if you succeed. Fear of yourself (a) and fear of your audience (b) are very much connected. Here’s how you can: 27 . Now. nature’s secret weapon. 3. Sometimes you may have to give a message to people you know are particularly opposed to it. Honest beliefs equip a speaker and give force to the speech. Good speakers have done so and have proudly walked off the stage successfully. What are you protecting? You are worried about your self-esteem. Don’t fear to disagree. and your material. Make use of what you have learned. (c) Fear of your material – fear you have nothing sensible to say or you are not well prepared.2. This calls for courage. Fear is a tool for protection. It is possible to be pleasing yourself while failing to satisfy your audience. In public speaking there are only three dangers to self-esteem: (a) Fear of yourself – fear of performing poorly or not pleasing your self-esteem. You now know that fear. But in aspiring to satisfy your audience you must never compromise your message. (b) Fear of your audience – fear they may tease or laugh at you. use your knowledge. you are in fact also pleasing yourself.
Letting the audience know it won’t help you in any way. You know more about it than your listeners do. Stay calm and relaxed. you were chosen. Listeners suffer along with a speaker who is having difficulty delivering. your confidence will show to your audience. Never discuss it. Assess your condition reasonably. and when he ran. Think of the reasons why you were called to speak. Enjoy your talk and your audience. They want you to do well. c. or you would not have been chosen. hide it. he could not refuse the temptation to run. and they do not enjoy suffering. Ever heard of the scared boy who walked past the cemetery one night? As long as he walked casually and whistled merrily he was all right. It will rub off on you. This will just make you feel worse. Assess your audience reasonably. If you lack self-confidence. good speaker. And you know your topic. Whoever asked you had confidence in you. So consider your audience rather than 28 . When you accept this. Act confidently. You are thought of as a competent. that would give them a good time. But when he walked faster. Hide your negative feelings from others. You will look the way you feel. b. Don’t give in.a. terror took over. Your assessment reveals that you are prepared to do well and that you have the benefit over your listeners. It will make them believe in you and in your speech. Among other possible speakers. They would much rather react and criticize.
you will soon say. Another way of putting this: Focus on a good message and speech delivery. and everybody will be happy. Win their interest. and the second will follow. And as you succeed in making speeches. Assess your material reasonably.yourself. but by themselves they do not automatically assure the delivery of a successful speech. your audience. or your material. Knowledge and preparation dispel fear. Do the first well. “I can do it because I have done it often. d. You will make the audience happy with this and you will succeed in your mission. A good start is when you recognize you don’t need to be afraid – of yourself.” 29 . Fear of speech material is the easiest to conquer since the solution is simple: knowledge and preparation. and you will be more confident.
PART TWO PREPARING YOUR SPEECH 30 .
Prepare an outline. Practice your speech. 4. 2. 9. Plan and organize your main ideas. Analyze your audience.Nine Basic Steps in Preparing Your Speech 1. 3. Organize your introduction and conclusion. 31 . 5. Determine your exact purpose. 6. Prepare your visual aids effectively. Select your topic. 7. 8. Identify your speech objective/s.
· Choose a topic that you can make interesting and/or beneficial to your listeners. It is hard to interest the audience in a subject matter that doesn’t interest you. 32 . · Choose a topic that suits the requirements of the assignment. If you analyze your potential listeners. You may know a good amount about many topics but you may not be very interested in them. most of the time. and choose your topic accordingly. and any other requirements. speakers are given a specific topic. · Choose a topic you are interested in discussing. Avoid these topics. Your audience doesn’t have to be interested in your topic before you speak but they must be when you are finished speaking.Chapter 6 Selecting Your Topic In some instances. you will be given a general type of speech with the choice of specific topic left up to you. follow these guidelines in choosing a specific topic: · Choose a topic you already know a lot about. you must have a somewhat good understanding of their interests. But. Be sure you know the type of speech. You will feel much more relaxed and confident talking about something you know about instead of browsing the Reader’s Digest and selecting a topic that you know nothing about. Once you have identified what type of speech you will be making. the time constraints.
2. Consider situational factors. Choose potential speech topics (from self-inventory).You may also want to conduct a self-inventory to help you come up with possible topics. or in need of improvement? Narrowing Down the Topic Once you have chosen your general topic. have specifically interested me? · · What are my career goals? What do I hope to do in my life? What are my favorite leisure activities and interests? What things do I do for fun that others might like to learn more about or take part in? · What personal and social concerns are significant to me? o o What is going on in my life that bothers or affects me? What is happening outside my immediate world that is unfair. Here are the steps to follow in narrowing down a topic: 1. you are ready to narrow it down on the basis of your listener’s interests and needs. unjust. Ask yourself the following: · What are my intellectual and educational interests? o o o What do I like to read? What interesting things have I learned from television? What particular courses. · Familiarity: Will my listeners be familiar with any information that will help me select a topic? 33 . or topics covered in courses.
