Public Speaking

Summary (^195)
opponents.^46 Women are critiqued on their wardrobes, hairstyles, and accessories;
men rarely are. In your opinion, does this constitute sexism? Why or why not?

5. Could Abraham Lincoln—with his looks and awkward mannerisms—be elected in
   this television-dominated society? Why or why not?

Videotaping Your Speech

47

If you are taking this course online and must record and upload your speeches, some

additional considerations apply. You might be asked to assemble a live audience; if not,

know that whoever sees your video can watch, rewind, stop, and fast-forward your

speech. Ask your instructor if you should make eye contact with your live audience or

with the online audience. Preparation includes:

•   Place. Film in a quiet space with a simple background that will not distract the

audience.

•   Lighting. To make sure the space is lit well, open curtains and turn on lights in the

room. Then do a test video to see how well the camera picks up the room’s lighting.

•   Camera. If possible, set the camera on a tripod about 5 to 8 feet from where you’ll

speak. Set up your visuals (if you use them) and plan where you’ll stand in relation-

ship to them. Then look through the frame to identify the area it will record. If you

plan to move around, note how much room you’ll have to stay in the frame. Test the

microphone and see if it picks up your sound adequately.

•   Speaking Notes. Put a dark cover sheet behind your speaking notes so that the cam-

era doesn’t pick up a lot of white. Or write your notes on a digital tablet or cell phone.

•   Clothing. Avoid clothing with very small patterns or pin stripes that can create an

optical illusion of movement on video.^48

•   Taping. Ideally, find someone else to operate the camera—starting a few seconds

before you begin and leaving it on a few seconds after you’re through.

Overall, don’t be distracted by the setting, the audience, or the technology. Deliver

the speech as naturally as possible by focusing on your message and your purpose for

speaking.

Summary

Of the four major types of delivery, memorization is common in oral cultures and in

competitive speech tournaments, but it is less frequently used elsewhere. You may speak

spontaneously in the impromptu style, or you may read from a manuscript. But more

commonly, you’ll join the ranks of extemporaneous speakers—preparing in advance but

choosing your exact wording as you actually speak. Each type of delivery has its place,

and each comprises a number of skills that you can develop through practice.

Because delivery involves nonverbal elements, you can create a more positive

impression of yourself by managing your body and voice to affect listeners’ impressions

of you. The study of body language and public speaking is at least as old as Aristotle—

and he surely didn’t invent the idea. Modern scholars continue to explore specific

aspects of appearance, mannerisms, and vocal variations that create positive or negative

impressions in audiences.

Your clothing, your grooming, and your accessories communicate your competence.

Your mannerisms—gestures, eye contact, and vocal variation—are also important in

creating impressions of dynamism, honesty, and other characteristics of credibility.

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