COMM 111: Chapter 13

how to manage the question and answer session

1. approach questions with a positive attitude, 2. listen carefully, 3. direct answers to the entire audience 4. be honest and straightforward, 5. stay on track

how to prepare for the question and answer session

1. formulate answers to possible questions, 2. practice the delivery of your answers

how to practice speech delivery

1. go through your preparation outline aloud, 2. prepare your speaking outline, 3. practice the speech aloud using the speaking outline, 4. polish and refine your delivery, 5. give your speech a dress rehearsal

major aspects of physical action that affect the outcome of your speeches

1. personal appearance, 2. movement, 3. gestures, 4. eye contact

methods of delivery

1. reading from a manuscript, 2. reciting from memory, 3. speaking impromptu, 4. speaking extemporaneously

how to respond to a previous speaker

1. state the point you are answering, 2. state the point you wish to make, 3. support your point with appropriate statistics, 4. summarize your point

aspects of voice to control

1. volume, 2. pitch, 3. rate, 4. pauses, 5. vocal variety, 6. pronunciation, 7. articulation, 8. dialect

extemporaneous speech

a carefully prepared and rehearsed speech that is presented from a brief set of notes

monotone

a constant pitch or tone of a speaker's voice

pause

a momentary break in the vocal delivery of a speech

vocalized pause

a pause that occurs when a speaker fills the silence between words with vocalizations such as "uh," "er," and "um"

impromptu speech

a speech delivered with little or no immediate preparation

manuscript speech

a speech that is written out word for word and read to the audience

dialect

a variety of a language distinguished by variations of accent, grammar, or vocabulary

when to pause during a speech

at the end of thought units, not in the middle

vocal variety

changes in a speaker's rate, pitch, and volume that give the voice variety and expressiveness

inflections

changes in the pitch or tone of a speaker's voice

nonverbal communication

communication based on a person's use of voice and body, rather than on the use of words

aspects of good delivery

conveys the speaker's ideas clearly, interestingly, and without distracting the audience

effects of vocalized pauses

create negative perceptions about a speaker's intelligence and often make a speaker appear deceptive

eye contact

direct visual contact with the eyes of another person

best attributes of good conversation to combine with formality in delivering a speech

directness, spontaneity, animation, vocal and facial expressions, a lively sense of communication

gestures

motions of a speaker's hands or arms during a speech

conversational quality

presenting a speech so it sounds spontaneous no matter how many times it has been rehearsed

basics to concentrate on when planning your speech

speaking intelligibly, avoiding distracting mannerisms, establishing eye contact with your listeners

pronunciation

the accepted standard of sound and rhythm for words in a given language

pitch

the highness or lowness of the speaker's voice

volume

the loudness or softness of the speaker's voice

articulation

the physical production of particular speech sounds

rate

the speed at which a person speaks

kinesics

the study of body motions as a systematic mode of communication