13-1
Communication in a Changing
World, 2006 Edition
C
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13
P
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Delivering a Confident
Presentation
Bethami A. Dobkin
Roger C. Pace
McGraw-Hill
© 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
13-2
Delivering a Confident Presentation
•
•
•
•
•
Managing the Fear of Speaking
Types of Delivery
Selecting the Words for Your Speech
Aspects of Delivery
Communicating Responsibly: Using
Appropriate Language and Gestures
McGraw-Hill
© 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
13-3
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)
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13-4
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
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13-5
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?
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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
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13-7
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
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13-8
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
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Types of Delivery
“It usually takes more than three weeks to
prepare a good impromptu speech.”
—Mark Twain, author
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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
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13-11
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
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13-12
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
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13-13
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
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13-14
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
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Aspects of Delivery
• Using Your Body and Hands
– Use Good Speaking Posture
– Make the Most of Your Gestures
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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
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13-17
Communicating Responsibly: Using
Appropriate Language and Gestures
• Choose Appropriate Language
– Avoid generic use of the word “man”
– Avoid masculine pronouns
– Balance male and female examples
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13-18
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
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13-19
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
McGraw-Hill
© 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.