DELIVERY FOR DIFFERENT SITUATIONS

Not all speaking situations happen in the classroom. Different types of speeches may be delivered in
varied and sometimes unfamiliar environments.

According to Young and Travis (2012). “Many people fear public speaking initially, but they learn that
it can be mastered. Your butterflies may never go away completely, but you can gradually learn to appear calm
and to be confident in public speaking situations. Like anything else in life, it takes time to improve. Make sure
you take the time to practice.

Here are some of the different speaking environments with the most common challenges that
simultaneously hone and challenge your delivery skills.

SPEAKING TO A SPECIFIC AUDIENCE SIZE

1.1. Description
 Audience size depends on the venue size.
1.2. Advantages
 You can determine your approach with your audience more intimate and personal for smaller size,
more formal for a larger size.
1.3. Disadvantages
 This can be challenging and intimidating
1.4. 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

2.1. Description
 Examples are open courts or grounds, football fields, farms ,etc.
2.2. Advantage
 You will feel more relaxed due to the atmosphere of the venue.
2.3. 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.
2.4. Tips
 Check the venue prior to your speaking engagement.
 Ask the organizers about the availability of equipment.
 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
3.1. Description
  Speaking venues that vary according to size: classroom, meeting or conference room, ball room,
social hall, auditorium, covered court, open court, etc.
3.2. Advantage
 You will be exposed to different venues which will add to your public speaking experience.
3.3. Disadvantage
 You will have to make big adjustments in terms of your nonverbal cues, volume of voice, body
language, facial expression etc.
3.4. Tips
 Check the venue day 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, uses 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
your use them and adjust your nonverbal cues as necessary.
 Practice, practice, practice.

4. SPEAKING WITH A MICROPHONE

4.1. Description
 Its main function is to increase the volume of your voice, not to clarify the pronunciation and
enunciation of words.
4.2. Advantage
 With a microphone, you can easily get the attention of your audience because of the loudness of
your voice.
4.3. Disadvantage
 Using a microphone can be challenging because there is a tendency to underuse or overuse it.
4.4. 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

5.1. Description
 A podium is the raised platform on which the speaker stands to deliver his/her speech.
 A lectern is a reading desk or the raised, slanted stand on which a speaker can place his/her notes.
5.2. 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.
5.3. Disadvantage
 Some may have the tendency to hide their hands behind the lectern which will not help them
enhance their message.
5.4. Tips
  Stand straight, as good posture exudes confidence. Avoid gripping the edges of the podium with
both hands. Aside from this, also avoid hiding from them behind the lectern.
 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.

REMEMBER THIS:
Whatever speaking situation you are in, the most important thing is you master your
speech.

TOOLS FOR EFFECTIVE SPEECH DELIVERY

According to Sipacio and Balgo (2016), for you to be effective in your delivery, you must consider the
following in excellent speakers:

How they approach their audience (formal, informal, personal, conversational, intimate)
How they connect with their audience using eye contact, body movements of facial expressions.
How they use their voice in terms of volume (loudness or softness), pitch (highness or lowness),
rate or speed, pauses to show emphasis and strengthen the clarity of the message, vocal variety
(effective changes in volume, pitch, rate and pauses), and pronunciation.

In 2017, Allison as cited by Doyugan (2019) pointed out the seven essential tips for public speaking.
They are as follows:

Know your material. Because repetition is the father of learning, try to know more about the
topic and be prepared to tackle any question.
Read and assess your audience. Recognize your audience and mold your presentation
accordingly.
Familiarize yourself with the room. Always arrive early in the venue and make yourself
comfortable with your surroundings.
Feel good about yourself. The fear of public speaking stems from two things: that you will
make a fool of yourself or someone might make fun of how you look, dress, etc. To overcome
the first fear, practice your presentation rigorously. For the second fear, put on your best self.
Relax and change your perspective. Remind yourself that public speaking is just a
conversation with multiple people rather than one. The more natural you behave, the better will
your presentation be.
Concentrate. Do not think about messing up. Just focus on what you will say and how you’ll
say it.
Present with certainty. Take command of the room and atmosphere.