· Current events: Can I select a topic to emphasize current events that may be of significant interest to my audience? · Audience apathy: Can I encourage my audience to be less apathetic toward vents that are totally relevant to me? · Time limits: Do I have enough time to discuss the topic sufficiently? 3. · · Previous knowledge: What do my listeners already know? Common experiences: What common experiences have my listeners encountered? · Common interests: Where do my interests and my listeners’ meet? · Relevant diverse factors: How diverse are my listeners? 4. Consider audience factors. Some examples of narrowing down may be seen below: GENERAL TOPIC Career Choices NARROWED DOWN career choices of graduates of top American schools NARROWED DOWN FURTHER career choices of graduates of top American schools in the last 5 years NARROWED DOWN EVEN FURTHER factors affecting the career choices of MBA graduates of Wharton School of Business in the last 5 years 34 . Select your tentative topic.
and delivery may have two or more purposes. objective information. speeches that persuade try to convince the audience to take a certain stand 35 . Another speaker may want to inform and at the same time convince. Although content. and on occasions. A speaker may have several purposes in mind. Those that entertain provide pleasure and enjoyment that make the audience laugh or identify with delightful situations. most have just one central purpose. It may be to inform and also to entertain. and to persuade. Finally. interpretations of these findings. to instruct. Speeches that inform offer accurate data. These four are not mutually exclusive of one another. or persuade. organization.Southeast Asia security problems in Southeast Asia roots of terrorism in Southeast Asia cooperation among governments of Southeast Asia in addressing the problems of terrorism Housing housing projects in the last 10 years housing projects in City X financing problems in the housing projects in City X Determining Your Exact Purpose The basic purposes of public speaking are to inform. findings. to entertain. stimulate. Those that instruct teach the audience a process or a procedure based on information provided in the speech.
36 . It may target behavior or thought. speech objectives can be identified and stated. and to the emotions by moving statements. What does the message communicated in the speech expect to accomplish? What response does it invite from the audience? Does it want to convince the listeners to support a cause by joining a movement? Does it want the listeners to buy a certain product or use a certain service? Does it want the listeners to modify their behavior through a process presented? Does it want to move the listeners to laughter and later to reflection about a significant social issue? Does it want to provide accurate and credible information to lead them to a decision? As answers to these questions are given. the audience will understand why my dream is to become a lawyer. or a belief. an idea. or money to help establish an institution to support dependency of old age. by appealing first to reason through logical arguments and evidences. Here are some examples: Topic A Call for Support for Dependence of Old Age Purpose to persuade Objective/s The speech will seek pledges of effort.on an issue. Identifying the Objectives of the Speech An objective is more limited and specific than a purpose. Why My Goal in Life Is to Become a Lawyer to inform After hearing my speech. time.
geographical or cultural environment. religion. male-female ratio. group and organizational memberships. It basically requires knowing your audience well so you can organize your verbal. the better you will be able to connect your topic to them.Chapter 7 Analyzing Your Audience The more you know about your audience. race. so audience analysis is a must. ethnic background. When analyzing an audience. visual. you aren’t trying to deceive. Design presentation – content. Who are the listeners? Try to take note of the general age. or force them. civil status. educational background. organization. For effectiveness. and vocal delivery to suit their situations. What do they want from you? Are they there to receive instructions? Do they want current issues explained? Do they also want to have fun? Do they need information? Have they come on their own or were they required to attend? 37 . Speeches need to be audience-centered. of your audience. 2. control. a speaker should know the following: 1. and delivery – is influenced by the kind of audience expected at the presentation so make sure they understand the meaning and significance of the message. Audience analysis is not difficult. income level and assets. etc. occupation or profession. you are just making sure your speech suits them and keeps them interested. range.
Audience size may add to anxiety and may affect speech delivery. they are heterogeneous. 3. You may be curious to know how it feels speaking while standing at floor level. the sound system. Overall. 38 . But in other settings. you may be speaking to a smaller group (like a buzz group) or a bigger group (like a rally). Classroom students make up an involuntary audience. a hall perhaps. and so on. comfortable setting. or a small meeting room? When you speak in a classroom. and so on. 4. and so on. or mall and hotel lounges. Where is the venue of the presentation? Will the venue be a room? What kind of room will it be . whether the lights can be dimmed. you are speaking in a familiar. They vary in many ways. the type of language you use. Try to learn about podiums. you want to speak more formally with larger groups. you will learn more about other settings for public speaking. you would be speaking to around thirty students. You know whether there is an overhead projector.a conference room.Voluntary audiences are likely to be homogeneous. technological support. more so in the use of visual aids. As you do speeches. like outdoor stages. microphones. What is the size of the audience? How large is the audience? Is it an audience of 20 or 200? In a classroom. they have things in common.
When these signs show. A sensitive speaker receives a great deal of information from listeners as the talk is being given. facial expressions. Who are the listeners? · Heads/officers of civic. though most times it happens during the presentation itself. he can be flexible enough to adjust or modify to do a better job. Audience Analysis: 1. American and American-Chinese. such as attentiveness. Often. some Asians 39 . passiveness. 85% married. gestures. religious and business communities in the city · Almost equal ratio of men and women who are professionals. restlessness. or maybe even audience involvement can prove to be useful. or apathy. Shifting places. leaders in their specific fields. time. with high educational attainments and high earning capacity. dominantly with 65% Christian audience Catholics. voice changes. Here’s an example of audience analysis: Topic: A Call for Support for Dependence of Old Age Purpose: To Persuade Objective/s: The speech will seek pledges of effort. the cues are nonverbal. or money to help establish an institution to support dependency of old age.Audience analysis can be done before the presentation.
social. and religious issues · In touch with prevailing business and government situations 2. What do they want from you? · Basically interested in a topic that is relevant to their group or organization · Desire to get more information about dependency of old age. Where is the venue of the presentation? · · · 50 people Medium-sized case room with fixed upholstered seats in a semi-circle 2-ft elevation in the front for the speaker · · Very good acoustics Electronic devices for presentations 40 . What is the size of the audience? 4. and to know more about what the speaker is going to propose/request · Want enough bases to decide whether or not to support · Came in response to a formal invitation 3.· · Active in social and civic works In touch with current political.
