Delivering Your Speech
|
There are three different ways to deliver your speech. You need to review your situation and the nature of the actual speech to determine which format to use: 1. Reading from a Script Reading your entire speech from a script may give you confidence and ensure that nothing is forgotten or omitted. It is best used on formal occasions when your lecture is long, or you do not wish to blunder on what you say, or when you wish to show that you are taking the speech seriously and solemnly. That explains why at the UN or other state functions, politicians are often reading from texts. Of course, this kind of reading will make it difficult for you to have eye contact or to interact with your audience, as you will be buried in your paper. So on the lighter speeches, it is better not to read from a script. 2. Using Notes If your speech is rather on the light side, and it is stringed together by a series of loosely connected points and anecdotes, then using notes to remind yourself while delivering the speech can help you follow your own arrangement without making your speech too stodgy. Your notes should consist of the keywords or points of your speech - a skeleton of thoughts or words around which you can build your speech. You may refer to your notes occasionally to maintain the thread of your speech, while for the most part of your speech, you should speak directly to the audience. 3. Reciting From Memory Reciting from memory is most effective on occasions when you are doing a speech contest and your do not want to spend your energy thinking about your points but instead hope to concentrate on the delivery. If you have a good memory and feel comfortable speaking publicly, this will be a good way. The real challenge is that you must avoid sinking into a monotonous recitation of your speech. Delivery Tips - Make sure that your appearance is well presented. - Speak clearly, and adjust your voice so that everyone can hear you. Don't shout for the sake of being loud. - Use your tone of voice strategically to create optimal effect, but avoid being over-dramatic. - It is common to speak rapidly when nervous. Try to take your time speaking - Effectively used, a pause in your speech can be used to emphasize a point, or to allow the audience to react to what you have just said. - Make eye contact with your audience. This helps to build trust and a relationship between the speaker and the listeners - Do not fidget or make other nervous gestures with your hands. Do not keep your hands in your pockets. Do use hand gestures effectively. - Watch your audience closely and be sensitive about your response. Adjust your direction or your tone if necessary. - Be yourself. Allow your own personality to come across in your speech
|