ADMINISTRATIVE COMMUNICATION

COMM 3501 Unit V Voice and Speech

Elements of Public Speaking

Research Subject Audience Organize Slides theyll see & hear Handouts and/or activities Cue cards youll work from

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Research

Do Your Homework

Understand your topic thoroughly Research and write the presentation as you would an important paper Basic demographics (age, experience level, familiarity with your topic) Approximate number of attendees

Know Your Audience

Elements of Public Speaking

Good speakers are audience-centered

Audience Analysis

Keep the audience foremost in mind at every step of preparation and presentation

Primary purpose of a speech is to get a desired response

To whom are you speaking? What is it you want them to know, believe or do as a result? What is the most effective way to compose and present your speech to accomplish those ends?

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Psychology of the Audience

Its up to the speaker to make the audience choose to pay attention. Every speech contains two messages:

One from the speaker One received by the listener People hear what they want to hear and disregard the rest. Paul Simons The

Boxer

Elements of Public Speaking

Psychology of the Audience

People are egocentric

Egocentrism the tendency for people to be most interested in themselves, their own problems and the way to solve them. They pay closest attention to what affects their own values, beliefs and well being.

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Demography of Audience

Look for observable audience traits

Traits

Identify the general features Gauge their importance to the situation Age

Gender

Whatever your age, youre a product of your world Old stereotypes no longer apply Avoid sexist language and references

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Traits contd

Demography of Audience

Racial, Ethnic or Cultural Background Be aware of differences and be able to adapt Religion Highly charged emotional issue, be sure to consider the religious orientation or you might end up being embarrassed. Group Membership Guilt by association people judge you by the company you keep

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Situational Analysis

Builds on demographic analysis ; identifies traits unique to the speaking situation Size Physical Setting Disposition toward the Topic Interest, Knowledge and Attitude Disposition toward the Speaker Disposition towards the Occasion

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Before the Speech

Adapting to the Audience

Assess how the audience is likely to respond Adjust what you say to make it
Clear, Appropriate and Convincing

During the Speech

Things may/will not go exactly as you plan Dont panic, remain calm and adapt Remember:

Practice, practice, practice

Who am I speaking to? What do I want them to know, believe or do? What is the best way to accomplish this?

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Organize

Slides and/or visual presentation

Follow a logical progression Use high contrast colors Minimum 18pt text size Be consistent

Handouts

Additional Info Activities

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Organize

Delivery materials

Create cue cards Double (+) spacing Large, bold, easily read font Use Reminders Look Breathe! Reminders are also good placeholders

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Understand

Confirm your responsibilities

Length & Purpose Format

Familiarize yourself with the equipment and the process Relate your requirements

Elements of Public Speaking

How much time do you have? What does your host hope youll accomplish? What equipment , software, support will be readily available? What will additional equipment will you need to be successful?

Understand

Internet connection? Projector? Whiteboard? Podium Water

Elements of Public Speaking

ATTITUDE REHEARSAL VERBAL EXPRESSION NONVERBAL EXPRESSION

Marsha A. Brown

15

Elements of Public Speaking

Attitude

Attitude relates to delivery. A confident presence is an aspect of your credibility and persuasiveness. Yet people have speaker apprehension, fear of speaking in front of an audience. This fear can become a self-fulfilling prophecy: We can make ourselves fail . . . or succeed.

Elements of Public Speaking

Attitude Be conversational. A public speaking situation is still personal, if you speak naturally and make eye contact. Look at people and theyll relate to you. Move like you do in normal life, but much less. Stay focused on your material. Youre just the messenger, not the point of the message.

Elements of Public Speaking

Dont Comment on your own performance. Apologize for your speaking, especially not before you speak. Dont look over the audience heads or envision them naked (silly myths). Dont watch your own feet when you dance.

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Rehearsal Practice, practice, practice. Get your speeches written at least a week early and say them out loud every day. Say your speeches out loud as youre writing them. Some phrasing looks good on the page, but doesnt fit the tongue.

Elements of Public Speaking

Rehearsal
Places to practice: In the car. In the shower or bathtub. Somewhere where you can shout without being heard. In your mind when your lips are tired.

Elements of Public Speaking

Rehearsal
Repeat some tongue-twisters for conditioning : Rugged rubber baby bumpers She sells sea shells by the seashore. Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? Hed chuck all the wood that a woodchuck could, if a woodchuck could chuck wood.

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Vocal Expression
Volume - Speak louder or softer for emphasis. Pitch - Stay at an appropriate mid-range level. Rate - Accelerate for a few sentences to excite, Slow down and pause to emphasize some words. Articulation - Speak clearly with full voice. Quality - The personality of your voice, resonant, throaty, nasal, etc.

All these must be manipulated for greater effect.

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Vocal Expression

Be appropriate in tone. Sometimes when we get nervous we laugh inappropriately during serious moments. We may even become self-satirizing when nervous, playing as if it werent important. While you dont want to take yourself so seriously that you pressure yourself into errors, you should treat the process with respect.

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Non-verbal Expressions The nonverbal frames the verbal Whichever behavior interrupts the other is the one that takes audience focus. If I move to draw their attention - gesture or take a step - then speak, theyll hear me. If I start to speak, then move aimlessly, theyll watch but not hear.

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Non-verbal Expressions Clothing and accessories are an aspect of your persuasion. 1) Dress appropriately to the occasion. 2) Dont hide under hats or behind sunglasses. 3) Watch jangling jewelry.

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Non-verbal Expressions Gesture naturally, as you would when you talk with friends. Free your hands as much as possible to allow that to occur. 1) Make the manuscript your friend with large font, double spacing, and only complete sentences on one page. (No orphans to break the pace). 2) Use the lectern for your notes. 3) Keep your hands out of your pockets.

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Non-verbal Expressions

Stand still for a moment and make eye contact with your audience. Then start. Speak only once youve made contact. Stay in one place for awhile. Dont pace around through the speech. Choose 2 or 3 places where youll take a step or two. Literally, move into your next argument.

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If Something Goes Wrong

Dont panic, improvise! Pause for a drink of water to regroup Excuse yourself and adjust your equipment Spend a moment as if deep in thought, then begin again spontaneously once youve found your place Ask if there are any questions Break for an activity