Southwestern College of Maritime, Business and Technology, Inc.
Quezon Drive, Calero, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro
[Link] / [Link]@[Link] / slmifnav@[Link]
SUBJECT: Purposive Communication DATE:
MODULE #: 4 TEACHER: Ms. Judith Mae R. Zamora
I. TOPIC: THE TOOLS NEEDED IN CRITICAL/CREATIVE REPORTS
II. TARGET LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the lesson, the student is expected to:
1. Create a credible, logical report that is thoroughly researched and fact-checked
2. Deliver a report using effective verbal and non-verbal communication
3. Augment the report with relevant and eye-catching visual aids
IV. MATERIALS NEEDED AND REFERENCES
Uychoco, Marikit Tara A., Santos, Maria [Link] for Society. Nicanor
Reyes Sr. St., Sampaloc, Manila: Rex Book Sore, Inc. 2018.
Pascual, Janet C. et al. Purposive [Link] Drive, Mandaluyong City:
Books Atbp. Publishing Corp.2016
V. GEAR UP YOUR MIND
Introduction
What makes a speech electric? What makes a speech so effective that it can
make the audience have goosebumps or make them flush in rage or joy? Some speeches can
be so effective trigger adrenaline, while other speeches, just as effective, trigger a sense of
peace and calm in the midst of chaos. Great speakers have been called hypnotic, magnetic,
and charismatic, and this is not just because they have a compelling message, but because of
the captivating manner they deliver these speeches, as well.
Performance
Speeches are performances, and they are delivered best when they have the feel
of authenticity and earnestness. People respond when they think that the one speaking is
being honest and sincere, and they respond even more strongly when they feel that they can
relate to the speaker in question. Because of this, a sense of humor helps break the ice, and
strategic shows of vulnerability and concern can make an audience feel closer to the speaker.
Plan the Speech
It is important to express oneself in an expressive and articulate manner. It is best
to choose one’s words carefully, and to ensure that one’s speech builds on the foundations of
logos, pathos, and ethos. To come across as articulate, one must also nurture a speaking
style that is effective, and this style varies from one person to another.
Eye Contact
One way of coming across as authentic is the ability to make good eye contact
with the audience, and to speak in a manner that touches them. It is important to engage the
audience, and eye contact helps in doing that. Some people, however, had a hard time
making eye contact. Should this be the case, it would help to pick out three people from the
audience, placed in a mental triangle from one’s position, and try to make eye contact with
them instead of the rest of the people in the room. If one is truly hesitant to look at people’s
eyes, one may look at their foreheads instead; this creates the illusion of making eye contact
with people without actually doing it. On the other hand, if one is comfortable making eye
contact, it would help to pick out people who seem to be friendly or accommodating to look at,
so that when one speaks, one feels confident and at ease.
Speaking Style
Different people have different speaking styles, and one can only find one’s
personal style through constant practice. Some people seem to be more effective when they
come across as calm, trustworthy, and reasonable, and their hand gestures seem more open
and thoughtful. Others, on the other hand, can get away with bursts of passion and bombast,
infecting the audience with their fervor and enthusiasm. This is usually matched with pointing
and/or punches thrown in the air, to punctuate their speeches and make a strong impression
on the crowd.
Hand Gestures
Whatever kind of speaker one may be, it is always best to be more purposeful
when it comes to choosing hand gestures. Hand gestures can create as much of an impact as
the content of the speech itself. They must always look smooth and natural, rather than
robotic or artificial. Hand gestures can be useful signposts in making a point, such as the
usual hand gestures of enumeration. They can signal inclusiveness, such as when both hands
are stretched towards the audience palm up, or division, such as when there are sweeping
gestures to indicate difference. Although they are intuitive in nature, they are extremely useful
when used effectively, and note that these gestures are also culturally informed. Some hand
gestures are considered rude, and it is important to be able to match the appropriate hand
gestures to one’s audience.
Recording the Speech for Feedback
One of the best practices in public speaking is to videotape speakers, and then
have these speakers watch themselves. It might surprise them that they use hand gestures or
mannerisms that distract from or lessen the impact of their speeches. Some hand gestures
are so exaggerated they look like policemen directing traffic, and some people pepper their
speeches with too much nervous laughter, or fillers like “Umms” and “Uhhs” in their speech.
