Types of Speech According to Purpose

1. An informative speech provides the audience with a clear understanding of a concept or idea. The
lectures of your teachers are the best examples of this type.

2. An entertainment speech amuses the audience. The humorous speeches of comedians and
performers are the best examples of this type.

3. A persuasive speech seeks to provide the audience with favorable or acceptable ideas that can
influence their own ideas and decisions. The campaign speeches of the running candidates for
government posts are the best examples of this type.
Exercise I. Work in Pairs.

Differentiate the four types of speech delivery in terms of definition and examples of speaking
situations. Use the table below for your answers.
CHALLENGES IN DIFFERENT SPEAKING ENVIRONMENTS.

Tools for Effective Speech Delivery

To be effective in your delivery, watch and emulate people who speak in public excellently. While
observing, take note of the following:

• How they approach their audience (formal, informal, personal, conversational, intimate, among
others)

• How they connect with their audience (using eye contact, body movements, and facial
expressions)

• How they present themselves (stage presence: how they look, stand, walk, use nonverbal cues,
act on and off the stage)

• How they use their voice in terms of volume (loudness or softness), pitch (highness or lowness),
rate or speed, pauses to show emphasis and strengthen the clarity of the message, vocal variety
(effective changes in volume, pitch, rate and pauses), and pronunciation
More Tips for Effective Speech Delivery
Following are more techniques and tips to help you deliver your speech well:
1. Use a conversational style more often. This is the style that is more natural; it is the style that you always
use when you express yourself with your family and friends. Audience members do not like the speaker
to sound unnatural or exaggerated.
2. Look your audience members in the eye so they will feel that they are part of your speech. Eye contact
should be maintained to keep the attention of your audience and enhance your delivery.
3. Remember to adjust your volume to the size of the audience and the venue. When addressing a large
audience, modulate your voice in such a way that you speak loudly without sounding like shouting or
yelling.
4. Vary your rate or speed to keep your audience interested and to avoid a monotone pattern. The
audience might get bored if you speak very slowly and they might get confused if you speak very fast.
Hence, your rate should be at an appropriate speed.
5. Master your voice and find your pitch level (high or low). If you have a high pitch level, modulate or
slightly move it down. If you have a low pitch level, modulate or slightly move it up. Your performance will
definitely be affected if you do not modulate.
6. Use pauses when you emphasize the most important words, phrases, or sentences. Your pauses should
not last for three seconds. Otherwise, it will result in dead air or a moment of awkward silence.
7. Pronounce and enunciate words correctly. You will confuse the audience if you mispronounce words,
and it could distract them and affect your credibility.
8. Avoid fillers or expressions that substitute actual words in your speech because these words are
distracting. Examples of fillers are “like,” “um,” “ah,” “uh,” and “er.” To reduce the use of these fillers,
detect the instances when you use them: Do you generally use fillers after each sentence, between
different ideas, or whenever you make transitions? Then, instead of using them the next time you deliver
a speech, simply stop and pause.
9. Start your speech by standing straight and balancing your weight. This will give a positive first
impression.
10. Use precise movements. Avoid distracting mannerisms like swaying back and forth, leaning on the
podium, licking or biting your lips, playing with your wristwatch or jewelry, scratching parts of your body,
frowning, and others. Observe your mannerisms and learn how to avoid them when speaking in public.
11. Avoid having a poker face or a highly animated face. These facial expressions appear distracting and
may even be annoying. Instead, follow the most highly suggested tip: smile. However, make sure that the
meaning of your speech reflects in your facial expressions; do not smile if you are talking about something
sad.
12. Dress properly and appropriately. Wearing the proper attire will make you look more confident
and professional. Make sure not to overdress, as this may distract your audience.
13. Observe ethics by coming prepared, being honest with your words, being polite, avoiding offensive
words and back-biting or talking negative things about other people, or copying someone’s work without
proper documentation.
14. Breathe in and out to relax before your speech. Most importantly, have fun.