Methods of Speech Delivery

Imagine this. A speech topic is perfectly chosen; the content is nicely organized and flawlessly researched; and a great deal of work was invested in preparing the “text” or “script” of the speech, but the speech is poorly delivered. Will the speech be effective? Will the audience stay alert and follow it? Will the audience properly interpret the speaker’s intended message? These questions contribute to the universal fear of public speaking. It is not the preparation of a speech that strikes terror in the hearts of so many, but the performance of a speech!

Since an audience does not usually read the text of a speech, but simply listens to it, all the preparation of the content by the speaker must be encoded into a complex combination of communication channels (words, sounds, visual elements, etc.) ready to be performed. And practice is the key to excellent performance. No matter which method of speech delivery you choose, you need to prepare and practice.

There are four basic methods of speech delivery: manuscript, memorized, impromptu, and extemporaneous.

Manuscript

A manuscript speech is when you write down every word you  will speak during the speech. When you deliver the speech, you have each word planned and in front of you on the page, much like a newscaster who reads from a teleprompter.

The advantage of using a manuscript is that you have access to every word you’ve prepared in advance. There is no guesswork or memorization needed. This method may comfort your nerves since you don’t have to worry about that moment where you might freeze and forget what you’ve planned to say. You can also make exact quotes from source material.

When the exact wording of an idea is crucial, speakers often read from a manuscript, for instance in communicating public statements from a company.

However, the disadvantage with a manuscript is you have MANY words in front of you on the page. This prohibits one of the most important aspects of delivery, eye contact. When many words are on the page, it’s normal to look at those words more frequently because you can not memorize the speech word for word. If you do look up at the audience, it’s hard to regain your place when your eyes return to the page. So manuscript speech presentation is not an ideal delivery method and not ideal.  If you need to use a manuscript, then above all, you need to rehearse with the script so that you practice looking up often.

Memorized

A memorized speech is also fully prepared in advance and one in which you do not use any notes. In the case of an occasion speech like a quick toast, a brief dedication, or a short eulogy, word-for-word memorization might make sense. Usually, though, it doesn’t involve committing each and every word to memory, Memorizing a speech isn’t like memorizing a poem where you need to remember every word exactly as written. Don’t memorize a manuscript! Work with your outline instead. Practice with the outline until you can recall the content and order of your main points without effort. Then it’s just a matter of practicing until you’re able to elaborate on your key points in a natural and seamless manner. Ideally, a memorized speech will sound like an off-the-cuff statement by someone who is a really eloquent speaker and an exceptionally organized thinker.

The advantage of a memorized speech is that you can fully face your audience and make lots of eye contact. The problem with a memorized speech is that you may get nervous and forget the parts you’ve memorized. Without any notes to lean on, there’s the change of hesitating and leaving lots of dead air in the room while trying to recall what was planned. Sometimes, if you can’t remember or find your place in the speech, you may be forced to go get the notes or go back to the PowerPoint in some capacity to try to trigger your memory. This can be an embarrassing and uncomfortable moment for both you and the audience, and is a moment which could be easily avoided by using a different speaking method.

There are lots of tips out there about how to memorize speeches. Here’s one that loosely follows an ancient memorization strategy called the method of loci or “memory palace,” which uses visualizations of familiar spatial environments in order to enhance the recall of information.

You can view the transcript for “How to Memorize a Speech” here (opens in new window).

