CHAPTER 16
Methods of Delivery
CHAPTER CONTENT OUTLINE
I. Keys to effective delivery
A. An effective delivery is natural, enthusiastic, confident, and direct.
1. Strive for naturalness.
2. Show enthusiasm.
3. Project a sense of confidence.
a. Focus on the ideas you want to convey rather than on yourself.
4. Be direct.
a. Eye contact, a friendly tone of voice, smiling, and close physical
II. Select a method of delivery.
A. Speaking from manuscript
2. Manuscript delivery can negatively impact the speaker’s presentation because it
may appear boring or monotonous.
Chapter 16, p. 422
4. When speaking from a prepared text, try to deliver the speech naturally.
B. Speaking from memory
2. Speaking from memory is not a natural way to present a message; it stifles
C. Speaking impromptu
1. Impromptu speaking is a type of delivery that is unpracticed, spontaneous, or
improvised, and involves speaking on short notice or without prior preparation.
2. To succeed in impromptu speaking you should anticipate situations that might
require a speech.
a. Think about your listeners.
b. Listen to what others around you are saying.
D. Speaking extemporaneously
1. The extemporaneous speech falls between impromptu and written or memorized
deliveries. The speech is prepared and practiced in advance.
Chapter 16, p. 423
KEY TERMS
effective delivery the controlled use of voice and body to express the qualities of naturalness,
enthusiasm, confidence, and directness
speaking from manuscript type of delivery in which the speaker reads the speech
verbatim—that is, from a prepared written text that contains the entire speech, word for word
speaking from memory type of delivery in which the speaker puts the entire speech, word for
word, into writing and then commits it to memory
speaking impromptu a type of delivery that is unpracticed, spontaneous, or improvised
CHAPTER STUDY GUIDE
I. SUMMARY QUESTIONS
What are the four general qualities of effective delivery?
Today’s scholars of public speaking agree that a natural style of delivery is most effective.
Effective delivery is natural, enthusiastic, confident, and direct.
Chapter 16, p. 424
What are the four methods of delivery described in this chapter?
The four methods of delivering a speech are (1) speaking from manuscript, (2) speaking from
memory, (3) speaking impromptu, and (4) speaking extemporaneously. Speakers who speak from
II. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. In what ways is a speech like a conversation? What are some differences between
conversations and speeches? What implications do these differences have for understanding
speaker delivery?
Have students identify the differences and similarities by making lists on the board, one for
public speaking and one for conversation. Point out that the similarities between both types of
communication are important because qualities that feel natural in conversation can be
Chapter 16, p. 425
2. Why is enthusiasm important to effective delivery? How might too much
enthusiasm be detrimental to a speech?
The right amount of enthusiasm conveys a speaker’s interest in and excitement about the
CONTENT PRESENTATION IDEAS
I. STUDENT ACTIVITIES
1. Speaking extemporaneously occurs when speakers deliver a prepared and practiced
speech without memorizing it or reading from a text. Give extemporaneous speeches in class.
Use the campus or local newspaper to generate topics for the speeches, or have students
2. Have each student brainstorm a topic in the theme of “favorite things.” For example,
my favorite food, favorite car, favorite way to eat ice cream, and so on. Each student then
writes down the topic on a strip of paper. Collect the topic strips into a hat and then randomly
Chapter 16, p. 426
their points. When a speech is concluded, another student draws from the hat and presents until
the whole class has had an opportunity to speak.
This activity works well for students to learn how difficult it is to think quickly on their
feet. It also conveys the importance of nonverbal delivery. While the speakers are concerned
II. GROUP ACTIVITY
1. If you have access to the internet, go to a chat room where participants discuss the U.S. president
and other national and international leaders. Initiate a discussion concerning what people like or
dislike about the way a selected leader presents himself or herself to the media and the public.
Among these likes and dislikes, what might be attributed to the person’s delivery? Discuss your
findings with a small group of classmates.
Students can report their findings from the internet discussions to their groups, or they can
Chapter 16, p. 427
III. ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS AND ACTIVITY
QUESTIONS
The following questions may be used by instructors to help illustrate important points in the
chapter and to facilitate students’ learning of this material.
These questions can be used as:
• Homework questions
• Quizzes
1. What is effective delivery, and what are the four qualities of an effective delivery?
Effective delivery: in a speech or presentation, the skillful application of natural
2. Identify and explain each of the four methods of delivery.
• Speaking from manuscript: reading a speech from prepared text
• Speaking from memory: delivering a speech after memorizing it word for word
ACTIVITY
Identifying Methods of Delivery
Purpose: To become familiar with the four methods of delivering a speech.
Instructions: This exercise should be given after the instructor has completed the lecture on the
different methods of delivery. Have students select partners. Instruct students to think of and write
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