Ch. 11: Delivering Your Speech, COM 181:,Basic Public Speaking

The Power of Speech Delivery: Nonverbal Communication

1. Creates a major portion of the meaning of a speech. 2. Disappoints audience when it violates their expectations. 3. Expresses almost all the emotion in a speech. 4. Can help listeners "catch" the speakers feelings. 5. Is usually more believable than words.

Characteristics of Effective Delivery

1. Eye Contact: high level of eye contact with the entire audience. 2. Gestures: Culturally appropriate, natural, non-distracting gestures. 3. Movement: Purposeful, non-distracting, movement designed to increase immediacy. 4. Posture: Straight but natural standing posture, matching the intensity of the message. 5. Facial Expression: Culturally appropriate facial expressions, matching the message. 6. Vocal Delivery: Audible volume, clear articulation, minimized dialect, varied vocal pitch and speaking rate, competent use of a microphone. 7. Personal Appearance: Clean grooming and clothing appropriate to audience and situation.

Delivering Your Speech

1. Get a good night's rest. 2> Review chapter 1's tips to reinforce your confidence. 3. Arrive early. 4. Prepare the room and make sure your technology works before you speak. 5. Visualize success.

The Power of Speech Delivery

1. Listeners expect effective delivery. For most North American listeners, this includes maintaining good eye contact and using appropriate gestures, just as you would in conversations with your friends, and maintaining natural, conversational tone of voice with varied inflection and an intensity that communicates that you are interested in your message and your listeners. 2. Listeners make emotional connections with you through delivery. Nonverbal messages are the primary way we communicate emotion. Emotions are contagious, and it is important that you express non-verbally the emotions that you want your listeners to feel. 3. Listeners believe what they see. This is because it is more difficult to fake nonverbal messages.

Methods of Delivery

1. Manuscript speaking. 2. Memorized speaking. 3. Impromptu speaking. 4. Extemporaneous speaking.

Responding to Questions

1. Prepare: Ask the first question yourself. 2. Listen nonjudgmentally; repeat or rephrase questions. 3. Respond to the whole audience. 4. Bring off-topic questions back around to your message. 5. Acknowledge emotions, keep to the issue, and avoid personal responses to hostile questions. 6. Admit it when you don't know the answer to a question. 7. Keep answers brief and organized. 8. Warn audience when Q&A is ending.

Nonverbal Expectancy Theory

A communication theory that suggests that if listeners' expectations about how communication should be expressed are violated, listeners will feel less favorable toward the communicator of the message.

Emotional Contagion Theory

A theory suggesting that people tend to "catch" the emotions of others.

Nonverbal Communication

Communication other than written or spoken language that creates meaning for someone.

Impromptu Speaking

Delivering a speech without advance preparation. When giving an impromptu speech you must: 1. Consider your audience and their expectations. 2. Be brief. One to three minutes is realistic for an impromptu speech. 3. Organize your speech to keep from faltering or rambling. 4. Speak honestly, but with reserve, from personal experience and knowledge. 5. Be cautious if speaking about controversial or classified topics. It is better to be cautions than sorry.

Memorized Speaking

Delivering a speech word for word from memory without using notes. Advantage: Allows for maximum eye contact. Disadvantage: Memorized speeches can sound stiff, stilted, and over rehearsed, you may struggle to find your words if you forget part of your speech in front of the audience, it is difficult to make on-the-spot adaptations to a memorized speech..

Manuscript Speaking

Reading a speech from a written text.. This is rarely done well enough to be interesting, but in some situations a speech should be read. Reading from a speech gives you the opportunity to choose your words very carefully when dealing with sensitive and critical issues. When preparing a manuscript to be read from, indicate in the manuscript when you should pause or emphasize certain topics. Type the speech in short, easy to scan phrases to minimize the amount of time you look at your speech. Practice your speech using the manuscript and use your finger on your index card to keep track of where you are in your speech.Maintain eye contact with your listeners, use your natural tone of voice, and speak at your normal speed. Use appropriate and natural gestures and movements to add nonverbal interest and emphasis to your message.

Extemporaneous Speaking

Speaking from a written or memorized speech outline without having memorized the exact wording of the speech. Know the major ideas of your speech which you have outlined, but do not memorize the exact words. Although it takes time to prepare an extemporaneous speech and takes skill to deliver it well, your speech will be well organized and researched and will sound spontaneous, but polished.

Rehearsing Your Speech: Some Final Tips

Spend time preparing and rehearsing. Finish your outline 2 days before you speak. Rehearse your speech aloud several times, and time it before writing your speaking notes. Make rehearsals as much like the real speech as possible. Seek feedback, and self-critique video of your rehearsal.