ASSOCIATE OF SPEECH
IN PUBLIC SPEAKING &
COMMUNICATION PERFORMANCE
CREDIT ONE
Techniques and
Delivery in Different Media
QUESTION:
Successful platform speaking is as partnership between the speaker and the audience. Comment on this statement, include five guidelines for the speaker so that they establish audience rapport. Relate your answer to a specific speech and audience.
ANSWER:
Aristotle once said
“Effective delivery is of the utmost importance to the effect of speech”.
This is indeed true as much of the meaning and
emotion conveyed to the audience is contingent on how you deliver the message.
So in order to establish rapport with your audience and make them want to
listen to you, you must establish a partnership with them and consider these
five elements: Style of speaking,
effective use of voice, body movement and eye contact, personal appearance and
immediacy. These elements will be
discussed through use of a persuasive speech about the discrimination of women
in the
The style in which you choose to deliver your presentation can either give you
an advantage or disadvantage.
However, for most situations, including this speech on Middle Eastern women’s
rights, you will find that an extemporary method of speaking is best.
Extemporary speakers carefully prepare and practise their presentation
beforehand. However, the exact
wording is chosen at the moment of delivery.
Only brief notes and an outline are used to jog the speaker’s memory.
This enables more flexibility of thoughts and ideas than impromptu
speaking and more meaningful and direct eye contact with your audience.
Your presentation will seem more spontaneous and natural to the audience,
hence establishing better rapport with them.
It will give you the advantage of being able to alter what you say during
your presentation to meet audience responses.
So for the speech on Middle Eastern women you will research the topic
thoroughly, know your topics and their order.
However, each time you give your presentation your wording will be
different.
Being able to use your voice effectively is an important part of an effective
delivery. A good delivery doesn’t
call attention to itself but communicates the speaker’s ideas clearly.
To do this you need to ensure that you are well relaxed beforehand and
have released all tension from your body.
Tension ties the body’s muscles in knots and causes you to speak at a
higher pitch, results in deterioration of vocal tone and may lead you to speak
in a wobbly voice. However,
relaxation exercises relieve stress by releasing tension and calming your
emotions. Ensure you have adequate
breath capacity and control, project and resonate correctly and use all elements
of modulation. Speak clearly.
This is vital. New
Zealanders tend to not open their mouths wide enough or put enough effort into
articulation. Use vocal light and
shade and extra attack. Warm up
your voice and give your jaw a stretch beforehand.
Remember, your natural voice is best.
A well developed voice and vocal variation will reduce the barriers
between you and the audience.
Non-verbal communication is responsible for much of the communication conveyed
during a presentation. Remember to
put careful thought into these five elements to ensure the audience receives the
correct signals and receives your message clearly -
posture, eye contact, movement, gesture and facial expression.
Your posture should be comfortably erect and you should appear relaxed and
confident. Movement can add
emphasis and variation but avoid extremes (being a pacer or post).
A microphone may be a determining factor here.
Gesture should always be used for a purpose and have meaning.
It should be natural and spontaneous, not artificial or forced.
Appropriate gesture will help you communicate more clearly.
Facial expression is important when establishing credibility or rapport
with your audience. It should be
consistent with what you say and natural.
Remember to smile periodically to appear enthusiastic and pleasant and
show appropriate emotion when talking about serious issues; e.g. the abuses
Middle Eastern women face. With eye
contact aim to establish a circular response between you and your audience; i.e.
make sure to look at everyone in the conference room.
Make sure your personal appearance is appropriate for the audience you are
addressing. For a group of 20-30
middle-aged women, such as the group you will be addressing in this speech,
turning up with bright orange hair, a midriff-bearing top and a short skirt will
put them in no frame of mind to listen to you!
Research your audience thoroughly beforehand so you don’t offend or put
off any of your listeners.
Conservative semi-formal wear may be appropriate in this situation.
Make sure that you are also well groomed.
Immediacy refers to the physical distance between the speaker and the audience.
This gap can be bridged through eye contact and facial expression.
Using personal words such as “you” and “we” are also important here.
You may want to stand right in front of the audience, walk among them or
walk from left to right in front of them.
As the conference hall is small standing right in front of the audience
should be appropriate.
A
Greek historian, Herodotus, said over 2,400 years ago “People
trust their ears less than their eyes” so it is
important to ensure that your appearance and movement convey the correct
signals. If you understand the
audience and adapt what you say and do to them, you will better be able to
establish rapport and they have a greater chance of understanding you.
Extemporaneous speaking style aids you in achieving this effective use of
voice, will reduce barriers between you and the audience and will keep them
interested. Consider immediacy in
order to bridge this gap.
By ensuring that you take into account these five elements it will help you to
establish a partnership between you and the audience in the conference, and as a
result you will be successful in persuading them to spread awareness about
“Discrimination of Women in the