Page 270 - Essentials of Human Communication

Step 9: Rehearse Your Speech 249

MethOds OF deliVery
Speakers vary widely in delivery methods. Some speak off-the-cuff, with no apparent prepa- Explore the Exercise “How
ration. Others read their speeches from a manuscript. Others construct a detailed outline and Flexible Are You as a Speaker?”
compose the speech at the moment of delivery. These approaches represent the three general at MyCommunicationLab
methods of delivery: (1) impromptu, (2) manuscript, and (3) extemporaneous.

the impromptu Method An impromptu speech involves speaking without prepa-
ration. On some occasions, you can’t avoid impromptu speaking. In a classroom, you
may be asked to comment on the speaker and speech you just heard: In effect, you give Explore the Concept
an impromptu speech of evaluation. At meetings, people are often asked for impromptu “Methods of Delivery” at
MyCommunicationLab
comments on various issues. Or you may have to fill in for someone who has not shown
up. You can greatly improve impromptu speaking by cultivating your public speaking
ability in general. The more proficient you are as a speaker, the better you will be
impromptu.

the Manuscript Method When you give a manuscript speech, you write out the
speech and read it. This is the safest method when exact timing and wording are required.
For example, it could be disastrous if a political leader did not speak from manuscript on
sensitive issues. An ambiguous word, phrase, or sentence that may be insulting, belligerent,
or conciliatory could cause serious problems. With a manuscript speech, you can control
style, content, organization, and all other elements. A variation of the manuscript method
is to write out the speech and then memorize it. You then recite the entire speech from
memory, much as an actor recites a part in a play. The great disadvantages of the manu-
script and memorized method are that the speech doesn’t sound natural, it limits eye
contact, and there is little opportunity to adjust the speech on the basis of audience
feedback.

the extemporaneous Method The extemporaneous speech is useful when exact
timing and wording are not required. Good lecturing by college teachers is extemporane-
ous. They have prepared thoroughly, know what they want to say, and have the lecture’s
organization clearly in mind. But they are not committed to exact wording. This method
allows greater flexibility for feedback. For example, when speaking extemporaneously you
can clarify a point if it needs clarification. It’s also easy to be natural, because you’re being
yourself.
The major disadvantage of this method is that you may stumble and grope for words.
You can address this disadvantage by rehearsing the speech several times. Although you
won’t give the precise attention to style that you would in the manuscript and memorizing
methods, you can memorize certain key phrases.
The extemporaneous method is recommended for most situations, especially classroom
speeches, in which the objective is to learn the art of public speaking. Overall it offers the
greatest advantages with the fewest disadvantages. However, speaking impromptu and speak-
ing from manuscript are also important skills. Fortunately, the principles of extemporaneous
speaking discussed here will help you in these other kinds of speeches as well. Even when you
use the extemporaneous method, however, consider the advantages of memorizing certain
parts of your speech:

● Memorize your opening and closing lines—perhaps the first and last two or three sen-
tences. This will help you focus your attention on the audience at the two most important
moments of your speech.
● Memorize the main points and the order in which you will present them. After all, if you
expect your audience to remember these points, they will expect you to remember them
as well.