SPEECH AND THEATER ARTS

LESSON 3: PRINCIPLES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD SPEECH AND DELIVERY

“Speak properly and in as few words as you can, but always plainly for the end of speech is
not ostentation but to be understood.”
- William Penn

Learning Outcomes
1. Identify the principles and characteristics of a good speech.
2. Use the principles of effective speech writing.
3. Exhibit the principles and mastery in speech delivery.

Introduction
Throughout the years, eloquent speakers were able to achieve many great and
significant accomplishments by delivering speeches. In 452 A.D., for example, Pope St. Leo
was able to dissuade the Huns, a powerful invading army from Europe, from ravaging Italy
because of his eloquent speech before Attila, the leader of the Huns. Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s
speech entitled, “Declaration of Sentiments”, before the Seneca Falls Convention in 1849
sparked the movement demanding greater freedom and rights for women, a movement
demanding greater freedom and rights for women, a movement that eventually spread
worldwide. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a fiery speaker who inspired African-American men
in the United States to press for their rights and freedom. His “I Have a Dream” speech is a
classic example of a powerful speech.
In the Philippines, President Manuel L. Quezon was a fiery speaker demanding
independence. His speech entitled, “Message to My People”, inspired Filipinos to serve their
country well. Senator Benigno S. Aquino delivered famous speeches that aroused Filipinos to
fight against a powerful dictatorship.
In addition to a speech’s content, its delivery can be a powerful instrument to persuade
people to follow the goals of a speaker. In this lesson, you will study the elements involved in
effectively delivering a speech.

Preparation

Task 1. TAKE IT FROM THE EXPERTS

Visit these YouTube sites and take note of the following details: use of voice, gestures,
facial expressions, the speech content, rapport with the audience, etc.
Speech Speech Content Facial Rapport
highlights Expression, with the
Gestures, Audience
Voice
Dr. Martin Luther King: I have a Dream
[Link]
Y1TtS3s
The Speech that Made Obama President
[Link]
22CoY
Miriam Defensor Santiago’s Remarkable and
Powerful Speech
[Link]
YP=a5qE
President Aquino-US Congress Speech
[Link]
T4RIU
Oprah Winfrey Harvard Commencement
speech 2013
[Link]
WFieBGR7e
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Reflections:
What were your general observations regarding the powerful speeches presented?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________
Using the 5 examples, what do you think are the important components of a good
speech?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________

Presentation
An effective medium to communicate our message is through speech. Writing and
delivering your speech require the skill to effectively communicate your thoughts and points
in a given time. This can be learned and developed. One important key to great speech
writing is planning. By planning, you are sorting out the details on what to write, which is your
message and your manner of presenting this.
A good speech has qualities that enable the audience to understand and connect. It is
not just about the message but how the message is presented that makes it effective. Here
are some of the features for an effective speech:
1. Clarity – The main goal is to make the audience understand the speech easily. Making
the speech clear and unambiguous will lead the listeners to see directly the points and
views presented.
2. Conviction of Message – The subject matter must be relevant and definite. There
must be a central issue or idea and this must be pronounced clearly in the speech.
3. Conciseness – Nobody wants a long speech. Therefore, keep your speech short but
complete.
4. Interesting – A way to catch the audience’s attention and motivation to listen is to
make it worthy and interesting by adding stories, quotes, humor, etc.
5. Personal Touch – When there is a personal sharing or experience inserted in the
speech, it makes it more believable and effective.
6. Considering the Audience – The speech is meant to be heard by a group of
audience. Therefore, the speaker has to consider the background, the nature, and the
interest of the listeners.
7. Soft and Slow Speech – When we went to emphasize our ideas, it’s very important to
make sure we are understood and so we speak slowly in the usual tone.
8. Use Body Language for Emphasis – Non-verbal cues aid in the emphasis of some
points. In delivering the speech, it is important to use the necessary and appropriate
gesture.
9. Audience Participation – When the speaker involves the participants, there is a
guarantee that they will be attentive all throughout the speech.

