Speech Fundamentals ENC 3246 Speaking & Writing for Engineers

Engineers are poor communicators. True or False?

Presentations are expensive. Consider whether it is really necessary. Cost in salaries of audience Cost in time for presentation Cost in time to prepare presentation

Presenter can read audience and react A B C C D Presenter receives instant reaction ! ? ! ? Presentations have several advantages over documents Work can come alive for audience Work

Speaker has limited chance to catch errors ??? Audience cannot reread text has one audience chance to hear Audience cannot look up background material Presentations also have disadvantages

What are the most common public speaking challenges? Anxiety Lack of preparation time Not knowing your purpose Not knowing the audience

Communication Apprehension The Book of Lists ranks fear of public speaking as the #1 fear, even ahead of death, disease, and nuclear war. A 2001 Gallup Poll found that public speaking was second only to a fear of snakes. Fact Check: Updated research says this is not true! What is true about communication apprehension?

What are the causes of CA? Fear of Embarrassment Fear of Failure Fear of Rejection

Overcoming or Controlling CA Know your environment Relax Breathe Use extras wisely Keep your focus on the material Know your material & practice Your audience is on your side

Presentations can be viewed from three stylistic perspectives Structure and Speech Delivery Archives, Cal-Tech Visual Aids

Structure and Speech Visual Aids Delivery Archives, Cal-Tech

audience purposeoccasion Begin preparing a scientific presentation by analyzing your constraints Who are they? What do they know? Why are they here? What biases do they have? to inform to persuade to inspire to teach formality size time

There are 2 messages in any speech: 1. The one you send 2. The one the audience receives

Challenge: Audiences can be Poor Listeners Reactive to trigger words or topics Listen faster than you can speak Prefer info similar to their beliefs Retain very little (about 10% of what they hear)

Goal: Be Compelling Know Purpose of Speech Know Audience Show Value of Message Build Rapport

Types of Speeches Informative: Conferences, technical updates, new product introductions Instructive: Training, coaching, orientation Persuasive: Client presentations, in-house proposals

Types of Audiences: Demographics Technical or Non-technical Managerial or Staff Educational Level Age

Types of Audiences: Situational & Psychological Occasion Size of Room & Group Roles & Motives Culture Feelings about you or your topic

Speech Overview/Preview Prepares Audience Use Connectives/Transitions Signals Topic Change Review Points Enhances Audience Retention Goal: Present a clear message

BeginningBeginning EndingEnding Middle As with documents, the structure of presentations should have clear beginnings, middles, and ends

Beginnings prepare the audience for the work to be presented Defines work Work = A + B Maps presentation A B C D Shows importance Gives background

Speech Organization Introduction purpose/central idea relation statement (why important) qualifications (if necessary) preview/forecast

Speech Organization-Organizational Patterns Body Topical Triad Chronological Problem/Cause/Solution

pre-combustion methods combustion methods post-combustion methods combustion methods In the middle, make smooth transitions between major points

Speech Organization Conclusion forewarn audience of ending summarize your main points remind audience of desired response end in an upbeat manner

Structure and Speech Delivery Archives, Cal-Tech Visual Aids

The Importance of Good Delivery

Delivery How You Give the Speech Verbal Techniques Volume, Rate, Emphasis, Vocal Variety, Articulation Non-verbal Techniques Personal Appearance, Gestures, Eye Contact Language Enhances Understanding Goal: Be Captivating & Memorable

There are several choices speech delivery Memorizing the Speech + allows eye contact - difficult for long speeches - room for precision errors - no room for improvising Reading From a Text + ensures precision - does not sound natural - no room for improvising - hinders eye contact Winging It + sounds natural - has much room for error Speaking Extemporaneously + insures organization + allows eye contact + allows improvising - some room for error

Delivery Essentials ~65% of total message Eye Contact and Facial Expression 50% of nonverbal message Body Movement--body language hand gestures, walking, podium use Vocalics or Paralanguage 30% of nonverbal message Distracting Mannerisms

Engineers can be excellent communicators too! Structure and Speech Delivery Archives, Cal-Tech Visual Aids

“ The ability to communicate is everything.” --Lee Iacocca Former CEO, Chrysler Corporation