CHAPTER 10

PUBLIC SPEECH

Learning Objectives
After reading this chapter, you'll be able to:
* find different types of speeches,
* employ different methods to structure a speech,
* learn how to deliver a public speech, and
* ways to make it interesting.

Introduction
Speaking is an art, and a good speaker always has an edge over others. S/he is noticed and
respected everywhere whether it is personal, social, or professional life. Good speaking
skill helps her/him to boost self-confidence, enhance reputation, advance career objectives,
and create new opportunities. It is the skill that is acquired through constant practice.
Speech is the activity of presenting one's views before others in face-to-face situation. Speech
making is a creative process by which the speaker intends to influence the audience with
her/his ideas. S/he tries to persuade them to agree with and follow her/his line of thought.
It can be made in informal as well as formal situations.
Public speech is a component of public speaking which is the act of addressing to a group of
people on a formal occasion. It is also termed as 'oratory' or 'oration'. It requires planning,
Ptparation, and perfect execution of ideas. It can be exercised to inform, persuade or entertain
t eaudience. It is sometimes a difficult task for some speakers to perform. It is a formal activity
10.2 I English Communication

and requires some preparation before its execution. In order to make the speech effective, the
speaker should keep the following points in mind:
Research the topic thoroughly.
Know the audience for whom the speech is meant.
Understand the level and expectation(s) of the audience.
Keep audience-centered approach.
Prepare a written draft and rehearse the speech before its delivery.
Make sure that the speech is well planned, adequately convincing, properly
substantiated, and unquestionably relevant to the needs of the audience.

IO.I Qualities of a Good Speaker

The speaker needs to possess certain characteristics to be a good speaker. Some of them
are as under:·
S/he speaks in a pleasant, clear, confident and loud voice; and uses proper pitch,
tone and intonation.
S/he uses correct pronunciation of the words with voice modulation.
S/he adopts correct posture, natural gestures, and uses appropriate body language
during the speech.
S/he makes direct eye-contact with the audience to win their trust and leave
immediate impression on them.
S/he uses simple words and language suited to the occasion.
S/he uses personal examples to establish good rapport with the audience.
S/he creates a verbal imagery to leave desired impact on the audience.
S/he determines the focus of speech to avoid digression from the topic.
S/he uses wit and humor to keep audience entertained during the speech.

10.2 Parts of a Public Speech

A public speech may contain the following parts:

Introduction
Body
Conclusion
 publicSpeech I 10.3
I (a) Introduction . .
. the first part of a pubhc speech. The speaker mtroduces her/himself to the aud.
This 1s . f h Sh . 1ence
11 as announces the topic o speec . / e a1so presents background of the top·ic i th
as we h h .h . n e
. ing. S/he can start t e speec
beg1nn . wit . some provocative quote, interesting anecd ote,
and joke; by asking some quest10n, or statmg purpose of the speech.

(b) Body
This is the second part of a speec~. It includes ~11 th~ ideas and information in a logical
sequence. The speaker p~esents easily acceptable ideas m the beginning to put the audience
in a positive frame of mmd, and then presents less acceptable ideas so that the audience
can agree with the points without much effort of her/him.

(c) Conclusion

This is final part of the speech. The speaker summarizes the main points in this part. S/he
ends the speech on a climatic note, and avoids abrupt ending of the speech.

10.3 Steps Involved in the Preparation

Delivery of a public speech is a difficult task for some persons. It is frightening for them. It
can be facilitated by guidance and practice. It requires some preparation before the delivery
which involves the following three stages:
Planning
Writing
Delivery

(a) Planning
Planning is an essential requirement for the delivery of a public speech. It facilitates the
speaker to prepare and deliver the speech in an effective manner. It is the preliminary st~ge.
The speaker plans the content and method of delivery keeping the audience and occaswn
in mind.

(b) Writing
. the next stage after planning. The spea ker co11 ec t s the required material, creates an
Th.is 1s
outline, prepares the first draft, and edits the draft.
(c) Delivery
. . audience to deliver the speech. Fluency
This is the final stage. The speaker appears before th e
plays a vital role at the time of delivery.
r

10.4 I English Com

tnunicat·ion
10.4 Methods of Delivery
The way in which a speaker delivers the s_peech makes the difference. There are d'
methods of delivery, but the below mentioned o~es are most popular. Each of th1fferent
its advantages as well as limitations. The s~lect1on of method largely depends em has
0
eech The speaker chooses either of them as per the demand f . n the
purpose of th e sP · o s1tuat·ion.

(a) Memorizing
ly on their memory. They memorize entire text of the speech a d
S ome spea kers re II b h n prese
. d d They not only need to prepare we , ut a1so ave to rehearse it b 1, nt
it wor to wor • II dc h e ore th
. Th's rehearsal makes the speaker we prepare 1or t e speech. Speaker's m e
deIivery. i. . . c .. h /h' .
le in this method. Memonzmg 1aci1itates er im m making bett
emory
pIays a crucia1ro dI . er eye
'th the audience S/he can add or e ete some pomts on the spot. But it h ·
contact wi · . f as the
. . . s well The speaker can miss some pomt or part o the speech at the t·1
I imitation a · . me of
delivery which can harm her/his reputat10n.

