Principles of Speech Delivery

• Principles of Speech Delivery:

  1. Articulation
  2. Modulation
  3. Stage Presence
  4. Facial Expressions, gestures, and movement
  5. Audience Rapport
• Articulation - how you pronounce the words and speaking with clear diction helps you transmit your message effectively. It is the process of how speech sounds are made. The words of the speaker must be understandable.
• Modulation- the capability to adjust or manipulate the resonance and timbre of the vocal tone. It is speaking with the right tone and pitch.
• Modulation is confirmed by the number of the audience but it should be loud enough for the speech to reach everybody. If the speaker’s voice is modulated, audience will pay attention.
• Tips on Mastering Modulation:

  1. Tempo and pitch must vary according to your message.
  2. Speaking too fast can suggest lack of confidence.
  3. Keep to the normal speed of 125 words per minute.
  4. Keep the stresses generally on the second syllable, if speaking in English.
• Tips on Mastering Modulation:

  5. Speak loud enough such that the listener will not need to cup his ears to listen.

  6. Pause for a moment in between sentences to control your speed.

  7. Avoid non fluencies such as “er”, “unh” and “umm”.

  8. Minimize use of offensive and patronizing phrases such as “I mean,” “what I meant” “understand?”
• Stage Presence is speaking in public without or with managed fear. It refers to certain charisma and charm of a theater actor or performer.
• Stage presence is the ability to make the audience connect with the performer and envelop them in the story being told, and in turn, to express what the audience feels.
• Facial Expressions, gestures and movement- nonverbal cues reinforce, clarify and complement the message of any speech. Without these, the speaker becomes boring.
• Facial expressions should change depending on the content of the speech.
• Gestures are used to emphasize certain points.
• Movement should allow the speaker to move freely while speaking to direct the audience to follow him or her and keep hanging on to his or her message. 
• Audience Rapport refers to the speaker’s connection with the listeners. The speech should be appealing to the audience.
• Knowing your audience well would help you establish good audience rapport.
• TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE SPEECH DELIVERY

  1. Use a conversational style more often. Speak naturally.

  2. Look your audience in the eye so they will feel important.

  3. Adjust your volume to the size of your audience and the venue.

  4. Vary your rate or speed to keep your audience interested and to avoid a monotone pattern.

  5. Master your voice and find your pitch level.
• TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE SPEECH DELIVERY

  6. Use pauses when you emphasize the most important words, phrases or sentences.

  7. Pronounce and enunciate words correctly.

  8. Avoid fillers or expressions that substitute actual words in your speech because these words are distracting.

  9. Start your speech by standing straight and balancing your weight.

  10. Use precise movements. Avoid distracting mannerisms like swaying back and forth, leaning on the podium and licking or biting your lips.
• TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE SPEECH DELIVERY

  11. Avoid having a poker face or a highly animated face. This is distracting and annoying.

  12. Dress properly and appropriately.

  13. Observe ethics by coming prepared, being honest with your words, being polite, and avoiding offensive words.

  14. Breathe in and out to relax before your speech. Have fun.