Republic of the Philippines
Province of Ilocos Sur
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES
Graduate School
PA 246- Administrative Communication and Management Control
KENT ALVIN L. GUZMAN DR. MARIE ROSE Q. RABANG
MPA-GA student Professor
PUBLIC SPEAKING
Public speaking (also called oratory or oration) is the process or act of
performing a speech to a live audience. This type of speech is deliberately
structured with three general purposes: to inform, to persuade and to entertain.
Public speaking is commonly understood as formal, face-to-face speaking of a
single person to a group of listeners.
Basic Types of Public Speaking
Almost all experts in public speaking agree on these kinds of public speaking. And
really, these are the primary types of public speaking. They include:
1. Informative Public Speaking
Informative public speaking comprises speeches that are meant to inform the
audience. You are passing a new body of knowledge to your listeners. Your
intention is not to change their view on the subject nor to persuade or convince
them to take side with your point of view.
You are simply passing valuable information to them.
These types of public speaking are usually used at business seminars,
technology and scientific conferences, school presentations etc. They most
times include facts and statistics and follow the introduction-body-conclusion
structure.
How Can You Do This Effectively?
Be precise. Avoid a lengthy speech. Otherwise you may bore your audience.
Be specific and make sure that any figures and statistics you quote are
accurate.
Use simple language that is easy to understand. The success of an
informative speech is how much your audience gets from it, not the amount of
big vocabularies it contains.
Do not simply present the facts. Explain their value and meaning without
taking sides. And dont persuade your audience to do same.
If you must use unfamiliar terms, briefly explain them.
Do research on the subject to arm yourself with enough information on the
subject.
Explain how to use the information you provide to solve problems or take
decisions.
2. Persuasive Public Speaking
Unlike informative speeches, persuasive speeches are intended to influence or
convince the audience to agree with a particular point of view and to take specific
action(s).
To be successful, you must be able to appeal to your listeners emotions and move
them to accept your view of the matter.
These types of public speaking are usually used by sales executives, politicians, in
debates and religious sermons.
How Can You Do This Effectively?
Let your enthusiasm and passion shine forth in your speech. Speak with
strength and vigor. Let your face reflect how you feel.
Appeal to your audiences emotions.
Present your argument in a logical manner.
Establish common grounds with your audience even with those who share a
completely different view on the subject.
Use rhetoric questions to stimulate their thoughts. Rhetoric questions are
questions used during a speech to which you dont expect answers from the
audience. Their purpose is simply to stimulate thinking.
Conclude by asking your audience to take a specific action.
3. Ceremonial Public Speaking
As the name implies, these are speeches given at ceremonies to mark important
occasions. They include graduation talks, wedding toasts, anniversary speeches,
funeral talks etc. Ceremonial speeches can be funny or sober depending on the
occasion. In other words, it must be made to suit the occasion at hand.
How Can You Do This Effectively?
Know the background facts about the occasion. This will help you know what
to say on the occasion.
Tell stories about the person(s). The good things theyve done in the past.
Highlight their good qualities. This will be easy to do since these persons are
usually those you already know.
Avoid harmful or hurtful remarks.
Dont make it too lengthy. Speeches such as these are usually short.
4. Demonstrative Public Speaking
These kinds of public speaking employ the use of demonstrations to convey a
message. They often use visual aid to show how certain things are done. These are
mostly used at workshops and sales presentations.
How Can You Do This Effectively?
Select and arrange your visual materials ahead of time.
Test the equipments you intend to use before you begin your speech. Be sure
they are working as desired.
Arrive at the venue early to have ample time for point two above.
5. Motivational Public Speaking
Motivational public speaking, like persuasive public speaking, involves making a
connection with the emotions of your listeners. However, motivational public
speaking involves the use of stories, anecdotes (short amusing stories), illustrations
and real-life experiences to captivate your listeners, inspire them and uplift their
spirits.
These kinds of public speaking are usually intended to boost the power of self-will
in the audience. To awaken their passion, fire up their determination and ultimately
move them to action. They are mostly used in self-development seminars.
How Can You Do This Effectively?
Have background information about your audience. Know what their needs
are.
Use only stories, anecdotes, illustrations and real-life experiences your
audience can relate with.
Speak with enthusiasm, passion and conviction. Breathe live into your
speech.
Charge them to take action.
