Types in Public Speaking

 Unit 1: Methods of Presentation/Types of Speech 

Bcom sem 4 MKBU

Introduction

Speaking in public requires conscious preparation and practice in comparison to talking. During a speech, you should present yourself professionally with respect to grooming and usage of language.

Public speaking  is more  formal than talking and less formal than reading. Because it demands flexibility, meaningful pauses, eye contact, small changes in word order, and vocal emphasis during speech delivery. So, Basically public speaking is more like presenting an animated message with the scope of nonverbal interpretation.

Ex: Antonio, after the assassination of Julius Caesar, delivered a funeral speech and won the mob by his oratory. 

The mob that was earlier supporting Brutus and others suddenly turned against them. So, This the power of speech that can alternate a dull topic into an interesting one, whereas poor delivery or bad presentation can spoil the entire well written speech.

Good planning is the backbone of any good presentation. Equally important or perhaps more important is the manner/method of delivery. So, Here we will be discussing four types of speech delivery or methods of presentation which can help to deliver your content and data efficiently and effectively. For better understanding you can watch a video. (https://youtu.be/XfedtBlYau8)

Methods of Presentation/ Types of Speech

# Impromptu Speaking

Be still when you have nothing to say; when genuine passion moves you, say what you’ve got to say, and say it hot. 

– D. H. Lawrence

(Click on Here to watch a video on Impromptu Speech) Theoretically, an “impromptu” speech is a type of Speech where content is “made up on the spot.” Here you have to deliver a speech without any preparation or rehearsal. Impromptu speaking is the presentation of a short message without advance preparation. It can extend up to 2 to 5 or sometimes 8 minutes.

Examples: 

1) Self-introductions in group settings are examples of impromptu speaking: 

“Hi, my name is Steve, and I’m an account manager.” 

2) Interview Situation where unexpected questions are asked. Here your response is not pre-planned. You construct your arguments accordingly.

Guidelines for Impromptu Speech

• Take a moment to collect your thoughts and organise them.
• Thank the person for inviting you
• Avoid making comments regarding being unprepared or feeling nervous and uneasy
• Keep your speech brief and to the point
• Deliver your ideas in objective manner like…Two reasons which I would like to discuss here are…Two things which you should keep in your mind firstly…secondly…etc

Advantages

• Impromptu speeches are brief and focused on a single point.
• Emphasise on Spontaneity
• Allow to have strong eye contact with audience
• Freedom to speak whatever comes in your mind concerning the situation only
• Demands instant thinking and ideas development
• Helpful to qualify interview rounds or tackle real-life situations

Disadvantages

• No time for preparation
• Lack of time can be resulted into unorganised structure
• Demands instant thinking and ideas development
• Can lead towards anxiety and nervousness 
• Might not get expected outcome or results

#  Manuscript Presentations (Reading)

A manuscript page from President George W. Bush’s address to

 the nation on the day of the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

(https://youtu.be/MHUJ-k8K1Bg)

Manuscript presentations are the word-for-word of a written message also called Verbatim. In a manuscript presentation, the speaker needs to keep their attention on the printed page. This is the most unpopular and uninteresting type of presentation. Keeping one’s eyes glued to the script prevents eye contact with the audience. For this kind of “straight” manuscript presentation to grab the audience's attention is the toughest part. It demands rounds of rehearsal to get a conversational tone and not sound like a bird brain.

It is worth noting that professional speakers, actors, news reporters, and politicians often read from an autocue device, commonly called a teleprompter, especially when appearing on television, where eye contact with the camera is crucial. The most regular use of the teleprompter for manuscript delivery is by the U.S. President. In fact, the teleprompter, used by every President since Reagan, is called a “Presidential Teleprompter.” However, success in this medium depends on two factors: 

1. The presenter is already an accomplished public speaker who has learned to use a conversational tone while delivering a prepared script, and 
2. The presentation is written in a style that sounds conversational and in spoken rather than written, edited English.

Advantages

• More useful for a formal affair (like a report to shareholders) when your presentation must be said exactly as it is written
• Provide accuracy and precision
• Transcript can be released quickly/simultaneously
• Speaker have a less pressure in Manuscript Presentation
• Allow for high control over outcome

Disadvantages

• Allow for limited/rare eye contact
• Audience might feel boring
• Tilted towards written rather than oral style
• Easy to lose your audience's attention
• Costly than other types of speech

#  Extemporaneous Presentations

(Click here for further reading) Sandwiched between the memorised and impromptu delivery styles you find the extemporaneous speech style. For this style, the speech is not completely written out. It is usually delivered with keynotes for reference. Most public speaking courses and books describe extemporaneous speeches as carefully prepared and rehearsed, but delivered using notes of key words and phrases to support the speaker. Phrasing is pre- rehearsed, words are pre-chosen, and the organisation is fluid and well constructed. There should be no fumbling for words, no rambling, and length of time should be carefully monitored. The style does offer flexibility to the speaker by including references to the immediate surroundings, previous speeches, news of the day, and so on.

Extemporaneous presentations are carefully planned and rehearsed presentations, delivered in a conversational manner using brief notes. 

Advantages

• Here, the speaker will be perceived as knowledgeable and credible since you know the speech well enough that you don’t need to read it. 
• Your audience is likely to pay better attention to the message because it is engaging both verbally and nonverbally. 
• It also allows flexibility; you can delete, add, or rephrase something at the last minute or can adapt a new style according to your audience

Disadvantages

• Overuse of notes can limit eye contact
• Demands practice and rehearsals

# Memorised Speaking

(Click on the below given link to watch a video on Memorized Speaking https://youtu.be/RWK4IO-yOSA)The memorised style of speaking is the most accepted form of speech. Here, the entire manuscript memorised by multiple rehearsals and practices and recited to the audience. Memorised speaking is the recitation of a written message that the speaker has stored in their memory. 

Example: Actors, of course, recite from memory whenever they perform from a script in a stage play, television program, or movie scene. 

Memorised speaking consists of reciting a scripted speech from memory. Memorization allows the speaker to be free of notes. But, memorising a typical seven-minute presentation takes a great deal of time and effort, and if you aren’t used to memorising, it is very difficult to pull off. 

(Tips to memorise a speech https://youtu.be/rvBw__VNrsc)

Advantages

• You can have a constant eye contact with audience
• Being free of notes means you can move freely around the stage and use your hands to make gestures.
• Freedom to have bodily movements in vacated space
• Allow for precise and correct wording

Disadvantages

• Easy to forget while interruption
• Appears 'canned' and cold
• Demands extensive preparation time and rehearsals
• Does not allow spontaneity while speaking
• It demands planning and memorisation for every vocal cue (the subtle but meaningful variations in speech delivery, which can include the use of pitch, tone, volume, pace, gesture, and facial expression)

References

• https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/commbusprofcdn/chapter/methods-of-presentation-delivery/
• https://courses.lumenlearning.com/publicspeakingprinciples/chapter/chapter-12-methods-of-delivery/