Chapter 13 Review

“How you say something is often as important as what you say.”

As Lesli’s story shows, how you deliver your speech and the verbal and nonverbal skills you use while making your presentation can spell the difference between success and failure. In this chapter, we shared the pros and cons of three modes of prepared delivery—reading from a manuscript, reciting from a memorized text, and speaking extemporaneously from an outline—and noted that extemporaneous delivery is preferred in most contemporary settings. For unprepared delivery, or impromptu speaking, we offered guidelines for coming up with a presentation on the spot. We also discussed the many different elements of verbal delivery—volume, tone, rate of delivery, projection, articulation, pronunciation, and pausing—and the ways that you can use them to create more effective speeches. Employing elements of nonverbal delivery—such as eye contact, gestures, physical movement, proxemics, and personal appearance—can further captivate and engage your audience. By applying the right delivery mode and the right blend of verbal and nonverbal skills, you can get your message across to your listeners—and leave them wanting more.

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Key Terms

delivery 367

script 369

impromptu delivery 374

verbal delivery skills 376

volume 376

tone 377

monotone 378

rate of delivery 378

projection 381

articulation 381

pronunciation 382

pausing 383

verbal filler 383

verbal tic 384

nonverbal delivery skills 385

eye contact 385

panning 388

gesture 388

physical movement 391

proxemics 392

personal appearance 393

Review Questions

1. Question

   Describe four methods of speech delivery.

2. Question

   What are verbal delivery skills? Describe seven elements of verbal delivery discussed in the chapter.

3. Question

   Explain what is meant by nonverbal delivery. Describe five elements of nonverbal delivery discussed in the chapter.

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Critical Thinking Questions

1. Question

   What is the advantage of memorized delivery over other forms of delivery? What is its chief disadvantage? In what public speaking situations might memorization be appropriate for you?

2. Question

   What kinds of audience considerations should you take into account when making decisions about your nonverbal delivery? How might gender, culture, age, and other factors affect the way particular gestures are perceived?

3. Question

   What hand gestures would you use in an informative speech that describes kitchen knives and techniques for chopping vegetables or making thin slices of tender meat? How would you use the visual imagery of co-speech gestures (CSGs) to enhance the literal meaning of your speech words?

   What hand gestures would you use in an informative speech that describes kitchen knives and techniques for chopping vegetables or making thin slices of tender meat? How would you use the visual imagery of co-speech gestures (CSGs) to enhance the literal meaning of your speech words?

Activities

1. Question

   Think back to the example of Obama’s finger wagging in the section on gestures in this chapter. Come up with two speech topics for which this gesture would be appropriate. Now think of two speech topics for which this gesture would not be appropriate.

   Chapter 13 - Activity Question 1

2. Question

   Without practicing, make a brief recording of yourself explaining a simple and familiar task—for example, providing directions for traveling from your home to campus. Then make another recording of yourself describing a less concrete concept, such as the musical qualities of a favorite song. Take note of how often you use verbal fillers and verbal tics in each case. Do you think you would have used them as often if you had prepared an outline and rehearsed? Try it, and compare your results.

   Chapter 13 - Activity Question 2

3. Question

   Check out a few stand-up comedy performances on YouTube or DVD. Take note of how the comics use nonverbal delivery skills—such as eye contact, panning techniques, and movement—to engage with their audience. Which comics are most effective at using nonverbal delivery skills? Why?

   Chapter 13 - Activity Question 3