Creative Speech Productions

Methods of Speech Delivery:

There are four basic methods of speech delivery: manuscript, memorized, impromptu, and
extemporaneous. We’ll look at each method and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.
1. Manuscript

A manuscript speech is when the speaker writes down every word they will speak during the speech.
When they deliver the speech, they have each word planned and in front of them on the page, much like a
newscaster who reads from a teleprompter.
The advantage of using a manuscript is that the speaker has access to every word they’ve prepared
in advance. There is no guesswork or memorization needed. This method comforts some speakers’ nerves as
they don’t have to worry about that moment where they might freeze and forget what they’ve planned to
say. They also are able to make exact quotes from their source material.
When the exact wording of an idea is crucial, speakers often read from a manuscript, for instance in
communicating public statements from a company.
However, the disadvantage with a manuscript is that the speakers have MANY words in front of them
on the page. This prohibits one of the most important aspects of delivery, eye contact. When many words
are on the page, the speakers will find themselves looking down at those words more frequently because
they will need the help. If they do look up at the audience, they often cannot find their place when the eye
returns to the page. Also, when nerves come into play, speakers with manuscripts often default to reading
from the page and forget that they are not making eye contact or engaging their audience. Therefore,
manuscript is a very difficult delivery method and not ideal. Above all, the speakers should remember to
rehearse with the script so that they practice looking up often.
2. Memorized
A memorized speech is also fully prepared in advance and one in which the speaker does not use any
notes. In the case of an occasion speech like a quick toast, a brief dedication, or a short eulogy, word-for-
word memorization might make sense. Usually, though, it doesn’t involve committing each and every word
to memory. Memorizing a speech isn’t like memorizing a poem where you need to remember every word
exactly as written. Don’t memorize a manuscript! Work with your outline instead. Practice with the outline
until you can recall the content and order of your main points without effort. Then it’s just a matter of
practicing until you’re able to elaborate on your key points in a natural and seamless manner. Ideally, a
memorized speech will sound like an off-the-cuff statement by someone who is a really eloquent speaker
and an exceptionally organized thinker!
The advantage of a memorized speech is that the speaker can fully face their audience and make lots
of eye contact. The problem with a memorized speech is that speakers may get nervous and forget the parts
they’ve memorized. Without any notes to lean on, the speaker may hesitate and leave lots of dead air in the
room while trying to recall what was planned. Sometimes, the speaker can’t remember or find his or her
place in the speech and are forced to go get the notes or go back to the PowerPoint in some capacity to try
to trigger his or her memory. This can be an embarrassing and uncomfortable moment for the speaker and
the audience, and is a moment which could be easily avoided by using a different speaking method.
 3. Impromptu
An impromptu speech is one for which there is little to no preparation. There is often not a warning even
that the person may be asked to speak. For example, your speech teacher may ask you to deliver a speech
on your worst pet peeve. You may or may not be given a few minutes to organize your thoughts. What should
you do? DO NOT PANIC. Even under pressure, you can create a basic speech that follows the formula of an
introduction, body, and conclusion. If you have a few minutes, jot down some notes that fit into each part of
the speech. (In fact, the phrase “speaking off the cuff,” which means speaking without preparation, probably
refers to the idea that one would jot a few notes on one’s shirt cuff before speaking impromptu.) An
introduction should include an attention getter, introduction of the topic, speaker credibility, and forecasting
of main points. The body should have two or three main points. The conclusion should have a summary, call
to action, and final thought. If you can organize your thoughts into those three parts, you will sound like a
polished speaker. Even if you only hit two of them, it will still help you to think about the speech in those
parts. For example, if a speech is being given on a pet peeve of chewed gum being left under desks in
classrooms, it might be organized like this.
• Introduction: Speaker chews gum loudly and then puts it under a desk (attention getter,
demonstration). Speaker introduces themselves and the topic and why they’re qualified to speak on
it (topic introduction and credibility). “I’m Katie Smith and I’ve been a student at this school for three
years and witnessed this gum problem the entire time.”
• Body: Speaker states three main points of why we shouldn’t leave gum on desks: it’s rude, it makes
custodians have to work harder, it affects the next student who gets nastiness on their seat (forecast
of order). Speaker then discusses those three points
• Conclusion: Speaker summarizes those three points (summary, part 1 of conclusion), calls on the
audience to pledge to never do this again (call to action), and gives a quote from Michael Jordan
about respecting property (final thought).
While an impromptu speech can be challenging, the advantage is that it can also be thrilling as the speaker
thinks off the cuff and says what they’re most passionate about in the moment. A speaker should not be
afraid to use notes during an impromptu speech if they were given any time to organize their thoughts.
The disadvantage is that there is no time for preparation, so finding research to support claims such as quotes
or facts cannot be included. The lack of preparation makes some speakers more nervous and they may
struggle to engage the audience due to their nerves.
4. Extemporaneous
The last method of delivery we’ll look at is extemporaneous. When speaking extemporaneously, speakers
prepare some notes in advance that help trigger their memory of what they planned to say. These notes are
often placed on notecards. A 4”x6” notecard or 5”x7” size card works well. This size of notecards can be
purchased at any office supply store. Speakers should determine what needs to go on each card by reading
through their speech notes and giving themselves phrases to say out loud. These notes are not full sentences,
but help the speakers, who turn them into a full sentence when spoken aloud. Note that if a quote is being
used, listing that quote verbatim is fine.