6. Extemporaneous or Impromptu Public Speaking
These types of public speaking are speeches that are given with little or no
preparation. They are speeches you never planned for but circumstances demand
that you deliver. They require you to think on your feet. And because of their
suddenness, they have the capacity to make you nervous!
These can be any of the types of public speaking discussed above.
How Can You Do This Effectively?
Be calm and relax.
Quickly make a mental outline of points you can easily develop.
If you are fortunate and the subject is one you know enough about, avoid
running overtime.
Other Types of Public Speaking
These include:
7. Debate
Debates are combinations of persuasive and extemporaneous speeches. The
main aim is to persuade the audience to agree with a particular viewpoint.
Also, short extemporaneous speeches are added at intervals to further
buttress your points or rebut the other persons arguments.
Debates are popular in schools and politics.
8. Broadcasting
These public speaking types too may be either any or a combination of any of
the types discussed above. They may be informative, persuasive, motivational
or even demonstrative.
They involve the use of such media as television, radio, Internet, newspaper
and magazines.
Before you ever start preparing your speech, think carefully about your aim. Do you
want to inform, persuade, motivate or entertain your audience?
Then ask yourself these questions
Who are my audience?
What is (are) their primary concern(s)?
How can I tailor my delivery to meet their needs?
What do I need to say or do to get the desired result?
IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC SPEAKING
1. It Boosts Confidence and Helps Overcome Fear
Surveys have shown that the number one fear in the world is the fear of public
speaking. However, if you gather enough knowledge about your topic and practice
well before you deliver (even your first) speech, it can help you reduce anxiety
greatly. Then as you consistently engage in art of public speaking you will horn
your skills, build your confidence and gradually take control of your fear.
2. One of the best ways to generate sales (or get a better job)
If you own a business or do some form of work on the side public speaking is one of
the best ways to generate sales. Understanding how to effectively get your
message (and the emotions tied to that message) across to another person can
help you generate more sales for your company.
Public speaking skills are also important in securing a better job. It is how you
present yourself at a job interview that will be the ultimate decider as to whether or
not you land that higher paying job and whether or not you get paid in the higher
bracket or lower bracket of pay rates.
3. One of the most effective ways to get your message across
Public speaking still remains as one of the most effective ways to get your message
across to a large audience.
4. It will allow you to make a difference in your life, business,
community, career
As we said above, every speaking opportunity is an opportunity to grow in
leadership and influence. Having the opportunity to influence peoples thoughts
(remember theyre taking time out of their busy head to listen to your thoughts on
the world) put you in a position to create real positive change in peoples lives.
In order for anything important to happen an idea needs to be transferred from one
person to many. President Nixon did this when he inspired America to put a man on
the moon. Public speaking is one of the great ways to get your idea across and
make a difference.
5. Public speaking differentiates you in the workforce
By having the confidence and ability to speak in public you can differentiate
yourself in the workforce. This could put you in line for the next promotion or keep
your head off the chopping block when the next redundancy rolls around.
6. Public speaking will help you form a tribe of supporters around
you
By standing up in front of people and delivering a talk you can attract like minded
people around you.
7. It Helps Improve Academic Performance
The discipline plus the knowledge you acquire through public speaking can help
improve your performance in school.
As you can see, the importance of public speaking cuts across all walks of life.
There is hardly any area of life it cannot be applied. And to think that it is only
meant for certain set of people is one of the worst mistakes one can ever make on
the surface of the earth!
8. It Makes You More Knowledgeable
Public speaking increases your knowledge base. One of the key success factors in
public speaking is to know your subject inside out. That makes the delivery flow
naturally and makes you relax. Often times this calls for doing extensive research
on the subject. Such research adds to your reservoir of knowledge.
9. It Serves As A Career Booster
The communication skills, confidence and improved self-esteem you develop
through public speaking can help you excel at job interviews. It can also aid in
getting deserved promotions at work.
10. It Improves Interpersonal Skills and Relationships
Such skills and confidence can be developed through public speaking. And such
interpersonal skills will help you maintain good relationship with your family,
friends, classmates or workmates.
11. It Improves Communication Skills
Public speaking is a form of communication. The more you engage in public
speaking, the more you sharpen your communication skills. Such good
communication skills you develop can help you connect with peoples emotions and
pass your message across in a way that is easy to understand.
12. It Leads to Better Image and Perception
Why do you think people respect great personalities like Martin Luther King, Jesse
Jackson, Bill Clinton, Barrack Obama, Dale Carnegie and others? It is because of
their public speaking abilities.
