Page 319 - Between One and Many The Art and Science of Public Speaking

286 Part 3 Putting Theory Into Practice

Informal situations
such as this one invite
a conversational deliv-
ery style.

Extemporaneous Delivery
For most students who are still learning to give a speech, extemporaneous
speaking remains their best choice. Extemporaneous delivery combines careful
preparation with spontaneity. Brief notes, rather than a manuscript or outline,
are used. This enables the speaker to maintain eye contact, move freely, gesture,
and adapt to audience feedback. Some speakers dispense with using a lectern
altogether and simply hold their notes in one hand. (Avoid holding them in both
hands, as this restricts the ability to gesture.)
Today’s audiences are more likely to expect and appreciate the extempora-
neously delivered speech than other methods of delivery. Just as it allows the
speaker to remain in contact with the audience, so does it allow the audience
to remain connected to the speaker. Audience members not only can give feed-
back to someone speaking extemporaneously but also can assess the degree to
which their feedback registers with the speaker.
This doesn’t mean that extemporaneous speaking is without drawbacks.
Notes can restrict the speaker’s range of gestures and can be distracting when
waved about while speaking. Finally, speakers can get carried away with notes,
writing down so many words that the notes almost become a manuscript. (See
Exhibit 11.1 for a summary of the modes of delivery.)

Delivering Speeches to Diverse Audiences

Both the method and style of delivery should reflect the diversity of the audi-

ence. Throughout this chapter we offer numerous specific examples of cases
in which a particular nonverbal behavior means one thing to one culture and