GE ELEC 1 (PUBLIC SPEAKING)
Pauses
Learning how and when to _____ is a major challenge for most beginning speakers. Even a moment of silence can seem like an eternity.
There are four basic methods of delivering a speech: (1) reading verbatim from a manuscript; (2) reciting a memorized text; (3) speaking impromptu; and (4) speaking extemporaneously.
Methods of Delivery
Concrete words
Since fire ants came here from South America sometime before World War II, they have spread like a biblical plague across 11 states from Florida to Texas.
Eye Contact
The eyeball itself expresses no emotion. Yet by manipulating the eyeball and the areas of the face around it—especially the upper eyelids and the eyebrows—we convey an intricate array of nonverbal messages.
Pronunciation
We all mispronounce words now and again.
Direct Answers to the Entire Audience
When you are being asked a question, look at the questioner.
State the specific purpose of your speech
should be a separate unit that comes before the subpoints, connectives, outline itself.
Attach Bibliography
shows all the books, magazines, newspapers, and Internet sources you consulted, as well as any interviews or field research you conducted.
Prepare your speaking outline.
so, be sure to follow the guidelines discussed. Use the same visual framework as in the preparation outline.
Pitch
the highness or lowness of the speaker's voice. The faster sound waves vibrate, the higher their ___
Antithesis
the juxtaposition of contrasting ideas, usually in parallel structure.
Parallelism
the similar arrangement of a pair or series of related words, phrases, or sentences
Eliminate Clutter
why can't weather forecasters say, "It's raining, " instead of saying, "It appears as if we are currently experiencing precipitation activity"? And why can't politicians say, "We have a crisis," instead of saying, "We are facing a difficult crisis situation that will be trouble- some to successfully resolve"?
Concrete words
will almost always be clearer, more interesting and easier to recall than one dominated by abstract words.
Approach Questions with a Positive Attitude
will help you answer questions graciously and respectfully.
1. Avoid the Generic "He" 2. Avoid the Use of "Man" When Referring to Both Men and Women 3. Avoid Stereotyping Jobs and Social Roles by Gender 4. Use Names That Groups Use to Identify Themselves
A Note on Inclusive Language
Give Yourself Cues for Delivering the Speech.
A good speaking outline reminds you not only of what you want to say but also of how you want to say it.
Reciting from memory
Among the feats of the legendary orators, none leaves us more in awe than their practice of presenting even the longest and most complex speeches entirely from memory.
Volume
At one time a powerful voice was essential for an orator. Today, electronic amplification allows even a soft-spoken person to be heard in any setting.
Practice the speech aloud several times using only the speaking outline.
Be sure to "talk through" all examples and to recite in full all quotations and statistics
Reading from a Manuscript
Certain speeches must be delivered word for word, according to a meticulously prepared manuscript. Examples include a Pope's religious proclamation
Eliminate clutter
Cluttered speech has become a national epidemic.
Gestures
Few aspects of delivery cause students more anguish than deciding what to do with their hands.
abstract words
Fire ants have been a problem ever since they arrived in the United States.
1. Follow the Visual Framework Used in the Preparation Outline 2. Make Sure the Outline ls Legible 3. Keep the Outline as Brief as Possible 4. Give Yourself Cues for Delivering the Speech
Guidelines for Speaking Outline
1. State the specific purpose of your speech 2. Identify the Central Idea 3. Label the Introduction, Body, and Conclusion 4. Use a Consistent Pattern of Symbolization and Indentation 5. State Main Points and Subpoints in Full Sentences 6. Label Transitions, Internal Summaries, and Internal Previews 7. Attach Bibliography 8. Give Your Speech a Title, If One is Desired
Guidelines for the preparation outline
Repetition
If not now, when? If not us, who? If not together, how? (
Managing the Question-and-Answer Session
If you have ever watched a skillful speaker field questions from the audience, you know there is an art to _____________________.
Appropriateness to Audience
If you keep this in mind, it will help you greatly when dealing with technical topics.
Label the Introduction, Body, and Conclusion
If you label the parts of your speech, you will be sure that you indeed have an introduction and conclusion and have accomplished the essential objectives of each.
Keep the Outline as Brief as Possible.