PART THREE
DEVELOPING YOUR SPEECH
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Chapter 8 Organizing Your Speech
A lot of speakers cautiously choose their topics, select a concrete purpose, look for good supporting resources, and yet never experience success in public speaking. It may be partly due to misfortune, but it is mostly attributable to how they have outlined and organized their thoughts. It is like writing an essay. You need to start with a thesis and decide the main points that will clarify or develop it. Organizing, therefore, is stating the thesis of the speech and listing down the main ideas that will be used to support it. THE REMEMBER BOX Organizing the presentation has three parts: the introduction, body, and conclusion. It is a thesis developed with support points. Discourse markers and transition devices tie the parts together.
Organizing the Introduction of Your Speech
The beginning of your speech is essential. It gives your audience their first impression of your subject, purpose, and main point. But your beginning must do more than help them to understand your speech. It must also catch their interest. It is not sufficient to say, “Today I am going to talk about why the school needs a new basketball gym.” It’s difficult to captivate the audience using this statement. The introduction needs to be planned so that
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listeners want to pay attention to your speech, consider you as a credible speaker, and have some notion of your speech’s focus and objective. A lot of good speeches fall short because of their confusing and boring introductions. If you do not get off to a good start then chances are, your audience may “tune you out,” like a radio listener who simply changes channels to get rid of silly programs. Just because people sit as part of the audience does not mean they intend to listen – except that you should make it impossible for them not to. Effective introduction includes capturing the attention of your audience. When you get up to speak, the audience will usually give you their full attention. But that attention is short. Below are ways of maintaining audience attention: · Establish common ground. Listeners are more likely to pay attention to speakers with whom they share common experiences, problems, or goals. · A startling statement or statistic. Use intriguing or startling statements or statistics that arouse curiosity. For example, “950,000 people in the Middle East may not be able to eat three meals a day in the year 2010.” or “Dinosaurs aren’t extinct. Every time you see a songbird, you’re looking at a survivor from the Paleozoic era.” · A story or a brief anecdote. An interesting story – whether it is emotional, humorous, puzzling, or intriguing – commands
attention. The story can be factual or fancied. It can be a personal
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so you have to be cautious.” · Use humor. Humor should never be rude and should never be intended to ridicule someone or something. athlete. You can use the words of a famous performer. “When I was a small child. Pausing after telling a compelling story. For example. For instance. you might tell an interesting story that also establishes common ground and piques curiosity.. or sharing a memorable quotation may help audience members reflect what 44 . they are aimed to get the audience thinking about an issue or concept. Some speakers love to start a speech with a humorous anecdote. I heard a wise man say…. and a joke that falls flat is humiliating. “An interesting thing happened on my way here today. “Did you know that you lose ten billion skin cells everyday?” · A quotation. Instead. author.experience. but you have to handle humor with care. or it can be something you have read.. You can use several of the above simultaneously.” or “The first time I jumped out of a plane.” · A rhetorical or actual question. For example. it must be appropriate to the point you want to make. Regardless of how funny a story is. or singer or other renowned and highly esteemed figures to get the audience’s interest and attention immediately. asking a rhetorical question. Merely telling a few jokes is not a good way to introduce a speech. For example. Rhetorical questions don’t ask for immediate responses.
(3) I have been asked to introduce myself and been given 3 minutes to do this. The important factor here is capturing and maintaining the listeners’ interest and attention. so. This opening should be short.” or “I have chosen to speak to you about _____________________. Here then is an example of an introduction: (1) Good afternoon.you are about to say. (2) It’s a pleasure to be here with you today. It also creates appropriate expectations by preparing the listeners to receive the message. It can be a quotation. what I will do instead is to start with my topic which is The Increasing Involvement of Women in Social Issues Today. b) The topic – This is simply stating the title of the speech. everyone. 45 . and appropriate to the topic. In whatever technique you use.” c) The agenda – This briefly explains your points of view or what you will be discussing. Say it directly as: “I have been asked to speak about _____________________. one. (4) There is not much I can tell you about myself in that length of time. or a brief anecdote. An effective introduction gets attention and generates audience interest on the topic. a startling statement or statistic. interesting. be sure it attracts in the sense that a magnet attracts. (5) I feel very strongly that women’s response to current social issues are evident in. What three distinct parts make up the introduction? a) The opener – This is the first sentence.
In effect. These points need support. two. and evidence. declarative sentences so that they are easily recognized and remembered when people leave your speech. direct. comparisons. clarification. There are several steps you can do to make your main points memorable: 1. Sentences 1-3 are the openers. Organizing the Body of Your Speech At this point you’re set to organize your main ideas and provide visual and verbal supports. examples. and you should put the major points you want to expound in this portion of your speech.the way she deals with home and domesticity. the introduction is brief. her participation or support of community-based groups for change. Limit yourself to no more than three to five main points. These can come in the form of specific and concrete details. elaboration. The body of your speech is its meat. In an interesting manner. sentence 4 is the topic and sentence 5 is the agenda. and illustrations. Keep your main points brief and use parallel structures when possible. 46 . These main points should be simple. an introduction clearly establishes the topic and sets a guide on what the audience can expect from the speech. 2. and three. and should get the audience’s attention while preparing them for what is to follow. her involvement in national issues through a stronger sense of awareness of these issues.
