Oral Communication

Types of speech according to purpose

Informative Speech

If the speech’s purpose is to define, explain, describe, or demonstrate, it is an informative or expository speech. The goal of an informative speech is to provide information completely and clearly so that the audience understands the message.

Examples of informative speeches include describing the life cycle stages of an egg to a chicken, explaining how to operate a camera, or demonstrating how to cook a side dish for a meal.

The organization of the speech depends on your specific purpose and varies depending on whether you are defining, explaining, describing, or demonstrating. Informative demonstration speeches lend themselves well to the use of visual aids to show the step-by-step processes with real objects.

Persuasive Speech

Persuasive speeches are given to reinforce people’s beliefs about a topic, to change their beliefs about a topic, or to move them to act. When speaking persuasively, directly state what is good or bad and why you think so near the beginning of the speech. This is the thesis statement that you want to make early on. Since your purpose is to persuade using logic and reasoning, this communicates to listeners that you want to convince them of your point of view. One way to structure a persuasive speech is to use the five-part argument:

1. The introduction attracts the attention of the audience, sets the tone, and describes what the persuasive speech is about. The introduction usually includes the thesis statement—the specific sentence that explains the main point of the argument.

2. The background provides the context and details needed for a listener to understand the situation being described, as well as the problem or opportunity being addressed.

3. Lines of argument make up the body of the speech. Here is where you include all
the claims, reasons, and supporting evidence you have that help you make your points effectively.

4. Refuting objections means disproving, ruling out, and countering any potential objections before the listeners can think of reasons not to be persuaded.

5. The conclusion is where you present your closing arguments. To be effective, the conclusion should restate your thesis statement and summarize the main points of your argument. If you are advocating a particular solution to a problem or a decision to be made, you should close by asking your listeners to adopt your point of view.

Entertainment Speech

Entertaining speeches are speeches designed to captivate an audience’s attention and regale or amuse them while delivering a clear message. Speakers engage in entertaining speeches generally at special occasions (e.g., weddings, funerals) or are asked to deliver a keynote address.

First, the success of humor depends heavily on delivery, and especially timing in delivery. You will need practice to polish your delivery so that your humor comes across. If you cannot make it through one of your jokes without cracking up, you will need to either incorporate the self-crack-up into your delivery or forgo using that joke.

Second, just because you find something unbelievably funny in your head does not mean that it will make anyone else laugh. Often, humor that we have written down on paper just does not translate when orally presented. You may have a humorous story that you love reading on paper but find that it just seems to drone on once you start telling it out loud. Furthermore, remember there is a difference between written and verbal language, and this also translates to how humor is interpreted.

Third, you need to make sure the humor you choose will be appropriate for a specific audience. What one audience finds funny another may find offensive. Humor is the double-edged sword of public speaking. On one side, it is an amazing and powerful speaking tool, but on the other side, few things will alienate an audience more than offensive humor. If you are ever uncertain about whether a piece of humor will offend your audience, do not use it. The following are some other tips for using humor from people who have professionally given after-dinner speeches and learned the hard way what to do and what to avoid:

• Personalize or localize humor when possible.
• Be clear about which words need emphasis with verbal humor.
• Be sure the punch line is at the end. Don’t let on where the joke is going.
• Do not announce, “This is funny.” or “I’m not very good at telling jokes, but…”
• Do not try to use humor that you do not know well.
• Do not use humor that you personally do not find funny.
• Do not apologize if others do not laugh.
• Do not try to explain the humor if it fails, just move on.
• Do not drag it out! Remember, brevity is the soul of wit.
• Know when to stop joking and be serious.
• Be natural and have fun!

Entertaining speeches should include four key considerations: preparation, adaptation to the occasion, adaptation to the audience, and mindfulness of the time. As with all speeches, speakers need to prepare the speech. Second, speakers need to think about the specific occasion. Third, speakers need to adapt their speeches to a specific audience. Lastly, speakers need to think about how long they should speak.

Types of Speech According to Delivery

1. Reading from the Manuscript

• When speaking from a manuscript, you write and deliver a speech word for word.

• This is particularly applicable for a speaker who considers accuracy, precision, time, and technical proficiency (e.g. spokesperson, public figure, media personality).

