PRESENTING

THE CASE:
DELIVERY GROUP 5
JOSHUA MALIN
JUSTIN FJ BENGUA
ARVIN GEORPE ARCENO
REBECCA LUMNA SUMANGKAD
INTRODUCTIO
N: The importance of delivery in oral
communication has been stressed ever
since

Aristotle pointed out, “Success in

delivery is of the utmost importance to
the eff ect

of the speech.” Modern students of

communication theory confi rm this
classical
For example, James McCroskey examined
a number of experimental studies
dictum.
and concluded, “Good delivery allows the Once we have composed a
rhetorically strong message to have its rhetorically strong message, we
have to deliver that message in
normal eff ect. Poor delivery tends to
inhibit the eff ect of a verbal message.”2
a way that will obtain the
desired decision from our
audience.
OF COURSE, A STRONG delivery is necessary, but not sufficient to debate or speech success. Delivery is the means to the
ultimate end of having an audience listen to and act upon your case. It ensures that the message is received, but does not
impact the quality of the message itself.

WHEN ONE ORDERS A PIZZA FOR DELIVERY, IF THE PIZZA ARRIVES HOT AND FRESH TO

your door, it tastes no better if it is delivered in a beautiful and new sports car, or a

beat-up, rusty pick-up truck. As long as the vehicle does not break down, you are

simply happy to have your meal.

IN A LIKE MANNER, AS LONG AS THE SPEAKER’S DELIVERY IS

able to help the audience follow and understand the content of the message, it has

done its part.

 I. METHODS OF
DELIVERY
MINIGLOSSAR
The four methods of delivery available to the speaker are
impromptu, extemporaneous, manuscript, and

Y
memorization. In most situations and for most advocates,
the best method is the extemporaneous method. With the
extemporaneous method, it is frequently necessary to have
Extemporaneous speech A prepared evidence cards available that contain quotations or
speech in which the speaker may or
statements we want to use in a very specific form. Often we
may
not use notes.
find it advantageous to memorize brief passages of our
speech. For example, we might want to conclude a speech
Impromptu method A speech with a carefully phrased summary. If we felt
delivered without specific
that reading this summary from a card would lessen its
preparation.
effect and yet we wished to be very precise in that
Nonverbal communication Vocal statement, we might memorize our concluding sentences.
expression and body language that convey And when our opponents introduces important unexpected
matters into the debate, we must meet them with
meaning to another person.
impromptu refutation.
A. IMPROMPTU
We use the impromptu method of delivery when we make little or no prep-

aration for the presentation of our thoughts. In fact, because the impromptu
The best preparation for meeting the
speech is made without specific preparation, we have no organized case impromptu situation when it arises is
and do
experience in delivering prepared
not compose the speech ahead of time. Suppose that at this very moment speeches. Actually we may plan and
you organize
It’s important to be familiar with the impromptu method simply because in
were asked to defend your views on U.S. foreign policy; your response the impromptu speech to a degree. We will
would circumstances
be have at least a few seconds in which
some it is the only method available. When news of an important

impromptu. You could draw onSenate

your general knowledge of the for
subject, on a to organize our thoughts, and if we are
development is received in the during the day’s session, example,
the experienced speakers, we can do a lot in
senator might find it desirable to speak on this matter at once. A sales represen-
information you had happened to gather in your reading, and on whatever a short time. Some speakers have
ideas might meet a prospective customer unexpectedly and find the occasion to developed the faculty of thinking ahead
tative
and
youanmay
be have formulated,
opportune moment to but you would
attempt a sale. have to organize
The business your ideas
executive, whileas
at-
you planning their future lines of argument
while they are speaking on matters that
tending a board of directors meeting, might learn of a new problem and be
went along.
 B.
EXTEMPORANEOU The extemporaneous speech is a prepared speech. In delivering the
extempo-

