41 Final Touches for Successful Speech Delivery
Learning Objectives
- Finish the speech making process by engaging in practice, editing, and delivery.
- Work through public speaking anxiety and deliver a successful speech.
You have made it! You worked through the steps of the speech making process and now you are ready to finish up your practice and delivery. This section will provide you with reminders as you are rehearsing and finishing up your speech preparation for a successful delivery!
Finishing Touches
You have all of the tools you need to be successful. Be sure to refer back to these tools to help you deliver a successful speech.
- Review the assignment description to ensure you have completed all necessary elements.
- Review the assignment rubric for a clear understanding of speech expectations and point distribution.
- Refer to the readings for each part of the speech making process for ideas, tips, and strategies for success.
- Practice, edit, change, and improve! Revise your outline and speaking notes as you practice, engage in peer feedback, and rehearse.
- PRACTICE and PRACTICE and PRACTICE more! You are presenting NOT reading your speech. You will only be able to do this with practice.
- Be sure to practice in the environment you will be presenting your speech at least once. Know how to upload and use your presentation aids. Know what your camera angle looks like. Refer to the delivery module for more tips on success!
- ASK questions if you have them!
Practice and Rehearsal Guidelines
The following guidelines are best practices on how to practice and rehearse an extemporaneous speech:
- Create speaking notes and practice with them! You should not be using your preparation outline or a manuscript to practice.
- Speak in a conversational style by pretending you are with your audience.
- Rehearse with your graphics/visuals and coordinate them with your talk.
- Display your graphics/visuals only when you are talking about them.
- Rehearse in front of others and solicit feedback.
- Record and listen to your timed practice speech.
- Prepare for interruptions and questions at the end.
Extemporaneous speaking is not memorization or manuscript speaking and requires you to organize and prepare your content and notes ahead of time to deliver a speech that will engage your audience.
Delivery Reminders
Revisit module 3 for details on vocal and physical delivery. Below is a short review about delivery elements you should be focusing on during your practice sessions.
Voice
Volume Speak loudly enough so that we can hear you. Good volume also makes you sound confident
Clarity Enunciate your words, and avoid mumbling, so the audience can easily understand what you’re saying
Tone Match your tone to the content. Typically, tone goes higher when we are unsure or are asking a question, and goes lower when we are stating a fact or being authoritative
Pace Speak slowly enough to be understood, and vary your pace to add interest
- Choppiness – Speak as fluidly as possible, avoid hesitations and unusual pacing
- Speed – Speak smoothly and confidently, but a little slower than in normal conversation. In multicultural situations (where we might not be familiar with each others’ accents) speak even slower, and watch your audience to make sure they understand you.
- Pauses – Listening can be tiring. Brief pauses let your audience absorb information. You can also use pauses to add emphasis or anticipation.
Vocal variety Vary your tone, pace and volume to add interest, emphasis and clarity. For example, speak a little faster to add excitement or anticipation, or speak a little louder to show emphasis. Some cultures and languages tend to be more monotone, so some students may have to work a little bit harder to ensure they vary their tone.
Body language
Professional posture Good posture supports your voice, and makes you look professional and confident (when we’re nervous we tend to hunch and cross our arms). Face the audience most of the time, and avoid turning your back on them to look at your slides.
Manage your movement Repetitive body movements, such as tapping your foot or swaying, can also distract the audience. If you’re presenting in person, slowly move around the physical space, such as moving towards the audience, or from one part of the room to another.
Use gestures Use gestures to add interest, emphasis, and help explain what you’re saying, such as indicating part of a slide or demonstrating an action.
Eyes & face
Make eye contact most of the time Eye contact shows confidence and helps everyone in the audience feel included. Look at all parts of the room. Secret tip for shy presenters: look at people’s foreheads – it has the same effect as eye contact. If you’re presenting online, this means looking at the camera. If you’re using notes should be point form – not full sentences – that you can quickly glance at, not read.
Manage your facial expressions You can show passion and emotion through facial expressions. But be careful, sometimes presenters show how nervous they are by having a look of worry on their face.
Passion
Your passion will engage the audience. Show your enthusiasm, energy, and interest through the appropriate use of tone, pace, volume, facial expressions, gestures, and body language.
Your level of energy can be infectious, and inspire the audience. Even if your topic is serious, like mental health or a tragedy, you can still convey conviction and interest in the subject matter. Conversely, without passion, you can make even the most fascinating content boring, and cause your audience to disengage. Storytelling is very powerful. Do not begin your speech with “Today, I am going to talk to you about ____”. Hook your audience with a story.
Words
Filler words Fillers distract the audience and make you seem nervous, unprepared or professional. These include uhh, umm, like, you know, and any other words or noises that are not actual content. Real words like and and so can also be used as filler words.
Vocabulary Use words and phrases your audience understands; language that is appropriate for them. Will they understand abbreviations, acronyms, slang and jargon?
Transitions Use transitions to connect sentences to each other, indicate that you’re moving to the next major point, or in group presentations, that you’re moving to the next speaker.
Tip: Words we are saying wrong
Timing
Make sure the length of your presentation matches your audience’s expectations (or the time limit set by the assignment).
If you have a speech impediment
If you stutter, you’re not alone. Many famous people have found ways to become great presenters while managing their stutter, including President Joe Biden, James Earl Jones (the voice of Darth Vader), and Nicole Kidman. Some basic coping strategies include speaking slowly, managing stress, and thoroughly knowing your material. Additional resources are available from The Canadian Stuttering Association.
Got Nerves?
Finally, remember that nerves are common! The following video offers practical suggestions to work through the jitters and confidently deliver a speech.
Watch this video to recall important aspects of informative speaking, organizing your speech, and delivering your final speech. These tips will help you polish your speech and demonstrate a well-developed outline and impressive delivery.
Activity
Key Takeaways
- Extemporaneous speaking requires extensive preparation and practice.
- Effective delivery takes time and work. Working through the speech making process is the best method for successful speech delivery.
- You can work through your nerves and deliver a strong speech!
