Lecture Notes
Chapter 13: Delivering A Speech With Professional Excellence
Learning Objectives
13.1. Explain how to overcome your fears of public speaking and deliver a presentation with
professional excellence
13.2. Explain how to use supporting aids effectively
13.3. Explain the importance of practicing your presentation
13.4. Discuss how to deliver an effective team presentation
13.5. Apply the KEYS process to develop professional excellence in speech delivery
Chapter Summary
Chapter 13 explains how to overcome your fears of public speaking and deliver a presentation
with professional excellence. It also explains how to use supporting aids effectively and the
importance of practicing your presentation. In addition, this chapter discusses how to deliver an
effective team presentation. It concludes by showing how to apply the KEYS process to develop
professional excellence in speech delivery.
Chapter Outline
I. Delivering a Presentation With Professional Excellence
A. The Adrenaline Rush
1. Sweating
a. Sweating is a normal body response.
b. Wear proper clothing, have a glass of cold water, have tissue to wipe
sweat, and take off jacket if appropriate.
2. Blushing
a. By the time your introduction is over, much of the redness may fade.
b. A little blushing will not be noticed by the audience.
3. Hands
a. Adrenaline energy may come out in your hands.
b. Move your hands with purpose, not in an uncontrolled manner.
c. Don’t hold anything.
4. Feet
a. Adrenaline energy may come out in your feet.
b. When you move, do so purposefully and with a plan.
c. Move slowly and deliberately.
5. Vocal Quality
a. Volume—focus on a person in the back and project your voice to that
person.
b. Speaking rate—take a few deep breaths before beginning your
presentation.
6. Vocal Fillers
a. Vocal fillers are words like “umm” and “aah.”
b. Solid preparation and lots of time to practice are the best solutions to
the problem.
7. Eye Contact
a. Making eye contact with the audience is one of the best ways to reduce
nervousness.
b. Most audiences are supportive, friendly, and initially interested.
c. Make eye contact in the same way you would in a conversation.
8. Clothing
a. Your appearance is a nonverbal communication.
b. Present yourself in a way that enhances your credibility and
professionalism.
c. Consider appropriate clothing choices that will not distract and will be
comfortable.
B. Sense of Play
1. Viewing a speaking situation with a sense of play can reduce anxiety.
2. If something happens, acknowledge it, smile, and continue.
C. Presenting From an Outline
1. Strive for conversational quality, which includes an extemporaneous speaking
style and good eye contact.
2. Speaking from an outline helps increase the conversational quality.
3. Avoid using a manuscript where you write out the speech word for word.
4. No outline results in speakers committing their presentations to memory,
resulting in a monotone style.
5. It is easy to lose your place with a manuscript.
6. As you become more familiar with your presentation, streamline it into a
speaking outline.
II. PowerPoint and Other Supporting Aids
A. Supporting Aids
1. Supporting aids are tools used by a speaker to help support the audience’s
interest in and understanding of the presentation.
2. For visual learners, key points and demonstrations are important.
3. Every time you repeat your message, you increase retention.
B. Should I Use Supporting Aids?
1. Will it enhance rather than distract from my presentation?
2. Will it increase the audience’s understanding of the material?
3. Will it increase the audience’s interest in the topic?
4. Will it reinforce my message, thereby increasing retention?
5. Will it enhance my credibility?
6. Does it have a professional appearance or sound quality?
7. Do I have the time needed to prepare and practice with it?
C. Types of Supporting Aids
1. Presentation Slide Shows
a. PowerPoint
i. It is a supporting aid.
ii. Slides are not your notes.
iii. Use the same background.
iv. Limit bells and whistles.
v. Make sure the technology is available.
vi. Use key words or phrases.
vii. Practice.
b. Prezi
i. Cloud-based presentation software
ii. Can incorporate music, photographs, PDFs, and Excel
spreadsheets
iii. Easily lends itself to teamwork
2. Video Clips
a. Consider the available equipment.
b. Have clip pulled up and ready.
c. Never have your audience wait.
3. Audio Clips
a. Cue in advance.
b. Make sure your speakers are adequate for the room size.
4. Graphs, Charts, Illustrations, and Photos
a. Copy directly into your PowerPoint.
b. Posters can incorporate your graphs, charts, illustrations, or photos.
5. Objects and Models
a. Make sure they are large enough for the entire audience to see.
b. Avoid passing things around because it is distracting.
6. Demonstrations
a. Often part of the other supporting aids
b. Who will do the demonstration?
III. Practice Makes Perfect
A. Reaching Excellence
1. Practice until you get it right.
2. Seek feedback from others.
3. Speakers overestimate their effectiveness.
4. Speakers overestimate the importance of visual aids.
5. Speakers underestimate the importance of content and delivery.
IV. Team Presentations
A. Same Principles as Individual Presentations
1. Research and organization of the speech must be done together as a team.
2. May have a team organizer present the introduction, provide transitions, and
give the conclusion.
3. Other team members would then present the main points of the content.
4. Plan and practice well so it looks professional and polished.
V. KEYS to Excellence in Delivering a Speech
A. Know Yourself
1. Know what your role is when delivering a speech.
B. Evaluate the Professional Context
1. Understand the context of your speech and audience.
C. Your Communication Interaction
1. Goal should be to keep your audience riveted by your presentation.
D. Step Back and Reflect
1. Ask yourself if you moved your audience to action.