Module |
Types of Speeches according to Delivery |
At the end of this module, I can:
Speech delivery refers to how your message, ideas, thoughts, and feelings are expressed in spoken words. There are at least four types of speech according to the manner they are delivered: read, memorized, extemporaneous, and impromptu.
As the name implies, this type of speech is read by a speaker from a manuscript prepared by him or her or by someone commissioned to write it. As long as you read the speech, it is classified as a read speech. But so as not to sound too stiff and to increase the opportunity for eye contact and interaction with the audience, the speaker is advised to practice delivery beforehand.
Read speeches could become ineffective when the speaker tends to focus only on the written speech that he or she is reading. Also, while eye contact and interaction help, being able to understand what you are reading is ultimately important.
Like the read speech, a memorized speech is also written in advance by the speaker himself or herself or by the person commissioned to write it. Oratorical and declamation pieces are examples of memorized speeches.
While memorized speeches provide a speaker with an opportunity to showcase his or her ability to memorize well, these speeches are not very effective in communicating a message because they are usually ready-made and are not tailor-made to the purpose of the speaker.
Both read and memorized speeches are organized and written down word for word. They are useful for speeches that require exactness of information or data (e.g., figures, names, technical concepts). Their main difference is that one is read, while the other is memorized. In a read speech, however, your interaction and eye contact with the audience tend to be limited. Hence, there is a need to practice your delivery to still sound conversational and to connect with the audience.
The read and memorized speeches may also be classified according to the amount of preparation involved. These two speech types allow a speaker ample time to prepare. They are written either by the speaker himself or herself or by a speech writer, as in the case of prominent and busy persons such as state leaders and highly successful businesspeople. A manuscript is then brought to the podium and read by the speaker or the speaker commits to memorize the speech that was written beforehand.
There is nothing wrong about reading or memorizing your speech. If anything, these types of speeches involve intense planning and preparation.
Which do you prefer to deliver, a read speech or a memorized speech? Why?
Below are excerpts of speeches that were originally read and memorized for oration and declamation throughout the world.
Example 1:
American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech “I Have a Dream,” which he read in 1963 to a huge crowd at Lincoln Memorial, has been a favorite speech to read or memorize by succeeding generations. Here is an excerpt from the famous speech:
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up, live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character….
I have a dream today…
Example 2:
Among the Filipinos, Carlos P. Romulo stood out for being a great leader and speaker due to his powerful messages. Below is an excerpt from his popular literary work “I Am a Filipino.”
I am a Filipino, child of the marriage of the East and the West. The East, with its languor and mysticism, its passivity and endurance, was my mother, and my sire was the West that came thundering across the seas with the Cross and Sword and the Machine. I am of the East, an eager participant in its spirit, and in its struggles for liberation from the imperialist yoke. But I know also that the East must awake from its centuried sleep, shake off the lethargy that has bound its limbs, and start moving where destiny awaits.
For I, too, am of the West, and the vigorous peoples of the West have destroyed forever the peace and quiet that once were ours. I can no longer live, a being apart from those whose world now trembles to the roar of bomb and cannon shot. I cannot say of a matter of universal life and death, of freedom and slavery for all mankind, that it concerns me not. For no man and no nation is an island, but a part of the main, there is no longer any East and West—only individuals and nations making those momentous choices which are the hinges upon which history resolves.
Written language tends to be more formal than spoken language. Therefore, when writing a speech that is meant to be read or memorized, read aloud what you have written to make sure the language is suitable.
The extemporaneous speech is delivered by speakers who have an expert knowledge on a particular topic and are therefore able to deliver an entire speech using an outline of ideas written on cue cards. Although an extemporaneous speech is no less prepared and organized than a read or memorized speech, it is not written entirely word for word and there is no manuscript to read from. This allows for a more conversational and interactive delivery.
Below is a sample outline for an extemporaneous speech:
Go to the following websites to find out other ways to outline your extemporaneous speech:
How can outlines help in writing or preparing a speech?
The impromptu speech is delivered with little to no preparation. This is done at events such as a wedding or a victory party. Because of this, an impromptu speech is usually short and casual.
When you are asked by your teacher to share your reflections on a material that the class has viewed or read, you give an impromptu speech. Similarly, you deliver an impromptu speech when you are called to say a few words after being surprised with an award or a gift; when you are asked to share something about the newlyweds or a birthday celebrant; when you would like to say your well wishes for whoever is leaving; or when you deliver eulogy in the funeral of a deceased loved one.
For impromptu speeches, instead of preparing an outline, you will need to keep in mind a few key words about the person or the event to help you focus on your message.
Instead of using speech fillers such as “uhmmm” or “ahhhh” or repeating your words when thinking of what to say next, stop, breathe, and take the time to quickly think of what to say next.
An impromptu speech challenges the speaker to quickly organize his or her thoughts and verbalize them as clearly and coherently as possible.
In some cases, such as in oral exams and beauty pageants, prompts in the form of topic statements or questions are given to an impromptu speaker.
Here are some sample question prompts for an impromptu speech:
As previously mentioned, speech types may also be classified according to the amount of preparation involved. The impromptu and extemporaneous speeches allow for the least time to prepare. An extemporaneous speech is delivered from an outline of key words, phrases, or sentences, which the speaker then fills in with details. The impromptu speech, on the other hand, usually provides the speaker with little or no preparation time.
Confidence is important especially in delivering extemporaneous and impromptu speeches. Having self-confidence will help you think clearly.
Would you rather deliver an extemporaneous speech or an impromptu speech? Why?
Read the article at http://www.write-out-loud.com/impromptu-speaking.html for more tips on delivering impromptu speeches. Afterward, deliver an impromptu speech about a topic that your teacher will provide you with.
Track: Academic
You are a speech communication expert who has recently published a book entitled Speak and Span: Your Guide in Public Speaking with a Bang. You were invited to be one of the esteemed judges of an interschool English language communication competition, particularly for the extemporaneous speech event. Thus, you will be watching the speech delivery of the three finalists and rate their performance using the criteria below. You will give your comments on their performance and share these with them and the audience so that they will also learn about the proper way of delivering extemporaneous speeches. Your scores (5—highest; 1—lowest) for the finalists will be submitted to the head of the board of judges for tallying. The speeches are found at these websites:
Finalist 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGfukDMuhdQ
Finalist 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyaThBbzLQg
Finalist 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bh6xvg_rEUI
| Criteria | Rating | ||
| Finalist 1 | Finalist 2 | Finalist 3 | |
1. Organization of ideas |
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2. Delivery |
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a. Volume of voice |
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b. Clarity of voice |
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c. Pronunciation |
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d. Proper gestures |
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3. Language |
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a. Accuracy of word usage |
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b. Appropriateness of word choice |
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4. Content |
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a. Logic and substance of ideas |
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b. Credibility of facts |
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| Total | |||
To know more about the different types of speech according to delivery, visit the following websites:
Being able to think on your feet is very useful to a speaker. This skill gives speakers the ability to speak and reason eloquently about a topic even on short notice. To develop this skill, one must acquire a storehouse of knowledge on various issues and subjects. This is possible by reading credible literature and watching documentaries and news broadcasts on various topics and current events.