(b) Reading out from the Manuscript

In this method, the speaker walks in with a copy of written ~an~script of the speech, and
reads it out verbatim. As the speaker holds the manuscnpt, it adds confidence to an
inexperienced speaker. It has the advantage that the s~eaker ma~ n~t n:iss any point or part
of the speech. It also reduces the margin ~f error. But it _has the hmitat10n thats/he will not
be able to make eye contact with the audience. The delivery can become monotonous and
boring.
(c) Power Point
In this method, the speaker prepares slides and explains them orally. It is considered a
better way of delivery. It provides flexibility to the speaker. S/he can make required changes
then and there. The audience can also view the main points that the speaker is going to
describe. But it requires a computer and a projector to display the slides.

(d) Impromptu
Impromptu means 'without advance preparation'. An impromptu speech is delivered at
spur of the moment. The speaker is asked to say a few words on some issue or topic without
prior notice or intimation. The speaker needs to speak without any kind of preparation. It
is necessary for the speaker to have knowledge of the subject matter in advance.
(e) Extempore

This is an effective method of delivery. The speaker carries few cards or notes having main
points written on ~hem. S/he explains each point to the audience orally. However s/he carries
th e_ card s, but rehes on her/his memory and refers to the cards if needed. This kind of
delivery sounds convmcmg· · an d natural. It includes the advantages of both, the memonzin
··g
p11b1icSpeech I 10.5

well as reading out method. It gives the impression that the speaker knows the subject
as h prepared well for the speech.
and as
Strategies for Effective Delivery
10.5
sorne persons have a common fear of public speaking ~hich is called 's~age fright', or
, !ossophobia'. They get nervous when asked to say somethmg before an audience. Delivery
gf a speech is a difficult task for them. This fear can be overcome by guidance and practice.
speaker can adopt the following strategies to make the speech effective:
(a) Appropriate planning: Planning is an essential requirement for effective delivery.
The speaker should plan the speech appropriately in advance. S/he should keep
the audience in mind and plan accordingly. S/he should collect the data and prepare
a written draft of the speech. It brings confidence to an inexperienced speaker. SI
he should decide the method of delivery as well. Planning also helps the speaker
to face unpredictable questions from the audience.
(b) Practice: "Practice makes a person perfect:' The speaker should rehearse the speech
as many times as possible before the final delivery. S/he should keep on practicing
till the words flow smoothly and easily. If possible: s/he should do a dummy run in
front of small audience. The audience can give feedback on the material as well as
performance. This practice makes the speaker to feel more comfortable with the
material and adds confidence to her/him.

(c) Catchy beginning: The speaker should start the speech on an impressive note. A
good and catchy beginning establishes good rapport with the audience. The speaker
can start the speech with some interesting statistic, statement, headline, fact,
anecdote, joke, quotation, or something else that can capture attention of the
audience. S/he can ask some question from the targeted individuals, group or entire
audience. S/he should also greet the audience in the beginning.
(d) Use of body language: Body movements play an important role at the time of
delivery. The speaker should use them carefully. Positive posture and gestures leave
positive impact on the audience, while negative ones can harm speaker's reputation.
The speaker should stand straight, holding her/his head high with a smile on face.
It reflects her/his confidence level. S/he should make direct eye-contact with the
audience. S/he should move her/his hand(s) wherever required. S/he should not
lean on one leg or use gestures that seem unnatural. S/he should walk around
instead of standing behind the podium. This movement helps the speaker to engage
her/his audience.
(e) · ·
Use of correct pronunc1abon: 1· h ·
Eng 1s 1s wn
·tten 1·n one way and spoken in other.
There can be different accents of each word. Pronunciation can make th e difference as
· · g of the word The speaker should
mcorrect pronunciation can lead to wrong meanm ·
10.6 I English Cornrnun . .
1cation
correct pronunciation of the words. S/he can check the phonetic tran . .
the words from a good dictionary. . o

(f) Use of proper voice modulation: The speaker should introduce inflecr
· at th e time
make proper voice mo d u1.ation · o f speaki ng. Inflection incl ions
d ,and
manner of speaking in which the loudness, pitch or tone of the voice is u de~ _the
. h mo ified'
Pitch of the voice, pauses an d b rea k m t e sentence can make difference to th·
meaning of a sentence; hence they should be used appropriately. e
(g) Use of illustrations: The speaker should use illustrations and examples t
·
meaning clear to the audience. SI h e can use examples, quotations or say· make
O

her/himself as well as others. The examples should be presented which· ar ings .of
.
understandable to the audience. e eas11y

