Directions: Choose the Speech Style that may be used in the Speech Context presented below:
Topic 6: Types of Speech Style
Each Speech Context, having a different set of participants coming together for a specific
Purpose, calls for a specific Communicative Strategy. These strategies are also dependent
on the Type of Speech Style that is used in a particular Speech Context.
a. Intimate
- is a non-public Speech Style that uses private vocabulary and includes nonverbal
messages. It is a style in which meaning is shared even without “correct linguistic
forms”. This occurs among people who have known each other for a long time
and have shared many experiences. Because they know each other well, they
can sometimes complete each other’s sentences and know what the other person
is thinking even before they open their mouths. Even without the correct linguistic
forms, people using the Intimate Style understand each other.
b. Casual
- is a Speech Style used among friends and acquaintances that do not require
background information. The use of slang is common and interruptions occur
often. Casual Style is used when there are no social barriers to consider.
c. Consultative
- is the opposite of the Intimate style because this style is used precisely among
people who do not share common experiences or meaning. This does not
preclude disclosure of background information later in order to become the basis
of shared meaning. Consultative Style requires two-way participation and
interruptions can occur during the communication.
d. Formal
- is used only for imparting information. The Speech is well organized and correct
in grammar and diction. Technical vocabulary and exact definitions are important
in the Formal Style, such as in presentations. Straightforward and direct, with no
circumlocution, this style does not allow interruptions
e. Frozen
- is a formal style whose quality is static, ritualistic, and may even be archaic.
Frozen Style is exemplified by prayers that have been recited in the same way
for years, the Pledge of Allegiance or Panatang Makabayan, and the Oath of
Office of any officer, whether of the Student Council or of Congress.
Each Type of Speech Style is used according to the Purpose and Speech Context
discussed previously. On the other hand, Speech Styles use Speech Acts (which will be
discussed in Lesson 13) to enhance communication.
Answer Me!
Activity 7:
There may be more than one speech style applicable to each speech context. Encircle the correct
answer.
1. When communicating with one’s self (Intrapersonal), which Speech Style is most appropriate?
a. Intimate b. Casual c. Consultative d. Formal e. Frozen
2. When communicating with another person (Dyad), which Speech Style can be used?
a. Intimate b. Casual c. Consultative d. Formal e. Frozen
3. When talking to other people (Small Group), which is the best Speech Style for this purpose?
a. Intimate b. Casual c. Consultative d. Formal e. Frozen
4. When making and delivering a Speech, which Speech Style works best?
a. Intimate b. Casual c. Consultative d. Formal e. Frozen
5. While on radio or TV, which Speech Style captures the audience?
a. Intimate b. Casual c. Consultative d. Formal e. Frozen
Answer Me!
Activity 8:
Directions: List 5 examples of Speech Context and identify the Speech Style suited to that Context.
Explain why that Style is appropriate to that Context
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Topic 7: Types of Speech Act
Speech Context and Speech Styles are just two parts to a Communicative Strategy.
The third prerequisite is the Speech Act. The three Types of Speech Act are Locution,
Illocution, and Perlocution. A Locutionary Speech Act occurs when the speaker performs
an utterance (locution), which has a meaning in the traditional sense. An Illocutionary
Speech Act is the performance of the act of saying something with a specific intention. A
Perlocutionary Speech Act happens when what the speaker says has an effect on the
listener.
1. Locutionary Speech Act
This Act happens with the utterance of a sound, a word, or even a phrase as a natural
unit of speech. What is required for the utterance to be a Locutionary Act is that it has sense,
and most importantly, for Communication to take place, has the same meaning to both the
Speaker and the Listener. In fact, the utterance gives rise to shared meaning when it is
adjusted by the Speaker for the Listener. Even though the utterance might be a sound, a
word, or a phrase, the utterance follows the rules of language.