Organizing the Conclusion of Your Speech A lot of speakers don’t actually conclude their speeches – they merely stop talking. Without it. a competent discussion in the body will give the speaker more leeway to device a conclusion to this effect. Provide a brief summary before the 47 . It’s very likely that some might have missed. or have forgotten a point (perhaps they were unfocused or they were daydreaming for a while). have misunderstood. Others may fall through their concluding paragraph.3. It gradually ushers the audience back to an overall assessment of the discussion. It provides the needed closure. Arrange your material so that you cover your most important point either first or last. Of course. Without a conclusion. A conclusion is also essential because listeners like and need closure. decreasing the success of the speech. they may feel like vacationers left adrift after a pleasure cruise – much of the enjoyment created by the cruise is lost. we cannot correct these problems. The concluding paragraph is very essential. Make your main points memorable by creating your own rhyme or acronym when possible. Conclusion is particularly significant if you have a question-and-answer period at the last part of your speech. No speech is complete without a concluding remark since the conclusion ensures all ideas were understood and remembered. 4.
preferably not more than one-seventh of the whole speech. then you will end your speech with a strategic close and produce a final positive effect. Issue a challenge to your audience. Include memorable quotations. i. If you make your conclusion carefully. If you see that time is running out. Make an appeal to your audience for action. Refer to the introduction. and (4) be constructed carefully. and the more easily they will remember it. As you can see. But like the beginning. Here are some techniques to make effective conclusions: 1. The shorter you make your ending. 6. Visualize the future. (2) never ramble. Since conclusions are so essential and potentially memorable.e. (3) not introduce new information. they should (1) be brief.question-and-answer and another one after it to tie up any loose ends and to redirect attention back to the main points presented in your speech. don’t remove your conclusion. Summarize what you have told your audience – your main points and ideas. return the audience to your opening statement. the conclusion of a speech is too crucial to take lightly. you won’t 48 . 3. Most devices suggested for beginnings are appropriate for endings. It is better to shorten your final point (or even leave it out completely) than to exclude your conclusion. 4. 5. the ending should be relatively brief. the more forceful it will seem to your audience. If you time your speech while practicing. 2.
have to be bothered about time problem. The time to conclude is when the audience wants more and not when the speaker has exhausted them. 49 .
What Is an Outline? A. sometimes a lot – but it always helps. because when applied properly. 2. You should write this as a title or thesis statement. An outline is a system of note-taking that shows how somebody has organized a group of ideas.Chapter 9 Outlining Your Speech What is your reaction the moment you hear the word outline? If your instant reaction is a negative one. outlines can save you much time and can help you develop a great deal of better speech. It also shows how these ideas are related to one another. Think in exact terms when outlining. This hatred is unfortunate. I. Basic Principles of Outlining Outlining will not only help you see the general idea of your speech. perhaps you have never actually learned how to outline properly. II. you are not alone – a lot of people hate outlining. Whatever the reason. 50 . It will also help you subdivide the body of your message into sub-topics according to the order of their significance. Outlining always helps sometimes a little. 1. or maybe your previous experiences with writing have re-established less-than-fond memories. B. Try to discover the most important idea or the main idea. Steps To Follow When Outlining A.
). Cause-effect relationships 4. 51 . Always try to connect these details to the major points. etc. etc. B. Look for major ways to develop or subdivide the main point. General to specific/easy to difficult 5. 2. 2. Try to stress details.). (This will provide you with the major headings of your outline. 1. 1.) Consider signals or transition words to indicate: 1. II. etc. Comparison-contrast C. Notation In Outlining A. The next most important ideas (the major details) are placed below the primary ideas and are noted with capital letters (A. 3. Chronological order 2.). III. The minor details are placed to the right below the major details and are noted with plain numbers (1. 2. III.B. C. 3. Stress what you think is important or complicated and in need of more detailed explanation. The most important or primary ideas are placed to the farthest left and are noted with roman numerals (I. The size of the indentation and the notation used are determined by the importance of the idea. Enumeration 3.
but the entire outline should be one or the other. Always place a period after each notation symbol (numbers and letters) in an outline. Always capitalize the first word of each item in an outline. There is less temptation to memorize your speech.B. with all major or main ideas being assigned with roman numerals and being farthest to the left. C. E. What are the Advantages of Outlining? A. C. In other words. B. 52 . All ideas of the same importance should have equal indention. D. You may write items in an outline as either phrases or sentences. D. Flexibility is increased. don’t mix phrases and sentences in the same outline. It is less difficult to ask for sensible evaluations. It is easier to identify problems. IV.
PART FOUR PRESENTING YOUR SPEECH 53 .
when used effectively.Chapter 10 Preparing Your Visual Aids Effectively One of the easiest methods to guarantee a successful and effective speech is to use interesting and powerful visual aids. When listeners are thrown into a reading mode. can help a speaker communicate better and can help listeners understand better. remember that if listeners will take much longer than seven seconds to grasp the content. and where the presenter opts for visual aids. Visual aids engage the senses (what we see and what we hear) and help clarify. to slides or videotapes. Communication effectiveness is frequently enhanced by the use of more than one medium. Unfortunately. they must show the relevance of their use to the message. or further clarify the main points. and 54 . These aids range from simple flipcharts or graphs. they hear almost nothing the speaker says. they will possibly fall into a reading mode. Thus. a lot of speakers either don’t use visual aids at all or use overcrowded. Poorly designed visual aids compel listeners to decide between listening to the speaker or reading the visual aid – and you know which they will select. explain. support. Audiovisual aids may be used to reinforce. to listen to the talk. difficult-toread visuals that make it almost impossible for the audience to understand the visuals’ content. Functions of Visual Aids Visual aids. when preparing your visuals. and to take down notes all together.
