Delivering a Confident Presentation

13 Delivering a Confident Presentation

Delivering a Confident Presentation • Managing the Fear of Speaking • Types of Delivery • Selecting the Words for Your Speech • Aspects of Delivery • Delivering a Responsible Presentation

Delivering a Confident Presentation • All speakers, with sincere effort and diligent practice, can improve their delivery and learn to present their ideas effectively

Managing the Fear of Speaking • Communication apprehension is the fear of communication situations • Most people experience some degree of anxiety about giving a speech • You can reduce and manage your apprehension by preparing and practicing, relaxing and visualizing (Ayres, Heuett, and Sonandre 1998)

Managing the Fear of Speaking “Public speaking is easier than social conversation because you can plan what you want to say and be guaranteed a specific time in which to say it without interruption . . . In addition, you will likely be the best prepared person there.”—Gerald Phillips, communication scholar

Managing the Fear of Speaking • Taking Control of Your Presentation • Making thorough preparation and practice of your speech is the single most important thing you can do to reduce your nervousness • Learning to Relax • You need to control, at least partially, the physical symptoms of fear to deliver your speech

Managing the Fear of Speaking • Visualizing a Positive Outcome • Visualization refers to a technique used to control communication apprehension by replacing negative thoughts with positive ones • Think in specific detail about a successful speech experience and what it will look like

Managing the Fear of Speaking • Applying Communication Concepts • Conquering Stage Fright • How does physical relaxation help your delivery? • How might a tense body hinder delivery?

Managing the Fear of Speaking “Many of us under stress of speaking publicly . . . Stop breathing just when we need it most. Frequently we try to speak on one long breath . . . The trick is to keep breathing as you speak.”—Patsy Rodenburg, vocal coach, Royal Shakespeare Company

Types of Delivery • Using a Manuscript • In manuscript speaking, the speaker reads from a script that is written out word for word • Limits a speaker’s ability to deliver the speech effectively • Practice the speech • Read the speech out loud several times • Glance up at the audience while completing sentences from memory • Read slowly • Use pauses

Types of Delivery • Delivering a Speech from Memory • In memorized speaking, the speaker writes out the speech, memorizes the content, and then delivers the speech word for word without the use of notes • Practice the speech from beginning to end • Memorize and practice the speech in segments

Types of Delivery • Impromptu Delivery • Impromptu speaking means delivering the speech with little or no preparation • Take what little time you have and organize your ideas • As you speak, avoid vocal pauses—sounds speakers make while stopping to think of what they are going to say, such as “ah,” “a,” “and a,” “um,” and “uh” • Be concise

Types of Delivery “It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.”—Mark Twain, author

Types of Delivery • Speaking Extemporaneously • Extemporaneous speaking involves using a keyword outline to deliver a prepared speech • Builds connections with the audience • Allows flexibility in responding to audience feedback • Lets the speaker adjust the length of the speech

Selecting the Words for Your Speech • Be Clear • Select words that are precise and specific • Be Vivid • Select words that evoke imagery, or a mental picture, in the mind of the audience • Use metaphors to compare one thing, idea, or action to another • Select similes, types of metaphors that compare two things using the words “like” or “as” • Avoid clichés, worn-out phrases that have lost their vividness

Selecting the Words for Your Speech • Be Conversational • Use words that include the audience such as “we” and “our” • Use other personal pronouns • User first person when referring to yourself • Talk directly to the audience • Use rhetorical questions—questions you want the audience to think about but not answer vocally

Aspects of Delivery • Using Your Voice • Good vocal delivery depends on both loudness and clarity • Pronunciation is saying word according to accepted standard of English and in agreement with the expectations of the audience • Enunciation refers to saying the words clearly

Aspects of Delivery • Using Your Voice • Good vocal delivery depends on both loudness and clarity (continued) • Rate is how quickly or slowly the speech is delivered • Volume is how loudly the speech is delivers • Inflection is the vocal emphasis you place on each word • Vocal variety refers to varying the rate, volume, and inflection in delivering a speech

Aspects of Delivery • Applying Communication Concepts • Tongue Twisters • Which twisters are the most difficult for you to say? • Which combination of syllables or words is difficult to enunciate? • Does speaking slowly help your enunciation

Aspects of Delivery • Using Your Body and Hands • Use Good Speaking Posture • Make the Most of Your Gestures

Aspects of Delivery • Exploring Communication Concepts • Hand Gestures • Are you aware of the gestures you use when you talk in conversations? Speak before groups? • According to this research, what are some ways that hand gestures can help in delivering a speech?

Aspects of Delivery • Using Your Face and Eyes • Facial expression need to match the speech content • Eye contact, looking at the audience when delivering a speech, is the most important facial gesture

Aspects of Delivery • Using Speaking Aids • Speaking aids refers to visual and auditory props which speakers use to develop a speech and help the audience conceptualize ideas • Use speaking aids that add content to the speech • Make sure the aid can be seen or heard by everyone in the audience • Use speaking aids at specific points in the speech • Avoid distributing visual aids, such as hand outs, during your speech • Keep the aid simple

Aspects of Delivery • Using Speaking Aids (continued) • Explain your aid to the audience • Practice with the speaking aid • If something goes wrong with your aid, do not panic or lose control of the situation • Remember your audience when using a speaking aid

Aspects of Delivery • Think It Over • Using Dramatic Speech Aids • How might his audience react to the pictures? • Is his choice of speaking aid appropriate? Is it effective? Why or Why not?

Aspects of Delivery • Using Computers • Know the software thoroughly • Resist the “gizmo” factor • Use no more than six words per line and six lines per slide • Use a font that is clear and legible, and forget fancy fonts with lots of scrolls and adornments • Use a large font size • Use a consistent format, color scheme, and method of text animation • Use a plain or simple background

Aspects of Delivery • Using Computers • Maintain your speaker’s presence • Use a computer presentation in the appropriate situations and places • Expect the unexpected and do not panic

Aspects of Delivery Figure 13-1. Guidelines for Computer Slides Clean and simple computer slides are most effective

Delivering a Responsible Presentation • Choose Appropriate Language • Avoid generic use of the word “man” • Avoid masculine pronouns • Balance male and female examples • Use Appropriate Gestures

Summary • Most speakers can control or manage apprehension by preparing, relaxing, and visualizing success • Four different types of delivery, manuscript speaking, memorized speaking, impromptu speaking, and extemporaneous speaking, exist • You should use words that are clear, vivid, and conversational

Summary • Speak clearly and project your voice, vary the rate, volume, and inflection of you voice, look at the entire audience, and practice appropriate facial gestures • Speakers should use language and gestures that are culturally sensitive and inclusive

Delivering a Confident Presentation