Examples of Locutionary Acts:
“Doh!” (favorite expression of TV cartoon character Homer Simpson)
“What?” (when someone is surprised)
“It’s a bird!” (when people see Superman in the sky)
2. Illocutionary Speech Act
In an Illocutionary Speech Act, it is not just saying something itself but the act of saying
something with the intention of:
• stating an opinion, confirming, or denying something;
• making a prediction, a promise, a request;
• issuing an order or a decision; or
• giving advice or permission.
This Speech Act uses the Illocutionary Force of a statement, a confirmation, a denial, a
prediction, a promise, a request,
Examples of Illocutionary Acts:
There’s too much homework in this subject. (opinion)
I’ll do my homework later. (promise)
Go do your homework! (order)
c. Perlocutionary Speech Act
This is seen when a particular effect is sought from either the Speaker, the Listener,
or both. The response may not necessarily be physical or verbal and is elicited by:
• inspiring or insulting;
• persuading/convincing; or
• deterring/scaring.
The aim of a Perlocutionary Speech Act is to change feelings, thoughts, or actions.
Examples of Perlocutionary Acts:
“I was born a Filipino, I will live a Filipino, I will die a Filipino!” (inspiring)
“It is the bleak job situation that forces Filipinos to find jobs overseas.” (persuading)
“Texting while driving kills—you, your loved ones, other people!” (deterring)
Answer Me!
Activity 9:
Directions: Each student will transcribe a specific scene in a TV drama (Filipino, Korean,
American, British, etc.) and identify the Speech Acts in the dialogue of the specific Speech
Context.
1. Dialogue:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Speech act:
2. Dialogue:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Speech act:
3. Dialogue:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Speech act:
4. Dialogue:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Speech act:
5. Dialogue:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Speech act:
 Answer Me! There are Seven Types of Communicative Strategies:
Activity 10: a. Nomination − presenting a particular topic clearly, truthfully, and saying only what is relevant;
Directions: List 5 examples of Speech Context and identify the Speech Style suited to that Context. b. Restriction − constraining the response/reaction within a set of categories;
Then identify the type of speech act used in the sentences. c. Turn-taking − recognizing when and how to speak because it is one’s turn;
d. Topic control − keeping the interaction going by asking questions and eliciting a response;
1. Speech Context: e. Topic shifting − introducing a new topic followed by the continuation of that topic;
f. Repair − overcoming communication breakdown to send more comprehensible messages; and
Speech Style: g. Termination − using verbal and nonverbal signals to end the interaction.
Speech Act: When introducing a topic at the beginning of a Communicative Situation, what is being used
is the Nomination Communicative Strategy. It is a strategy that can also be applied any time during
2. Speech Context: the course of an interaction as a way of continuing the communication. When this strategy is used,
the topic is introduced in a clear and truthful manner, stating only what is relevant to keep the
Speech Style: interaction focused.
Speech Act: Example: Have you noticed the weird weather lately? Is this because of global warming?
Example: I was late for class again! The MRT stopped midway. What is wrong with the MRT?
3. Speech Context: Answer Me!
Activity 11:
Speech Style:
Directions: Identify the Communicative Strategy in the following quotations: Write your answer on
Speech Act:
the space provided before the number.
4. Speech Context:
________________1. “The school administration just suddenly increased tuition, without consulting
Speech Style: the students!”
________________2. “The tuition increase has already been imposed. What can students do to let
Speech Act: the school administration know that the students do not agree, that the students will not accept this
unilateral move?”
5. Speech Context:
________________3. “How about convincing the parents to join the students’ fight? After all, they are
Speech Style: the ones paying the tuition.”

Speech Act: ________________4. “Ah, everyone? Wait a minute. Why don’t we dialogue with the administration
officials first?”

Topic 7: Types of Communicative Strategies
The use of Communicative Strategies is the hallmark of communicative competence. Being
able to use such strategies makes certain not only has the achievement of the Speech Purpose but
also the enrichment of the communication experienced for both Speaker and Listener. More than
making interaction possible, Communicative Strategies when used by the Speaker (and sometimes
the Listener) allow for the adjustment of the Message and its Delivery. Of course, such strategies
are employed within specific Speech Contexts using a combination of Speech Styles and Speech Acts.