Visual aids can: · · · · · · provide support and emphasize main ideas facilitate understanding encourage emotional involvement aid with delivery add to your credibility decrease your nervousness because they give you something to do with your hands. Let’s consider the ways in which visual aids can improve your presentation. Visual aids are so effective that most speakers use them. Such aids can: · · · help separate important from less important information add interest and color improve audience memory 55 . they draw audience attention away from you. Listeners also benefit from the effective use of visual aids.strengthen the message. and they make it almost impossible to forget what you want to say.
delivery is not everything in public speaking. the actual delivery is the highlight and finale of the public speaking experience. Delivery is one of the most obvious parts of public speaking.” and “I couldn’t always hear her. A good delivery cannot compensate for a poorly prepared message. Delivery may not be everything in speech development. organize and rehearse your speech. But you will finish your speech delivery in just a few minutes. the better our chances of doing it successfully. The more we know about delivery. Nevertheless. conducting the research. and one that attracts the initial attention of both the speaker and the audience. select your topic. most of us know the significance of delivery. 56 . or one lacking in substance. You may have spent days or even weeks to analyze your potential listeners. but it is a very obvious and important part. Despite that. you eventually present yourself to the audience.” “I think he should have moved around more.Chapter 11 Delivering Your Message Effectively After all the preparations that go into your speech. However. and at times it scares us. the reply would be something like: “I think she has a very pleasant voice. when faced with the actual “standing and delivering.” we may become very nervous.” Obviously. We may feel pretty at ease preparing the speech. and so on. If one were to ask a listener what he thought of a speech that had just been delivered. organizing and outlining our ideas.
” Proper posture makes the speaker look and feel comfortable. And so can you. body movements. powerful. Unless you are sure about what is suitable for the audience and the occasion. you must practice. Your delivery isn’t more essential than what you have to say. She does more than just organize convincing ideas. and she is believable. posture. and – most important of all – believable. the case of a famous talk-show host . caring.Take for instance. To make your presentation believable. and aids voice projection and poise. Oprah’s show still leads the talk-show ratings. we will first talk about visual delivery – particularly. she presents her thoughts in a believable way.Oprah Winfrey. and vocally. she is real. She knows how to connect with her audience by communicating with them verbally. facial expressions. As a public speaker. How does she do it? She is enthusiastic. eye contact. The audience judges your appearance as a hint to your position. interesting. and gestures all influence your audience’s perception. and knowledge. the safest thing to do is to dress conservatively. visually. Visual Delivery Because the first impression comes more from what the audience see than from what they hear. your physical appearance. credibility. but without good delivery your listeners may never hear what you have to say. persuasive. how to appear to your audience. Good posture is nothing more than standing straight and having your “chest out” and “stomach in. She appears as if she is speaking directly to each of her audience. 57 .
otherwise. Try making the gestures when rehearsing a speech. Then adapt your gestures to a point where they are appropriate and natural. Eye contact is a very important factor in getting and holding attention. One kind of gesture is facial expression. If you are using a projector and transparencies. Here are some questions you might consider in order to guide your visual delivery: 58 . However. try moving at the beginning of an idea or at a transition between ideas. Look at your listeners directly. and the shoulders to help you communicate. To add emphasis. gestures should be spontaneous. This doesn’t mean that you will always give vent to your feelings in a bombastic and extravagant manner. Too many gestures may distract the audience. Practice before a mirror. A good speaker expresses views and feelings with appropriate restraint. Let your face glow with happiness or burn with enthusiasm. Gestures are movements of the hands. head. energy. be sure what is shown coincides with what you are saying. you lose your contact with your audience and their attention strays off. but they must enhance communication and not hinder it. and confidence to your presentation. This reveals your attitudes and feelings. Avoid wearing the deadpan poker face that reveals nothing. not above them or at the floor or ceiling or out of the window. arms. even to the point of exaggerating. They play an important role in public speaking.Move around occasionally. Body movement can add interest.
1. If any of these is faulty. An effective voice is conversational. The audience will listen more if you speak as you do in a normal conversation. natural. whereas jokes or other light remarks are uttered in a rapid fashion with a relatively higher pitch. or facial expressions that might express my intended meaning more effectively? Vocal Delivery We all like to have an effective voice. Many people have very soft voices. distraction results. Volume A well-modulated voice is important to be an effective speaker. Important announcements are uttered in a slow manner and with a relatively low pitch. It is pleasant to hear without even intending to. and enthusiastic. only through it can any speech delivery be accomplished. pitch. which can be due to shyness or lack of training 59 .· · · · · Do I gesture enough? Too much? Does my body movement reinforce the flow of my speech? Are my gestures disturbing in any way? Am I depending so much on any one gesture? Does my face express the meaning or feeling I am trying to convey? · Are there different gestures. rate. Voice is essential in communication. body movements. and quality. Sounds have four fundamental characteristics: volume.
