Public Speaking: Module 4 Delivery
vocal aspects of delivery
Articulation, Pronunciation, Dialect, Tone, Pitch, and Projection
body language
Body stance, gestures and facial expressions can be generally categorized as - movement should be relaxed and natural, not excessive - avoid fidgeting, stroking your hair, and any other nervousness-related movement
personal appearance
Here is the golden rule: Dress appropriately for the situation
using a microphone
If at all possible, test it before the performance. Be sure the amplification is suitable for your projection. Be sure how near or far you should be for proper audio pick-up.
the equipment
If you are using any multi-media such as PowerPoint, slides, video, or music, try it long before the speech. Of course, you would have practiced the speech with the media on your own, but if at all possible, run it in the venue in which you will speak.
facial expressions
Since facial expression is a valid form of communication, it is integral to delivering a speech. The face supports the text, and the speaker's commitment to the material is validated.
dramatic inflection
Some scholars interpret that to include the musicalization of the spoken word with
pauses
Space between phrases, properly planted, gives the audience the opportunity to understand the structure of the speaker's sentences and paragraphs.
managing stress
Stress can accelerate perspiration. It is wise to have a facial tissue or small towel handy for dabbing for comfort. Stress can also make the mouth and throat feel dry. Sipping water is a simple solution. - simplest and most effective: do a moderate amount of exercise prior to the speech, even as basic as walking. Exercising helps to naturally chemically relieve the tension; and helps deepen the breathing that supports the voice.
vocal quality
The quality of the voice, its timbre (distinctive sound) and texture, affects audibility and can affect the articulation
projection
The volume produced by the vocal instrument is - good posture, breathing, energy
water rules
Water is the only liquid that should be provided for a speaker. - It should be cool, but not ice cold to prevent temperature shock to the throat and vocal cords. - If it is poured into a glass, the glass should not be too full so the quantity does not overwhelm the speaker. - Under no circumstances should there be ice in the glass or in the pitcher at the podium. (choking hazard)
delivering the speech
You have a responsibility as a speaker to "deliver" information that will help your audience or enlighten them in some way. Speeches are delivered
preparing notes
Your note cards (or cue sheets) must have enough information on them to be able to deliver the speech without missing details and organized in the precise order that you have planned. A common technique is to print the outline in a font that is large enough to be read from a distance. - be able to glance at your cards, get your bearings, and look back at the audience
the podium
check it, approach it with confidence, touch it, lean on it, check the height (height of your elbow), plan where you will stand, it doesn't have to be behind the lectern
the room
check out the room (venue) and the podium before you need to speak
tone
each of us has a range of this
verbatim
exactly as written
eye contact
eye contact is another very important element of speaking. An audience must feel interested in the speaker, and know the speaker cares about them.
regionalism
is a type of expression, as when someone says "The dog wants walked," instead of "the dog wants to go for a walk." - depending on where you are
dialect
A regional variety of a language distinguished by vocabulary, spelling, and pronunciation.
impromptu style
made up on the spot, unprepared and unrehearsed - ceremonial toasts, grace before meals, an acknowledgement, an introduction, etc. - generally short and given with little or no notice
4 basic methods of presenting a speech
manuscript, memorized, extemporaneous, and impromptu
regionalism-free
most major network newscasters speak this way
rehearsing the speech
rehearse it! aloud and ideally with a colleague or fellow student as an audience - memorize your introduction - A confident and decisive beginning will draw the audience to you; a confident logical ending will be very effective in preserving a lasting impression on the audience.
vocalized pauses/ fillers
should be avoided, uh's, um's etc
tempo
speed of speaking, too fast - not good, too slow - not good
inflections
variations, turns, and slides in pitch to achieve the meaning
memorized style
when the manuscript is committed to memory and recited to the audience verbatim (word for word)
elocution
formalizes the conventions of inflection - a person's manner of speaking or reading aloud in public
articulation
how well and correctly we form our vowels and consonants using our lips, jaw, tongue, and palate to form the sounds that are identified as speech - dictation and enunciations are other terms that refer to the same idea
pronunciation
includes how the vowels and consonants are produced as well as which syllable is emphasized - the accepted standard of how a word sounds when spoken
pitch
the highness or lowness of the voice
extemporaneous style
the speech is not completely written out - usually delivered with keynotes for reference - carefully prepared and rehearsed, but delivered using notes of key words and phrases to support the speaker. Phrasing is pre- rehearsed, words are pre-chosen, and the organization is fluid and well constructed. - no fumbling of words
manuscript style
the speech is written and the speaker reads it word for word to the audience - used for precision, news reporting industry - most regular use of the teleprompter for manuscript delivery is the U.S. President