(h) Use of wit and humor: It is necessary for the speaker to keep the aud·
1ence
interested in listening. The speaker should use wit and humor to entertain th
audience. S/he can share some jokes or funny movements to amuse them. e
(i) Emphatic ending: "All is well that ends well:' The speaker should end the speech
on an emphatic note. It creates lasting impact on the audience and leaves them
enthralled. The speaker can use the statements, such as 'To conclude .. :, 'Finally..:,
'In the end .. :, 'One last word .. :, etc. Such statements raise curiosity among the
listeners and they expect that the speaker is going to present the most important
part of the speech now.
(j) Participation of audience: The speaker should engage the audience and make the
speech interactive. S/he should encourage the audience to participate and ask
questions. It motivates the audience to listen to the speaker with more attention as
well as makes the environment lively.
(k) Answering strategy: Sometimes the speech includes queries of the audience. It
provides the speaker a chance to clear their doubts. In that case, the question -
answer session is very much crucial to the speaker as well as audience. The speaker
should be ready with possible questions from the audience with their answers in
mind. S/he should handle the situation tactfully and satisfy the person asking
question with the answer. S/he should encourage the audience to ask questions,
repeat the question before answering, and request the person to ask the queS tion
in one go in order to avoid counter questioning. S/he should handle even irrelevant
or irritating questions with stoic patience.

10.6 Types
There a d1·ft · Some of
. re erent types of speeches. Type depends on the purpose and occasion.
their types are as follows:
p

public speech
I lQ.7

--- occasional Speech

10, 6·.1
'[his type of speech is ~lanned and _pre~ared according to the occasion. The speaker
hooses the content keeping the occasion m mind. It is commonly presented on the formal
:ccasions and involves certain formalities. The examples of occasional speech include:

(a) Welcome Speech

'[his is most common form of public speech that is delivered at almost all the formal
gatherings where som~ guest speaker is ~nvited. A person needs to welcome and i~troduce
the speaker to the audience at the occas10n. The speech delivered by the person is known
as 'welcome speech' or 'introductory speech'. The speaker introduces the guest speaker by
referring to his/her full and formal name with title(s), like Ms., Mr., Dr., Prof., etc., that
goes with his/her name. S/he also mentions the achievements, awards, distinctions,
recognitions, etc., that are earned by the invited speaker.

Ladies an . on<>red on finding the' opportu;ity t:<> iritro

K. N. Tripathi, '.t,he ke· eaker for the Inaugural Session of {hi~thre
I know that Proi Ti'ipatlii1"eq~ires neith~r any intro4uctiori, nqt ky brief
highlight his multifaceted,g~nius;
>-A-
but 1·can make a rhqd~;tattJmpL
t , "·· "'"·r ' ''\

Prof. Tripathi is al). intelle~fqal

* ' ' , and scholar of internation.il ':\. ' \,,, !:fe
'" "' ' repute. ' \ ha;,,
'"'- . s~r-ve;
' ' .. ''ise '": ·:,;, .·
,<

prestigious academic institl;itions in India as well as abroad:·He has beer,i:the¥ ic~·J~}iruice:ij6

of three universities. He haf published fifteen books, more thand,g~t~ tese~~cfp~per ·
and dozens of articles in newspapers and magazines. He has guided twenty-five' scHolarsJ
· th~ir doctoral research, and has delivered keynote addresse; in hu,n,dredi ~o{ a~~d' · ·
gatherings. · · · ' < 2- /
' \- »,

:Prof. Tripathi, himself, has be"en the convener of several national "and 'iriterfratiob'.'af-J1
workshops and conferences. Today, Prof. Tripathi· is going t~ ·sp~akt oj1> '
Communication and Its Appli~ations", the theme that the eminent scholar,{ha
explored with vision, authenticity and intensity. · · ··
Friends, I don't want to stanct'between you and Prof. Tripathi,'s sqblime,;ideas}
request Prof. Tripathi to take over the mU<.e and enlighten the audience with. h,is i ';
, , ,' ' '. ' , ; it,dZ~Affi

10.6.2 Valedictory Address

lo
Valedictory means 'leave taking'. Introductory speech is delivered at the beginning of an
:vent, whereas valedictory speech is delivered at the end of the event, seminar, workshop
r conference. The speaker thanks not only the guest speaker( s), but also thanks the perso
contributed to make the event possible and successful. The speaker uses a prop::
 10.s I English
.
Communication
·

titude S/he starts with the guest speaker(s), followed by th

d r to express th e gr a . d lh l e
oreople
e m. h1g
. h er ec h e1on s, then the persons who
. rendere rea. e p to organize the eve n t,
P mech amca
like . 1an d other support staff, and fmally, the audience. S/he prepares a list and
ensures that no one has been left out.

