Public Speaking

Select the Appropriate Type of Delivery (^185)
You may shudder at the thought of speaking without preparation and rehearsal,
especially if a reward or punishment such as a grade or a job evaluation is at stake.
However, business consultant Steve Kaye says this type of speaking is so common in the
workplace that “business leaders are eventually going to be asked to give an impromptu
speech at some point in their careers,”^9 and top leaders can count on a 99.9 percent
chance that they’ll be asked to say a few words at banquets, company picnics, farewells,
and so on. (Of course, “winging it” is a bad strategy if you’ve been assigned to give a
carefully prepared speech.)
If the situation arises, don’t panic.^10 In fact, expect to be called on when you are in
a key position of some sort (a child of parents celebrating an anniversary, a friend of a
graduate, a project manager, and so on). Listen carefully to what other speakers say at
the occasion, and make mental notes of points they omit. If you have a few minutes of
advance warning, apply what you know about speech structure (gain attention, make a
few points, support each one briefly, make an ending statement). Think of a couple of
points to develop briefly, and jot down key words when possible. Or decide on one good
story. When possible, tie into things others have said. Finally, conclude with a memo-
rable statement and then sit down instead of rambling on and on.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech is a good example of a speech
that begins with manuscript delivery but ends with impromptu speaking. In the final
section, he departs from his script and draws from his vast knowledge of the Bible, of
song lyrics, of previous sermons, and so on to deliver some of his most inspirational
lines.^11

Extemporaneous Delivery

Most speeches are not read, not memorized, and not given spur of the moment.

Instead, they are delivered extemporaneously. Lectures, briefings, sales presenta-

tions, class reports, you name it—most good speakers prepare their ideas carefully in

advance but use speaking notes when they talk. Although they lose some precision in

language, this method frees them to speak conversationally and to make eye contact

with listeners. Learning extemporaneous delivery is important for both school and

career success.^12

Create speaking notes, as described in Chapter 11, that will help you remember the

order of your points and important supporting material. (To avoid reading, don’t put too

many words in your notes. Then you’ll have nothing to read.)

Give yourself plenty of time to learn your material. The key is to memorize the

thought patterns, not every word.^13 Try dividing the content into sections and then

working on each one separately. Or concentrate on one element at a time; for example,

in one run-through, focus on your visual aids, in another, on the content, on signposts,

or on smooth transitions.^14 Time yourself and make adjustments. Conclude with at least

two full rehearsals: one to find your errors, the second to correct them.^15 Challenge

yourself to practice enough to be really good, not just adequate.^16

On speech day, review your outline, go over your notes, and head off to the speech

with the confidence and security that comes from thorough preparation.^17 If you happen

to make a mistake during delivery, don’t say “I’m sorry.” Just pause slightly, regain your

place, and continue as if nothing happened.

Each of the four types of delivery—manuscript, memorized, impromptu, and

extemporaneous—is common in the United States (Table 14.1). Each has strengths

and weaknesses. The key throughout is to think about your listeners, not your delivery.

The noted orator Sir Winston Churchill, Britain’s prime minister during World War

II, always kept his audience in mind. Once when he was rehearsing in the bathtub, his

valet heard him through the door and asked, “Were you speaking to me, sir?” Churchill

replied, “No, I was addressing the House of Commons.”^18

extemporaneous delivery

preparing a speech carefully

in advance but choosing the

exact wording during the

speech itself

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