Page 316 - Between One and Many The Art and Science of Public Speaking

Chapter 11 Delivery: Engaging Your Audience 283

know what teachers of public speaking have taught for at least 2,000 years: Ef-
www.mhhe.com/brydon6
fective speeches are the product of the complementary verbal and nonverbal ele-
ments that characterize all communication transactions. To view a video for an example
This chapter focuses on the delivery of your speech. Please recognize from the of different delivery styles,
click on the Speech Coach link
beginning that there is no single method of effectively delivering your speeches.
on our Online Learning
It depends on you and the style with which you are most comfortable, the occa- Center Web site, and go
sion, and the context in which you fi nd yourself. Given this framework, we fi rst to Segment 11.1.
look at adapting your delivery to your audience and rhetorical situation, includ-
ing the four most common methods of delivery. Next we discuss how you can
use your voice to enhance your delivery. Finally, we examine the functional role
of nonverbal communication in the process of effectively delivering a speech.

Focusing Your Delivery on Your Audience

Never forget that public speaking is a transaction between the speaker and the
audience. Just as the language we choose for our message should reflect the na-

ture of our audience, so too should our delivery. As a result, let’s look fi rst at the
role audience diversity and the speech occasion play in deciding which method
of delivery is your best choice.

Choosing an Appropriate Method of Delivery

In Chapter 2 we introduced four methods of delivery: manuscript, memorized,
impromptu, and extemporaneous. As we analyze our audience and rhetorical
situation, one of our most important decisions will be choosing an appropriate
method of speech delivery. Your choice should complement your overall com-
munication skills and reinforce your strengths as a public speaker. Realize that
none of these methods is foolproof—be sure to choose wisely.

Manuscript Delivery
Manuscript delivery involves writing out the
speech completely and reading it to the audi-
ence. This method may be the best choice when
an audience requires precise information or our
words will be quoted by others. Any time we
use a manuscript, eye contact, movement, and
gestures are restricted. If a manuscript must be
used, therefore, learn it well. Practice repeat-
edly so that you do not have to look down often.
Mark up the manuscript with notes to yourself,
and underline or highlight main ideas. Also, be
sure pages are numbered so that they will not
get out of order. Use a large typeface and dou-
ble or even triple spacing. Manuscript speak-
ing is more diffi cult than most people realize.
Texas Governor Rick Perry uses a TelePrompTer as he
Success depends on practice and skill in con- gives his State of the State address.
verting words on a page into a living speech.