It just implies that intellectual efforts accompanied by vocalization are not normally characterized by the exaggerated range and intensity of feeling exhibited in emotional behavior alone. every member of the audience with normal hearing and concentration should be able to understand your statements without straining their ears and without getting irritated because of an excessively loud voice. Good speakers fit voice and actions to the words used. and to their personalities. People with soft voices are often regarded as dull. This does not imply that intellectual efforts are devoid of feeling. There is no hard and fast rule about the degree of loudness that should be used on different occasions. If you are speaking to a group. yet consonants give intelligibility to speech. An important principle in speaking clearly is that consonants should be pronounced well. the voice is often in a higher pitch level than that 60 . If a person is habitually tense. pleasing. but an effective voice must be as loud as the specific speaking situation requires. 2. to the situation.or lack of practice in voice projection. and dynamic personality should undergo training in voice projection. A person who wants to develop an attractive. Pitch Pitch is the general level on a musical scale of the voice in speech. Vowels are easier to pronounce. A voice that is dominated by intellect rather than emotion tends to be moderate in pitch as well as in loudness.
But in some instances. Dramatic effect can be achieved by speakers who pause after a rising inflection. after which the expected outcome follows to the satisfaction of their listeners. alto. A markedly slow speaking rate indicates solemnity. baritone. or we may use such terms as soprano. Effective speakers. Natural pitch in speaking is important for an effective voice. and for emphasizing ideas. or anger. medium. the use of a comma is a sign for the reader or speaker to pause. unchanging rate of speaking is discouraged regardless of feeling. sorrow. joy. Rate There are three rates or tempos in speaking – slow. disagreeable. or purpose because it is monotonous. or low. long sentences without commas should also be divided according to thought content by a pause to give time for breathing and for the listener to grasp fully what is being read or said. however. for creating dramatic effects. The use of pauses is a very useful technique for separating or grouping phrases. A marked increase in rate is suggestive of happiness. and fast. elation. or bass for vocal pitch.of a habitually relaxed person. thereby creating suspense. and uncomfortable. As a general rule. However. Pitch may either be high. Changes in rate can be achieved by the rate of articulation or by the use of pauses. a sustained. mood. average. 61 . Words or phrases that are spoken more slowly and more emphatically are considered more important and more intellectually significant than rapidly pronounced words. One who speaks unnaturally will be ineffective. 3. or depression.
simple sentences. Listeners prefer speakers who use a more informal language than what is usual for written reports. Speakers who know how to pause with intent and without fear are respected speakers. and us and contractions such as I’m and don’t – forms that are frequently avoided in formal written reports. and it is not always required to use complete sentences.should avoid pauses showing that they don’t know what to say next. you. we. It is also related to feeling and mood. Quality Voice characteristics (or voice timbre) and voice attitudes (or voice color) come under the general term of voice quality. 62 . Vocal quality is related to resonance and to the avoidance of undesirable vocal aspects such as excessive nasality and breathing. Verbal Delivery Besides being greatly conscious of your visual delivery (you and your visual aids) and vocal delivery (your manner of speaking). 4. it is absolutely acceptable to use personal pronouns such as I. Moreover. For instance. in oral speech. it is more appropriate to use short. A person’s voice can be categorized as pleasant or unpleasant depending upon its timbre and color or quality. What is voice quality? This term is hard to identify and no attempt will be made to define it here except to show its relations to other factors and how to achieve this. the audience will focus on your verbal delivery (the language you use and the way you construct sentences).
specific. easy-to-understand language that suits the contexts of your audience and is vivid. and simple (is easy to understand). Even though you are speaking in a professional setting. don’t think that your listeners use or understand the same technical words or jargon that you do. concrete and specific (gives details). memorization. With very little advance notice. the impromptu speech requires the least preparation. however. Limit yourself to a specific aspect that you can discuss in a few 63 . the speaker is asked to speak for a few minutes on a specific subject. Methods of Delivery There are four methods of delivering a speech: impromptu. The best language is vivid and colorful (paints a picture for the audience). and extemporaneous. Putting your ideas into simple. 1. Don’t try to discuss the entire subject. Formulate the central idea.One mistake is to use long or extremely technical terms or jargon to impress the audience. As you practice on the essentials of delivery. remember the rules discussed here and your language and style of speaking will progress. 1. manuscript reading. and bias-free can be difficult at the start. Try to apply the following principles or rules in giving an impromptu speech. The Impromptu Speech Of the four methods.
The body of your speech must be unified. 3. Consider the impromptu speech as giving a golden opportunity to practice and develop your delivery. Don’t be apologetic. · · Practice active listening. 64 . · · Use the fundamental principles of speech organization. 4. so make some preparations early. · Maximize whatever small amount of preparation time you are given to your benefit. Manage speech anxiety by reminding yourself that no one expects you to be perfect when you are asked to give impromptu speeches. illustrations. Conclude on a strong note. comparisons.minutes. You can repeat your key sentences. Open your talk with a sentence that says something. 2. Be sure you know the idea you want to present before you start. but rephrase them. You can give examples. and contrasts to help explain your key sentences. and go straight to the point. Restate them briefly but clearly. Be as concrete and specific as possible. Here are other guidelines with regards to giving an impromptu speech: · Expect the possibility that you might be called on to speak. Begin with a bang.
Persons of prominence read their speeches for accuracy and precision. Practice intensively. Use good oral style. Here are some guidelines in giving a manuscript speech: · · · · · · Use a manuscript for the right reasons. the read speech is the most appropriate. human memory might fail the speaker during the delivery and can cause great embarrassment. When the occasion is a solemn or historic one. The speaker reading the speech should maintain rapport with the audience. Like the read speech. Use your voice effectively. it lacks spontaneity and naturalness. Here are some guidelines in giving a memorized speech: 65 . Look for opportunities to move and gesture. In addition. 3. This kind of speech lacks spontaneity and naturalness that the impromptu speech or the extemporaneous speech has. This type of speech should not be used in public speaking classes.2. Remain flexible. The Manuscript Speech A manuscript or read speech is one that is written out and read word for word during delivery. The Memorized Speech This method of delivery is good only for elocution pieces.
