Public Speaking Introduction Public speaking like any other

Public Speaking

Introduction Public speaking, like any other professional task, requires planning, preparation, and perfect execution of ideas.

Structure of the Speech q Chronological pattern q Cause-effect pattern q Spatial or directional pattern q Topical pattern q Psychological pattern

Chronological Pattern q The most commonly employed patterns for organizing a speech q Arrange ideas, keeping in mind the chronology of events (Example: ‘The History of Indian Cricket’, ‘The History of Mughal Emperors’ )

Causal Pattern q Divided into two major components -causes and their effects q Highlight the relationship between a problem and the reasons q Arranged in a casual pattern q Highlight the gravity of a situation by focusing either on its causes or their effects (Example: Impact of Advertisements on Young Minds)

Spatial Pattern q. Generally used in a geographical or structural orientation q. Move the discussion from top to bottom or right to left or front to back Examples: ‘Amber Fort: Its Structure and Splendour’, ‘The Birla Temple Jaipur: A Structural Description’, ‘Design of an Automatic Washing Machine’, etc.

Topical Pattern q Divide and arrange the different parts of a speech into various headings and subheadings (Examples: ‘Types of Cancers’, ‘Importance of Sex Education in Schools’, ‘Differences in Marxist and Capitalistic Economies’, ‘Kinds of Cyclonic Storms’, etc. )

Psychological Pattern q Structure the speech according to the needs of the listeners q Arranges ideas in a manner most likely to create an immediate impact on the listeners q Emotive in style and sense (Example: Loneliness: ‘A By-product of Modern Living? ’)

Selecting an Appropriate Method • Not only the pattern but the method of delivery also matters a lot • Choose the most suitable one from this list of methods § Speaking from memory § Speaking from the manuscript § Speaking impromptu § Speaking from notes

Speaking from Memory Advantages § Memorizing an entire speech helps the speaker put across his/her ideas with requisite flair, tone, and tenor § The method requires a lot of practice and rehearsal, which in turn, helps the speaker to be well prepared for the speech Disadvantages § It is generally seen that speaking from memory makes a speaker rely too much on it § Since the entire speech is memorized by the speaker, forgetting some part of it may result in a derailment of the speaker’s momentum

Speaking from Memory contd… Advantages Disadvantages § Since the speaker is usually well prepared s/he can maintain better eye contact with the audience while delivering the speech § As the entire text is already memorized by the speaker, it does not give him/her much room for creativity and originality © Oxford University Press 2011

Speaking from Memory Advantages § With this method, the speaker has the advantage of casting and recasting the entire text of the speech, and making it as impressive and emphatic as possible Disadvantages § While choosing this pattern, the speaker binds him/herself to expressing certain views which s/he cannot change even if the situation so warrants § The method may smack of a person’s lack of experience when s/he endeavours to choose it

Speaking from the Manuscript Advantages § Since the entire speech is written and to be read out from the manuscript, it adds to the confidence of an inexperienced speaker § As the entire text is already written, the margin of error is minimal Disadvantages § As the speaker reads from the manuscript, the entire speech-making process looks too formal and monotonous at times § Since the speech is already written, the speaker does not have the chance to make changes at the time of delivery, if required

Speaking from Manuscript Advantages • In situations where accuracy is extremely important, this method of delivery is quite useful Disadvantages • As the entire speech has to be uttered verbatim from the script, it lacks originality and spontaneity

Speaking from Manuscript may be boring

Speaking Impromptu Advantages § Since in impromptu speeches you are called to speak a few words, nothing much is expected; your listeners know that you were not given any chance to prepare, so they do not judge you strictly Disadvantages § When someone is asked all of a sudden to walk up to the dais and say a few words, they are bound to feel a little nervous and jittery. Because of this suddenness, sometimes the speakers are not able to speak with conviction or clarity

