Chapter 15

The Power of Speech Delivery What’s more important▪ What you say or How you say it?

Non-verbal Communication▪ Major role in communication process▪ Eye contact, Posture, Vocal quality and Facial expression

Listeners expect effective delivery▪ Speak with natural, conversational tone▪ Good eye contact with audience, use appropriate gestures▪ Use vocal variation to eliminate monotone and show

interest

▪ Delivery methods will vary in effectiveness▪ Depending on audiences▪ Video Clip

Methods of delivery Manuscript speaking

▪ Writing out speech word for word

▪ Advantages▪ Helps avoid forgetting speech▪ Can choose words very carefully

Helps with sensitive/critical issues

▪ Disadvantages (without practice)▪ Affects eye contact▪ Can sound monotone▪ Lack of movement/gestures

▪ When/where would a person use this method of delivery

Memorized speaking Advantages▪ Eye contact with audience▪ Opportunity for strong movement

Disadvantages (if not practiced)▪ Lack of energy / sound recited▪ Risk forgetting parts / blanking▪ Video Clip

Impromptu Speaking – Off the cuff Advantages▪ Less formal▪ Allows more eye contact

Disadvantages▪ Less organization▪ Increased anxiety▪ May cause rambling

▪ Video Clip

Extemporaneous Speaking▪ Speaking from a written or memorized general

outline▪ Using note cards for reference

Advantages▪ Conversational delivery (doesn’t seem scripted)▪ Sounds live rather than prepared▪ Allows for adjustment based on time or audience

Video Clip

Characteristics of Effective Delivery Eye contact▪ Gives you credibility▪ Shows audience they are a priority▪ Allows you to connect with audience

Gestures▪ Cultural expectations▪ Inappropriate gestures

Characteristics of Effective Delivery Gestures▪ Functions of gestures▪ Repeating▪ Contradicting▪ Substituting▪ Complementing▪ Emphasizing▪ Regulating

Characteristics of Effective Delivery Gestures▪ Using gestures effectively▪ Stay natural▪ Be definite▪ Use gestures that are consistent w/message▪ Vary your gestures▪ Don’t overdo it▪ Coordinate gestures w/what you say

Characteristics of Effective Delivery Use of movement Video Clip▪ Purpose not distraction▪ Avoid nervous mannerisms

▪ Physical barriers▪ Immediacy▪ Transitions

Posture – ▪ Stance can reflect credibility▪ Stand tall / Don’t slouch▪ Avoid shifting

Characteristics of Effective Delivery Facial Expressions▪ Show your emotions▪ Attitudes▪ Smiles connect well with audiences

Vocal delivery▪ A strong voice is essential in public speaking

Elements of vocal delivery▪ Video Clip

Volume▪ How loud your voice is (Projection)

Enunciation▪ Speaking clearly and concisely Articulation

Pronunciation▪ Pronouncing sounds of words correctly

Elements of vocal delivery Vocal variety - Video Clip▪ Pitch▪ Speaking Rate▪ How rapidly you speak, anxiety can increase this

▪ Pauses▪ Pauses can be effective, use them carefully

▪ Silence▪ Effective in emphasizing words or phrases

Personal Appearance▪ Affects how your audience will respond to you▪ Important for first impression

Appearance distractions▪ Can take focus away from speakers message▪ What are some appearance distractions

Audience Diversity and Delivery Adapt presentation to your audience▪ Avoid ethnocentric mindset▪ Consult with others who have spoken to audience▪ Monitor level of immediacy▪ Monitor your emotional expression▪ Know the code

Delivering your speech Get plenty of rest before your speech Review confident speaking techniques▪ Chapter 2

Arrive early Visualize success

Responding to questions During Q&A

▪ Delivery changes to impromptu speaking

▪ To make Q&A less challenging▪ Prepare▪ Repeat or rephrase the question▪ Stay on message▪ Ask yourself the 1st question▪ Listen impartially

▪ To make Q&A less challenging▪ Neutralize hostile questions▪ When you don’t know, admit it▪ Be brief▪ Use organizational signposts▪ Indicate when the Q&A period is concluding