Example:
A Speech at the End of a Conference ·

Ladies and gentlemen! We have reached at final phase of the conference. It would be an
understatement to say that the conference has been immensely successful. It had been
possible because of your kind support. It is primarily my duty to express my sincere gratitude
to the persons who contributed, directly or indirectly, to make this event a huge success.
There are quite a few people who have generously contributed to its success.
First and foremost, we are thankful to our Principal, Dr. A. K. Singh, for his inspiration,
guidance and administrative approval for the conference. We are deeply indebted to our
erudite resource persons, Prof. K. N. Tripathi and Prof. D. C. Arora, for their enlightening
talks. We are really thankful to all the participants who came all the way from different
parts of the country to attend the conference and whose particiJlation made it successful.
We are also grateful to our technical personnel, Mr. Naresh, who made sure that there are
.no technical glitches during the conference. Thanks to Mr. Rakesh who provided us good
food. We are also thankful to our support staff who worked day .and night to make this
event possible and·successful. And above all, we thank our audience for patient listening.
Thank you one and all. Thank you!

10.6.3 Farewell Speech

Farewell is the act of departing politely. Students leave the school or college after the
completion of their studies; people change their jobs, leave one organization and join
another. People are offered farewell when one is transferred , moves away from an
organization or leaves after the completion of a project, a term, or an assignment. In all
such eventualities, a farewell speech comes into play. The person is asked to say a few words
at this time. S/he should not criticize the organization's policies or people, even ifs/he
does not appreciate them, rather should thank the organization and people for their help
and support.

Example:

A farewell Speech at the Time of ieaving the Organization

My dear friends, I'm speechless today. It's time to depart, but I'm not able to control my
emotions as I'll have to say goodbye to all my-seniors, colleagues and friends present here.

astt:rlf
 , ·,. 10.9
public Speech

No doubt, it has been an amazin

. ·
g experience .
to be a part of Galaxy International ·
for five
ears. All th ese years I enJoyedthe work ass1gne · d to me s1mp · 1y because of con duc1ve·
Y
environment.
. I'm. thankful ,to the company 1or
c g1vmg
· • me the' opportumty • to work on th e·
proJ~Ct~ of my mterest. I m also obliged to the management for their guidance and
mot1~at1o~. Whenever I had to face any difficulty, my managers helped me to come out of
the s1tuat~on. .
'Next, 1:11Y colleagues! I can never forget you for your affectio~, sense of bonding and
belongingness. Really, all these years we worked like a family. I thank all of you for your
kind s"l!-pport. All of you will remain in my heart for ever.
I may.say sorry if, intentionally or unintentionally, I spoke some bitter word to someont;: I
feel s/he may excuse me.
Thank you one and all for making my stay such a delightful experience. Thanks for such a
wonderful farewell party as well. Thank you! .

10.6.2 Thematic Speech

This type of speech is based on some theme. The main purpose of speech is to make audience
aware of positive and negative sides of the theme. The speaker collects information about
the theme, prepares the draft, and presents before the audience. Thematic speeches can be
divided into the following categories:

(a) Motivational Speech

This kind of speech is delivered to motivate the listeners. It is interactive in nature. The
speaker tries to influence the audience to follow her/his line of thought. It can be delivered
on social, educational or professional issues.

(i) Social Matters

The speech on social matters can be delivered in order to motivate the listeners to
participate in some social work(s).

, A Sp~~~P'·t<>. MQtivate Students to ~erforµi Soc1 ,

Good morning friends! I, Tanush, from B.A., third semester, stand before you ·to:p1-es_eiit ,'
my views on the topic- The Youth Should Perform_Social Service. · ' r·
All of us are youth. We are future's hope. We, youth; have potenti~ho change the time. We
are part of the society and it is our responsibility to work for its growth.
There are various fields in which we students can perform social service. One type of service
can be spread of literacy among illiterate persons. We can teach them reading, writing, and
simple arithmetic. We can visit nearby villages during our vacations and work to uplift the
10.10 I English Corn .
rnunicat·ion
status of villagers. Sick persons can be taken to the nearby hospitals for th eir
. treatrne
can help the disabled persons. We can teac h t he poor students who are u bl nt. We
l' . l . . na e to pay th .
school fee. We can also he lp t he po ice m regu atmg traffic during peak ho e1r
organize relief camps during flood and other natural calamities. There urs. We can
. . are rnany h
ways in which we can channelize our energy and render social service. ot er
Friends , by rendering social service,
d we, students, can
. participate in the progress of our
country. So, let us take an oath to o some constructive work for the society.

(ii) Educational
The speech on educational
. matter can be delivered to highlight specif·1c issue
. or
topic. It can be delivered before the students, scholars, academicians , or so.