Impromptu

An impromptu speech is one for which there is little to no preparation. There is often not a warning even that the person may be asked to speak. For example, your speech teacher may ask you to deliver a speech on your worst pet peeve. You may or may not be given a few minutes to organize your thoughts. What should you do? DO NOT PANIC. Even under pressure, you can create a basic speech that follows the formula of an introduction, body, and conclusion. If you have a few minutes, jot down some notes that fit into each part of the speech. (In fact, the phrase “speaking off the cuff,” which means speaking without preparation, probably refers to the idea that one would jot a few notes on one’s shirt cuff before speaking impromptu.)^[1]) An introduction should include an attention getter, introduction of the topic, speaker credibility, and forecasting of main points. The body should have two or three main points. The conclusion should have a summary, call to action, and final thought. If you can organize your thoughts into those three parts, you will sound like a polished speaker. Even if you only manage arranging your thoughts into two of the points, it will still help you to think about the speech in those parts. For example, if a speech is being given on a pet peeve of people not disposing of their trash appropriately after an in-office meeting, it might be organized like this.

• Introduction: You wad up a piece of paper and then throw it down (attention getter, demonstration). You introduce yourself and the topic and why you’re qualified to speak on it (topic introduction and credibility). “I’m Katie Smith and I’ve been working here for five years and have witnessed a trash problem the entire time.”

• Body: You state three main points of why we shouldn’t leave trash in a meeting room: it’s rude, it makes custodians have to work harder, it affects the next people who might need the room (forecasts the order in which the points are presented). You then discuss those three supporting points.

• Conclusion: You summarize those three points (summary, part 1 of conclusion), call on the audience to pledge to never do this again (call to action), and give a quote from Michael Jordan about respecting property (final thought).

While an impromptu speech can be challenging, the advantage is that it can also be thrilling as the speaker thinks off the cuff and says what they’re most passionate about in the moment. You should not be afraid to use notes during an impromptu speech if you are given any time to organize your thoughts.

The disadvantage of impromptu speaking is that there is no time for preparation, so finding research to support claims such as quotes or facts cannot be included. The lack of preparation makes some speakers more nervous and they may struggle to engage the audience due to their nerves.

Extemporaneous

When speaking extemporaneously, you prepare some notes in advance that help trigger your  memory of what you planned to say. These notes are often placed on notecards or typed in larger font on paper so that they are easy to refer to. You should determine what needs to go on each card  or segment of the paper by reading through  speech notes and identifying phrases to say out loud. These notes are not full sentences, but the main ideas will help you turn the thoughts into full sentence when speaking. Note that if you’re using a quote, listing that quote verbatim is fine.

The advantage of extemporaneous speaking is that you’re able to speak in a more conversational tone by letting the cards guide you, but not dictate every word you say. This method allows you to make more eye contact with the audience. The shorter note forms also prevent you from getting lost in your words.

Note that while you may be required to submit your speech outline in a public speaking class, your extemporaneous notes are not seen by anyone but you. Therefore, you can also write yourself notes to speak up, slow down, emphasize a point, go to the next slide, etc.

The disadvantages to extemporaneous speaking is that you may forget some of the information you planned to say, and/or your notes may get out of order. This problem can be avoided through rehearsal and double-checking the note order before speaking.

Many speakers consider the extemporaneous method to be the ideal speaking method because it allows them to be prepared, keeps the audience engaged, and makes the speakers more natural in their delivery. In your public speaking class, most of your speeches will probably be delivered extemporaneously.

Here’s an interesting historical instance dealing with methods of delivery.

The fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, owed in large part to a momentary error made by an East German government spokesperson. At a live press conference, Günter Schabowski tried to explain new rules relaxing East Germany’s severe travel restrictions. A reporter asked, “when do these new rules go into effect?” Visibly flustered, Schabowski said, “As far as I know, it takes effect immediately, without delay.” In fact, the new visa application procedure was supposed to begin the following day, and with a lot of bureaucracy and red tape. Instead, thousands of East Berliners arrived within minutes at the border crossings, demanding to pass through immediately. The rest is history.

The outcome of this particular public-relations blunder was welcomed by the vast majority of East and West German citizens, and hastened the collapse of communism in Eastern and Central Europe. It’s probably good, then, that Schabowski ran this particular press conference extemporaneously, rather than reading from a manuscript.

You can view the transcript for “The mistake that toppled the Berlin Wall” here (opens in new window).