Pan African e-Network Project at BITS Pilani

08/09/2011 1
Formal Speeches

Prof.Sangeeta
Sharma
Department of Languages
BITS,Pilani
• Learning Objectives:

• to develop oratory skills in English

• to train the students in making short formal
speeches
• to familiarize them with nuances of delivering
short formal speeches
• Robert Frost has rightly said, “Half the world is
composed of people who have something to
say and can’t and the other half, who have
nothing to say and keep on saying it.”
 Preparatory Stages
• Planning,
• Preparation / Writing, and
• Delivery
 Purpose
• To welcome a guest at a formal function,
• To bid farewell to someone leaving an
organization, or
• To propose a vote of thanks at the close of a
formal event
 Symptoms of Stage Fright

• Stomach Butterflies
• Pounding Heart
• Shortage of Breath
• Sweaty Palms
• Dry Throats
• Unsteady Voice
• Trembling Hands
• Wobbly Knees
• Tied Tongue
 Planning Stage
• Understanding of the occasion
• Knowing about the nature of audience
• Knowing the purpose
 Preparation / writing stage
• Creating an outline
• Collecting information
• Preparing the first draft
• Editing for correctness
 Delivery stage
• Appearance
• Clarity and audibility
• Rate and pace of delivery
• Make eye contact
• Be natural in your speech, gestures and
postures
 Modes of delivery

• Extemporaneous
• Manuscript
• Impromptu
• Memorization
 Welcome Speech
• Greeting the audience
• Addressing the dignitaries on the dais
• A brief introduction of the institute
• Background of the event
• Welcoming the guests and members of the
audience
• Wishing people a comfortable stay and fruitful
interaction
 Prominent Speeches
• Words don’t matter by Obama
• I have a dream by Martin King Luther Junior
• We shall fight at the beeches by Winston
Churchill
• Gettysburg address by Abrahm Lincoln
• Convocation address at Stanford by Steve Jobs
 Answer the following questions
• Why do we need speeches?
• Tell about the modes of presentation
• Why do you remember some speakers?
• Is passion important in speeches?
• What is paralanguage?