Speech Delivery Elements

An overview

Before We Begin…What do you think makes a good speech?

Or….

What do you think makes a bad speech?

Content is Key but . . .• Non-verbal Communication

[Paralanguage] plays a HUGE role in the success or failure of a speech

 • PARALANGUAGE = that which accompanies

what is said, not the message itself. In other words, it is the way something is said and not what is said.

“You can never NOT communicate.”

• Non-verbal communication can be transferred intentionally OR accidentally.

• Interestingly enough, as long as verbal and non-verbal messages match or complement one another, we tend to pay attention to the verbal message for understanding.  BUT, when the non-verbal message contradicts the verbal, we depend heavily on the non-verbal message.

Body and Facial Movement

What impression do you get of these people?

Body and Facial Movement

• Body movement may convey a number of different messages.  Consider these: o Rocking back and fortho Slouchingo Crossed armso Wringing hands

• You can expect your facial expressions to affect the judgments and attitudes of a receiver as much as, or more than, your verbal message.

So, should you be a statue?

• NO! • Gestures may be used to clarify or emphasize ideas.

• By gestures, it is meant purposeful use of the hands, arms, shoulders, and head.

Effective gestures are both natural and spontaneous.

Eye Contact • Eye contact is one

of the most important factors of nonverbal communication.

• Nothing will enhance your delivery more than effective eye contact with your audience.

#1 Reason Eye Contact is Crucial

• It lets the listeners know that you are interested in them.

Audiences are more engaged when they feel a connection with the speaker.

#2 Reason Eye Contact is Crucial

• Allows you to receive non-verbal feedback from your audienceo You can determine if you can gauge the effect

of your remarks. o You will be able to detect signs of poor

understanding and signs that the listeners are losing interest.

#3 Reason Eye Contact is Crucial

• Effective eye contact enhances your credibility. Speakers with the greatest eye contact are judged by listeners as being more competent.

• [Note: When you look at your notes, remember

to drop your eyes not your head!]

Voice • But isn’t that

verbal? No, verbal refers to the content of what you are saying.

• Voice is referring to HOW you say it.

What do Experts Say? • Albert Mehrabian, an American expert on non-

verbal communication, reports 93% of your perceived attitude toward the sender and the message is conveyed by your tone of voice and its intensity.  Your voice can draw attention to information or indicate anger, impatience, or nervousness.

• A good voice has three important characteristics: quality, intelligibility/understandability,

and variety.

Intelligibility or Understandability

• A presenter may have great content, but if they are unable to clearly convey that message verbally, it will be lost.

Articulation• Refers to the precision and clarity with

which sounds of speech are uttered.

• You should over-articulate rather than under-articulate your speech sounds. What sounds like over-articulation to you will come out as crisp, understandable words and phrases to your listeners.

Pronunciation• Refers to the traditional or customary utterance

of words. • Common faults of pronunciation are to misplace

the accent, to omit sounds, to add sounds, and to sound silent letters.

• If you are unsure how to pronounce a word, visit www.webster.com where you can hear the correct pronunciation for free.

• Colonel = kernel, not col-oh-nel

Um…uh…um• Vocalized pause is the

name we give to syllables “a,” “uh,” “um,” and “ah” often at the beginning of a sentence.

• While a few vocalized pauses are natural and do not distract, too many impede the communication process.

Stock Expressions• Overuse of stock expressions such as “OK,” “like,” and “you know” should be avoided.

Variety • Variety is the spice of speaking.

• Volume,• Pitch• Emphasis• and rate all serve to add in an

audience’s attentiveness to a speaker.

Lack of Inflection• Speaking in a

monotone voice can lead to a bored audience.

Too Quiet• If a speaker is

too quiet, the audience will not be able to hear and will not receive the message

Too Fast/Too Slow• Too Fast – audience

won’t catch everything a speaker says

• Too Slow – speaker appears to be unprepared or unrehearsed