Vocal Delivery
How does your physical delivery help increase your confidence when presenting?
You will be more confident when you feel more confident
- Clothing, Hairstyle, Accessories, etc.
Consider the Occasion and Audience when determining how you will present yourself.
- Jeans vs. Suit/Work Pants
- Do not let your fashion style distract the audience
- Loud colors, busy patterns, etc.
Why is enunciating your words so important when presenting a speech?
Information can be lost due to the audience’s distance from the speaker and distracting noises.
- It is important to work on crisp, precise articulation.
- Make sure you pronounce every sound.
- Do not try to sound more formal or literate during a speech
- No not over articulate words, or exaggerate mannerisms
- Can come off as patronizing or even silly.
What is the difference between a Manuscript and a Memorized speech?
Manuscript
- Written out and read
Memorized
- Word for word
When practicing in front of friends/family members, what should you ensure you do?
Seek a variety of responses from others
- Find critics who represents potential audience members
When practicing- imaging you are in front of your actual audience
- Avoid any nervous and friendly informality
Make sure you present as if you are really presenting. Do not say "you will tell this story here". actually tell the story.
What are some distracting mannerisms you should avoid when presenting?
Those you have all the time
- Pushing up your glasses, tucking your hair behind your ear, cracking your knuckles
Those you have only when giving a speech
- Rocking back and forth, fidgeting with your notecard
When speaking "Loudly" what should you aim for?
What should you try to avoid?
- Be loud, without yelling. Do not scream at your audience.
- Learn how to develop breath control to keep your breathing pauses in normal
patterns.
- Naturally aid projection- keep your head up and converse
Why is it important to word your speech? (Putting your ideas into words)
Word the Speech
- Your topic becomes more familiar
- Freedom to relax and allow yourself to
become more conversational
“Mental” Rather than Oral Practice.
What does this mean, and which type of practice is the most effective and why?
Sitting and thinking about your speech is no substitute for rehearsing out loud
Oral practice is essential to get comfortable with phrasing and checking your speech time.
Practicing your speech out loud will allow you to notice any grammatical issues that you may not have noticed before.
How can you add interest and engagement through movement during a presentation?
Taking a few steps left or right, or moving closer to the audience:
- Adds variety and emphasis to your speech.
If you notice your audience losing focus:
- Walk closer to regain their attention.
Make your movements purposeful
What are the consequences of talking too fast or too slow during a presentation?
Extremely fast speakers:
- Expect listeners to decode and process information more rapidly than average.
Slower speakers:
- Avoid phrases and slowly lay out each word as if they are unrelated to each other
Why is it important to plan the first/last sentence of your speech during an impromptu presentation?
- Helps you through the first awkward mom
Concluding Sentence
- Avoid any aimless rambling
Why is the timing of when you get feedback important? (Think about if you get feedback too early or too late in the developmental process)
If feedback comes before you finale shaping your basic speech
- You will miss getting help on parts that havent been discussed or formed.
If the feedback comes too late in schedule-
- You will not have time to incorporate the useful information you received
When beginning a presentation, where should you direct your eye contact?
At the beginning- find a few listeners who are responding supportively
- Nods and positive facial expressions
- Look at them and use their support to help you through the initial phase
- Once you feel more comfortable, broaden your eye contact to include everyone
Why is it important to understand who your audience is prior to determining your vocal delivery?
Accent
Slang/Phrases
Examples/Experiences
Why is a manuscript typically misconstrued as the easiest type of speech?
Reading off your written speech can be boring if you are not having a conversation or engaging with your audience.
If you are going to use speech notes, how should you make sure these are organized?
(what should be on the cards, how should it be displayed, etc)
Include Keywords and Phrases
- What goes into your notes depends on what you find you need during your practice sessions
Notes should remain as notes
Do not make them too extensive or detailed
Notes should be referred to, not read directly.
Why is it important for your physical delivery to be natural instead of rehearsed/ force?
- Think about eye contact, walking around the room, hand gestures, etc.
Eye Contact
- Faking eye contact by looking between audience members or over their heads misses the point of using facial/body expressions to get feedback on how your message is perceived.
Gestures
- This will look unnatural and gestures will likely be over-exaggerate
Movement:
- Pacing nervously around the room- distracting
How can vocal variety make your presentation more engaging?
Varying your volume can articulate importance in topic/discussion.
- You should speak loudly enough that you can drop your voice for effect and it still be audible to the listeners in the back.
- You should also hold some volume so that you can raise your voice for emphasis.
Varying your Speaking Rate:
Changes in your rate during the speech can be effective in creating interest
- Establishing moods or addinging emphasis
Slower delivery can make you seem thoughtful and deliberate
- Represents a sense of drama
Rapid delivery shows excitement and activity
- Represents a climactic effect
Varying your Pitch:
Your pitch implies high energy level and self confidence
- Aids your credibility
- Statement: Voice drops at the end
- Question: Your voice rises at the end
Please list and define the four modes of delivery.
Extemporaneous
- Given from brief notes
Impromptu
- Thinking right off the bat
Manuscript
- Written out and read
Memorized
- Word for word
What are some things you can modify if your speech is either too long or too short?
If your speech is too long:
Consider cutting out an entire main point
Eliminate redundant supporting material and examples
Shorten or eliminate long stories or jokes
Use handouts or visual aids to explain some important material
Polish and tightening your phrasing- speak simply.
If your speech is too short:
Develop your important ideas into more examples or supporting material
Don’t be so concise- repetition and illustration
Make sure you explain all your points
Do more research