Real Communication An Introduction

414 Part 4  Public Speaking

But even if presidents occasionally err in their pronunciation, they fre-

quently articulate well. Articulation is the clarity and forcefulness with which

the sounds are made, regardless of whether they are pronounced correctly. To

speak clearly, even if incorrectly, is to be articulate. All speakers strive to be

articulate, but there are several ways in which we routinely sabotage our efforts

(O’Hair, Rubenstein, & Stewart, 2012).

When a speaker omits certain sounds in a word, runs words together,

and speaks so softly that a listener can hardly hear, the speaker is guilty of

mumbling. Most people mumble either because they are in a hurry, because

they suffer from communication apprehension, or because they are not pre-

pared to speak clearly.

Audience perceptions about a speaker’s skills can also be affected by

accents, patterns of pronunciation that are specific to a certain upbringing,

geographical region, or culture. Although the word choices of individuals from

different cultures may vary from time to time, the greatest difference you hear

is in their emphasis on syllables and rhythm while speaking. In the United

States, southern speakers tend to drawl (use a slower pace) and elongate vowel

sounds. Speakers from the Northeast tend to omit sounds from the middle of

words such as park, whereas Midwesterners sometimes insert an “r” sound into

words such as wash.

Effective Visual Delivery

In the same way that a monotone can lull an audience to sleep, so can a stale,

dull physical presence. This doesn’t mean that you need to be doing cartwheels

throughout your speech, but it does mean that you should look up from your

note cards once in a while. Otherwise, you’ll be little more than a talking head,

and your audience will quickly lose interest. What’s more, effective visual cues—

like dressing appropriately, using effective eye behavior, incorporating facial

expressions and gestures, and controlling body movements—can enhance a

presentation, helping you clarify and emphasize your points in an interesting and

compelling way.

Dressing for the Occasion

If you’re like most people, you probably hop out of bed in the morning, open

your closet, and hope that you have something decent and clean to wear to work

or class. However, on the day of your speech—just like the day of a job interview

or an important date—you don’t want to leave your appearance to chance.

According to image consultant Diane Parente (2013), the way you dress is

essentially your visual résumé; it can either help to present you as competent

and prepared or as disheveled and unprepared. Indeed, research indicates that

attractive people are more persuasive (Chaiken, 1979; Davies, Goetz, & Shack-

elford, 2008). However, that doesn’t mean that you need to have Hollywood-

perfect hair or an expensive wardrobe to be an impressive speaker. Rather, you

can signal authority and enhance your credibility by dressing professionally

in neat clothing—like a pair of black pants or skirt with a button-down shirt

or a simple sweater (Cialdini, 2008; Pratkanis & Aronson, 2001). You should

certainly avoid looking overly casual (for example, wearing flip-flops and a tank

CONNECT

Recall from Chapter 4 that
artifacts—accessories
carried on the body for
decoration or identifica-
tion—send powerful
messages about you. If
you’re not sure whether or
not to cover up your
tattoos or keep your
tongue ring in, consider
your topic, the occasion,
your own comfort level,
and what you can glean
as the comfort level of the
audience. And don’t forget
that your instructor can
offer valuable advice and
guidance as well.

How do you react when

you hear speakers with an

accent that is different from

yours? Do you find them

difficult to understand, or

do you make assumptions

about them based on the

way they speak? How

might your own accent be

an advantage or disadvan-

tage in your next speaking

situation?

AND YOU?