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Four Methods of Speech Delivery
Four Methods of Speech Delivery
Impromptu Speaking
Extemporaneous Speaking
Memorized speaking is the rote recitation of a written message that the speaker has
committed to memory. Actors, of course, recite from memory whenever they perform from a
script in a stage play, television program, or movie scene. When it comes to speeches,
memorization can be useful when the message needs to be exact and the speaker doesn’t want
to be confined by notes.
The advantage to memorization is that it enables the speaker to maintain eye contact
with the audience throughout the speech. Being free of notes means that you can move freely
around the stage and use your hands to make gestures. If your speech uses visual aids, this
freedom is even more of an advantage. However, there are some real and potential costs. First,
unless you also plan and memorize every vocal cue (the subtle but meaningful variations in
speech delivery, which can include the use of pitch, tone, volume, and pace), gesture, and facial
expression, your presentation will be flat and uninteresting, and even the most fascinating topic
will suffer. You might end up speaking in a monotone or a sing-song repetitive delivery pattern.
You might also present your speech in a rapid “machine-gun” style that fails to emphasize the
most important points. Second, if you lose your place and start trying to ad lib, the contrast in
your style of delivery will alert your audience that something is wrong. More frighteningly, if you
go completely blank during the presentation, it will be extremely difficult to find your place and
keep going.