Tips in Using the Manuscript Method

• Prepare!Keep your text easy to use by neatly composing it in triple space.

• Mark!Own your manuscript by highlighting key words and phrases. This way you will be guided during the speech delivery.

• Practice!You can make a lot of notes on the draft of your manuscript during the first few rehearsals, but make sure to reprint your script, especially if you make too many changes.

• Practice some more!Read the text over and over orally. This will help you avoid mispronounced words, faulty starts, and wrong pauses. As you practice, vary the volume, rate, and pitch of your voice during appropriate points in the speech.

• Concentrate!Concentrate on keeping eye contact, but do not stare at only one section of the audience. It is best if you familiarize yourself with the most important parts of your speech. If you do this, you will be more confident in looking at your audience during the key points of the speech.

• Act it out!Use a lectern or a podium when practicing the speech. If you can find one before the actual speech delivery, practice using it so that you will be used to laying your notes flat on the podium and looking at them once in a while.

2. Memorized Speech

• A memorized speech requires you to commit the speech to memory so that you do not bring your notes when delivering it.

• It entails more than just knowing all of the words; it also involves the speaker’s rehearsal of gestures, eye contact, and movement.

• A memorized speech works best for the introduction of a guest, acceptance of award or recognition, toast, eulogy, tribute, and the like.

Tips in Memorizing a Speech

• Break it down!You cannot memorize a speech in one sitting. If your speech has four paragraphs, you should focus on one paragraph at a time. Once you have memorized the first paragraph, focus on the next one.

• Build it up!After memorizing the speech in snippets, you need to put them together. Recite the first paragraph and move on to the second. After this, recite the first and second paragraphs and move on to the third. The next thing you know, you have completed your speech.

• Speak out!Do not memorize the speech silently. When you recite your speech over and over while memorizing it, your brain multitasks and aids your memory retention.

• Identify keys!Identify a key point in every paragraph. Even if you miss out some of the words in the actual speech delivery, you can easily expound on the key points.

• Have a break!After memorizing some parts of your speech, take a break for some hours or for a day. After this, recite the speech again. This will test how well you can recall what you think you have memorized.

• Record and listen!Record yourself delivering the speech and listen to it over and over again. Like a song, the speech will get stuck in your head.

• Use note cards!Write one key point on one note card. Bring these note cards wherever you go and take them out whenever you have extra time to memorize, especially during idle times of the day

3.  Impromptu Speech

• The word impromptu means “in readiness”

• Impromptu speeches are delivered with little or no time for preparation. In most instances, you are called to speak at the spur of the moment because you are expected to be knowledgeable about the subject.

Tips in Effective Impromptu Speech Delivery

Before the Speech

• 
  

• Relax by thinking about positive things. Keep telling yourself, “I am a brilliant speaker. I will nail this presentation.”

• Identify your purpose. Is it to inform, to entertain, to welcome, to congratulate, to apologize, or to give birthday greetings?

• Think of one big word that can serve as your main point. If you think you have enough, think of the rule of three.

• Start outlining in your head. Focus on what to say first. Be reminded that your first few words are crucial, so make them strong, powerful and catchy

During the Speech

• When you are called, keep composed. Walk slowly to the lectern or the center stage.

• Shake hands with the one who introduced you, if necessary.

• As you stand to deliver, establish eye contact, and begin right away with your opening statements. Part of your opening is greeting your audience.

• From your initial idea to the next, use appropriate transitional devices.

• Observe appropriate and effective nonverbal cues.

• Observe time limit. Remember, you barely have five minutes to say something.

After the Speech

• Say thank you.

• Return to your place comfortably.

4. Extemporaneous Speech

• An extemporaneous speech is a planned and prepared speech. Unlike memorized or manuscript speeches which are delivered word-for-word, an extemporaneous speech is delivered with the help of short notes and a clear outline.

Three Steps in Studying your Extemporaneous Topic

• Identify the type of extemporaneous question that you have to answer:

1. Is it a question of fact?

This type of question is typically answerable by “Yes” or “No.” It revolves around whether something is true or not, existent or not.

Example:

Is Syria’s crisis a problem of the whole world?