Communicative Strategies are plans/ways/means of sharing information which are adopted
to achieve a particular social, political, psychological, or linguistic purpose.
________________5. “There is only one option: we must protest this action of the school. The school
cannot dictate to the student body. Right? Right? What other option is there? They won’t talk to us.
The parents will not want to get involved. The students must hold a rally! Everyday!”
________________6. “What? That will lock the school down. For sure, the school officials will do that,
lock everybody out.”
________________7. ”I move for holding a rally to protest the tuition increase. Those who agree, say
‘Aye’. Those who don’t, say ‘Nay’. The ‘Ayes’ have it. The rally begins tomorrow. Tonight, start
preparing posters, streamers, and handouts. Okay?” (“Okay!”)
Topic 8: Preparing and Delivering a Speech
Of all the Speech Contexts already discussed, Public Communication is the most
recognizable to anyone. As a situation where there is only one Speaker talking to a group of
Listeners, also known as the Audience, it is not merely giving a Speech. Public Communication
requires preparation, which may take only a few minutes as in Impromptu Speech or as long as a
week, two weeks, or a month as in Extemporaneous Speech.
Preparation means, first, finding out what the Speaker already knows about the topic, then
sourcing the Information through research. The Speaker then organizes the Speech according to the
Purpose of the Speech. This Speech Purpose decides what Information goes into the Speech and
what does not. An Expository or Informative Speech needs data to impart. A Persuasive Speech
needs specific data that will help the Speaker in changing the minds of the Listeners and move them
to action. A Speech to Entertain may or may not need data unless that data can be used in a
humorous way.
Speech According to Purpose
A Speaker communicates for five reasons which, in Lesson 9, we call the Functions of
Communication. But a Speaker also creates a speech based on the purpose he or she wants to
achieve. These purposes are called the Goals of Speech. It becomes obvious as the Speaker shows
through the Speech what he/she wants to achieve. The Speaker through the Speech can make one
think, change one’s mind, or smile or laugh.
The purposes of Speech are studied in order to deepen one’s knowledge and learn how to
apply them in one’s own speech. The three types of speech according to purpose are Exploratory or
Informative, Persuasive, and Entertainment.
Let us say one wants to talk about the Ebola virus pandemic, its causes, symptoms, and
treatment. The purpose best suited for this topic is Exploratory or Informative. The Speaker wants
the Listeners to be informed about the Ebola pandemic. The Audience will be informed on how the
pandemic came about and how to tell if one is infected with it. At the end, the Audience will be told
about the treatments available now and in the near future to stop this virus and prevent people
from dying from it.
Another example is a speech about E-jeepneys. “What are E-jeepneys?” can be presented
as an Exploratory or Informative Speech. The purpose is to introduce the vehicle called an E-jeepney
and inform the Listeners of this new type of vehicle. Most especially, the Speaker must cite the
benefits of these new jeepneys.
The purpose of an Exploratory or Informative Speech is to provide information history,
theories, practical applications, etc., that can and will help the Listeners understand something that
is unknown to them or already known to them but not yet clearly understood. A speech of this
nature is meant to help the Listeners understand a topic in a more in-depth manner by providing
the following in an organized way: new data, data that are not readily available to everyone, or data
already known by the audience but looked at in a different way.
An Expository or Informative Speech must follow these guidelines (some of which have been
previously discussed): It must have a Message prepared at the level of knowledge of the Speaker (so
one does not sound like a know-it-all); it must be tailored to fit the level of knowledge of the
Audience (so one does not make it incomprehensible); and, most importantly, it has to take into
account the age, gender, social status, religion, and cultural affiliation of the Listeners (to avoid
offending anyone).
