Speech Fundamentals
ENC 3246Speaking & Writing for
Engineers
Engineers are poor communicators.
True or False?
Presentations are expensive. Consider whether it is really necessary.
Cost in salaries of audience
Cost in time for presentation
Cost in time to prepare presentation
Presenter can read audience and react
AB
C
C
D
Presenter receives instant reaction
! ? ! ?
Presentations have several advantages over documents
Work can come alive for audience Work
Speaker has limited chance to catch errors
? ? ?
Audience cannot reread text
has oneaudience
chanceto hear
Audience cannot look up background material
Presentations also have disadvantages
What are the most common public speaking challenges?
Anxiety Lack of preparation time Not knowing your purpose Not knowing the audience
Communication Apprehension
The Book of Lists ranks fear of public speaking as the #1 fear, even ahead of death, disease, and nuclear war.
A 2001 Gallup Poll found that public speaking was second only to a fear of snakes.
Fact Check: Updated research says this is not true! What is true about communication apprehension?
What are the causes of CA?
Fear of Embarrassment
Fear of Failure
Fear of Rejection
Overcoming or Controlling CA
Know your environment Relax Breathe Use extras wisely Keep your focus on the material Know your material & practice Your audience is on your side
Presentations can be viewed from three stylistic perspectives
Structure andSpeech
Delivery
Archives, Cal-Tech
Visual Aids
Structure andSpeech
Visual Aids
Delivery
Archives, Cal-Tech
audience
purpose occasion
Begin preparing a scientific presentationby analyzing your constraints
Who are they?What do they know?
Why are they here?What biases do they have?
to inform
to persuade
to inspire
to teach
formality
size
time
There are 2 messages in any speech:
1. The one you send2. The one the
audience receives
Challenge: Audiences can be Poor Listeners
Reactive to trigger words or topics Listen faster than you can speak Prefer info similar to their beliefs Retain very little (about 10% of what they
hear)
Goal: Be Compelling
Know Purpose of Speech Know Audience Show Value of Message Build Rapport
Types of Speeches
Informative: Conferences, technical updates, new product
introductions Instructive:Training, coaching, orientation Persuasive:Client presentations, in-house proposals
Types of Audiences: Demographics
Technical or Non-technical Managerial or Staff Educational Level Age
Types of Audiences: Situational & Psychological
Occasion Size of Room & Group Roles & Motives Culture Feelings about you or your topic
Speech Overview/Preview Prepares Audience Use Connectives/Transitions Signals Topic Change Review Points Enhances Audience Retention
Goal: Present a clear message
Beginning
Ending
Middle
As with documents, the structure of presentations should have clear beginnings, middles, and ends
Beginnings prepare the audiencefor the work to be presented
Defines work
Work = A + B
Maps presentation
A
B
CD
Shows importance
Gives background
Speech Organization
Introduction purpose/central idea relation statement (why important) qualifications (if necessary) preview/forecast
Speech Organization-Organizational Patterns Body
Topical Triad Chronological Problem/Cause/Solution
pre-combustionmethods
combustionmethods
post-combustionmethods
combustionmethods
In the middle, make smooth transitions between major points
Speech Organization
Conclusion forewarn audience of ending summarize your main points remind audience of desired response end in an upbeat manner
Structure andSpeech
Delivery
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Visual Aids
The Importance of Good Delivery
Delivery How You Give the Speech Verbal Techniques Volume, Rate, Emphasis, Vocal Variety,
Articulation Non-verbal Techniques Personal Appearance, Gestures, Eye Contact Language Enhances Understanding
Goal: Be Captivating & Memorable
There are several choices speech delivery
Memorizing the Speech
+ allows eye contact- difficult for long speeches- room for precision errors- no room for improvising
Reading From a Text + ensures precision- does not sound natural- no room for improvising- hinders eye contact
Winging It + sounds natural- has much room for error
Speaking Extemporaneously
+ insures organization+ allows eye contact+ allows improvising- some room for error
Delivery Essentials~65% of total message Eye Contact and Facial Expression
50% of nonverbal message Body Movement--body language
hand gestures, walking, podium use Vocalics or Paralanguage
30% of nonverbal message Distracting Mannerisms
Engineers can be excellent communicators too!
Structure andSpeech
Delivery
Archives, Cal-Tech
Visual Aids
“The ability to communicate is everything.”
--Lee IacoccaFormer CEO, Chrysler Corporation
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