1. Is it a question of value?

It is centered on whether a topic is good or bad, moral or immoral, just or unjust.

Example:

Is it better for the European nations to step in and aid Syria or ignore the country’s civil crisis?

1. Is it a question of policy?

It is focused on what policy or rule should be followed.

Example:

Should European countries enforce laws to accommodate Syrian refugees?

• Determine the purpose appropriate to your topic.

• Stick to your topic and look at all of the sides and angles of the problem.

Steps in Preparing for a Successful Extemporaneous Speech

• Reinforce!You may explore other main points, but always refer back to your thesis. This will greatly help your audience remember your message.

• Capture!State the central idea of your extemporaneous speech in one declarative sentence. Keep your sentence specific. Ask yourself what you want your audience to know exactly.

• Develop!Now that you have a clear central idea, you are ready to map out the supporting points in an outline.

• Introduce!In the introduction, make sure you:

1. grab the attention of the audience with a striking one-liner.

2. give a short background by explaining why they have to listen.

3. state your thesis.

• Check!Develop at least three main points and check each of them with these questions:

1. Does each point have one single idea?

2. Does each point reiterate the thesis statement?

3. Does each point prepare the discussion of the next main point?

• Supply!Make sure that each main point has enough examples, testimonies, statistics, or cases. In doing this, you give the audience new information or views to learn from.

• Conclude!Reinforce your introduction by coming up with a closing attention-getter that is related to your opening. Connect the needs and interest of your audience with the theme of your speech. Restate your thesis or review your main points.

A. Choose your Purpose and Topic

Before anything else, you must decide your purpose in writing a speech. Is it to inform, to persuade, or to entertain?

Next, choose your topic. The topic is the focal point of your speech, which can be determined once you have decided on your purpose. If you are free to decide on a topic, choose one that really interests you. There are a variety of strategies used in selecting a topic, such as using your personal experiences, discussing with your family members or friends, freewriting, listing, asking questions, or semantic webbing.

And then, narrow down a topic which means you make your main idea more specific and focused. The strategies in selecting a topic can also be used when you narrow down a topic

B. Analyze your Audience

Audience analysis entails looking into the profile of your target audience. This is done so you can tailor-fit your speech content and delivery to your audience. The profile includes the following information.

1. Demography (age range, male-female ratio, educational background and affiliations or degree program taken, nationality, economic status, academic or corporate designations)

   • Situation (time, venue, occasion, and size/population)

   • Psychology (values, beliefs, attitudes, preferences, cultural and racial ideologies, and needs)

C. Search and Source the Information

This is the stage where you collect ideas, information, sources, and references relevant or related to your specific topic. This can be done by visiting the library, browsing the web, observing a certain phenomenon or event related to your topic, or conducting an interview or survey. The data that you will gather will be very useful in making your speech informative, entertaining, or persuasive.

Remember, do not plagiarize. Cite your sources of the information you will include in your speech.

D. Outline and Organize your Speech Content before Writing

An outline is a hierarchical list that shows the relationship between your ideas. Experts in public speaking state that once your outline is ready, two-thirds of your speech writing is finished. A good outline helps you see that all the ideas are in line with your main idea or message. The elements of an outline include introduction, body, and conclusion. Write your outline based on how you want your ideas to develop. Below are examples of speech outlines.

PARTS OF YOUR SPEECH

The Introduction
The introduction usually states the purpose of the speech. A good introduction serves as an attention-getter, previews the topic and main ideas, and establishes your credibility as a speaker. Some good ways to grab attention include using a quotation, telling a story, posing questions, using humor, using startling facts or statistics, providing an illustration or anecdote, or referencing historical or recent events. A preview statement identifies the main points of the speech, helping the audience focus on the key points of the remainder of the presentation.

The audience determines your credibility based on the introduction—they want to know why they should believe what you have to say. Therefore, establishing yourself as a credible speaker in the introduction is imperative, especially for a persuasive speech, so that the audience will want to be persuaded by you. You should include some experience or knowledge that shows why you are credible on the topic.

The Body
The body is the largest part of the speech, where you provide the audience with the major supporting materials. The main points of the speech are contained in this section.