A topic like “We should prepare for another Typhoon Yolanda” can be better presented as
a Persuasive Speech. Although information is disseminated, the goal is to convince Filipinos to be
prepared as our country is visited by at least 30 typhoons per year, several of them as devastating
as Yolanda was. Such a Speech, if persuasive enough, will help save lives.
When you want the Audience to agree that “A total log ban will save our forests,” then the
purpose is also Persuasive. The Listeners have to be convinced first that a total log ban is doable and,
second, that this is the way to save our forests.
The second type of Speech based on Purpose is the Persuasive Speech. This is a Speech
whose goal is to change the Listener’s opinion, attitude, or belief regarding a certain topic (usually
controversial) by providing materials that can or will help convince the Listener.
A Speech that is Persuasive is meant to convince the Listeners why the Speaker’s side of the
equation is more beneficial. The Speaker’s assertion must be supported by historical data in the form
of statistical results and experts’ testimonies as well as comparisons and contrasts (e.g., before and
after) between the Speaker’s side and the Listeners’ side of the equation.
Again, like the Exploratory or Informative Speech, the Persuasive Speech must also follow
these guidelines (some of which have been previously discussed): It must have a Message at the
level of knowledge of the Speaker (given that one does not know everything); it must be tailored to
fit the level of knowledge of the audience (they will not like being talked down to); and, most
importantly, it has to take into account the age, gender, social status, religion, and cultural affiliation
of the Listener (try not to offend anyone).
When you relate what a person has to go through “To fi nd his or her true love,” for example,
the goal of the Speech is Entertainment. There might be Information involved such as explaining
what true love means, and Persuasion is present in the act of choosing someone as his/her true love.
However, the Purpose is Entertainment as the Speaker makes light of the whole process of looking
for and probably not fi nding the sought after “true love”.
“The characters who ride a jeepney/bus with me” can also be an Entertainment Speech. The
quirks and strange behavior of co-passengers are bound to elicit laughter, especially when the
Listeners see themselves in the characters.
Entertainment Speech is not a comedy sketch—the Purpose is not only to tell a series of
jokes. Neither is it the Purpose of the Speaker to have the audience laughing throughout the Speech.
To make the Listeners smile or feel lighthearted after the Speech is enough.
An Entertainment Speech must lead the Audience into looking at something familiar in a
totally diff erent and completely humorous light by providing comparisons and contrasts, especially
with the strange or unusual; highlighting the quirks of important personages such as offi cials,
celebrities, actors, and athletes and applying them to regular people like, say, the Listeners; or
assigning human characteristics to inanimate objects. It can also be highly entertaining to engage in
word play like puns, and giving funny meanings to acronyms or anagrams.
Although it is an Entertainment Speech, it must still follow these guidelines (some of which
have been previously discussed): It must be prepared at the level of knowledge of the Speaker (you
are there to entertain not to show off ); it must be tailored to fi t the level of knowledge of the
Audience (a simple presentation works every time), and, most importantly, it has to take into
account the age, gender, social status, religion, and cultural affi liation of the Audience (so as not to
off end any of them).
These three Purposes: Exploratory/Informative, Persuasive, and Entertainment, direct the
Speaker toward the correct treatment of the topic. After all, every Speech has a Purpose in reaching
out to the Listener.
Answer Me!
Activity 12:
Directions: From the list of topics (similar to the ones below) based on newspaper, TV, or online
reports as possible Speech in class, state the Speech Purpose which will best suit each topic.
1. The Impeachment of a High Ranking Official of the Republic of the Philippines
_______________________________________________________
2. The Corruption Charges against a High Ranking Official of the Republic of the Philippines
____________________________________________________________
3. The “Pope Francis Effect”
________________________________________________________
4. The Bangsamoro Basic Law and Peace Efforts in Mindanao
___________________________________________________________
5. The Legalization of Same Sex Marriage in the Philippines
________________________________________________________
Speech According to Manner of Delivery
Besides classifying speech according to the Purpose of the Speaker, it can be classified based
on the Manner of Delivery or the way the Speech is given before an Audience.