GUIDELINES IN WRITING A GOOD SPEECH

Prior to delivering your speech, you should examine components in preparing and
writing it. The following are few guidelines on how to prepare and write a well thought of
speech:

[Link] or Reason for Speaking

 Ask yourself the following questions: Why will you give a talk? Is it because you like to
share information? Or do you want to solve a problem? Focus on the purpose and align
all ideas to it.

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[Link] Message
 This is what your answer should be taking home with them after listening to you. Thus,
the message of your speech should be very clear. When your audience remembers this
central message, you may have done your job well.
[Link]

 Before you begin writing your speech, you should ask whom you will be speaking to,
and what exactly they can learn from you. Preparing a speech for a group of student
leaders for instance, may be quite different from a speech for students seeking for
summer jobs. Considering perspectives of your audience or thinking deeply about their
needs when writing your speech is called emphatic writing—the concern and sensitivity
to the feelings of others.

STRUCTURING YOUR SPEECH

A good speech flow always begins with an introduction, then points are developed in
the body and closure through the closing paragraph.

Introduction
considered the most important part in your speech because failure to establish
a good one will mean that you are going to lose your audience right away

Body
contains the most part of your speech. It is important to sign post your points
or arguments clearly and support them with accurate and clear details.

Conclusion
gives the opportunity to synthesize your main points, leave your audience with
positive memories or learning expperience and close with a final thought or with
a call to action if necessary.

COMPLETE SPEECH

Task 2. OUTLINING YOUR SPEECH

Outlining your speech is a great way to prepare and organize your thoughts. By
outlining, your presentation of ideas will be clear and specific.
Choose one from the 6 suggested topics below and outline your speech following the
template. You may write phrases or words as entries in your outline.

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 The Advantages of Social Media  An Act of Kindness You can Never

 Online Classes are the Best Forget
 Travelling Affects Life and  Importance of Mental Health
Personality  Causes and Effects of Bullying
A. Introduction
1. Salutation: (greet your audience) _________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
2. Attention Getter (a question, a brief recount, or anecdote relevant to the topic or a
quotation) ___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
3. Give your thesis. Write a thesis sentence as clear as you can. This should reflect your
overall message. ______________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
4. Preview the points you are going to discuss. _________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
B. Body
Point/argument #1: ______________________________________________________
Supporting details #1: ____________________________________________________
Supporting details #2: ____________________________________________________
Supporting details #3: ____________________________________________________

Point/argument #2: ______________________________________________________

Supporting details #1: ____________________________________________________
Supporting details #2: ____________________________________________________
Supporting details #3: ____________________________________________________

Point/argument #3: ______________________________________________________

Supporting details #1: ____________________________________________________
Supporting details #2: ____________________________________________________
Supporting details #3: ____________________________________________________

C. Conclusion
1. Synthesize or summarize your main points: __________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
2. Close with a final thought or with a call to action if necessary: ____________________
___________________________________________________________________

Task 3. PUTTING THINGS TOGETHER

Based on your outline, put all things together to craft your speech.
Remember the principles in writing: outlining, drafting, writing, editing, and rewriting.

PRINCIPLES IN SPEECH DELIVERY

When delivering your speech, you have to master the following: (1) Pronunciation or
Articulation; (2) Modulation; (3) Stage Presence; (4) Gestures and Facial Expressions; (5)
Audience Impact.
1. Pronunciation or articulation
 refers to the way the speaker pronounces or enunciates the words. The clarity or
pronunciation will greatly affect the delivery and the understanding of the listeners.
Breathing is very important and considered as the first act of speech. This is when you
allow air to transport into a storage chamber. Then comes the phonation when you
force the air into the vibration using the vocal folds. The third process is resonation
when the sound is being amplified by the use of the mouth, the nose, and the throat.
All of these are important steps prior to articulation when the sounds is being modified
through the movements of the teeth, the lips, and the tongue.