The main points should flow from the speech’s goal and thesis statement. It is advisable to limit your content to include between two and five main points, with a maximum of seven main points. Speeches with three main points are common. If you have too many main points, your audience will forget them. Focusing on a few points and providing effective supporting points for each makes your speech more memorable. Supporting points are the supporting materials you have collected to justify your main points. These help to substantiate your thesis.

The Conclusion
The conclusion wraps up the presentation by providing a summary of what the audience was supposed to have learned or have been persuaded to do during the presentation. You can signal that the conclusion is approaching by using key phrases, such as “finally,” “let me close by saying,” “I’d like to stress these three points,” and “in conclusion.” Because the conclusion is the last opportunity to motivate your listeners, it should end strongly. For a persuasive speech, a strong ending would be a call to action, where you tell the audience members they should do something with the information they have learned.

E. Proofread your Speech
Editing/Revising your written speech involves correcting errors in mechanics, such as grammar, punctuation, capitalization, unity, coherence, and others. You may use free, online grammar checkers or ask another person to check your work.

What is Speech Delivery?

In the context of public speaking, delivery refers to the presentation of the speech you have researched, organized, outlined, and practiced. Delivery is important, of course, because it is what is most immediate to the audience. Delivery relies on both verbal communication and nonverbal communication.

The Importance of Speech Delivery

Once you have selected and researched your topic, and prepared and organized your presentation, you will need to work on your delivery. Without diligent work on the initial parts of the speech process, however, even the most impressive delivery has little meaning. On the other hand, combined with a well-prepared and practiced presentation, delivery can be a key to your success as a speaker.

Principles of Effective Speech Delivery

1. Articulation

This refers to the speaker’s skill in pronouncing the words of the speech since clear diction effectively transmits the message.  This also mean the act of vocal expression; utterance or enunciation. The first act of speech is breathing, in which you get air into a storage chamber; second is phonation, the process by which you force air into vibration by the action of the vocal folds; third, resonation, in which your mouth, nose and throat cavities amplify the sound so you can hear it; and finally there is articulation, in which you modify the sound by movement of the teeth, tongue, and lips into recognizable patterns.

2. Modulation

This refers to the speaker’s ability to adjust or manipulate the resonance and timbre of one’s voice. This also means the fine-tuning of the pitch or tone of voice that helps the audience clearly hear and understand the lecture, presentation, and speech delivered by a speaker. Proper modulation gives life to a talk, stirs emotions, and motivates to action. Lack of modulation may give the impression that you have no real interest in your subject.

• Always convey your message with the variation in the pitch and tempo. Never deliver your speech in a monotone as it will not only bore but also send your audience to sleep.·  

• Speak at a rate so that your audience can understand you because fast delivery betrays a lack of confidence. ·  

• Speak normally at about 125 to 150 words per minute. Check your speed and try to bring it within this range. ·

• Pronounce words properly, putting stresses at the right syllables. ·  

  • Speak loud enough so that everyone in the audience can hear you clearly. ·

  • Pause for a moment in between sentences to control your speed and approach better.

  • Refrain from vocalized pauses and nasalization such as 'er', 'ah', 'unh', 'umm', etc. ·  

  • Take care that you do not repeatedly use such phrases as 'you see', 'I mean', 'What I meant,' 'Understand?, 'Have you understood,' 'Clear?', 'Is it clear?', 'Was it clear?', etc.

 3. Stage Presence

This  refers  to  the  speaker’s  ability  to  “own”  the  stage,  filling  it  with  one’s  personality  and projecting it to the audience or group of listeners. This also means the sum total of all the qualities that keep the audience engaged while delivering a speech.

• Appearance and comfort is our first sphere. You must be dressed to the occasion

  • Body posture and attitude is the second sphere. Right from the moment you step on that stage your body language matters. The way you stand, your speaking posture, use of hand gestures etc. everything counts and hence must be well noted and taken care of.  

• The third sphere is the tone of the speech. You can play with different styles, as is suitable to the topic of your speech. Voice modulation, use of examples, a peck of humor, etc. all this is important in engaging the audience. ·  

• The fourth sphere is the use of stage space. It is a smart move on the part of a speaker to choreograph his speech, that is, he must plan a speech to be delivered using different parts of the stage at different levels.

