• Unit 12: Delivering the Speech

    It is not just what you say; it is how you say it. This is why understanding the nature of oral delivery and improving your own oral characteristics are important in ensuring the success of your presentation. Few speakers have pitch-perfect delivery. Actors, politicians, businessmen and women, and clerics have been known to seek out delivery coaches to upgrade their oratory. You will probably not have access to a speech coach, but if you are determined to present powerfully delivered speeches, there are two actions you can take to improve your skills: videotape yourself and seek out opportunities to deliver public presentations. Private and public practice will create self-critiques and public exposure all speakers need to both educate and motivate them to improve. There are many ways you can do this – for example, you may consider joining Toastmasters International, a membership-based, educational organization which shares information about public speaking and gives speakers opportunities to practice their skills and be critiqued by other members. 

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 5 hours.

    • 12.1: Four Methods of Delivery

    • 12.2: Speaking Contexts That Affect Delivery

    • 12.3: Using Notes Effectively

    • 12.4: Practicing For Successful Speech Delivery

    • 12.5: Unit 12 Exercises