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Participating in oral presentations Academic Communication for Advanced Secondary Schools

Techniques for delivering a good speech
If you intend to deliver a good speech, you should utilize all the necessary skills to achieve
your goal. These involve voice management, proper use of gestures or facial expressions,
and flexible postures. Whether your audience consists of street-children, parents, fellow
students, or the general public, you need to reinforce your speech by showing strong
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feelings and interest in what you are saying. Use your body language properly; speak
with force and vigour to emphasise your points. Skilful use of your body language helps
you to say what you could not say in words. To deliver a speech with a lasting impression,
remember the following:

(a) Take a deep breath: The best time to take a deep breath is a few minutes before you
get up to speak. Take a deep breath and fill your lungs with air, then exhale it through
your mouth to relax and get prepared.
(b) Eye contact: This is very important during your speech. It gives you confidence and
assurance. This is why you should not read your speech to your audience.
(c) Fluency: Let the speech flow smoothly; be fluent and use the correct stress and
intonation throughout your speech. Do not be tense, stiff, and mechanical when
speaking. A fluent speech is one delivered naturally.
(d) Gestures, facial expressions, and body language: In delivering a speech, always
study your audience and use facial expressions and body language to attract their
attention and arouse their interest in your speech.
(e) Use of voice: For a significant impact and interest in your speech by the audience, you
need to use the four dimensions of your voice: volume, pitch, rate, and articulation.
Use them reasonably, depending on the type and size of your audience, venue and
the distance from the audience. Using these dimensions will attract and interest your
audience, and your speech will have a lasting impact.

(f) Posture and standing: Stand straight and look professional. Do not look tired or
lazy; do not disappoint your audience with your physical appearance.

Generally, the foundations of effective speech–making should be laid out well before
you step up to the podium. If you feel nervous about speaking in public, know that it is
normal to experience some communication apprehension or “stage fright” when you
deliver a speech. Learn how to deal with stage fright (anxiety). Prepare carefully
and practise your speech before you deliver it. Try relaxation techniques to deal
with your anxiety. Finally, set your tone while considering your language and style.

Exercise 3�8
Prepare a speech that you will deliver to Form One students during the orientation
week.

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Student’s Book Form Five

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Academic Communication.indd 35 30-Jun-24 11:02:04 AM