Example:
A Speech on the Topic of "Education Can Happen Anywhere"

Good morning friends! All of us are students and come to the school and college for
education. There is a general notion that one can educate oneself only in the so called
'temples of learning'. But I do not agree with this view. One can get education anywhere
and anytime. That's why, I, Anjali, have come here to discuss the topic with you.
Before coming to the point, let's understand the difference between 'education' and 'learn-
ing'. Education happens within a structured framework. It includes fixed curriculum. Each
student is evaluated by the exam at the end of a semester, year or term. But learning is
somewhat wider than getting education. It is a continuous process. One can learn at any
place and at any time. s/he doesn't need a teacher or expert of the subject. S/he can learn
even from an illiterate person. We can take the example of a farmer. S/he knows when to
sow seeds, how and when to water the plants; when to put manure, fertilizers, insecticides
and pesticides. S/he does not receive this information from a teacher. Unschooled villagers
have better knowledge of trees, plants, herbs and animals than a botanist or zoologist. Their
learning is integrated learning, meaningful and rooted in their reality. We learn moral val-
ues and model behaviour from the family and society. We are not dependent on teachers
for them.
d
The present education system is entirely based on theory. Students cram their lessons au
st
Prod uce at the time of exam. They pass their exam with good marks. But is th eir udy
combined with practicality? They forget what they learn in class within few hours. But
what one learns out of experience remains permanent in mind .
All the · fl 11 It is neces-
pomts re ect that education can happen outside the classroom as we · rne
sary to co mbme
· educat10n. with
. lived reality fo r better results. It 1s
. necessary for us to co(on
out of conven riona1approach and lay stress on learning rather than acqum
1
· ·ng inforrna ·
Our learning should be conceptual. .
I stop here 'th th t patient listening.
WI ese words and leave on you what to do. Thank you or
public Speech
I 10.11
Professional
(iii)
This kind of speech is delivered either by some professional, or to the
professionals. It requires some subject matter expert or professionally qualified
person to deliver the speech.
(

Example: (
A Speech on the Topic of: "The Art of Conversation"

Hi friends! How are you doing? (The students: Fine). Good! We are here to converse with
each other. Before coming to the topic, I ask you a question- How many of you are good at
conversation? (No response). Ok. Today I, Rajan, am here to speak on the 'Art of
conversation'. I hope you'd listen to me with patience.
Conversation is an art. We discuss certain issues with each other daily. Sometimes we find
positive outcome; but sometimes we find negative response. Did you ever try to find the
reason of failure? (One student: We wouldn't have presented our views properly). Yes, you
are right! Conversation requires presence of mind. If we fail to present our point at right
time, we may lose the chance. There are so many people who are capable of talking well on
occasions. They become successful in getting their work done. They present their point(s)
at right time.
Conversation should be taken on a serious note. You should present your views politely.
Politeness is the key to success. Don't become rude during the conversation. You should
not jump the gun and listen to other's views patiently. You should respect his/her .views.
You should let him/her complete the statement. If disagree, present your argument(s) force-
fully.
I hope my words would help you to become a good conversationalist and be successful in
life. Thank you for patient listening.

(b) Informational Speech

This kind of speech is based on a particular theme. The theme generally remains related to
some event, issue, topic, etc. Its main purpose is to inform the audience about all the facets
of the theme. The issues can be divided into the following categories:

(i) Social Issue

Example:
A Speech on t11e Topic of "Importance of Discipline in Life"

Good morning friends! How're you doing? (Students: fine). Good! What do you know
about discipline? (Students give vague answers). O.K. Today, I, Renu, will tell you about
the importance of discipline in life.
 10.12 I English Commu .
nication
What may happen if the sun may rise in the night and moon in the day r i
The entire system may change). Yes, you're absolutely right; the whole orde imfe .h(S tudents:
r o t euniv
may reverse. erse
Discipline is the base of whole universe. There'd be utter chaos without discipl· T
ine. hesu
and the planetary movements aroun d th e sun are governed by certain laws Dis • 1. n
'mode of life in accordance with· ru 1es '. It 1s
· one of the basic requirements
· cipof me. mean
.. s
. . . 1· h p I a ClVlhzed
society, but we find md1sc1p me everyw ere. eop e create chaos at public places b h .
undisciplined behaviour. They do not follow order while boarding buses and traint
disobey the rules and create problems for others.
;h:r
Y
Discipline is essential for personal growth as well as national prosperity. Strength of a .
. . 1· d . . k .h . . f nation
lies in discipline. D1sc1p me otizens wor wit a spmt o cooperation which leads to
progress and national unity.
Children are backbone of a country. Parents should raise their children in a congenial
atmosphere and teach them moral values. They, themselves, should set an example by leadin
a disciplined life. g
Schools and colleges are temples oflearning. They must have a serene atmosphere in order
to enable the students to learn something. This is possible only if the teachers and students
are disciplined. Knowledge multiplies only in a disciplined environment. But, unfortunately,
discipline has been declining in schools and colleges. There is an urgent need to revive
discipline. Students do not respect their teachers. Over-crowded classrooms, lack-luster
teaching methods, and uncertain future are responsible for indiscipline.
Discipline is also essential in married life. Both the husband and wife should be disciplined
and faithful towards each other. Discipline is the life-breath of the armed forces. No army
can put up a brave front against the enemy if it lacks discipline.
To cut short, discipline is part and parcel of all walks oflife. It brings order and smoothness.
It is our responsibility to enforce discipline in our lives.