If your notes are too detailed, you will have difficulty maintaining eye contact with your audience.
Speaker's Body
Imagine you are at a party. During the evening you form impressions about the people around you.
State Main Points and Subpoints in Full Sentences
In sum, a skimpy preparation outline is of little value.
Give Your Speech a Title, If One is Desired
In the classroom you probably do not need a title for your speech unless your teacher requires one.
Use a Consistent Pattern of Symbolization and Indentation
In the most common system of outlining, main points are identified by Roman numerals and are indented equally to be aligned down the page.
Simile
It always contains the words "like" or "as."
listen carefully
It is hard to answer a question well if you do not ___________ to it. Give the questioner your full attention.
Using Language Vividly
Just as you can be accurate without being clear, so you can be both accurate and clear without being interesting.
rhythm
Language has a ______ created by the choice and arrangement of words.
Appropriateness to the occasion
Language that is appropriate for some occasions may not be appropriate for others.
Dialects
Most languages have _______, each with a distinctive accent, grammar, and vocabulary. These are usually based on regional or ethnic speech patterns.
Appropriateness to the speaker
No matter what the occasion, audience, or topic, language should also be ______
Movement
Novice speakers are often unsure about what to do with their body while giving a speech.
Formulate Answers to Possible Questions
Once you know your presentation will include questions from the audience, you should be thinking about possible questions even as you are writing your speech.
Use familiar words
One of the biggest barriers to clear speech is using big, bloated words where short, sharp ones will do the job better.
Imagery
One sign of a good novelist is the ability to create word pictures that let you "see" the haunted house, or "hear" the birds chirping on a warm spring morning, or "taste" the hot enchiladas at a Mexican restaurant.
Label Transitions, Internal Summaries, and Internal Previews
One way to make sure you have strong transitions, internal summaries, and internal previews is to include them in the preparation outline
Alliteration
Peace is essential for progress, but progress is no less essential for peace. (Liaquat Ali Khan) Our colleges, our communities, our country should challenge hatred wherever we find it. (Hillary Clinton)
Using Language Clearly
People are different. What makes perfect sense to some may be gobbledygook to others. You cannot assume that what is clear to you is clear to your audience.
Now begin to polish and refine your delivery.
Practice the speech in front of a mirror to check for eye contact and distracting mannerisms
1. Go through your preparation outline aloud to check how what you have written translates into spoken discourse 2. Prepare your speaking outline. 3. Practice the speech aloud several times using only the speaking outline. 4. Now begin to polish and refine your delivery. 5. Finally, give your speech a dress rehearsal under conditions as close as possible to those you will face in class.
Practicing Delivery
articulation
Sloppy _______ is the failure to form particular speech sounds crisply and distinctly.
Finally, give your speech a dress rehearsal under conditions as close as possible to those you will face in class.
Some students like to try the speech a couple of times in an empty classroom the day before the speech is due.
Identify the Central Idea
Some teachers prefer that the central idea be given immediately after the purpose statement.
Use a Consistent Pattern of Symbolization and Indentation
Subpoints (components of the main points) are identified by capital letters and are also indented equally to be aligned with each other.
Preparing for the Question-and-Answer Session
The first step to doing well in a question-and-answer session is to take it as seriously as the speech itself.
Modern Language Association (MLA) and the American Psychological Association (APA)
The two major bibliographic formats are those developed by
True
True or False Speakers can use imagery in much the same way to make their ideas come alive. Three ways to generate imagery are by using concrete words, simile, and metaphor.
True
True or False Such clichés are fine in everyday conversation, but you should avoid them in speechmaking.
False
True or False When you make a speech, keep your language lean and unlively.
False
True or False You can become a skilled speaker just by following a set of rules in a textbook. In the long run, there is substitute for experience.
False
True or False choosing concrete words over abstract words is one way to not enhance the clarity of your speeches.
True
True or False repetition usually results in parallelism.
True
True or False. Stating your main points and subpoints in full sentences will ensure that you develop your ideas fully.
False
True or false A speech, however, is a poem. You should emphasize sound and rhythm at the expense of meaning.
True
True or false Concrete words are also the key to effective imagery
True
True or false Speech delivery is an art, not a science. What works for one speaker may fail for another.
