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