· · Speak in the moment. This speech is also practiced but the words and arrangement of words are changed to something better and more effective. Practicing Your Speech At times. organization. and clarity in speech. the speaker is simply guided by a mental outline. these simply contain quotations from famous authors and speakers that help expound the ideas. Allows the speaker to remain direct. practice! 4. If notes are held. Is based on a key word outline.· Stay focused on your specific purpose and on the key ideas you want to convey. though the language is formulated at the moment of delivery. Nothing could be farther from the 66 . In rehearsing. The speaker doesn’t memorize the speech but knows from memory the order of ideas to achieve unity. It has spontaneity and naturalness. most speakers read through the outline silently a few times and think they are all set for a delivery. involved. and flexible. An extemporaneous speech: · · · Requires careful preparation. It is not read nor memorized. Practice. practice. The Extemporaneous Speech This method is recommended for public speaking classes. The speaker also has time to prepare the ideas embodied in it.
but it won’t help in any way with your vocal and visual delivery and will only help a little with your verbal delivery. read through your speech silently several times until you are ready to begin. Good or bad speeches are a matter of habit. · Practice delivering your speech aloud with your notes and outline. most likely you are not prepared to speak. and. By envisioning yourself giving an effective and successful speech. There is no alternative for practicing out loud – standing on your 67 . · First. 2.truth. If you have not practiced your speech aloud several times. If you have been envisioning yourself giving a successful speech. you have taken a crucial first move towards confident delivery. It may help you check for problems of organization and may help you familiarize yourself with the material. By actually practicing your speech aloud. Keep in mind that your objective is to sound confident and be natural – just like talking to friends. doing this is not practicing speech delivery. However. Here are pointers when practicing your speech. Feeling confident while speaking is one of the advantages of practicing. The only way to convert what you have read into what you can do is to practice it. There is a great difference between reading about how to deliver an effective speech and actually doing it. The best outcomes are achieved if you prepare in two ways: 1. Habits are formed and developed through constant practice.
· Repeat the practice session as many times as needed until you have gained self-confidence and self-assurance. and speaking aloud. you may set aside your outline and practice with only your notes. appropriate pausing and phrasing. · After the first rehearsal. stress. using your notes and visual aids. · Practice your speech aloud all the way through – noting parts that are rough. · Stand straight. several times repeatedly. if possible. · When you are reasonably sure of your major headings and subtopics and their order. before a full-length mirror placed at a distance where your audience would be. (Notes here mean saying quotations from famous authors and speakers that you would like to quote to drive home a point. pause and ask yourself if the order you followed is the best order of ideas possible. optimum pitch. if the material you gathered is enough. rereading your notes. and if your choice of words is appropriate. and volume. if the way you expressed your ideas is the best. and then practicing once more.feet. taking note of the proper enunciation and pronunciation of your vowels and consonants.) 68 . · Divide the speech into parts and practice major sections. use your outline until you are sure of your main points and their order. such as the introduction. · For the first rehearsals. practicing your gestures and eye contact.
Avoid dissecting your delivery. 69 . visit the room where you will speak and practice using the equipment there or practice in a room similar to the one in which you will be speaking. Place manuscript pages into a stiff binder. · Practice alone at first. practice your speech over again several times.· Always take breaks. visual. decide how to modify the speech to smooth them out.or triple-spaced in 14 or 16-point type. Record (either audio or video) your speech and play it back in order to get feedback on your vocal delivery. or concentration. all the way through. Note that practice doesn’t mean memorize. voice. make sure that the manuscript is double. practice in front of a small audience (friends or family members). If you discover any awkward spots in your speech. Avoid practicing so much at one time that you begin to lose your energy. If you are giving a manuscript speech. Concentrate on major concerns. · Over a period of time. let a friend film you so that you can observe yourself. but guard against memorization. If your practice room does not have the equipment necessary for using your visuals. · If possible. · When you begin to feel comfortable with your speech. Ask them for specific comments and feedback on your verbal. Practice making direct eye contact and using gestures. and vocal delivery. Practice holding the binder high enough that you can glance down at the manuscript without having to bob your head. simulate handling them. If you have a video camera.
Videotape yourself if possible. Check to see that your notes and visuals are in the proper order. · Try to get enough sleep the night before your speech. edit long quotations. you should feel enthusiastic and confident. use fewer illustrations. If you commit a mistake. Then forget it. you may violate the audience’s expectations and damage your credibility. Note that. you might cut a portion that is less important. if your speech is too long or too short.· Make sure to time yourself several times. 70 . make appropriate cuts. or ask a friend to observe one of your final practices. get to the venue early so that you can compose yourself. practice using your visual aids with all the needed equipment. Bear in mind that no one expects you to be perfect. If your speech is too long. On the day of the speech. or plan to tell the audience that you will be glad to address an issue more fully during the question-and-answer period. correct it if necessary and proceed. and read through your outline one last time. · At least once before the actual speech (two or three times would be better). For example. If you have practiced until you feel comfortable with your speech and have envisioned yourself giving an effective speech.
