Unit 8: Speech Preparation and Delivery

Unit 8: Preparing for the Speech and Delivering It

• Learning Objectives:
  • Determine physical and vocal aspects of speech delivery
  • Apply rules and conventions for interpreting a speech orally
  • Appreciate expressing emotions effectively, showing sincerity and building connection with the audience.

Overview

• Sections:
  • Tips to Polish Your Speech
  • Guidelines for Delivering Your Speech
  • Principles of Speech Delivery
  • Tips for Effective Oral Delivery

A. Polish Your Speech

• 1. Parallel Construction: Use similar word patterns for similar ideas. This creates clearer and more interesting speeches.

  • Example: "To succeed, we must plan carefully, act boldly, and learn continuously."

• 2. Infuse Elements of Poetry:

  • a. Rhyme: Example: Educators have been doing a lot of rethinking; they have been mulling over reprogramming.
  • b. Alliteration: Repetition of consonant sounds or letters at the start of words in a phrase. Example: "Lively little lass."
  • c. Simile: Comparing two unlike things using "like" or "as." Example: "Bad English is like an unpressed suit."
  • d. Metaphor: Direct comparison without using "like" or "as." Example: "Eyes are the windows to the soul."

• 3. Pair Antonyms: Use opposite words together to create impact. Example: "We should always be moving forward, never falling behind."

• 4. Charge Up Your Presentation with Active Voice: Replace passive voice with active voice to make the speech more engaging.

  • Passive Example: "In delivering a speech, the audience should be informed of the guest speaker's achievements."
  • Active Example: "In delivering a speech, let the audience hear about the guest speaker's achievements."

• 5. Repeat Key Words: Emphasize important words to create emphasis. The 11th Commandment is to listen with ears, eyes, and heart. Listen not only to the words spoken, but also to the meanings behind the words. God gave us two ears and only one mouth for us to listen more and speak less.

• 6. Break Up Lengthy Sentences: Divide long sentences into shorter, clearer sentences.

  • Lengthy Example: A recent study by the United Nations Labor Organizations reveals that workers worldwide confront new organizational structures and processes like layoffs, mergers, short-term contracts, higher productivity demands, and downsizing, which affect the workers' mental health.
  • Shortened Example: A recent study by the United Nations Labor Organizations reveals that workers worldwide are facing new challenges. They confront new organizational structures and processes like layoffs, mergers, and short-term contracts. Higher productivity demands and downsizing also affect workers. These changes are impacting their mental health as never before.

• 7. Keep Sentences Simple and Clear: Remove unnecessary words, making your message easy to understand.

  • Indirect Example: Benefit in business doesn't just mean making a good product or having a special feature. It's not about getting famous people to endorse it either. These are just extras. The real benefit is solving customers' problems.
  • Direct Example: Benefit in business means solving customers' problems.

• 8. Use Vivid Verbs: Use stronger verbs to make your sentences more engaging.

  • Pale Example: Some companies strive for the pinnacle of excellence by working hard.
  • Vivid Example: Some companies climb to excellence by working hard.

• 9. Avoid Unnecessary or "Empty" Words: Remove words that don't add value.

  • Weak Example: We have come to an agreement to introduce new products.
  • Forceful Example: We agreed to introduce new products.

• 10. Use Simple Words: Use clear, concise language.

  • Complex Example: Foreign students have to acclimatize themselves to the life in the Philippines.
  • Simple Example: Foreign students have to adjust to the life in the Philippines.

• 11. Use Specific Statements: Provide concrete examples.

  • Abstract Example: Enthusiasm is the greatest asset in the world.
  • Concrete Example: If you are enthusiastic, you become resourceful - you work harder and better, become productive, and eventually achieve your goals in life.

• 12. Use Gender-Neutral Language: Use words that apply to both genders.

  • Example: Firefighter instead of Fireman; Police officer instead of Policeman

B. Deliver Your Speech

• 1. Voice, Articulation, Accentuation, Pronunciation, and Pace: Pay attention to these aspects of your delivery.
• 2. Eye Contact: Make eye contact with the audience.
• 3. Visual Aids: Use visual aids as a supplement, not a replacement for speaking.
• 4. Conversational Tone: Make your speech sound conversational.
• 5. Pauses: Take pauses when appropriate for emphasis.
• 6. Gestures: Avoid too many gestures.

C. Principles of Speech Delivery

• 1. Perception: Focus on connecting with the audience rather than being perfect.
• 2. Perfection: Mistakes are part of the process – your audience won't notice them as much as you think.
• 3. Visualization: Visualize what you want to say to express it confidently.
• 4. Discipline: Practice consistently to improve.
• 5. Description: Make your message personal and relatable.

D. Tips for Effective Oral Delivery

• 1. Notes and Practice: Prepare detailed notes and practice your presentation.
• 2. Appearance: Dress appropriately for the occasion.
• 3. Environment: Arrange the environment to suit the presentation and eliminate distractions.
• 4. Equipment: Check audiovisual equipment before the presentation.
• 5. Materials: Ensure notes and materials are in order.
• 6. Oral Hygiene: Clear your mouth of gum or food before starting.
• 7. Posture: Stand or sit straight with balanced weight.
• 8. Eye Contact: Initiate eye contact before speaking as in a normal conversation.
• 9 & 10. Conversation and Tone: Talk to listeners as if in a conversation, avoiding filler words. Use expressive, meaningful voice.
• 11 & 12. Body Language: Use body language expressively and meaningfully.