Page 271 - Essentials of Human Communication

250 Chapter 12 Public Speaking Preparation and Delivery (Steps 7–10)

eFFeCtiVe rehearsinG
Rehearsal should enable you to see how the speech will flow as a whole and
to make any necessary changes and improvements. It will also allow you to
time your speech so that you stay within the allotted time. The following
procedures should help you use your rehearsal time most effectively:
● Rehearse the speech from beginning to end, rather than in parts. Be sure
to include all the examples and illustrations (and audiovisual aids if any)
in your rehearsal.
● Time the speech during each rehearsal. Adjust your speech—both what
you say and your delivery rate—on the basis of this timing.
● Rehearse the speech under conditions as close as possible to those under
which you’ll deliver it. If possible, rehearse in the room in which you’ll
present the speech and in front of a few supportive listeners.
● Rehearse the speech in front of a full-length mirror to help you see how
ViewpOints you’ll appear to the audience. As you deliver your speech (aloud, of
announcing your speech course) practice your eye contact, your movements, and your gestures in
front of the mirror.
What are some of the ways in which you might
announce your upcoming speech on social media ● Don’t interrupt your rehearsal to make notes or changes; do these be-
sites? You might want to start by preparing a Tweet; tween rehearsals. If possible, record your speech (ideally, on videotape)
remember you’re allowed only 140 characters (though so you can hear and see exactly what your listeners will hear and see.
120 would allow for comments with Retweets). ● Rehearse at least three or four times, or as long as your rehearsals con-
tinue to result in improvements.

Objectives self-Check
● Can you explain the methods of speech delivery (*impromptu, manuscript, and extemporane-
ous) and assess their usefulness in different situations?
● Do you know how to rehearse your speech effectively and sufficiently?

Step 10: Deliver Your Speech
Explore the Concept
“Speech Delivery” at Use your voice and body to complement and reinforce your verbal message.
MyCommunicationLab

VOiCe
In public speaking it’s especially important to give attention to paralanguage—the vocal but
Watch the Video “Martin Cox nonverbal aspect of speech. Using dimensions such as volume, rate, articulation and pronun-
Discusses Tips for Speech Delivery”
at MyCommunicationLab ciation, and pauses appropriately will help you use your voice to complement and reinforce
your message. Chapter 5 discussed paralanguage as one of the major nonverbal com-
munication channels (pp. 108–109).
Communication
Choice point Volume Volume refers to the relative loudness or softness of your voice. When
speaking Volume your voice is adequately controlled, you adjust its volume according to factors such
After sitting through two as the distance between you and your listeners, the competing noise, and the empha-
rounds of speeches, you wonder if the class sis you want to give an idea. Vary your volume to best reflect your ideas—perhaps
wouldn’t be ready for a speech spoken at increasing volume for key words or phrases, lowering volume when talking about
noticeably higher volume than normal— something extremely serious. Be especially careful not to fade away at the ends of
rather like television commercials, which are sentences.
played louder than the regular broadcast.
What are some of your options concerning the rate The speed at which you speak is referred to as the rate—an average of about
use of volume?
140 words per minute for speaking as well as for reading aloud. If your rate is too