The advantage of extemporaneous speaking is that the speakers are able to speak in a more conversational
tone by letting the cards guide them, but not dictate every word they say. This method allows for the speakers
to make more eye contact with the audience. The shorter note forms also prevent speakers from getting lost
in their words. Numbering these cards also helps if one gets out of order. Also, these notes are not ones the
teacher sees or collects. While you may be required to turn in your speech outline, your extemporaneous
notecards are not seen by anyone but you. Therefore, you can also write yourself notes to speak up, slow
down, emphasize a point, go to the next slide, etc.
The disadvantage to extemporaneous is the speakers may forget what else was planned to say or find a card
to be out of order. This problem can be avoided through rehearsal and double-checking the note order before
speaking.
Many speakers consider the extemporaneous method to be the ideal speaking method because it allows
them to be prepared, keeps the audience engaged, and makes the speakers more natural in their delivery. In
your public speaking class, most of your speeches will probably be delivered extemporaneously.

Creative Speeches
1. Declamation
Declamation is an artistic method of public speaking that expresses the full sense of the text being
conveyed through articulation, emphasis, and gesture. This type of dramatic oration can be used to persuade,
inform, or entertain an audience. It was originally used in ancient Rome to teach rhetoric.
Declamation, derived from the Latin word “declamatio” (infinitive: dēclāmāre), is a form of public
speaking that emphasizes the delivery and dramatic presentation of a recitation or speech. It is an ancient
rhetorical practice that has evolved over the centuries.
This centuries-old practice involves the recitation of a speech, typically chosen from famous literary
or historical works, to captivate and engage an audience. Whether it’s the fiery delivery of a harangue or the
eloquent recital of a profound monologue, declamation showcases the speaker’s ability to convey emotions,
persuade, and inspire.
One can find a plethora of synonyms for declamation, such as oratory, elocution, or public speaking.
It is a craft that demands not only a strong command of language but also the art of storytelling and the
ability to connect with listeners.
Word choice plays a crucial role in conveying the intended message effectively, where resources like
the thesaurus and word lists become invaluable companions for a declaimer, providing an array of vocabulary
options to enrich their delivery.
What Is the difference between Speech and Declamation?
While speech and declamation involve the act of addressing an audience, distinct differences exist
between the two. A speech primarily focuses on conveying information, sharing ideas, or expressing opinions
in a coherent and persuasive manner.
It aims to educate, entertain, or inspire the listeners. On the other hand, declamation places greater
emphasis on the dramatic delivery of the spoken words.
It involves using gestures, eye contact, facial expressions, and vocal variations to convey emotions
and engage the audience on a more visceral level.
2. Storytelling
Storytelling is the interactive art of using words and actions to reveal the elements and images of a
story while encouraging the listener’s imagination.
 Storytelling is interactive.
Storytelling involves a two-way interaction between a storyteller and one or more listeners. The
responses of the listeners influence the telling of the story. In fact, storytelling emerges from the interaction
and cooperative, coordinated efforts of teller and audience.
In particular, storytelling does not create an imaginary barrier between the speaker and the listeners. This is
part of what distinguishes storytelling from the forms of theatre that use an imaginary “fourth wall.”
Different cultures and situations create different expectations for the exact roles of storyteller and listener –
who speaks how often and when, for example – and therefore create different forms of interaction.
The interactive nature of storytelling partially accounts for its immediacy and impact. At its best, storytelling
can directly and tightly connect the teller and audience.
Storytelling uses words.
Storytelling uses language, whether it be a spoken language or a manual language such as American
Sign Language. The use of language distinguishes storytelling from most forms of dance and mime.

Storytelling uses actions such as vocalization, physical movement and/or gesture.

These actions are the parts of spoken or manual language other than words. Their use distinguishes
storytelling from writing and text-based computer interactions. Not all nonverbal language behaviors need
to be present in storytelling. Some storytellers use body movement extensively, for example, whereas others
use little or none.
Storytelling presents a story.
Storytelling always involves the presentation of a story—a narrative. Many other art forms also
present story, but storytelling presents it with the other four components. Every culture has its own definition
of story. What is recognized as a story in one situation may not be accepted as one in another. Some situations
call for spontaneity and playful digression, for example; others call for near-exact repetition of a revered text.
Art forms such as poetry recitation and stand-up comedy sometimes present stories and sometimes don’t.
Since they generally involve the other four components, they can be regarded as forms of storytelling
whenever they also present stories.
Storytelling encourages the active imagination of the listeners.
In storytelling, the listener imagines the story. In most traditional theatre or in a typical dramatic film,
on the other hand, the listener enjoys the illusion that the listener is actually witnessing the character or
events described in the story.
The storytelling listener’s role is to actively create the vivid, multi-sensory images, actions, characters, and
events—the reality—of the story in his or her mind, based on the performance by the teller and on the
listener’s own past experiences, beliefs, and understandings. The completed story happens in the mind of
the listener, a unique and personalized individual. The listener becomes, therefore, a co-creator of the story
as experienced.
Storytelling can be combined with other art forms. The fruit born by the vital, contemporary storytelling
movement includes the development of ways to combine storytelling with drama, music, dance, comedy,
puppetry, and numerous other forms of expression. Yet, even as it blends imperceptibly into other arts, the
essence of storytelling remains recognizable as the intersection of the five components included in the above
definition.