(ii) Gender Issue

Example:
A Speech on the Topic of "Save the Girl Child"

"Gems are precious, but girls are priceless."

A very good morning to the Honorable Principal, respected teachers, and my dear f'nen ds. ·
As you know, we have gathered here to celebrate the International Women's Day. On tbis
occasion, I, Shweta, would like to sp eak on the topic- 'save the girl child'. I am grateful to
my teachers to provide me an opportun ity to present m y views on this topic.
As we all know th t th . . 'd t from the sex
. a e status of girls in our country is very low. It 1s ev1 en •t
ratio Acco d' h ales Even 1
· r mg tot e 2011 census, there were only 940 females fo r 100O m ·

d
public Speech I 10.13

was as low as 914 between the age group of 0-6 years. This decline in girls' population
clearly indicates gender biased attitude of the society. People prefer male child over a girl.
A male child is taken as blessing whereas a girl child is considered a burden. Birth of a male
child is celebrated, while the birth of a girl brings gloom in the family.
Even the discrimination starts before the birth of a child. In spite of complete ban on pre-
birth sex-determination tests, people go for the tests and, if it is a girl, they go for the
elimination of the foetus from mother's womb which is termed as 'female foeticide'. There
are various reasons associated with this practice. Some of them include:
• Son is considered as an asset to the family while daughter is taken as a liability. Son
may lead the family lineage in future while daughter will move away to some other
home.
• Boys are taken as producers whereas girls as consumers.
• Misconception in the society that the son may look after his parents in old age while the
daughter will go to the other family after her marriage.
• Low status of women in male-dominated Indian society.
• The old custom of dowry.
• Illiteracy, poverty and insecurity of girls.
Let us discuss each point one by one. If we talk about modern time, daughters are not a
burden on their parents. Girls have been doing better in all the fields. They are highly
educated and earning more than boys. They are not the consumers, rather they are produc-
ers. They take care of not only husband's family, but also their parents. They have raised
their status in the society after getting education. They have discarded all the rotten cus-
toms and practices. They are free to select the marriage partners. Inter-caste marriages
have helped a lot to eliminate the custom of dowry. They are self-sufficient and are not
dependent on men. They are capable to protect themselves. ,
People believe that boys will continue the family lineage, but they forget that without girls
how they would be able to do so. No female, no life. Birth of a child is possible because of
both male and female. What may happen if the number of one sex kept on decreasing
c_ontinuously? It is a hard fact if killing of girls kept on going at the same pace, we shall
fmd no brides for our sons which may lead to the end of this world some day.
F~males are world's creator; female foeticide will end the Nature! It is a crime and social
d~sa ster which may end the life from this Earth. We should understand the importance of
girls and say no to female foeticide.
fA baby girl is God's precious gift. It is our responsibility to save her in order to save our .
uture ge nera fions.
· I h ope you may think about and take a pledge to save the girl child.
1conclude
my speec h with
• these words and thank all of you for patient listening.
10.14 I English Communication

(iii) Scientific Topic

Example:
A Speech on Disastrous Effects of Nuclear Weapons

Good morning friends! How are you doing? (Audience: Fine). Please imagine a situation
where there is a massive fire around you and the surrounding is filled with poisonous gases.
It is hard to go outside because of suffocation. Yes, all of us will be burnt.alive and emb~ace ·
death. This is the situation of nuclear explosion. Today, I, Reena, stand before you to speak
on the disastrous effects of nuclear weapons.
Nuclear weapons have been the strongest and most destructive weapons created so far.
These are so lethal that even a single nuclear weapon can destroy a whole city as well as
jeopardize the natural environment and lives of future generations through its catastrophic
effects. Every country has been influenced by their capacity of mass destruction and desires
to add them to its arsenal. It is argued that these weapons bring power to the nations that
possess them. The nations have been taken as extremely powerful and dom'inant because of
the power of these weapons. Since only a limited number of nations possess the ability to
develop nuclear weapons, they strengthen themselves at the top of the global hierarchy. We
can take the example of two super powers- Russia and the United States. They alone carry
more than nine-thousand warheads which is eighty per cent of the entire number of such
weapons all over the world. Many of these have been deployed on missiles, battleships,
submarines and other deadly carriers.
The world realized their potential for the first time in 1945 when nuclear bombs were
dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during the World War IL People got only a glimpse
of the destructive power of nuclear weapons; the bombing ruined the two cities completely
as well as affected the whole country of Japan. It destroyed everything, leaving behind only
a desolate landscape. The disastrous consequences of this bombing have been visible in the
later generations. With the passing of time, these deadly weapons have grown more advanced
and lethal. They can do much harm as compared to the old ones.
Many world leaders claim that nuclear weapons are vital to maintain a healthy balance of
power and ch~c~ the outbreak of war, but this argument is not acceptable. A country with
;:ilear capabdi~y threatens the other countries and keeps them under its thumb. The
ntry_ can use I~s ~uclear weapon in case of war. We have witnessed so during World War
II · In spite of the ms1stence of glob 11 d
h . a ea ers t h at nuc Iear weapons prevent war and turmoil, ·
t ese are a potential threat to mankind.
Now, a number of countries have d I d I
to take revenge Th d eve ope nuc ear weapons and can use them at any time
· ey can en thew Id 'th ' h
nuclear weapons from th' E h s: or . WI m ours. It is necessary to destroy all the
is art ior a bnght future ahead.
Friends, I concl~de my speech with th
effects of nuclear weapo . . ese wo rd s. I hope you will understand the disastrous
ns on mankmd and be
weapons. I thank all of yo fi . .
f
come a part o the movement against these
u or patient listening. Thank you!
public Speech I 10.1s

