Principles of Effective

Public Speaking
Intended Learning Outcomes(ILOs)
At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
1. explain the principles of effective public speaking;
2. recognize the types of speeches;
3. determine situations where public speaking can take place;
4. use audience analysis strategically; and
5. apply some principles and strategies to effectively connect with
the audience.
PRINCIPLES OF EFFECTIVE PUBLIC SPEAKING
As the name implies, public speaking is speaking in public. Your early exposures
to it can either be in school through hosting a program, reciting the loyalty pledge,
reading the mechanics of contest or games, campaigning during a campus election,
or joining in declamation, oratorical, impromptu and storytelling contests, or outside
schools such as giving a birthday wish to a celebrator, reading verses in public
during religious activities, or making public announcements. Now, use these
experiences to jumpstart your becoming an effective public speaker.
You may have heard from your teachers, coaches, or even from your family,
friends and classmates , or read from oral communication reference and self-help
books about some of the time-tested principles of effective public speaking which
can be categorized into Four Ms (Material, Message, Methods of Delivery, and
Manners in Speech).
➢ MATERIAL
Material refers to your topic which can be about your experiences, observations,
inspiration, or anything you are interested to talk about.
• If you can’t think of any idea about your topic, one best strategy is to get a pen
and paper and write down everything that is in your mind. Then, circle or
underline the one that you are interested in and really knowledgeable about.
➢ MESSAGE
Message refers to the content or the main point of your speech, which can
be supported by personal stories or anecdotes-humorous or inspiring-and
relevant statistics or ideas from newspapers and academic journals, among
others.
When you are developing your message it is very important to know the
needs, beliefs, and values of your audience so that you can engage them
easily in your speech. Once you have connected with your audience, it will be
easy for you to convey your message according to your goals or purpose:
To inform, to entertain, or to persuade.
SPEECH TO INFORM seeks to provide the audience with a clear
understanding of the concept or idea presented by the speaker. The best
example of this type is the lectures of your teachers.
SPEECH TO ENTERTAIN seeks to provide the audience with entertainment.
The humorous speeches of your favorite speakers are best examples of this
type.
SPEECH TO PERSUADE seeks to provide the audience with favorable or
acceptable ideas that can influence their own ideas and decisions. The campaign
speeches of the candidates for government posts are best examples of this type.
➢ METHODS OF DELIVERY
Methods of delivery refers to the style of delivery. These methods are:
Manuscript their speech is delivered by speakers who intend to read aloud their
speech word for word to their audience. One example is writing and/or reading a
proclamation paper, public announcement, or court decision. Since this is literally
reading to the audience, manuscript speakers will have difficulty in grabbing the
attention of and connecting with their audience.
Impromptu speech delivered by the speakers who are suddenly asked or
requested by someone or a group of people to say a few words about something.
As an illustration, you are asked by your teacher to share with the class about your
holiday vacation, or you are unexpectedly requested by an emcee to give your
birthday wishes for your friend who is celebrating his/her birthday. Since you have
little time to gather your thoughts in this method, you may have trouble in
organizing and finding the appropriate words for your thoughts.
Extemporaneous speech is delivered by speakers who intend to present a well-
crafted speech. That speech is fully prepared and perfectly rehearsed ahead of
time. As an example, you accepted an invitation of your former school to give an
inspirational talk to the graduates. So, you give yourself enough time to deliver a
speech that can motivate and inspire your audience to do and think good deeds at
all times. During your delivery, you may need some notes, not for you to read but for
you to be guided. This method can usually be a bit nerve-wracking for the
inexperienced or beginners. But , that can be a good step towards mastering the art
of speaking extemporaneously.
Memorized speech is delivered by speakers who intend to memorize their speech
word for word. This occurs when one delivers a declamation or oratorical piece for
a contest or during a gathering. Also, this method is usually written by or for
speakers who are inexperienced or uncomfortable in public speaking; thus,
memorizing the speech written by them or for them can be a good option. Some
common problems that you can encounter using this method are time and
commitment to memorize, memory lapses, awkward or unnatural delivery, eye
contact, and audience rapport, among others.
➢ MANNERS IN SPEECH
Manners in speech referred to the ethical standards in delivering a speech in
public. Lucas (2011) specified some of them.
1. Observe ethically sound goals.
2. Prepare all the time.
3. Tell the truth.
4. Be sensible and sensitive.
COMPONENTS OF SPEECH
1. Introduction 2. Body
✓ Attention getter a. Main Idea 1
✓ Initial summary Supporting Detail 1
✓ Speaker’s credibility Supporting Detail 2
✓ Relevance of the topic to the audience
✓ Self-introduction (optional)
✓ Thesis statement
b. Main Idea 2
- Supporting Detail 1
- Supporting Detail 2
c. Main idea 3
- Supporting Detail 1
- Supporting Detail 2
d. Conclusion
- Closure (letting your audience know that you are about to end your speech)
- Summary
- Call to action
- Powerful closing statement
POWER TIPS FOR BEGINNING AND ENDING A SPEECH
Your speech opening and closing should be related. The basic rule is that you
begin your speech with a question, you refer to that question when you close
your speech. For some techniques refer to the hand-outs.