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2. Modulation
 comes to play when there is manipulation of the sound and timbre of the voice.
Modulation happens when the speaker fine-tunes his pitch and tone to the nature of the
speech for the ultimate understanding of the audience. When the voice is properly
modulated, the speech becomes more interesting and lively. Emotions attached to the
message is also dependent on the voice modulation. In modulation, the speaker has to
vary his tone so that it will not sound monotonous. The volume should also be adjusted
depending on the emphasis. Pauses are also needed to make sure the message is clear
and delivered well.
3. Stage presence
 makes the speaker “own” the stage through his personality and projection. The
appearance, body posture, and the use of space all add up to stage presence. The
speaker’s confidence is seen the moment he conquers the stage and even before he
starts talking. Stage presence is the way the speaker carries himself in front of the
crowd.
4. Gestures and facial expression
 aids in the development of the total understanding and emphasis of the message. The
facial expressions must be natural. This can be done when you free yourself from
inhibitions. The body movements supplement the speech. They have to be purposeful
to represent an idea or emotion concretely. You use your head, arms, shoulders, and
sometimes feet.
5. Audience rapport
 is like building an on-the-spot relationship with the ones listening to you or your
audience. To establish good rapport, you must ensure that you dress well or
appropriately for the occasion, show that you are ready with the speech by looking
confident and organized, and show inclusivity in your language by using “we” rather
than I. The audience can also build rapport with the speaker if jargons are avoided and
if there is positivity and the openness from the speaker. Establish eye contact and use
body language well.

Name: __________________________________________________________ Date:

_____________________
Address: _______________________________________________________ Section:
_____________________

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Directions: Write a powerful speech and deliver it by video presentation. Be guided

by the rubrics below.
Rating Rating Rating Needs Scor
Criterion Rating Good
Excellent Satisfactory Improvement e
Points 10-9 Points 9-8 Points 8-7 Points 7-6
(1) Gets attention
(2) Clearly
identifies
Meets any Meets any two Meets only one
Introducti topic
three of the of the four of the four
on (3) Establishes
four criteria criteria criteria
credibility
(4) Previews main
points
Main points are Main points Main points are
Main points are
somewhat needed clarity not clear and
clear, well
clear, some and support have no
Body supported, and
support, and lack of sources support and no
sources are
some and sources or
documented.
documentation documentation documentation
(1) Reviews
main Does not bring
Reviews main
points closure; the
Conclusion points, brings Brings closure
(2) Brings audience is left
closure
closure hanging
(3) Memorable
Eye contact with
Eye contact Eye contact
audience virtually
Eye with audience with audience Little or no eye
all the time
Contact less than 80% less than 75% contact
(except for brief
of the time of the time
glances at notes)
Use of
Use of
language
language does
Use of language causes
not have
contributes to potential
negative Use of
Use of effectiveness of confusion,
impact, and language is
language the speech, and and/or
vocalized inappropriate
vocalized pauses vocalized
pauses (um,
(um, uh, er, etc.). pauses (um,
uh, er, etc.) not
uh, er, etc.) are
distracting
distracting
Body Body
Body language
Body language language, language,
gestures, and
gesture, and gestures, and facial
Body facial
facial expressions facial expression and
language expressions
greatly adds to expressions gestures lack
are lacking or
the message. compliment variety and
inappropriate
message spontaneity
Speaks clearly Speaks clearly Often mumbles
Speaks clearly and distinctly and distinctly or can not be
and distinctly all all the time most of the understood
Clarity the time with no with no more time with no with more than
mispronounced than one more than two three
words mispronounced mispronounced mispronounced
word words words
Topic is Topic is specific, Topic is clear, Topic lack No specific
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specific,
follows clarity and purpose
appropriate,
assignmen appropriate, and focus needs inappropriate
and somewhat
t, adapted adapted. adapting to for audience or
adapted
to audience occasion
audience
Visual aids well Significant
Minor problems
Visual aids chosen and problems with No visual aids
with visual aids
presented visual aids
Within allotted Within 10% of Within 20% of Not within 20%
Time
time allotted time allotted time of allotted time
(Adapted from Dan Rooney)

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