METHODS OF SPEAKING (UNIT 6)

Four basic methods of delivering a speech:

1. Speaking impromptu

2. Speaking extemporaneously

3. Reading verbatim from a manuscript

4. Reciting a memorized speech

1. Speaking Impromptu

Impromptu speaking is done on the spur of the moment, with very little time for preparation (maybe a
matter of second or most, a matter of minutes) but oven in a few seconds, you can form a specific
purpose or at least a line of development, you can determine two or three points you will pursue on the
development, and if time permits you may even be able to think of a good one-line opening

In impromptu speaking, you may be guided by the nature of the occasion, as it is speaking with very
little preparation, you might find yourself being asked to react to a certain issue or to a preceding talk or
simply to participate in commemorating an event.

Sister Maria Reginalda Falca, O.P. suggests the ff. principles in giving an impromptu talk:

a. Formulate the central idea. Don't try to discuss the entire subject. Limit yourself to a specific aspect
which you can discuss in a very few minutes. Be sure you know the idea you want to present before you
start.

b. Open your talk with a sentence that says something. Don’t be apologetic. Begin with a bang and go
straight to the point

c. The body of your speech must be unified. You can give examples, illustrations, comparisons, and
contrast to explain your key sentence. Be concrete and as specific as possible.

d. Conclude on a strong note. You can repeat your key sentence. Rephrase or restate it briefly but
clearly.

2. Extemporaneous Speech

Is prepared in advance but delivered spontaneously. Extempore means growing “out of time” or coming
at the time of delivery. In a public speaking context, extemporaneous speech is prepared, but the exact
wording is determined at the time of utterance. An impromptu talk is delivered with almost no prior
preparation at all.
Most of our speeches should be given extemporaneously. Doing so allows more control of the speech
than in impromptu speaking. And yet it still maintains spontaneity. You are prepared: you can adapt to
the audience as needed. Because extemporaneous speaking requires you to think in the presence of
your audience, you will have the opportunity to vary your material depending on the interest and
attention of your audience, to adjust these materials to the changes of speaking occasion, and to use
effective gestures that will make your talk not only interesting but also lively and vivid. Also, with
enough preparation, you can maintain poise and confidence in your ability to communicate well.

In speaking extemporaneously, you may use brief notes to jog the memory but the notes should cover
only the ideas and information, not the words which will express them. Plan and organize what you have
to say, but choose words as you go along. Here, you can express yourself spontaneously, with occasional
reference to notes to help you move smoothly from one idea to the next.

UNIT 9

THE SPEAKER'S VOICE

VOICE PROJECTION

Your voice is your prime instrument and can be a rewarding asset to you as a public speaker. Use it well.
Don't just speak words. Get involved; vary your pitch, your volume, your pace. Don't lean on "um's" and
"ah's" and all the other vocal crutches. Keep your instrument in tune and practice eliminating the flat
notes. Voice quality cannot be improved overnight. You have to continue practicing till you achieve your
pleasing kind of voice acceptable in public speaking.

In practices, remember to speak out clearly. Do not force your voice but project it. Voice projection is
the throwing or thrusting forward of the voice so that the last person at the back row can hear you
clearly. In actual speech delivery, therefore, you should consider the size of your audience.

1. The desire for instant results. The present generation belongs to a world of "instant"; instant coffee,
instant noodles, instant relief from pain, and so on.

2. The problem with a "bad" voice. A voice that is labeled as "bad" may not be bad at all. It may only be
grossly undeveloped or underdeveloped untrained or maybe badly trained. Remember that the voice
you have now took years to develop, starting from the time you learned to talk up to the present. If the
speech behavior acquired is not the correct one, that "bad" voice will take time to change. What is
important is that the learner should be highly motivated to improve how he sounds.

3. The myth of a beautiful voice. Everybody wants to possess a beautiful voice.

a. Self-evaluation stage. Train your ear to hear what a good sound is. Learn to listen and be highly
motivated to improve your speech behavior.

b. Evaluation of others. Let an expert or a Speech teacher comment on your voice. If any positive effect
is to be achieved, there must be a "bonding" between you and your teacher.

c. Trial and error stage. Try your new vocal skills. You will feel self-conscious at the beginning, but give it
time and you will eventually overcome it. "Take the work seriously but not yourself."

d. Application. "Practice makes perfect” cliché but true. If you are to work on changing and improving
your voice, you must strive to look for opportunities to practice. Repetition establishes a habit.

IMPROVING YOUR VOICE

The Speech Mechanism

Speech Mechanism, which constitutes the different parts of the human body involved in the speaking
process.

Nature of the Speech Mechanism

The conclusion we derive from all this is that it is imperative that while we do not need to concern
ourselves in trying to learn how to perform biological functions, we have to discipline ourselves in
proper speech habits. Before we speak, we inhale air. When we speak, we exhale air. The exhaled air is
the raw material out of which we make the finished product the voice.

The minimal amount of air we inhale for breathing purposes is termed the tidal air.

The additional air we inhale for speaking purposes is called the complementary air.

The way you sound now may be the result of any of the following:

1. Internal Problem. In this case, you will need a specialist to diagnose to improve your voice.

2. Personality problem. Whatever you feel will somehow be manifested in any way. Imagine how you
look and sound when you are not feeling well, or when you have a problem: or when you are not well-
prepared to discuss the assignment; when you are not sure of yourself and your audience.

3. Lack of control and discipline. Speaking is an activity that involves muscles. If these muscles are not
properly toned or conditioned, they too will exhibit "wear and tear."
EFFECTIVE VOICE

In speech, it is not only the words spoken that matters, but it is also how these words are uttered. These
are the factors affecting the sound, these are the elements of voice. To make an analogy between voice
and the human face a beautiful face is made more attractive with the right make-up to highlight the
features. This is the same with the voice words alone will not convey meaningful message. How these
words were said (softly, angrily, loudly, in whisper, high or low pitched, slowly or rapidly, etc.) will
certainly complete the transmission of thoughts, feelings and ideas.

1. Loudness. One of the aspects of a pleasant speaking voice is that it must be loud enough to be heard
easily. So be sensitive to the audience's non-verbal reactions. Do they stretch their necks? Do they knit
their brows? Do they cover their ears?

2. Pitch. Most often, when a student is asked to increase has volume, he raises his pitch. Pitch refers to
the tone level of the voice. Usually, a high pitch indicates intense emotions or excitement, while low
pitch implies seriousness and solemnity.

3. Speech rate or speed. It refers to the duration of sound, the number of words spoken during a certain
period of time. The speech in which words are uttered depends on some factors:

a. Important words or message is usually delivered slower for emphasis.

b. The personality of the speaker — a vivacious, energetic speaker tends to speak faster than a sanguine
person.

c. Health condition — a sick person speaks slower than a healthy one.

d. Mental condition — a person who thinks fast tends to talk fast.

4. Quality. What the speech mechanism produces is the quality of our voice. Simply defined, quality is
the kind of voice we have, whether it is resonant, mellow, rich, pleasant, weak, thin, guttural, nasal,
rough, and the like.

Quality is determined by (1) the vibration and (2) the amplification of our voice. That is why people
have different voice qualities. The vibration and amplification of voices differ from person to person.

A good speaking voice is one that may be said to be resonant, loud and clear. Having one is inborn to the
gifted. Through effort, a good speaking voice can be developed. To develop a good speaking voice, we
can:

1. Lower the pitch of our voice (for more substance to the sound).

2. Relax the throat and neck muscles (for freer passage of the air to prevent a flat sound).

3. Control our breathing (for more volume) and,

4. Use our modifiers energetically for more clarity).