(iv) Technical Issue

Example:
A Speech on th e Supremacy of Man over Machines

Good morning friends! Today' I , An kus l1, stand before you to talk about the utility
• · of
machines and the supremacy of man over machines.

Let's start by de~ining a machine. A machine is a mechanical device consisting of different

p~ts. We use qifferent types_ of machines to make our work easy. These are operated and
gmded ~y hu~ans. ~achme can also be a motorized gadget that is controlled by its
mechamcal bram which is programmed by humans. We cannot think of a machine without
humans.
We live in a tech-savvy world filled with gadgets like smart phones, computers, laptops,
refrigerators, cars, and many more, that have become an integral part of our daily activities.
It is hard to imagine our life without these machines. Most of our day to day activities are
performed with the help of machines. These are superior to humans in terms of speed and
accuracy. These can process information and perform calculations with more accuracy
than humans. Let us take the example of computers. They have a better memory than humans
and can be fed with a large amount of information. Machines can work effortlessly and
more effectively as compared to humans. Moreover, they are not influenced by feelings or
emotions.
The human brain is so powerful that it can create machines for creative as well as destructive
purposes. Let us take the example of a tank. It can-smash down forests and crush a hundred
men. But can it operate on its own? No, it requires a driver. Similar is the case with a
bomber. It can fly and carry tonnes of weight. But it also requires a man to operate on.
No doubt, machines have brought comfort and leisure in our lives; that's the reason we
have become dependent on them. But we should not forget that t~ese machines a~e invented
and operated on by human beings. A man can replace ~he machme, b~t a machme ca~not
replace the man . Man understands the situation a~d responds _accordingly, ~ut ma~hmes
do not possess the capability of thinking. Hence 1t can be said that man 1s superior to
machines.

(v) Social Menace

Example:
A Speech on Drug Addiction
' '
)'

£ to present my views on Drug Addiction.

Hi everybody! I, Punita, stan d b e ore you
· th"s modern world whether he is a child, youngster
1
Fn·en d s, no-one 1s
· unafc1 ec ted by stress m '
d d better than their class-mates m• . .
exammat1ons
0
or senior citizen. Children are suppose to
 10.16 I English Communication

and other co-curricular activities. Youngsters are expected to earn more and more money:
Older persons are stressed because of family problems.
Unable to cope with, and live up to the expectations, some either decide to end their life or
take recourse to drugs for temporary escape from rigors of life. The initial momentary
escape and mental relaxation encourage people to ~se ~rugs n:iore ~requently. Gradually,
the body becomes habitual of drugs and cannot survive without its daily dose. This physical
and mental dependence on drugs is called drug addiction.
Mainly the drugs are chemical compounds that alter the way of body function. Some drugs
are prescribed by the physicians to cure diseases or sometimes to enhance physical and
mental capacity, but psychotropic drugs accompany the risk of dependence on them. Though
these drugs induce a feeling of ecstasy, yet they are harmful to the body in long run. Drug
abusers use contaminated needles which contain the risk of contracting diseases which
include blood poisoning, formation of abscess serum, hepatitis and AIDS. Shortage of money
makes the drug abusers resort to crime.
Our country has been confronted with the problem of an increased trafficking in drugs. In
spite of concerted effort~ by the government, the menace has been spreading at a rapid
rate. Youngsters have been becoming vulnerable to drugs. Society should help the
government in the eradication of this menace. Parents should befriend their children and
guide them. If someone falls prey to the menace, s/he should be counseled. The family,
friends and relatives should contribute towards the treatment and rehabilitation of the
abuser.
To conclude, drug addiction is a menace that has ruined thousands of lives and has been
spreading at a rapid rate. It is our moral responsibility to make people aware of its harmful
consequences. Friends, let's take an oath to hit this menace out of our country.

