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Student Resource
Gamble, The Public Speaking Playbook, 2nd Edition
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Lecture Notes
Chapter 14: Styles of Delivery
Learning Objectives
1-1 Explain how a speaker’s delivery style can enhance or detract from the speech
1-2 Distinguish between the following delivery modes: memorization, manuscript,
extemporaneous, impromptu, and sound bite
1-3 Determine the best method of delivery for a speech
Outline
I. There are different modes of delivery.
A. The mode of delivery depends on the nature of the speaking occasion, the
purpose of the presentation, and on the speaker’s strengths and abilities.
1. Speaking from memory, also known as oratory, requires skill and practice.
a. The stress of the speaking environment may cause the speaker to draw
a blank during the speech.
b. This type of delivery makes it difficult for a speaker to recover if a
mistake is made.
c. This type of delivery may make the speaker appear to be stiff, stilted,
unnatural and mechanical rather than friendly and relaxed.
d. This type of delivery does make it easier to establish and sustain eye
contact with members of the audience.
e. This type of delivery also makes it easier to gesture.
B. Manuscript delivery is a second mode of delivery.
1 Requires that you write a manuscript in full and deliver it word for word,
but need not commit it to memory.
2. Manuscript delivery requires practice.
i. Speakers must avoid the temptation of reading directly from the
script.
ii. Speakers must work on sounding natural or conversational
rather than stiff and mechanical.
Student Resource
Gamble, The Public Speaking Playbook, 2nd Edition
SAGE Publishing, 2018
3. Manuscripts are used in political speeches, official proclamations, and in
business and professional contexts.
4. Speakers should add delivery cues to the manuscript to avoid pitfalls.
5. Speakers should make sure that the font is easy to read.
6. Speakers should rehears and become familiar with the manuscript to
maintain eye contact and incorporate appropriate gestures.
C. Impromptu speaking is a third mode of delivery.
1. Impromptu speeches are completed without much, if any, prior notice.
2. You only have to rely on your knowledge and previous experience when
delivering an impromptu speech.
3. This type of speech requires quick thinking and effective organizing of
one’s thoughts.
4. All of the principles involving structure, support, and delivery apply to
this context.
5. Impromptu speeches require composure, organization, focus, and the
ability to relate the topic to the audience without rambling.
D. Extemporaneous speaking is a fourth mode of delivery.
1. When a speech is prepared and practiced in advance but is neither
written out word for word nor memorized, it is extemporaneous.
2. This type of speech requires an outline that serves to jog the speaker’s
memory.
3. This speech allows the speaker to exhibit a more conversational tone
and an ability to adjust to the audience’s feedback easily.
4. This method is preferred by public speaking teachers and experienced
speakers.
5. To successfully utilize an extemporaneous mode of delivery, a speaker
must:
a. Research the topic and gather adequate supporting evidence
b. Create an outline and speaking notes
c. Rehearse
d. Speak conversationally
e. Become comfortable with the topic to adjust and adapt the
speech, as needed, to an audience.
E. Sound bite speaking is a fifth mode of delivery.
Student Resource
Gamble, The Public Speaking Playbook, 2nd Edition
SAGE Publishing, 2018
1. Most instructors of speech want students to avoid sound bite speaking
or Twitter speak in the classroom, there are some speaking situations in
which it is now seen as required.
a. This type of speech occurs during political conventions or after
the delivery of political speeches.
b. This style of delivery allows the speaker to provide short but
memorable statements that are often shortened and tweeted.
c. Speakers who deliver sound bites should develop a sentence
that captures the essence of the topic, abbreviate the speech until
it is 140 characters, create a six-second video to accompany it
using Vine, and find ways to make the comments memorable.
II. Planning and practice makes perfect.
A. Speakers should practice at least a half a week before delivering a manuscript,
memorized or extemporaneous speech.
1. During practice speakers should use the note cards that will be used
during the actual presentation.
2. Speakers should not skip on practicing.
B. Speakers should verbalize all examples, quotations, and supporting evidence
during the practice sessions.
1. Familiarity begets clarity and comfort in public speaking.
C. Speakers should practice with visual, audio, and memory aids.
1. Work out the kinks
D. Speakers should time all practice sessions to determine if the speech is too
long or too short.
1. Reduce or increase number of main points depending on time
constraints.
E. Speakers should mimic the actual speech conditions as much as possible.
1. Stand up and hold a realistic dress rehearsal, ideally in a room as much
as possible like the one in which you will actually deliver the speech.
F. Speakers should watch and listen to the practice performances as well as
requesting feedback from others.
1. Monitor your progress.
2. During your preparation, seek feedback before last dress rehearsal.
3. Audio or video record your rehearsal and play it back for self-
evaluation.
Student Resource
Gamble, The Public Speaking Playbook, 2nd Edition
SAGE Publishing, 2018
G. Speakers should evaluate the quality of the rehearsed performances.
1. Pay attention to what works and what needs to work.
H. Speakers should practice and refine their speech.
1. In your last stage of practicing, the focus is on refining, not dramatically
altering the speech.
I. Speakers should continuously work on the nonverbal aspects of delivery.
1. Pay attention to eye contact, meaningful gestures, voice and
appearance
J. Speakers can hold a mock “Q&A” session in order to be as prepared as possible
for the actual delivery of the speech.
1. Anticipate questions that will be asked.
2. Think about questions you hope audience members won’t ask.
3. Prepare a “tip sheet” with points to remember when answering
particularly complex questions.
4. Have someone rehearse you by asking you potential questions.
5. Repeat a question aloud if it is phrased in a neutral manner or rephrase
to remove any venomous or loaded words.
6. Practice saying “I don’t know,” if you don’t know.
7. Remember, you don’t need to answer more than is asked.
III. It’s key to avoid these common delivery “bloopers.”
A. Preparing mentally does not replace preparing aurally.
1. Thinking through your speech is helpful, but it shouldn’t replace live
practice sessions.
B. Don’t wait to be given feedback.
1. Ask others for feedback, don’t wait for them to offer it.
C. Don’t skip practice sessions.
1. Don’t over-rehearse, but make sure you aren’t being overconfident.