4. Facial Expressions, Gestures and Movements

A. Facial Expressions are meaningful visible symbols of speech. This reflects the speaker’s thinking and emotional attitudes

Two Principles

1. manifest facial expression naturally by freeing yourself of inhibition

   • avoid planning or rehearsing facial expressions in advance for they should be directed by the meaning of the words being conveyed

Common Sins in the Use of Facial Expressions

1. Poker face is a product of nervous tension which inhibits facial expression.

   • Mugger is an exaggerated facial grimace which distracts the attention of the audience for it calls to itself not to the message of the speech

   • Facial contortionist is a way whereby the speaker release pent-up tension through random activity of the facial muscles

B. Movements / Bodily Actions are supplements to good speech with its being transformed into actual replacement for the audible code. Its uses include:

(a) adjusting to the speaking situation;

(b) securing and maintaining interest and attention;

(c) clarifying meaning and

(d) attaining emphasis in speech.

Common Sins in the Use of Movements

1. Statue / stone- The speaker appears incapable of movement.

   • Pacer- The speaker paces and walks from one side of the platform to the other and back.

   • Swayer- The speaker rhythmically moves his body from side to side or forward and backward followed by the shifting of weight.

C. Gestures are purposive movements of some parts of the body, but not the entire body. These include movements of heads, shoulders, arms and occasionally feet. These are all physical movements that represent concretely the ideas and emotions of the speaker. These are also the products of the inner impulses and forces of thoughts of a speaker. ·

Classifications of Gestures

1. Descriptive gestures indicate the meaning literally or by suggestion

   • Symbolic gestures are representative or figurative rather than literal.

   • Locative gestures refer to pointing a place, position or direction.

   • Emphatic gestures are used when words or ideas need to be stressed or reinforced.

   • Transitional gestures are used to move your audience from one idea to the next or to enumerate things

   • Dramatic / imitative gestures convey impersonation of another person’s action

Uses of Gestures

1. to point the location of objects usually in the sight of the audience but they may be in the imagination

   • to give emphasis to statements or to ask questions

   • to entreat/plead for something

   • to picture an object

   • to stimulate the imagination

Parts of a Gesture

1. Preparation consists of taking the hand to the point where the stroke or emphasis occurs.

   • Stroke is a definite action to emphasize, supplement, describe or suggest the thought being expressed.

   • Return brings the arm and the hand easily back to the resting position

Common Sins in the Use of Gesture

1. Random action includes fidgeting with pencils, button, bracelets, beads, pockets, coat lapels, wiggling; doing dance strokes with heels or soles; rubbing chin and nose; running fingers through the hair; taking eyeglasses off and putting them on

   • Perpetual motion is a constant and continued use of hands will hinder reinforcement of meaning.

   • Abortive gesture is an incomplete or not adequately executed movement.

5. Audience Rapport

"Building rapport" is the name given to the process of creating an understanding and harmonious bond between yourself and someone else. Good rapport ensures that the message will be actively listened to. Rapport builders include: ·

• dressing and grooming appropriately for the occasion

  • being organized, ready with suitable content

  • demonstrating in your opening statements that you know who you're talking to because you've done your homework

  • using inclusive language - "we" rather than "I"

  • identifying and emphasizing your common ground respectfully and sincerely

  • avoiding jargon unless everyone knows what you're talking about

  • showing that you're human too by sharing personal experience in the stories you tell

  • being mindful of body language and making eye contact

  • appearing confident, positive, in control and open

  • understanding the impact of your vocal delivery

Stage Fright is a fear of speaking in front of a group of people. This is often called “performance anxiety”. Actors call it “flop sweat”. Psychologists call it “topophobia”.

Symptoms

- dry mouth - tight throat - sweaty hands

- shaky hands - nausea - fast pulse

- trembling lips - shaky knees - cold hands

- any out-of-the-ordinary outward or inward feeling occurring before or during a presentation

How to Manage Stage Fright

• learn and practice diaphragmatic breathing

  • learn to be grounded in your physical body

  • give yourself permission to feel the nervous tension

  • use the right joke at the right time

  • involve your listeners

  • concentrate on what you’re saying, not on how you’re saying it

  • prepare, prepare, prepare