Mastering the art of public speaking helps you to make a good impression on other
people. Your friends, classmates, teachers, workmates, bosses and others will come
to respect you. And this will positively affect their perception of you.
THE STAGE FRIGHT
Stage fright or performance anxiety
is the anxiety, fear, or persistent phobia which may be aroused in an individual by
the requirement to perform in front of an audience, whether actually or potentially
(for example, when performing before a camera).
In the context of public speaking, this may precede or accompany participation in
any activity involving public self-presentation. In some cases stage fright may be a
part of a larger pattern of social phobia (social anxiety disorder), but many people
experience stage fright without any wider problems.
Quite often, stage fright arises in a mere anticipation of a performance, often a long
time ahead.
It has numerous manifestations: stuttering, tachycardia, tremor in the hands and
legs, sweaty hands, facial nerve tics, dry mouth, and dizziness.
GLOSSOPHOBIA OR SPEECH ANXIETY
Glossophobia or speech anxiety is the fear of public speaking or of speaking in
general. The word glossophobia comes from the Greek glssa, meaning
tongue, and phobos, fear or dread. Many people have only this fear, while
others may also have social phobia or social anxiety disorder.
10 TIPS FOR IMPROVING YOUR PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS
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1. Nervousness Is Normal. Practice and Prepare!
All people feel some physiological reactions like pounding hearts and
trembling hands. Do not associate these feelings with the sense that you will
perform poorly or make a fool of yourself. Some nerves are good. The adrenaline
rush that makes you sweat also makes you more alert and ready to give your best
performance.
The best way to overcome anxiety is to prepare, prepare, and prepare some more.
Take the time to go over your notes several times. Once you have become
comfortable with the material, practicea lot. Videotape yourself, or get a friend to
critique your performance.
2. Know Your Audience. Your Speech Is About Them, Not You.
Before you begin to craft your message, consider who the message is intended for.
Learn as much about your listeners as you can. This will help you determine your
choice of words, level of information, organization pattern, and motivational
statement.
3. Organize Your Material in the Most Effective Manner to Attain Your
Purpose.
Create the framework for your speech. Write down the topic, general purpose,
specific purpose, central idea, and main points. Make sure to grab the audiences
attention in the first 30 seconds.
4. Watch for Feedback and Adapt to It.
Keep the focus on the audience. Gauge their reactions, adjust your message, and
stay flexible. Delivering a canned (recorded) speech will guarantee that you lose
the attention of or confuse even the most devoted listeners.
5. Let Your Personality Come Through.
Be yourself, dont become a talking headin any type of communication. You will
establish better credibility if your personality shines through, and your audience will
trust what you have to say if they can see you as a real person.
6. Use Humor, Tell Stories, and Use Effective Language.
Inject a funny anecdote in your presentation, and you will certainly grab your
audiences attention. Audiences generally like a personal touch in a speech. A story
can provide that.
7. Dont Read Unless You Have to. Work from an Outline.
Reading from a script or slide fractures the interpersonal connection. By
maintaining eye contact with the audience, you keep the focus on yourself and your
message. A brief outline can serve to jog your memory and keep you on task.
8. Use Your Voice and Hands Effectively. Omit Nervous Gestures.
Nonverbal communication carries most of the message. Good delivery does not call
attention to itself, but instead conveys the speakers ideas clearly and without
distraction.
9. Grab Attention at the Beginning, and Close with a Dynamic End.
Do you enjoy hearing a speech start with Today Im going to talk to you about X?
Most people dont. Instead, use a startling statistic, an interesting anecdote, or
concise quotation. Conclude your speech with a summary and a strong statement
that your audience is sure to remember.
10. Use Audiovisual Aids Wisely.
Too many can break the direct connection to the audience, so use them sparingly.
They should enhance or clarify your content, or capture and maintain your
audiences attention.
DOES PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT?
Practice Does Not Make Perfect
Good communication is never perfect, and nobody expects you to be perfect.
However, putting in the requisite time to prepare will help you deliver a better
speech. You may not be able to shake your nerves entirely, but you can learn to
minimize them.
REFERENCES:
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Types of Public Speaking ([Link]
speaking)
12 Tis for Public Speaking
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speaking/#65bff5353a18)
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your-life-santana
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[Link]
improving-your-public-speaking-skills)