S raneous speech, we neither read from a manuscript nor memorize our

entire

speech. We may or may not use notes; we may or may not read short
The extemporaneous method most frequently makes use of note cards or
quotations

legal pads, on which

asthe speaker
a part writes
of our key words
speech; and
and we phrases,
may or maymaking maxi-
not memorize a few short
passages of
mum use of abbreviations.
Ronald Reagan used index cards in the mid-1950s when he was
our speech.
touring the country as a spokesman for General Electric. He
continued to use the same method during his presidency.3 A similar
method is used

for television shows, although the cards are much larger and usually
are placed off camera.
 C. MANUSCRIPT
In using the manuscript method, we prepare our speech carefully, write it out in

full, and read it to our audience. The advantage of the manuscript is that it pro-

vides us with the opportunity, even under pressure of the debate, to say exactly

what we want to say in exactly the way we want to say it. When minimizing the The disadvantages of the manuscript
method include the lack of flexibility
possibility of error is the prime consideration, the manuscript speech is generally
In delivering a State of the Union
used. and the difficulty of reading the manuscript
message or other major state addresses,
effectively. Because the manuscript

all U.S. presidents, even those who were

is prepared in advance, it does not provide
brilliant extemporaneous speakers, have
for adjustments to the situation, to
used the manuscript method. A slip of
the tongue in such a situation would be previous speeches, or to audience reaction.
Furthermore, the manuscript often
too dangerous; it might lead to a
domestic or international crisis. becomes a barrier between the speaker
and the audience when the speaker’s ob-
The reading copy of the manuscript should be a carefully prepared docu-

ment of professional quality. The rough draft will be covered with corrections,

and reading from a manuscript in that condition is too difficult. (Of course, if

you prepare your manuscript on a computer, the task becomes much simpler.)

A professional quality manuscript is easier to read, and its appearance adds to

the

speaker’s credibility. It can help the speaker achieve more effective delivery
and

increase the impact on the arguments. The manuscript should be typed on 8½

×

11-inch paper with 1½-inch margins on both sides. Double spacing makes it
eas-
D. MEMORIZATION
Advocates rarely memorize an entire speech today. This method is still required

in many college oratory contests, because it provides practice with certain aspects

of speech composition and delivery. Outside the contest situation, however,

most advocates do not feel they have time to memorize a speech—except, of

course, when “The Speech” is used. The memorized speech is, in fact, a manu-

script that has been committed to memory.

Inexperienced It provides
advocates who allmemorize
the advantages of the
their speeches often appear stilted, artificial,
manuscript method, as well as the additional advantage that the manuscript is not
and lacking in spontaneity. Further
present. disadvantages of the memorized speech

include the time necessary for

memorization, the lack of flexibility, and the
pos-

sibility that the advocate may forget a

portion of his or her speech.
 II. STEPS TO GOOD
DELIVERY
B. SPEAKER
A. SPEECH NOTES
OUTLINE
The speaker’s notes in a debate typically
take two forms. The first involves the
The speech outline is a detailed
plan of exactly
debate situation itself. The debater will
record notes on the flow sheet (see pages
what we intend to say and how we
intend to say it to a specific
266–267) as an opponent is speaking. These
audience.
notes are designed to guide the debat-

er’s response to an opponent’s arguments.

The second involves briefs prepared in

advance. These briefs are responses that will

be adapted for use against the antici-

pated arguments of an opponent.

II. STEPS TO GOOD
DELIVERY
C.
PREPARATION
Our presentation will be far more
effective if we have

delivered our speech or brief a

number of times, anticipated the
potential prob-

lem in delivery, and worked out the

most effective methods of
communication.
III.
NONVERBA
L
We communicate with others not only
through language (verbal behavior) but

COMMUNIC
also by means of nonverbal behavior. When
we address an audience, we use not

ATION
only verbal language but also nonverbal
communication—vocal expression

and movement to convey meaning. The

meaning the audience perceives from

our message comes not from our words

For example,
alone, nor solely a simple
from vocal verbal message such as
expression
“Hi” can, with the addition
or body language. The message is a function
of all these of appropriate
factors vocal
working to-expression and body
language, be perceived to mean “I love
gether.
you,” “Don’t interrupt me now, I’m too busy to
talk,” “Have I seen you some-
The importance of nonverbal communication is stressed by modern
students

of communication theory. Kenneth Hance and his colleagues maintain

that “the

ideas and feelings that we want to express to our audience are

determined as

much by nonverbal behavior and vocal signals as they are by the words
we

use.”7 And Randall Harrison has estimated that “in face-to-face

communication
 A. VOCAL EXPRESSION
We communicate with our audience partly by means of vocal expression. The

words we pronounce are intended to be heard by our listeners and to have

meaning to them. A number of aspects of vocal expression are important to

1. 2.
advocates.
3.
Rate.
The rate at which we talk is important. We
must speak slowly enough
Pitch.
Pitch refers to the tone level of the
voice. A pitch
Intensity.
Intensity refers to the loudness or
softness of the speaker’s voice.

for the audience to follow us, but not so appropriate to the advocate’s age
slowly that the audience will lose inter- and gender is an important
consideration.
est in our words.

