SOUTH EAST ASIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, INC.

National Highway, Crossing Rubber, Tupi, South Cotabato

GENERAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

___________________________________________________

LEARNING MODULE
FOR
GE 115: PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION

_____________________________________________________

1|P a g e
 PUBLIC SPEAKING

PUBLIC SPEAKING
You have probably delivered a speech before an audience once, twice, or thrice in high school in the forms
of reporting, research presentations, or creative presentations or you might have read Biblical passages in
church. How did the experience make you feel? If the experience made you wish to speak more in public
or made you confident of yourself, then you belong to the few who do not fear public speaking or who
have overcome it.

Public speaking is a process of speaking in a structured, deliberate manner to inform, influence or

entertain an audience.

Speech is the term used to refer to the body spoken expressions of information and ideas. A speech may
be delivered in any of the following modes: read from a manuscript, memorized and delivered
extemporaneous or impromptu. The choice of mode of speech delivery is determined by factors such as
length of preparation, complexity of message, purpose, and occasion.

TYPES OF PUBLIC SPEAKING

1. Reading from a Manuscript is appropriate when the speech is long and when details are
complicated and essential such as they need to be given completely. Reading is also appropriate
when one is asked to deliver a prepared speech on behalf of another speaker. Reading may pose
the least challenge in public speaking but the speaker may be tricked into thinking that no
preparation is needed. When a message is delivered through reading, the force, naturalness, and
eye contact may be demised because the eyes have to travel from page to the audience and vice
versa.

2. Memorized speech requires a speaker to commit everything to memory. This method is excellent
for short messages although it is also used for long pieces in oratorical, declamation and other
literary contests. Just like a read speech, memorized speech also poses challenge in naturalness.
The worst experience one could have in delivering a memorized speech is to forget the lines and
fail to shift smoothly to another mode of delivery.

3. Extemporaneous speaking may have a short or long preparation. The speaker may use an outline
to guide him through his speech to achieve better organization and to avoid leaving out details. But
unlike reading, extemporaneous speaking necessitates the speaker to formulate his sentences
while he is speaking. Extemporaneous is a method that most lecturers and teachers use. A good
extemporaneous speaker must be spontaneous.

2|P a g e
 4. Impromptu means speaking at the spur of the moment. Since there is very minimal or no time for
preparation given for impromptu, the content and organization may suffer. Impromptu may not
deliver the best thought in the best way but it brings out the most natural thing to say at the
moment.

THE ORAL PRESENTATION

Preparing a Speech or Oral Report
Being able to speak effectively in front of an audience will always be an advantage. Some
professionals become most sought-after speakers because of their good oral communication skills.
Things to consider:
1. Audience –know the profile of your listeners. It is important that you know who will listen to you
–their age, gender, educational background, religion, economic status, and interests. Also, know
how much the audience knows about the topic. Know how to read the posture and gestures of
your audience members as these will signal to you what kind of audience they are.
2. Logistics –it is something basic or essential for every speaker to know who is organizing the
event. Know who will be introducing you and who will be speaking before and after you. That way,
you will be able to tie up the earlier presentation with your own resulting in a more coherent
presentation. You may even give the audience ideas as to what the next talk is going to be.
a. Venue –the venue is equally important. Locate the lights and if you have movable visual
aids, know where to position them. As a speaker, know how to position yourself, work on
your posture, avoid bad habits, do not block the view of you visual aids, do not lean on any
object that will give support to your weight for these give the impression that you lack
confidence and authority.
b. Facilities –ask beforehand about the pieces of equipment available for you. These facilities
should match the presentation aids that you will use. If there is no available projector, find a
way to have one. Know how to trouble-shoot electrical problems or technical glitches.
3. Content –if the purpose of the event is to inform, it is expected that you are able to contribute new
information. If the purpose is to entertain, your speech should be lighthearted, amusing, and lively.
If the purpose is to persuade, your presentation should sound convincing enough.
Tips to prepare:
1. Read a lot.
2. Prepare your oral presentation with an introduction, body, and conclusion.
3. Rehearse by practicing aloud and getting the feedback of those who will act as your audience
during the rehearsal stage.
4. Use technology.

Delivering the Report/Speech/Talk

1. Paralinguistic Cues –subsumed under this category are facial expression, posture, gesture, and
movement. For facial expression, the eyes and eye-to-eye contact are very important. There is a
saying: “The eyes are window to the soul.” This means that by establishing eye contact or through

3|P a g e
 glazing, one can detect the emotional state of a person.
 Posture, on the other hand, refers to the speakers’ stance. How speakers carry themselves
during the presentation will show whether or not they possess credibility. How do you
execute a correct posture? Simply stand comfortably with your feet at least six to eight
inches apart, with one foot over the other. Your weight should also rest on the balls of your
feet and your hands should hang naturally at the sides. Ask yourself if you are comfortable
enough with the way you stand.
 Another important variable is gesture. Gestures are used to make a point more emphatic.
However, they should be used only for important points raised as they can become
distractive when used often. Gestures abound so as a speaker should know how to create
variety.
 Finally, there is movement. Movement is made by the entire body. Swaying one’s body
from left to right, side to side, front to back, or pacing from one side of the stage/platform
to the other, can be exhibiting a negative non-verbal cue. A speaker should know how to
move on stage so that his movement will not be distracting to the audience.
 Dress or attire is not considered as a paralinguistic sue, but it is classified as non-verbal.
One way to attract the attention of the audience is by dressing up properly. As a speaker,
you should look good and pleasing to the eyes of the listeners.

2. Prosodic features –when you speak, aim at delivering your message clearly through intelligible
and comprehensible pronunciation. You need to articulate the sounds clearly by paying attention
to how you move your lips, tongue, and teeth. As aspect of articulation is assimilation. It means
blending the final sound of a preceding word with the initial sound of the following word. Consider
the examples below.

To each his ow the pros and cons the splendor in the grass
To eachizown the prosend cons thus plendor in the grass

Finally, note that successful communication depends on prosodic features such as intonation, tone, stress,
and rhythm. Pauses on phrases and sentences are likewise prosodic feature.

Overcoming Anxiety or Stage Fright

Many speakers become tense when making small and big presentations. This is normal. Becoming
nervous only shows that you care about your presentations. Note that a little amount of nervous tension
is needed if you aspire for an excellent performance.

Eugene White and Claire Henderlinder (1956) stated that: “we do not actually fear the process of
speaking as such but a negative response from the listeners.” This is indeed true. What people actually
fear is not the process of speaking but the negative response, comment, or feedback from the listeners.

There are ways by which you can overcome stage fright. One way is by preparing thoroughly for your
4|P a g e
presentation. It is important that you know about the topic and that you know more than your listeners.
Another way is practice. The more you practice or rehearse, the more confident you become.

Stage fright then can be minimized. It is not also a negative feeling all the time. Learn how to convert
this social fear into something positive so that you can aspire for top performance.

5|P a g e