Speaking Impromptu Advantages § While listening to an impromptu speech, audiences are always keen to see their speaker succeed § Since the speaker delivers his/her thoughts without much preparation, he/she enjoys tacit public consideration and sympathy Disadvantages § Impromptu speeches often lack organization of ideas, simply because the speaker has no chance for arranging his/her thoughts in proper order

Speaking Impromptu Advantages § Delivering well in impromptu situations is like investing minimum and accruing maximum, as the expectations are low and the level of emotional approbation quite high Disadvantages § One crippling disadvantage of the impromptu method of speaking is that even if the speaker says something meaningful and profound, it is not taken very seriously § In impromptu speeches, the audiences’ patience runs short and they are in a hurry to judge the speaker and his/her ideas

Speaking from Notes • The speaker can afford to look natural and spontaneous • It makes the speaker also look prepared and yet flexible in approach • The speaker can also maintain eye contact with the audience most of the time

Speaking from Notes • Since the speaker does not either read out from the manuscript or speak from memory, s/he has an added advantage of making necessary changes at the time of delivery, if required

Speaking from Notes § As the speaker also does not go into a speech situation as abruptly as s/he ventures into it while asked to make impromptu speech, s/he is both prepared and yet flexible to changes wherever required the speaker gives the impression of being professionally prepared and in control

Speaking from Notes • Choosing this method also gives him/her an opportunity to appear more spontaneous and natural the speaker has the advantage of figuring out the response of the audience as he/she speaks, and can also change his/her ideas as per the expectations of the audience.

Art of Persuasion § Research your topic thoroughly. § Use proper data and figures to sound convincing. § Keep an audience-oriented approach. § Employ personal examples to establish personal rapport with the audience.

Art of Persuasion • Create a verbal imagery to leave the desired impact on the audience. • Use language suited to the occasion. • Keep your audience entertained during your speech.

Making Speeches Interesting • Make your beginnings catchy • Use humour and wit • Use body language appropriately • Employ proper voice modulation • Use examples and instances • End emphatically

Different Types of Speeches • Welcome/Introductory Speech • Vote of Thanks Speeches • Farewell Speeches

Welcome/Introductory Speech • Introduce the speaker by referring to his/her full, formal name, including all the titles that go with her/his name • Highlight the achievements of the speaker by mentioning the expertise, distinctions, degrees, awards, recognitions • Don’t just introduce the speaker, but also the area that s/he is going to touch upon, highlighting the speaker’s expertise relevant to his/her message

Welcome/Introductory Speech • Don’t sound fulsome in your praise for the speaker; it may embarrass the speaker and s/he may find it difficult to raise themselves to the expectations thus raised. Moreover, praising the speaker beyond a limit may make you seem insincere and sycophantic

Welcome/Introductory Speech § Don’t go on speaking for a long time. While introducing the speaker, you should be crisp and brief. Remember, a long-winded introductory or welcome speech is always a nuisance for the audience. Moreover, if you speak too much, you may eat into the time allotted for the invited speaker’s address. So, be focused and to the point

Vote of Thanks Speeches • Make a list of the people to be thanked. Review the list to ensure that no one has been missed out. • Use a proper order to express your gratitude. Normally, people in the higher echelons of the profession are thanked first, followed by those who offered real help, then the people who made the event successful, and finally those who provided mechanical help.

Vote of Thanks Speeches • Whenever you thank someone, also cite the reason for your gratitude and the kind of help received. • Be brief; avoid verbosity and exaggerations. • Maintain warmth; avoid being mechanical.

Vote of Thanks Speeches • Vary your expressions to express your gratitude for the various types of help received from a variety of people • Be witty and humorous, if possible

Farewell Speeches • Avoid criticizing the company’s policies or people, even if you don’t appreciate them much • Don’t exaggerate your own achievements • Thank the organization for the opportunity you received for serving it

Farewell Speeches • Sound polite and humble in your expressions. • Be brief in your farewell speech; if you drone on for a long time, you may first lose the interest of the audience and subsequently their sympathy.

Questions