4. 5. 6.
Flexibility.
We should be able to adapt our voice, as well
as our arguments,
Quality.
The quality of our voice is important; we want
people to find our Fluency. A

to the situation. One type of delivery is voice easy and pleasant to listen to. Good good knowledge of the subject, a well-
appropriate at a football rally; another is quality results from good resonance and developed case outline, a well-

appropriate in a small committee meeting. from a lack of undesirable voice qualities composed speech plan, and rehearsal of the
We may use variation of rate, inten- resulting from the improper production of speech will help the advocate over-

sity, and pitch to make our delivery more tone, such as breathiness, nasality, huskiness, come these problems and acquire the
effective. and throatiness. necessary verbal fluency.
A. VOCAL EXPRESSION

7. Expressional
Patterns.
Skillful advocates use rate, pitch,

intensity, quality, and inflection to create an

expressional pattern giving special

meaning and emphasis to certain words and phrases in

their speeches. With a

well-chosen expressional pattern we can do much to

clarify and communicate

our meaning
 1. Eye 2.
Contact.
We should maintain direct eye contact with Movement.
When speaking, our movement should be
members of the purposeful—it

audience throughout our speech. The vast ma- should aid us in communicating with our
audience. The way we approach the
jority of our time should be spent looking at and
talking to our audience. lectern, for example, is important.

B.
MOVEME
3. Gestures.
Our gestures should be purposeful, aiding our
NT 4. Facial
communication Expression.
Our facial expression should be
consistent with the atti-
with the audience. As with movement,

tude we are trying to express.

the gesture should be easy, economical, and
purposeful, yet apparently

spontaneous.
 COMMUNICA
TION
STRATEGY
The experienced intercollegiate debate judge is a specialized audience.
Each in-

dividual has diff erent biases, and it is worthwhile to consider the judge’s
philoso-

■ her
phy statement and ask him or Varyabout
the rate
delivery preferences. But also
remember
■ Make eye contact
as well that these judges are used to distinct styles of delivery.
■ Show energy, sincerity, and enthusiasm
Intercollegiate

■ Behave
tournament debate with courtesy
delivery requiresand professionalism
some special considerations:

■ Avoid distracting mannerisms

■ Be confi dent and controlled during cross-examination periods

1. Vary the rate. It is critical to maintain

clarity and to enunciate at any speed. It is also important to remember to

pause, use eff ective emphasis, and vary nonverbal vocal qualities.

Introductions, conclusions, and transitions off er good opportunities to slow

2. Make eye contact. Eff ective eye contact commands attention and demonstrates
confi dence.
the pace for In
effaddition,
ect. it is important for the debater speaking (and the debater
sitting at a desk) to watch the judge closely for any reaction to arguments made.

3. Show energy, sincerity, and enthusiasm. Eff ective debaters display passion for their advocacy and
present

themselves with confi dence and competence. One of the most exciting aspects of debate is its high energy
level. It is better to be a little too loud than too quiet, and nonverbal behaviors demonstrating sincerity and
4. Behave with courtesy and professionalism. Perceptions begin to form before the
commitment

debate begins, when

to the advocate’s the judge
positions will fi rst sees the
enhance the presentation.
debaters. Their behavior during

their opponents’ speeches, their partners’ speeches, and the cross-

examination, as well as after the debate, can have powerful subliminal eff ects

on the judge’s evaluation.

5. Avoid distracting mannerisms. Repetitive gestures, tapping of feet or pens,

gasping for breath—all diminish the potential impact of the debater’s pre-

sentation. Speech delivery and composition involve many considerations. As

in many other contexts, the great art is to conceal the art. As advocates our

purpose
6. is to
Be confi win and
dent a decision. We use
controlled the arts
during of speech communication
cross-examination [Link] not busy yourself

help preparation
with attain this objective.
for the next speech or arrangement of materials at your

desk. Look the judge in the eye as much as possible and demonstrate con-

fi dence and mastery of the situation and the material. Shake hands at the end

of the debate.
THANK
YOU
VERY
MUCH!