Four Types of Public Speaking

Public speaking is when you stand

before an audience and deliver a speech in a formal or an informal occasion. For many people, speaking in front of a large audience is a daunting task so it is quite natural to become very nervous (though with effective training this could be overcome). 

As public speaking has become a serious career option, many people are enrolling for classes where they are taught skills and techniques to speak well and speak effectively before a gathering. However, to be a good speaker, it is necessary that one should know the four types of public speaking and the peculiarities of each one of them. 

When a person gives a speech before an audience to impart information on a particular topic or issue it said to be an informative speech. Business presentations, seminars in colleges, class presentations in schools are some examples of informative speeches. A person preparing for an informative speech has to research the subject / topic very well. It should be short and precise because long informative speeches (lectures) easily bore the audience. The success of an informative speech will depend on how much the audience could understand from the speech.

[1] Speaking to Inform

Persuasive speeches are those where one tries to persuade or convince a group of people. These speeches aim to influence and change the opinions of the audience. This can be a difficult task as you would be facing a group of people who may have totally opposite views from your own. The most important point that has to be kept in mind here is that if you want to influence others' views and ideas, you have to show your enthusiasm while speaking. 

2] Speaking to Persuade

However, you must remember that you are not there to wage a war and should talk without hurting others' feelings. Persuasive speeches are often given by sales and marketing people to attract interest in their products. They are also used to influence political and religious views.

Speaking to actuate is a higher level of persuasive speaking. Here, the speaker goes a step beyond persuasion and convincing. The aim is to motivate people enough to take a specific step—to act. This is a powerful level of speaking. Very few people have achieved this level of mastery of the art of persuasion where they could so deeply convince people that they move into action. 

 [3] Speaking to Actuate

This type of speech is common in conflict (war) situations. It is also seen in action whenever a speaker not only tries to garner support for some cause or reason but wants the people he’s speaking to join him in actualizing it through concrete action. It is characterized by a show of charisma, very strong words, and great emotional involvement.

A speech of this type typically does not rely on facts and figures, though they may be offered. The speaker’s aim is to get his listeners so emotionally enthralled that they wholesomely adopt his idea, his principles, his reasoning, as theirs and literally take up the cross and share his burden. Sometimes, listeners may be so deeply moved that they take up the cause more seriously than even the person who’s invited them into it! This sometimes happens among militia groups where members of a mob overthrow their leader accusing him of not being “aggressive enough” in the fight for their common cause. They go on to introduce tougher measures to the dismay of their deposed leader. This is the pinnacle of persuasive speaking and, indeed, of public speaking.

Ceremonial speeches are another form of public speaking usually given at weddings, funerals, graduation parties, retirement parties etc. One very important factor to make these speeches effective is to add a personal touch. 

[4] Speaking to Entertain

One gives these speeches for people one knows and it would be great if one can bring in stories and incidents about the respective person. The speech can be humorous, touching or emotional, as per the occasion and the mood. However, one should take utmost care not to hurt feelings by making snide remarks about them.

Public speaking is a skill that is best mastered through continuous practice. A talkative person may not be able to give the best speech. To give a great speech, one must first understand the type of speech one is expected to give and should prepare along those lines. A good public speaker is one who understands the needs of the audience and is flexible enough to adopt changes that may arise even while delivering the speech. 

Conclusion

By

Mary Delle M. Obedoza

North Point Institute of Technology-Binalbagan

Useful Speech Writing Tips

Speaking is one of the most powerful tools of mass communication and very helpful in case one has to communicate with a large audience. A speech is prepared according to the audience and their language. Speeches used to be spontaneous but the modern day speeches are well planned and there are speech writing tips that can make a lot of difference to the quality of a speech.

Public speaking is about delivering the thoughts of the speakers to the audience effectively. A speech well written and prepared in advance can help a person to face the audience with confidence. Here are ten speech writing tips to help out.

A speech writer should present and emphasize on the primary objective of the speech. A speech written with too many ideas will divert the intention of the speaker and confuse the audience. Normally, focus on three or four ideas only and build your speech on these. Better to hit three strong points properly than to attempt to make ten but end up poorly tackling them.

[1] Primary Objective

A good speech should be written in a structured manner to present the audience with the ideas in a 'query and solution' form. A speech can be segregated into Opening, Body and Conclusion

[2] Speech Structure

A good speech should have a good quality in the right quantity. An excessive content written in an uninteresting manner will dilute the idea of the speech and make the speech ineffective. Be prudent with your write-up; make every sentence count. Avoid using too many words to describe something you could quite easily describe with fewer words without loss of meaning — unless you deliberately mean to do so for reasons best known to you!

[3] Content

The speech writer should consider the type of audience for whom the speech is intended. The language of the speech or the medium should be easily understandable and comfortable to the target audience. Depending on the topic, you would not speak to teenagers and youths the way you’d speak to parents or middle-aged people. Both groups could potentially interpret your message in very different ways.

[4] Target Audience

A good speech should have multiple numbers of facts to validate the speech. Relevant facts related to the subject should be used in the speech as without facts a speech, however good it may be, will be invalid. Do not quote incorrect figures. One misquoted date, for example can harm the authenticity of your presentation and ultimately harm your own integrity and reputation. Always cross-check facts and figures properly. Use reliable sources.

[5] Facts

A good speech writer can add an emotional touch by using personal stories, examples and even some metaphors. A human touch to the problems is useful in presenting the speech. Depending on the type of speech and occasion, you might want to weigh the appropriateness of emotion in the speech.

[6] Emotional Quotient

A strong opening will make an effective and strong impression and a good closing a useful reminder. First impression is very effective as it has a lasting impression on the audience. A good closing, with a strong call to act, can help in reinforcing and imprinting the idea of the speech in their memories

[7] Strong Opening and Closing

A printed handout with details of the speech can be provided to the audience after the speech is over. A printed handout will be a written reminder and will make the audience more receptive to the speaker. If you plan to hand out printed scripts of your speech or presentation, it is advisable you inform your audience before the speech. This will allow focus on your presentation rather than struggling to jot down bits of information from your presentation as you speak. This normally divides audiences’ attention.

[8] Handouts

A good speech with short and simple words to express the idea without the use of jargons will make it easier on the audience to grasp the idea. Simple words and simple language will make the speech much clearer to the audience making it easier in retaining the speech.

[9] Simple & Short Language

A good speech can be improved by taping and listening to the speech, before presenting it to the audience. The writer can make improvements in the speech with the feedbacks to bring perfection. 

[10] Evaluate the Speech

"Half the world is composed of people who have something to say but can't, and

the other half who have nothing to say but keep on saying it." ~ Robert Frost.