258 13.2 Delivering Your Speech
delIvery tIPs On those occasions when you do need to use a manuscript,
here are several tips to help you deliver your message effectively:^11
• Indicate in writing on your manuscript where to pause or emphasize certain
words. Use a slash mark (/) or some other symbol to remind you to pause
in strategic places.
• Type your speech in short, easy-to-scan phrases on the upper two-thirds of
the paper so that you do not have to look too far down the page.
• As with any performance, practice with your manuscript before you speak.
• If you’re afraid you’ll lose your place, unobtrusively use your index finger
to keep your place in the manuscript.
• Make eye contact; don’t look over listeners’ heads.
• Try to take in an entire sentence at a time from your manuscript, so that you
can maintain eye contact with your audience throughout each sentence and
especially at the end of a sentence.
• Use your normal, natural speed of delivery; do not read the manuscript too
quickly.
• Speak with a natural, varied vocal variation so that you don’t sound as
though you are reading.
• Mark the manuscript to help you sound more natural. For example, under-
line or highlight words or phrases you want to emphasize.
• Use appropriate natural gestures and movement to add further nonverbal
interest and emphasis to your message.Memorized Speaking
“All right,” you think, “since reading a speech is hard to pull off, I’ll write my
speech out word for word and then memorize it.” You’re pretty sure that no
one will be able to tell because you won’t be using notes. memorized speaking
also has the advantage of allowing you to have maximum eye contact with
the audience. But the key differences between speaking and writing are evi-
dent in a memorized speech, just as they can be heard in a manuscript speech.
Most memorized speeches sound stiff, stilted, and overly rehearsed. You also
run the risk of forgetting parts of your speech and awkwardly searching for
words in front of your audience. And you won’t be able to make on-the-spot
adaptations to your listeners if your speech is memorized. For these reasons,
speech teachers do not encourage their students to memorize speeches for
class presentation.
If you are accepting an award, introducing a speaker, making announce-
ments, or delivering other brief remarks, a memorized delivery style is some-
times acceptable. But, as with manuscript speaking, you must take care to make
your presentation sound lively and interesting.