Speech delivery
Speech delivery is how you present a speech, as opposed to what it says: the method you use (impromptu, extemporaneous, manuscript or memorized) plus your voice, pauses, eye contact, posture and gestures. For most talks the best choice is extemporaneous delivery, from brief notes in a conversational tone.
The four methods of speech delivery
Speech textbooks sort speech delivery into four methods (Stand Up, Speak Out). Extemporaneous is the style used in the great majority of public speaking situations (Saylor), so it is the one worth practicing first.
| Method | What it is | Strength | Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impromptu | A short message without advance preparation | Spontaneous and responsive | Little or no time to think about your central point |
| Extemporaneous | A planned, rehearsed speech from brief notes, in a conversational manner | You come across as knowledgeable and credible | Takes real preparation |
| Manuscript | Reading a written text word for word | Exact wording | Dull to listen to, and your eyes stay on the page |
| Memorized | Reciting a written text from memory | Full eye contact | Can sound flat, and a blank is hard to recover from |
Definitions and trade-offs: Stand Up, Speak Out (Saylor Academy). More in the glossary entry on extemporaneous speaking.
Voice: rate, pauses, volume and pitch
- Rate
- Vary it. A lively pace can carry enthusiasm or urgency, a slower one seriousness or careful reasoning; avoid a monotone drone or a rapid "machine-gun" style (Stand Up, Speak Out). One recommended band is 120 to 170 words per minute (100th Monkey). Answer: how to slow down your speech.
- Pauses
- The effective use of pauses is one of the most important skills to develop (Stand Up, Speak Out). A pause also replaces the um: how to stop saying um.
- Volume
- Loud enough for the back row, without shouting in a small room. If you emphasize everything, nothing seems important (Stand Up, Speak Out).
- Pitch
- Don't pitch your voice up at the end of sentences, which turns statements into questions. Nerves push many speakers into a monotone; a recording shows whether you have one (Stand Up, Speak Out).
Body: eye contact, posture and gestures
- Eye contact
- Sustained eye contact with individual people is one of the most important tools of effective delivery; sweeping the room or looking just above heads looks mechanical (Stand Up, Speak Out). Guide: eye contact in public speaking.
- Posture
- Standing up straight signals confidence; slouching can make you look unprepared or anxious (Stand Up, Speak Out).
- Gestures
- Neither overdramatic nor subdued. One hand is usually enough, and a gesture held for a moment lands better than constant motion (Stand Up, Speak Out).
How to practice speech delivery
Good speech delivery sounds natural, but it is rehearsed. Practice out loud in front of other people several times, spread over several days, and ask them to be honest about what could be better (Stand Up, Speak Out). Record at least one run: a recording is a very effective diagnostic device, and most people are pleasantly surprised by how they come across. Work on one element at a time, such as pace this week and eye contact next week, so the fixes stick. If you overrehearse your voice, though, the talk ends up sounding artificial (Stand Up, Speak Out), so aim for points you know cold, not lines you recite.
Guides in this section
- Eye contact in public speakingWhere to look while you speak, and for how long.
- How to slow down your speechCount your words per minute and land every full stop.
- How do I stop saying um?Slow down, pause and count your fillers.
- How to stop shaking when nervousGive your hands a job and breathe out slowly.
Questions readers ask
What are the four types of speech delivery?
Impromptu, extemporaneous, manuscript and memorized (Stand Up, Speak Out). Extemporaneous, from brief notes, is used in the great majority of situations (Saylor).
What makes speech delivery effective?
Your audience should be thinking about the message, not the delivery (Stand Up, Speak Out). A conversational tone, varied pace, real pauses and steady eye contact get you there.
Get a score on your delivery
Confidently shows whether you sped up, how many times you said um and how your face looks, with a confidence score.
Practise out loud for freeFree on iPhone and Android
Sources
- Four Methods of Delivery, in Stand Up, Speak Out: The Practice and Ethics of Public Speaking, Saylor Academy open textbook
- Practicing for Successful Speech Delivery, Stand Up, Speak Out (Saylor Academy open textbook)
- Words per minute: how to speak slower when public speaking, 100th Monkey