Four Methods for Different Occasions

There are four common methods of delivery–impromptu with little or no preparation, memorization,
reading from prepared manuscript, and extemporaneous with outline or notes. Often you will not have
a choice in the method of the delivery; the demands of the situation or the occasion may dictate the
method. For example, you may be called on to respond to what someone else has just said, or to add
a few words with no time to prepare. Or, you could be called upon to read a proclamation or
announcement.

Impromptu

On many different occasions you may be called upon to speak with little or no notice before hand. For
an impromptu speech, you may have a minute or two to prepare in your mind before you speak.
Additionally, you may be called on to read a letter, scripture, or article to a group without preparation.

Manuscript

You may need to use the manuscript that is provided without adding your own thoughts or comments.
However, there are other situations where you will need to prepare your own manuscript— perhaps for
publication in a newsletter or to make sure you include exact wording.

Memorized

You may need to memorize a brief speech, scripture, or perhaps a poem as your part in a presentation,
rather than being given a manuscript to read.

Extemporaneous

In many situations you will have advanced notice, you can think about what you want to say to your
audience and anticipate their responses as you develop an outline for your message. Extemporaneous
is the most natural of all methods of prepared delivery where you can successfully achieve a more
natural conversation with the audience.

Developing a Speaking Persona for Different Situations

You will want to develop your own persona for all methods of delivery. In the study of communication,
persona is a term given to describe the versions of self that all individuals possess. You behave
according to the desired impression you wish to create when speaking with others. A person may create
or manifest different personas at different times, for different occasions. In particular, the persona you
present before others when speaking will differ from the persona your present when you happen to be
alone. Here are some important considerations for developing a natural, conversational persona for
speech delivery.

Have Something to Say

The first indicator that a person is speaking well is that the speaker will have something to say.
Without ideas, opinions, or information, talk becomes the most wasteful product in the world. It is not
only a waste of time to the person who insists on delivering it, but a waste of time and patience to the
people who are forced to listen. Shakespeare put a man who had nothing to say in to The Merchant of
Venice and then had Bassanio describe him as follows:

“Gratiano speaks an infinite deal of nothing, more than any man in all Venice. His reasons are as two
grains of wheat hid in two bushels of chaff: you shall seek all day ‘ere you find them, and when you
have them, they are not worth the search.”

In essence, you need to think clearly and prepare the content of the message carefully before focusing
on delivery.

Speak Sincerely

A second indicator of a good speaker is sincerity. Nothing can be substituted for personal
sincerity. Unless you thoroughly believe in the message you wish to convey to others, you are not likely
to impress them favorably.

Develop Your Own Style—Do Not Imitate

Speaking in a natural, conversational style means that the speaker does not imitate the speaking style
of other great speakers but may reflect their style or approach as it suits the speaker’s personality. For
example, shows British rapper Speech Debelle who has developed her own sincere, conversational
delivery style in her 2012 album, Freedom of Speech. It is a fatal mistake to set out deliberately to
imitate some favorite speaker, and to mold your style after that person. You may observe certain ways
or methods in other speakers that will fit in naturally with your style and temperament, so you adopt
them. Always be on your guard against anything that might impair your own individuality—even in the
slightest degree.

Remember that speaking is a perfectly normal act, which does not call for strange, artificial methods,
but only for an extension and development of the familiar act of conversation. The objective is to
develop and magnify your own honest and sincere persona as a speaker without imitation when
communicating with the audience.
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An Impromptu speech is a talk that you give on the spot with no preparation.
The speech could be as professional as a project update or as casual as a toast at a wedding. Either
way, you are expected to say something smart, witty and charming.
What is Impromptu Speaking?
Impromptu speaking is a speech and debate consolation event that involves a five to eight-minute
speech with a characteristically short preparation time of one to three minutes. The speeches tend to
follow basic speech format, and cover a variety of topics, both humorous and profound. The speaker
receives a slip of paper, which provides three choices for their speech. The topics can be abstract or
concrete nouns, people, political events, quotations or proverbs.

Impromptu Speech

An impromptu speech is given with little or no preparation, yet almost always with some advance
knowledge on the topic. When called to speak "off the cuff" on the "spur of the moment," is usually
because the speaker is quite knowledgeable about the subject. For example, if called on to speak in
class, a student might give a short impromptu speech about a topic that was in the assigned readings.
Business meetings also use a "check in" to tell everyone else about a current project. In small informal
meetings, the audience will interrupt an impromptu speech and ask questions, which helps guide the
speech and the information that is presented. When campaigning, politicians sometimes respond to
reporters or voters almost anywhere and at any time.

Advantages

Remember that you are generally in control of the content you are presenting, so you can include topics
that you want to talk about. Additionally, you can use personal examples from experience to support
what you are saying. Since you are an authority on the topic, you want to speak with conviction like you
really mean it. Your delivery will naturally be more conversational and spontaneous. Since you are not
prepared with pages of notes, you are more likely to speak directly to the audience just like if you were
speaking to another person in a conversation.