Metaphor
Unlike simile, _______ does not contain the words "like" or "as." For example: America's cities are the windows through which the world looks at American society. (Henry Cisneros) With globalization, the same sea washes all of humankind. We are all in the same boat. There are no safe islands. (Kofi Annan)
The Speaker's Voice
What kind of voice do you have? Is it rich and resonant like James Earl Jones's? Thin and nasal like Willie Nelson's?
First, state the point you are answering. Second, state the point you wish to make. Third, support your point with appropriate statistics, examples, or testimony. Fourth, summarize your point.
Whenever you are responding to a previous speaker, try to present your speech in four simple steps:
Personal Appearance
While the members of your audience would certainly comment on your attire, your reputation would not be harmed.
denotative and connotative.
Words have two kinds of meanings—
using language clearly
You can ensure this by using familiar words, by choosing concrete words over abstract words, and by eliminating verbal clutter.
Appropriateness to the Topic
You would not metaphor, antithesis, and alliteration when explaining how to change a bicycle tire.
Practice the Delivery of Your Answers
You would not present a speech to a room full of people without rehearsing.
Make Sure the Outline ls Legible.
Your speaking outline is all but worthless unless it is instantly readable at a distance.
Follow the Visual Framework Used in the Preparation Outline.
Your speaking outline should use the same visual framework—the same symbols and the same pattern of indentation—as your preparation outline.
Posture, facial expression, gestures, eye contact
_____, ______ ______, ______, ____ ______. —all affect the way listeners respond to a speaker.
Antithesis
______ has long been a favorite device of accomplished speakers. Because it nearly always produces a neatly turned phrase, it is a fine way to give your speeches a special touch of class.
Answering Audience Questions
a common part of public speaking, whether the occasion is a press conference, business presentation, public hearing, or classroom assignment
volume, pitch, rate, pauses, variety, pronunciation, articulation, and dialect.
aspects of voice you should work to control are:
Using Language Appropriately
being accurate, clear, and vivid, language should be appropriate—to the occasion, to the audience, to the topic, and to the speaker.
speaking impromptu
delivered with little or no immediate preparation.
Good delivery
does not call attention to itself. Conveys the speaker's ideas clearly, engagingly, and without distracting the audience
connotative meaning
gives words their intensity and emotional power. It arouses in listeners feelings of anger, pity, love, fear, friendship, nostalgia, greed, guilt, and the like.
Speech delivery
is a matter of nonverbal communication. It is based on how you use your voice and body to convey the message expressed by your words.
Simile
is an explicit comparison between things that are essentially different yet have something in common.
Metaphor
is an implicit comparison between things that are essentially different yet have something in common
Using Language Accurately
is as Vital to a speaker as using numbers accurately is to an accountant.
connotative meaning
is more variable, figurative, and subjective. The _______ of a word is what the word suggests or implies.
denotative meaning
is precise, literal, and objective. It describes the object, person, place, idea, or event to which the word refers.
Vocal variety
is the spice of life, so is it the spice of public speaking. A flat, listless, unchanging voice is just as deadly to speechmaking as a flat, listless, unchanging routine is to daily life.
Go through your preparation outline aloud to check how what you have written translates into spoken discourse
it too long? Too short? Are the main points clear when you speak them? Are the supporting materials distinct, convincing, interesting? Do the introduction and conclusion come across well? As you answer these questions, revise the speech as needed.
Preparation Outline
just what its name implies—an outline that helps you prepare the speech.
Repetition
means reiterating the same word or set of words at the end of successive clauses or sentences
Conversational Quality
means that no matter how many times a speech has been rehearsed, it still sounds spontaneous.
Speaking Extemporaneously
means the same as "impromptu." Unlike an impromptu speech, which is delivered off-the-cuff, an ___ is carefully prepared and practiced in advance.
Alliteration
most common method of __________ is repeating the consonant sound of close or adjoining words.
Choose concrete words
refer to tangible objects—people, places, and things. They differ from abstract words, which refer to general concepts, qualities, or attributes.
Rate
refers to the speed at which a person speaks. People in the US. Usually speak at a rate between 120 and 150 words per minute, but there is no uniform rate for effective speechmaking.