This process is usually done inside speech laboratories, where students can access videos of
themselves, and allow them to study their speeches. They can watch for the flaws of their
performances, instead of being too dependent on the teacher or their peers when it comes to
constructive criticism.
Peer Evaluation
Unfortunately, not all schools have the means to record their student’s speeches.
Should this be the case, it is important to have discerning teachers, coaches, or peers to
provide feedback when it comes to the effectivity of one’s speech. It is not enough to be given
a grade for the speech, or just be accorded high praise. Feedback from people is important,
and this will be a great tool in improving one’s speech and one’s speaking style in general.
Observations can range from the speaker’s posture, one’s facial expressions, and one’s
general appearance. This can also be done alone with the speaker rehearsing their speech in
front of a mirror.
Appearance
When it comes to appearance, it is important to look credible and worthy of
respect. In the real world, this depends a lot on one’s audience, as the way one’s dresses
should match the kind of audience one wants to impress. Whether one’s audience are
corporate clients or creative directors, this should have an influence on the appearance one
presents.
Clothing
Traditional audiences often call for more formal clothing. For men, this would
mean donning a suit and tie at the most formal level, or at the very least, the use of long-
sleeved button-down shirts, slacks, and leather shoes. In the Philippines, the use of a barong
and slacks is acceptable. For the women, a pantsuit or a formal coat and skirt ensemble
should suffice. In less formal instances, a dress or blouse and skirt (or slacks) outfit should do
as well.
Good Grooming
In addition, good grooming is a must, and that extends to one’s hair to one’s nails.
As long as one looks neat and clean, that should be enough to satisfy most audience’s
requirements. Some audiences, however, may require women to wear more (or less) make-
up, don a hijab, or wear high heels – in these instances, it is always best to know the cultural
expectations of the audience and the venue.
Visual Aids
Since we live in a world that is more dependent on information technology, it has
become de rigueur for audiences to expect speeches to be accompanied with visual aids,
such as Powerpoint presentations, video or audio clips, and infographics. Any of these are
acceptable, and in most cases, commendable, as long as they are relevant to the topic at
hand.
Powerpoint Presentations
When it comes to the use of Powerpoint, one should ensure that the font size of
the text is not too small. An acceptable size font would be type 24 or larger, and the text
should be in dark colors for easier reading. The best Powerpoint presentations are not text-
heavy; instead, they are visually oriented, which is why the use of photographs, illustrations,
charts, and the like would better serve one’s use of the medium. Video clips may or may not
be embedded in the presentation, as well as audio clips and animation.
The University of Leicester gives a few guidelines about the use of Powerpoint as
well. When it comes to the color, it is best to be consistent and to have the same color and
background schemes for each slide. It also mentions the “six by six rule”. Whereby “slides
should have no more than six bullet points and each bullet point should be no more than six
words long”. Although it is good to use animation, it would be best not to overuse this feature.
Once the Powerpoint presentation is finished, one can view it several ways; one can view it in
the “Notes” tab to see the comments and notes for the speaker, aside from the actual slide
presentation; and another is the “Slide Sorter” view to see the visual impact of the
presentation. A good rule of thumb is one slide for every two minutes. One should also
rehearse the speech while using the presentation, and check the infrastructure (such as the
room, laptop, and projector) before the speech (2017).
Handouts
It would be best to have handouts ready for one’s audience, so that members of
the audience will not have to scramble when taking notes during the presentation. These
should be written succinctly, and should have appropriate citations.
Feedback
Although the speech is a performance, it is also one where its audience can
participate, often by the speaker asking rhetorical or directing actual questions to the
audience. It is always good to read the verbal and non-verbal cues from the audience, such as
whether they agree with what one is saying or whatever they are resisting to certain ideas,
mirrored by their use of body language. The speaker is seen as more responsive and
sympathetic to the audience when they modify their speeches to match the audience’s visual
cues.
Conclusion
In the end, public speaking is a dynamic performance that is meant to disseminate
information, create greater awareness, and evoke emotions in the audience. It is utilized by
teachers, lawyers, politicians, and the like. It has been used effectively to promote human
rights on the street and to create policies in government. Although it is a performance, the
most important speeches in the world have had material effects, such as the speeches of
Abraham Lincoln, Susan B. Anthony, and Martin Luther king, Jr., and these still affect the
world today, long after their speakers have already been long gone.