The following suggestions may help you with your question-andanswer period. see if one or more overlays (for instance. expect several questions that you think your audience may ask and prepare one or two visual aids to use when answering these questions. But just in case. Besides knowing your topic. If appropriate. · Rephrase any confusing or negative questions in a clear and positive way. it’s always possible that none of these questions will be asked. one with a line graph that contains new information) could be included to a visual that you want to use in your speech. Before preparing entirely new visuals. One of the most frustrating things about speaking is having to eliminate so much vital information (both personal and research-based) from your speech because of time constraints. · · Listen attentively to each question asked. the better your answers will be. it is almost impossible to know everything about your topic. you can impress your audience tremendously. you can make your message more convincing. The overlays would be used only during the question-and-answer period. if you are preparing a question-and-answer period to go with your speech. repeat the question before answering it so that everyone can hear it and keep track of what is going on. Certainly.Response to Audience Questions The key to successful question-and-answer periods is to actually know your topic and expect questions from the audience. If you conduct audience questions well. But. The more you know. 71 .
If you don’t know the answer. After your initial conclusion. select three or four good ones.· Think a moment before answering each question. If not. collect the questions. Don’t argue or get angry or defensive while answering questions. say so. If you expect a hostile audience. What you say during the question-and-answer period will influence the audience’s overall judgment of your credibility and your speech. and end the period with a final conclusion that refocuses audience attention and puts a pleasing closure on your speech. If you think a question is irrelevant or will take too long to answer. 72 . tell the person that it’s a good question and that you will find the answer and let that person know in the next meeting. · · Don’t try to fake your way through a response. · · Do not allow one person to dominate the forum period. and refer the questioner to someone in the audience who does know. avoid a question-and-answer period in any way possible. Or. actively encourage listeners to participate. thank the person for the question and mention that you will talk with that individual personally about it after the period. and answer them – ignoring the less desirable ones. mention in your introduction that there will be a short question-and-answer period at the end of your speech and ask the audience to write out questions during the speech. · · If appropriate. · Watch your time.
Make your speech concise. Q: How do I capture and maintain the listener’s attention and interest? A: Remember the following: · · Establish eye contact with the audience. Q: How do I know when the listeners are bored and inattentive? 73 . Do not talk if someone is walking down the aisle or if there is audience movement.Chapter 12 Final Questions Q: How do I manage fear. apprehension. the better prepared you will be. These are very usual situations even for experienced speakers. Every one of us experiences this so it is good to breathe out the accumulated carbon dioxide in your lungs and breathe deeply before you begin your speech. The more experienced you become. · · · · Make appropriate pauses for the audience to catch their breath. Talk from personal experience and tell stories. Increased nervousness and rapid heartbeat before a speech are the coping mechanisms of the body. Beginning your speech slowly helps decrease nervousness. stage fright. Use interesting and powerful visual aids. and speech anxiety? A: Gradually.
Always bear in mind that a short speech can barely go wrong. the more you will develop self-confidence. You will have to read widely. starting to exit the venue. biting their nails. Believe in yourself. Practice is the key. Master your topic. Polite coughs which are more than usual. Vacant looks – no smiles or nodding of the head. Impromptu speeches make good practice. looking at each other. At times you have to conduct some research. Nonverbal gestures like audience frequently looking at their watches. no one else will. Do not try to pretend to be someone else. Look for every chance to give a speech. The more you face the audience. Q: Can I memorize a speech? 74 . Begin with very short speeches that last three to four minutes. Q: How do I develop my self-confidence? A: Practice. If you don’t. and worse. Some need 60 minutes of information for a 5-minute speech. The most important information is your personal experience. Concentrate and be natural. Q: How much information must I gather for a speech? A: Your experience is your guide. shuffling their feet.A: Observe the following: · · · · · A lot of listeners sit with their arms folded. Most of the people are yawning.
At the end of the summary. Q: Can I use notes during a speech? A: Yes. Preparing 3” x 5” index cards is all right. Be sure your entire speech does not go beyond seven cards. Q: How do I develop my speech? 75 . But don’t. The only instance you read a speech is when you do it on behalf of someone else. you can. That is the best technique to bore a listener. Q: Can I read a speech? A: Yes. But don’t. Your listeners will discover anyway. Memorizing stops you from being natural. you can. Even when you do that. you can. you may memorize a specific poem or a memorable quote. make it brief or summarize it. Be sure the letters on that single sheet are big enough to read.A: Yes. What is beautifully written may not sound beautiful when it is spoken. your speech will likely be insincere. The written language and the spoken language are different forms of expression. A single sheet of paper with an outline of your speech is still the best. You are bound to miss out a line or two and worse. The worst thing a speaker can do is to pull out pages and pages of notes before a speech. Never memorize a speech. But be sure that they don’t appear bulky. give out the entire speech in the form of a handout. If you like.
Recognize speeches that you like and those you can’t stand. Examine the speeches you dislike. Examine the speeches you like. what exactly is your question?” Q: What do I do when I get a hostile question? A: Be cool. “Perhaps I was not clear. Don’t forget to take down notes when you listen to these speeches. The transition from one idea to the next must be smooth. “Excuse me. Be courteous and disagree with a smile by saying.” or “It’s possible you misunderstood. A good listener is a successful communicator. and there you will learn useful and helpful tips to develop your speech.A: Never talk about one idea too long. And lastly… Take time out to listen to as many speeches as possible. what do I do when a person gives a speech rather than a question? A: It is your responsibility to interrupt and say. Listeners must not wait too long for the next idea. allot equal time to each. 76 . Q: During an open forum. and there you will learn what you should prevent. If you have three ideas.” Q: What do I do when someone has many questions in one question? A: Answer them one by one and begin with the easiest.
Communication is as greatly a manner of listening as it is of speaking. 77 .
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