Delivery prepared for Michael Caruso • 17 July 2006
Methods of Speech Delivery • • • •
Manuscript Memory Impromptu Extemporaneous
Manuscript Speech A speech that is written out word for word and read to the audience. Example: “Shifts in the Current Housing Market,� presented at the Annual Luncheon, accompanied by graphs and charts, statistics, etc. Delivered word for word!
Impromptu Speech A speech delivered with little or no immediate preparation. Example: Comments on the current housing market, in response to a reporter’s questions
Extemporaneous Speech A carefully prepared and rehearsed speech that is presented from a brief set of notes. Example: “Shifts in the Current Housing Market,� presented at the Annual Luncheon with an outline or set of notes. This is the preferred form!
Impromptu
Extemporaneous
Little or no immediate preparation
Fully prepared, delivered from brief notes
(can be nervewracking!)
(Now you’re talking!)
Nonverbal Communication Communication based on the use of your voice and body, rather than on the use of words.
Conversational Quality Presenting a speech so it sounds spontaneous no matter how many times it has been rehearsed. THIS IS WHAT YOU’RE AIMING FOR, MICHAEL! Make it sound and feel like you’re just telling a story!
Review of Michael’s Voice • • • •
Volume Pitch Rate Pauses
• • • •
Vocal variety Pronunciation Articulation Dialect
Volume The loudness or softness of your voice. BE APPROPRIATE TO THE SETTING
Pitch The highness or lowness of your voice. LET’S EVALUATE AND TWEAK if necessary!
Rate The speed at which you speak. BE CAREFUL TO NOT SPEED UP IF YOU’RE NERVOUS, MICHAEL! Ask a trusted colleague or friend to sit near the front and help out with hand signals that will let you know if you’re too fast or too slow.
It might help to set your watch on the podium.
Pauses Momentary breaks in the delivery of a speech. They will make the audience squirm! BUT IT’S BETTER TO HAVE A SILENT PAUSE THAN A VOCALIZED PAUSE! If you’re in trouble, grab your water bottle or have an appropriate joke ready!
Vocalized Pauses Pauses that occur when you fill the silence between words with vocalizations such as “uh,” “er,” and “um.” THESE ARE NASTY…ARE YOU GUILTY? THEY ARE THE RESULT OF LACK OF PREPARATION or NERVOUSNESS. Tape yourself to see if you’re a culprit. Check out the President (of the U.S.) at his next press conference: he’s famous for a bazillion “uh’s.
Vocal Variety Changes in your rate, pitch, and volume that give your voice variety and expressiveness. THESE SHOULD REFLECT YOUR PERSONAL STYLE, but NO SNORTING, MICHAEL!
Pronunciation The accepted standard of sound and rhythm or words in a given language. BE SURE TO PRACTICE/VERIFY UNFAMILIAR WORDS. Will you be speaking in Spanish? Does the occasion require a deaf-signing expert?
Articulation The physical production of particular speech sounds. REMEMBER TO ENUNCIATE YOUR WORDS! It will help if you concentrate on and practice speaking slowly.
Dialect A variety of a language distinguished by variations of accent, grammar, or vocabulary. (I’M NOT SURE IF YOU HAVE AN ACCENT, MICHAEL, BUT BE SURE NOT TO SNORT!!)
Practicing Delivery • Go through your outline out loud to see how it translates into spoken discourse. • Make notes on your outline if they will help (like “remember to breathe!”) • Practice the speech aloud several times. (Do not practice in front of a mirror! Practice in front of 2-3 people.) • Polish and refine your delivery. • Give your speech a dress rehearsal.(Try to do a ‘dry run’ at the actual location.)
The Speaker’s Body • Personal appearance - look good, feel good: get a great night’s sleep the night before. • Do NOT use No-Doze. Warm milk, chamomile tea, a brisk walk, breathing exercises work. If you’re at a hotel, remember to get a wake-up call! • Eat a light breakfast no sooner than an hour before. Nothing greasy or fried. Toast & a couple of eggs, or cereal will work. • Movement - move from the podium: It helps reduce your anxiety level. Go to both sides of the stage or venue. • Gestures - use your hands! • No fidgeting! Take coins out of your pockets. Leave your hair alone! • If you absolutely have to have something in your hands, hold a pen or pencil - not your notes. • Eye contact - connect with everyone! • Do NOT imagine everyone naked. You’ll start laughing (or snorting…) • Do NOT focus on a point at the back of the room. You’ll appear to be catatonic, or disinterested, or terrified.
Preparing for a Question-and-Answer Session • Formulate answers to possible questions • Practice the delivery of your answers out loud, to an audience of friends/colleagues
Managing a Question-and-Answer Session • Clarify the format (time for q&a, panel, etc.) • Approach questions with a positive attitude • Listen carefully & repeat the question • Direct answers to the entire audience • Be honest and straightforward • Stay on track • Have a plan in case you don’t know the
• • • • • • • • •
The Seasoned Speaker’s FirstAid Kit: 2 bottles of water
Package or two of honey Package or two of lemon Chamomile tea Throat lozenges Sewing kit Aspirin/Ibuprofren Squeeze ball (to relieve tension) CD/DVD w/ your presentation in Power Point in case you lose your voice • A few jokes • A few quotes
Joke Time: •
•
•
Clinton died and was standing at the Pearly Gates. After knocking at the gates, St. Peter appeared. "Who goes there?" inquired St. Peter. "'It's me, Bill Clinton." "And what do you want?" asked St. Peter. "Lemme in!" replied Clinton. "Soooo," pondered Peter. "What bad things did you do on earth?" Clinton thought a bit and answered, "Well, I smoked marijuana but you shouldn't hold that against me because I didn't inhale. I guess I had extra-marital sex -- but you shouldn't hold that against me because I didn't really have 'sexual relations.' And I lied, but I didn't commit perjury." After several moments of deliberation St. Peter replied, "OK, here's the deal. We'll send you someplace where it is very hot, but we won't call it 'Hell.' You'll be there for an indefinite period of time, but we won't call it 'eternity.' And don't abandon all hope upon entering, just don't hold your breath waiting for it to freeze over." Here’s a joke site: search the Internet for one that suits you!
http://www.daily1.com/jokes/joke1.html
Quote Time: The meek shall inherit the Earth, but not its mineral rights. J. Paul Getty (1892 - 1976) You can no more win a war than you can win an earthquake. Jeannette Rankin (1880 - 1973) We are here on Earth to do good to others. What the others are here for, I don't know. W. H. Auden (1907 - 1973) Here’s a quote site: search the Internet for one that suits you! http://www.quotationspage.com/qotd.html
Good luck, Michael!
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