Essentials of Human
Communication, 6/e
Chapter Eleven
(Steps 7–10)
Public Speaking
Preparation and
Delivery
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Chapter Eleven Goals
Step 7—Word your speech
Step 8—Construct conclusion
and introduction
Step 9—Rehearse your speech
Step 10—Deliver your speech
Learn to critically evaluate
speeches
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Step 7—Wording your speech
 Prepare it in an oral style—short,
simple, familiar words
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Has more qualifying expressions
like “although,” “however,”
“perhaps”
Has more self-references
Has more “allness” statements (all,
none)
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Choosing the Right Words

Clarity
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Be economical and specific with both
numbers and words
Use guide phrases
Carefully assess idioms
Vary levels of abstraction
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Vividness
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Use active verbs
Use figures of speech that are visual,
auditory, and tactile
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Choosing the Right Words
Appropriateness
 Language must be familiar and fitting to the
audience
 Avoid written-style expressions
 Avoid slang, vulgar, and offensive expressions
Personal Style
 Use personal pronouns
 Direct questions to the audience
 Create a sense of immediacy with audience
Power
Sentence Construction
 Short, direct, positive sentences
 Use active verbs
 Vary the lengths of sentences to help rhythm
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Step 8—Functions
…of the Conclusion
Summarize
Restate your
thesis,
its importance,
and major points
Close
• Use quotation
• Pose a challenge or question
• Thank the audience
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Functions
…of the Introduction
Gain attention
 Ask a question
 Refer to specific audience members
 Refer to recent happenings
 Use illustration, or a dramatic or
humorous story
 Use visual aids
Orient the audience
 Preview main idea and propositions
 Identify the goal you hope to achieve
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Guidelines for Avoiding Common
Mistakes of Intro and Conclusion
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Don’t start speech immediately
Don’t apologize for nerves or preface
your introduction
Don’t display discomfort or
displeasure
Don’t introduce new material in your
conclusion
Don’t race away from the podium after
the speech
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Transitions and
Internal Summaries
“connecting…
intro to body,
points to points,
body to conclusion”
To announce a proposition
 To signal you are closing
 To introduce an exception
 To reconnect audience to ideas
 To signal location point in
speech
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The Preparation Outline
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Is a full sentence outline
Clearly states purpose and thesis
Presents body of speech
Builds both introduction and conclusion
Notes possible presentation aids
Lists references
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The Template Outline
•
•
•
Refines the preparation
outline
Could be used as a
speaking outline in some
cases
See DeVito’s text for an
outline template to follow
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The Delivery Outline
•
•
Assists in delivery of speech
Guidelines
 Be brief
 Be delivery-minded
 Rehearse with the delivery
outline
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Step 9—Methods of Delivery
Impromptu speaking
 Manuscript style
 Extemporaneous style

most useful
 recommended for most
people in most situations

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Rehearsing Your Speech
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Rehearse the speech from beginning to end
Time the speech
Rehearse under conditions in which you will
make speech
Rehearse in front of full-length mirror
Don’t interrupt rehearsal to make notes; do it
after you finish
Rehearse at least three or four times
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Step 10—Deliver Your Speech
Three dimensions of voice
• Volume
• Rate
• Articulation and Pronunciation
Pauses
• Avoid filler pauses (“um, you know, like, er”)
• The use of silence—interject into the stream
of your speech in places like transitions,
assertions, questions, before an idea, before
you begin speaking
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Body Movement
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•
•
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•
Eye contact
Facial expressions
Posture
Gestures
Larger body
movement
The use of notes
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Presentation Tips
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Maintain good eye contact
Use reasonable facial expressions
Let gestures be spontaneous and natural
Use movement to emphasize transitions and
make important assertions
 Know and use notes in subtle ways
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Critically Evaluating Speeches
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Is the subject appropriate?
Is it appropriate for the audience?
Has it been researched well?
Are the thesis and propositions appropriate?
Is there good supporting material?
Is the speech well organized?
Is the speech worded well?
Are conclusion, introduction, and transitions
effective?
 Is the delivery effective?
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Expressing Your Evaluation
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Say something positive
Be specific with comments
Be objective, avoid
your biases
Limit criticism
Be constructive
Focus on behavior
Own your criticism
Be culturally sensitive
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