Disadvantages

Since you are not well-prepared, you may have difficulty thinking of what to say or formulating the ideas
once you get up to speak. Although you are familiar with the topic, your speech may lack details and
supporting information. If the audience is passive and does not ask questions to guide you, you may
overlook some significant content. Hopefully, someone in the audience will ask questions so you can
fill in gaps. Additionally, impromptu speaking is rarely appropriate for occasions which require more
reasoned discourse with supporting ideas or more formal events.

Impromptu Speeches
Suppose while attending your best friend's wedding, the guests begin chanting your name followed by
the words 'Speech, Speech, Speech!'
Frightened at the possibility of having leftover prime rib thrown in your direction, your first thought is to
hide behind a potted plant. After all, it is your friend's wedding and you are the best man, so you
reluctantly get on stage and begin yapping. You might talk about your friendship, his many former
girlfriends, all of which you liked, his wife's mother and her facial mole, and the nasty creamed spinach
that was served with dinner.
Pat yourself on the back! You just performed an impromptu speech. This is a speech that has no
advanced planning or practice. Reflecting back on your speech, you are probably thinking about what
you could have done better. Your black eye may very well be the catalyst for your regret in making
those word choices. Well, lucky for you, if you are ever asked to speak before a crowd without advanced
notice again, here are a few tips you can use:

 Think for a second about what you are going to say.

 Keep your points brief and to the point.
 Take a few seconds between thoughts to compose yourself.

If you take your time and think about what you would like to say, you probably will never put your foot
in your mouth again. Some speeches play it a little safer. They are a combination of a researched
speech and an off-the-cuff speech.

Tips for the Speaker (Impromptu Preparation)

What do you do if you are asked to speak at the last minute? It is best to become familiar with common
organization patterns so you can apply them in any situation and then also consider what you have
been asked to speak about. Are you presenting your opinion? State your opinion, the reasons why you
support that opinion, and conclude. Is it something that happened? Retell the event from beginning to
end (first, next, then, etc.). Is it a demonstration? Explain each step in the process from first to last.

 Make sure to plan an introduction and a conclusion. If possible, take a few moments to think about
what you want to say to introduce the topic and have some way of concluding.
 Make a few notes for yourself on a card, phone, or iPad. Or, text yourself a few single words to
remind yourself of the important ideas.
 Consider the simple three-part outline of an Introduction, Body, and Conclusion, and fit your ideas
into that pattern.
 Do not try to remember a detailed outline for your entire speech; just remember the order of
important points.
 Be sure to stop when you have made your points.
 If you do not know what to say next, you can summarize and paraphrase what you have just said,
and then will probably be ready to move on to the next topic.
 Remember that, in most situations, you will know more about the subject than the audience. Usually
you will not be called up to speak impromptu about something you know nothing about, so you have
probably spoken about the general topic before or you probably have knowledge to share with
others.
 Talk like you mean it. In other words, speak with conviction. You are explaining your ideas or
knowledge and you are an authority.
 Relax!

Rules of Impromptu Speaking

1. Students will pick a topic out the Selection Bowl
2. Students will then go immediately to their assigned groups and begin brainstorming.
3. Students will be allowed fifteen minutes to divide between preparation and speech time.
4. Students must speak for no less than 2 minutes and no more than 3 minutes.
5. Limited notes are permitted.
6. The speech should involve the development of an argument in response to the thesis developed
or a response to the question.
Impromptu Speech Format
Impromptu differs from the rules provided above in the fact that you are provided with fifteen minutes
of time to divide at your discretion between prepping and practicing your speech. Additionally, all topics
are quotations—occasionally themed but generally random. Below you will find the format for
developing your impromptu speech.
1. Intro, Statement of Quotation,
A. Thesis (main point)
2. First contention (main point)
3. Second contention (main point)
4. Third contention (main point)
5. Conclusion
-Restate your main points.
-Impact statement
ORATION

An oration speech is a formal speech that is given on a special occasion. For

example, oration speeches are often made at a school commencement exercise or a presidential
inauguration.

An oration is a speech delivered in a formal and dignified manner. A skilled public speaker is known as
an orator. The art of delivering speeches is called oratory.

In classical rhetoric, notes George A. Kennedy, orations were classified "into a number of
formal genres, each with a technical name and certain conventions of structure and content" (Classical
Rhetoric and Its Christian and Secular Tradition, 1999). The primary categories of orations in classical
rhetoric were deliberative (or political), judicial (or forensic), and epideictic (or ceremonial).

The term oration sometimes carries a negative connotation: "any impassioned, pompous, or long-
winded speech" (Oxford English Dictionary).

You MUST state the topic “Why My Voice is Important…” in the beginning of your speech. A three-
point penalty is given for failing to state the topic. Timing begins after the title has been stated. Quotes
must be relevant and students must give credit to the person who said the famous words.

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Declamation speech is a speaking event that would showcase a person's prowess in public
speaking as well as how he or she would incorporate his or her feelings with the piece as well as
interpreting the content of the speech.

A declamation speech is the term used to describe the re-giving of an important or famous speech. It
could be a political, graduation or commencement speech, a eulogy, or a sermon. The speaker re-
interprets the original, reproducing its power afresh.

