Delivery for Different

Situations
Bear in mind that not all speaking situations happen in
the classroom. Some may happen in unfamiliar
environments. To illustrate, you may run or be nominated
for a school or local government office, so a room-to-
room and public campaign speech is required; or you
may be invited to welcome a visitor in your school or
community, so an opening or welcoming remark is
necessary; or you may be asked to represent your
school or community in a literary contest. These are a
few situations where your delivery skill will be
simultaneously challenged and honed.
As a public speaker you need to be ready
to deal with the most common challenges
in different speaking environments.
1
 Speaking to a specific audience size

Description : Audience size depends on

the venue size.

Advantages : You can determine your

approach with your
audience: more intimate
and personal for a smaller
size; more formal for a larger
size.
Disadvantages : This can be challenging and
intimidating.

Tips : Ask the organizers about the

estimated number of the
audience so you can
adjust your delivery

Practice, practice, practice.

2
 Speaking in an open-air venue or outside a
building

Description : Examples are open courts or

grounds, football fields,
farms, etc.

Advantages : You will feel more relaxed

due to the atmosphere of
the venue.
Disadvantages : You will encounter a lot of
communication barriers such as
noise, inattentive audiences,
discomfort, challenging weather,
possible absence of technology
such as audio-visual equipment,
etc.

You might be forced to make

adjustments, especially in voice
projection.
 Check the venue prior to your speaking
engagement.

Ask the organizers about the availability of

equipment.

Tips Challenge yourself on how you can get and

maintain the attention of your audience

Use the outdoor setting or venue to your advantage

as a way of jumpstarting your speech or as an
example to support your main point.

Practice, practice, practice.

3
 Speaking in different venues
Description : Speaking venues that vary according
to size: classroom, meeting or
conference room, ball room, social hall,
auditorium, covered court, open court,
etc.

Advantages : You will be exposed to different venues,

which will add to your public speaking
experience.
Disadvantages : You will have to make big adjustments in terms of your nonverbal
cues: volume of voice, body language, facial expression, etc.

Tips : Check the venue days before your scheduled speech and
arrive hours earlier in the venue, so you can determine the
adjustments to make.

For a large venue, speak more slowly, use pauses frequently to

highlight the most important ideas of your speech, and make
use of facial expressions and gestures. When you use visual
aids, make them more visible.

In a small venue, your audience will see you up close.

Therefore, manage your notes well when you use them and
adjust your nonverbal cues as necessary.

Practice, practice, practice.

4
 Speaking with a microphone
Description : Its main function is to increase the
volume of your voice, not to clarify
the pronunciation and enunciation
of words.

Advantages : With a microphone, you can easily

get the attention of your audience
because of the loudness of your
voice.
Disadvantages : Using a microphone can be challenging
because there is a tendency to underuse or
overuse it.

Tips : Check the microphone if it functions well.

Check your voice in the microphone to see

whether you are audible enough.

In a small venue, you may not use a

microphone, but you need to manage your
voice’s volume well

Practice, practice, practice.

5
 Speaking with a podium or lectern
Description : A podium or lectern is a reading desk with a
stand and a slanted top.

Advantages : Notes can be placed on the slanted top, and

will work best for extemporaneous and
manuscript speeches.

The lectern can be used as a means to hide or

cover nervousness or stage fright.
Disadvantages : Some may have the tendency to hide their hands
behind the podium, which will not help them enhance
their message

Tips : Stand straight, as good posture exudes confidence.

Avoid gripping the edges of the podium with both

hands.

Aside from this, also avoid hiding them behind the

podium.

For extemporaneous and impromptu speakers, step to

the side occasionally once you have composed
yourself, so you can effectively use your gestures, make
eye contact, and connect more with your audience.