(vi) Evil Practice

Example:
A Speech on Child Labour

Good evening friends! I, Pankaj Parashar, stand before you to present my views on the evil
of child labour in India.
Friends, you might have visited canteens, restaurants, tea stalls, dhabas, or so. Try to recollect
who serves you food. You'd have found a boy serving tea, eatables, or washing dishes. Have
th
you ever thought why they have been working there, in place of going to school? Yes, ey
are forced to do these odd jobs.
Not only there, but they are also employed in extremely difficult and risky j:>bs. ,They arde
• re adhere
exposed to gruesome conditions where none of the safety recommen d atwns a . bl
t Th b . h f' d it prof1ta e
o. e o v1ous reason of their employment is employers' approach. T ey m .
t0 l hild h dults Ill1teracy,
emp oy c ren as they would work for longer hours at lesser wages t an a ·
public Speech I, 10.17

ignorance
b . th and poverty among p eop le are some ,other . . . , chi·1 d
reasons for the flounshmg
t
1 0.~ mTh e c~unt~. ~eople feel that children should be employed in order to sustain the
a7~ Y so t m ' by employing at the tender age, they'll get expertise in a particular
fiie · 13 ut t IS statement seems laced with selfish motives rather than a favorable and sane
argument. Unhygienic conditions take their toll and most of them succumb to various
diseases before . their youth · Som ef1mes m
· t h e ab,sence of education
• and proper chi'ldh oo d ,
they take to immoral ways to sustain themselves and their family.
Friends: ~~ildren are the valuable asset of a country. It is our as well as governme~t's
responsibility to take care of their rights. Article 24 of Indian Constitution says that no · ,,
c~ild ~elo~ the ~ge of fourteen can be employed anywhere. It is our duty to inform the
authority if we fmd a child working somewhere. Many NGO's have also been working
towards the eradication of child labor. We can take their help. So, friends, let us •'come
,forward to eradicate this evil from the society.

(vii) Media Related Issue

. Example:

Hi friends! Today, I, Priya Shukla, stand before you to present my views on the topic 'Media
shapes the public opinion'. '
As all of us know, media plays an important role in-today's time. It has been considered the
fourth pillar.of society. The other three are taken as: 'legislative', 'executive' and 'judiciary'.
It makes us aware of various social, political and economic activities that take place arour.d
us. It exposes malpractices and attracts government's attention to take stringent action
against the persons involved. It acts as a mirror and shows bare truth and harsh realities of
life. It plays a vital role in shaping a healthy democracy. The discussions bring the ,reality
before common people which helps in the election of right candidate. It brings us news and
views on social, political, economic and religious matters which shape the public opinion:
Earlier, it was difficult to know the hard facts. People had to accept what they were told.
But media brings everything on surface which helps the public to change their opinion, ·
Independent press has power to influence public opinion. We all are aware how Anna l;Iazare
started the fight. against. corruption. Media disseminated the news which brought people 1
together to support Anna. Again, media played a crucial role in Nirbhaya rape case.
Thousands of people cam~ together against the heinous crime. It created awareness among
the masses towards women safety. - ·
Not only news media but films also a~fect the mentality of public. People imitate what they
watch in movies. They are so deeply mfluenced that they take the heroes and heroines as
~heir role models. Advertisements help the people to buy goods and services. They are
Influenced by the advertisements. ·
10.1s I English Cotnmunica1·
ion
Social media has revolutionized people's approach immensely. All of us are addicted to the
social networking sites, like 'WhatsApp': 'Faceboo~', 'Twit_ter', or s~. We share our daily
activities with other group members. We hsten to their experiences which affect our opinion.
In this way, we can say that media plays an important role in the formation of public opinion.
It brings awareness among the masses and affects the thinking and behaviour of general
public.

L . , _ _ _ __ _ Exercise
_ __ J
1. You have been elected the Mayor of your college. Your entire team has won the election with
a thumping majority. You are to deliver a speech to thank the students for their support.
Invent necessary details and write full text of the speech.
2. You are Public Relations Officer of a company. Your company is to launch a new product.
The company has invited its two-hundred distributors. You are to address them. Invent
necessary details and write full text of the speech.
3. Mr. Rakesh Bajaj, the Chief Administrative Officer (Human Resources Department), at Bajaj
Financial Services, Pune, has been coming down at the headquarters of your company to
deliver an extension lecture. You have been assigned the responsibility to introduce the invited
speaker. Write full text of the speech by inventing necessary details.
4. You are the President of State AIDS control Society. You are to deliver a speech on AIDS.
Write full text of the speech by inventing necessary details.
5. You are the President ofNSS Club of your college. You are to deliver a speech on 'Importance
of Cleanliness'. Write full text of the speech by inventing necessary details.