Often this exercise will be set as part of studying public speaking skills. The purpose is to have the
student directly experience the power of masterfully crafted language. Through their interpretation the
techniques and skills of the original orator are learned.

In Toastmasters, the skills learned in giving a declamation speech are covered in the
advanced Interpretive Reading manual: project 5 - The Oratorical Speech.

Declamation speech origins

This method of teaching was used in ancient Greece where public speaking was considered a
necessary art for anybody embarking on a career in public service.

A declamation was a practice piece set by a teacher for exactly the same reason they are set now: to
have a student learn the skills of combining eloquent language with equally eloquent delivery.

Firstly, you must like it. There's no good to be gained from choosing something because you think it
will please or impress your teacher and likewise, judges. You're going to work on this piece to make it
your own. Therefore, it needs to genuinely reflect you in theme and message.
 And secondly it needs a combination of the qualities listed in the following areas: -

 Style of language: Elevated, inspirational, elegant, poetic, masterful - the speech should be an
example of 'beautiful' language and construction.

 Structure: Look for unity of purpose. The piece needs to be structurally coherent - have a beginning,
development and close. It is not a loose ramble or collection of impressions without form.

 Theme: The message or theme running through it should be worthy of its oratorical treatment, ie. the
style of language specified above. It must be important and applicable beyond the time it was first
delivered. For example, Martin Luther King's 'I Had a Dream' speech has carried its theme down the
years without any loss of potency or relevance.

(But be warned - choose carefully. A famous speech such as King's will have been heard and heard
again. You need something of similar impact but with considerably less profile.)

 Impact: The speech must have reached and grabbed the hearts and minds of its listeners. It will
have persuasively challenged and changed the way people thought and acted, uniting and inspiring
them toward a common goal or course of action.
Basic Understanding. Declamation requires students to select a speech that was delivered in public
and perform an excerpt of that speech to an audience. Speeches are up to 10 minutes in length. As a
result, students typically shorten the text of the speech to meet time requirements.

Declamation: Structure and Rules

Structurally, Declamation is quite simple. The competitor finds a speech that has previously been
delivered in public, analyzes and interprets it, memorizes it, and then goes to competition with it. At
competition, the competitor will perform the piece, with an introduction for the piece, during three rounds
and possibly at finals if they break. Speakers are judged on their ability to interpret the text, not the
previous speaker (no impersonations!). The use of facials, gestures, movements (as
transitions/emphasis), intonation, diction, passion, etc. are all used as methods to rank a competitor.
The better you know and understand the piece, the better you will rank.

Specific rules include:

• Speech must have been previously delivered in public (by a government official for example)
• An introduction is required (names author, title, gives any necessary information, and sets the tone)
and given after
a minute or so of the piece has been delivered, at a natural break-point
• Must be memorized
• Speeches are to be ten minutes in length (some areas’ time limits vary)
• Speech delivery should be honest and as if the words were the speaker’s own
• Eye contact is important
• All body language and vocalizations need to work with the piece to help better convey the message
• All gestures need to be visible and purposeful
• Speaker should have a strong stance
• No distracting movements (feet shifting, uncontrolled hand gestures for instance)
• Command the language!
• Although not an official rule, it is discouraged to use an Original Oratory piece in Declamation—the
OO piece was constructed for Forensic competition, NOT for delivering a message to the populace.

RULES FOR ENGLISH DECLAMATION

• The speech must be original, and must not have been previously delivered in public in any national
or local event.
• Paper reading is highly discouraged.
• Judging criteria for Declamation includes:
i. Content;
ii. Style;
iii. Pronunciation;
iv. Confidence;
v. Gestures.
vi. Humorous (if applicable)
• Any contestant delivering a speech longer than 5 minutes will be penalized
• Speakers who use obscene or vulgar language will be disqualified
• Usage of props or other items to demonstrate a viewpoint at any point during a speech is strictly
prohibited.
• Discrimination against any race, religion, sex, caste or group will lead to disqualification.
• A contestant who presents irrelevant material will be sent back from the podium.
• Any gestures made must be within the context of the speech; shouting or a very high pitch is not
allowed.

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EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEECH
Extemporaneous speaking is one of the most natural methods for delivering a prepared speech. You
can use an extemporaneous speech to achieve a more natural tone, flow and style with the audience.
First, think about your topics and anticipate the audience's reception to your speech. You can develop
speech notes based on this preparation and use them to aid you during the presentation.

Extemporaneous Speeches
We learned that the impromptu speech can be tricky. Finding the right words without advanced notice
may not be for every speaker. No need to worry. The extemporaneous speech is a perfect balance.
This speech involves the speaker's use of notes and some embellishment to deliver a speech. To clear
this up, a speaker who uses this method would have note cards or prompts that guide him from point
to point, but he uses his own words as he goes along. What makes this different than an impromptu
speech is that he has a loose guideline for his speech. He did not memorize anything; he just used
cues to know where to go next.
There are advantages and disadvantages to this type of speech. For one, the audience will think you
are a genius. You used few notes and appeared to know everything about the topic. But this is not
something that can be done quickly. The same fact finding and research used for other types of
speeches must be used here. The speaker also must rehearse this speech for timing, rhythm and flow.