When a Guest Speaker gives a Speech before an Audience, most of the time, he/she reads
a fully written out speech. This is called Reading from a Manuscript or Speaking from a Manuscript.
When a student joins an oratorical contest, he/she memorizes the full Speech beforehand. This is
called a Memorized Speech. When without preparation, or hardly any, you are suddenly asked to
give the Welcome Remarks in a program that is about to start or is already ongoing, what you will
be delivering is an Impromptu Speech. But when you deliver a Speech from a prepared outline of
your ideas, complete with supporting data, testimonies, and statistics, this is the Extemporaneous
Speech, delivered without having been written in full, without memorizing, or without reading from
a manuscript prepared beforehand. Briefly, the different Types of Speech according to Manner of
Delivery are discussed below.
 Reading or Speaking from a Manuscript is usually used in the Formal Speech Context. The Speech
is fully written out, usually typed, and not folded but placed in a folder for neatness. This Manner
of Delivery allows for greater control of the wording of the Speech when precise wording is
paramount. This is also useful when you have embellished your thoughts and you want to deliver
your sentences exactly as you wrote them. The State of the Nation Address by the President of
the Republic of the Philippines is one such Speech. Presentations of Scientific Papers in
conferences are another. There are, however, drawbacks to Reading/ Speaking from a
Manuscript:
o The Speaker tends to read without emotion, lacking spontaneity, and may even sound boring.
The reading will contain no highlights, show little or no variation of intonations, and no
obvious emphases.
o The Speaker, most of the time, never looks up from the manuscript being read. All anyone
sees is the top of the Speaker’s head. This position contributes to the Speaker’s voice being
muffled and unintelligible, even with a microphone.
o The Speaker can lose his/her place in the Speech even while reading it or turn to the wrong
page of the manuscript.
o The manuscript may be blown by the wind/fan/air conditioning unit or fall from the lectern
and the order of the sheets of paper disarranged while being put back together.
o The formality of the language of the Speech/Manuscript often means the use of complex
words, jargon, or technical language which are more often than not polysyllabic. Most of the
time, the Listeners are lost in such language, unless they are experts in the same field.
b. Memorized Speech is also a speech that is fully written out like the Speech that is Read from the
Manuscript. This time, however, the written speech is fully memorized—every word, every phrase,
every comma, and every period. Oratorical Contests require that contestants memorize their Speech
thoroughly. But, again, there are drawbacks to a Memorized Speech:
o The most common problem encountered by the Speaker is forgetting lines when one is
already delivering the Speech. This is usually noticeable to the Audience, and in the case of a
contest, to the judges. Very seldom does one meet a Speaker who can bridge that memory
gap without letting the Audience notice it.
o The second problem is the lack of eye contact with the Audience. Many Speakers tend to look
upward, to the side, or, worse, on the floor, to help themselves remember the Speech. They
say that not looking at the Audience seems to lessen their nervousness or at least does not
exacerbate it.
o Similar to Reading from a Manuscript, there could be a tendency to deliver the Speech
without any inflection, unless, of course, the contestant has had a good coach and had
practiced to sound spontaneous!
c. Impromptu Speech is when one is suddenly asked to give the welcome remarks in a program
already ongoing and there is hardly time to prepare. Many people think that an Impromptu Speech
is the same as an Extemporaneous Speech. In fact, these two types of speech have sometimes been
interchanged. The major difference: one is hardly given time to prepare one’s Impromptu Speech,
while one can prepare an Extemporaneous Speech because one is given enough time to prepare.
The Impromptu Speech is delivered on short notice with little or no preparation. That is why
it is sometimes called “thinking on your feet”. The Speech is not really made on the spot because
one usually speaks or is asked to speak about something one already knows. One’s preparation
comes from everything one has learned or experienced as they are all the source of ideas for the
Speech. Therefore, one is prepared although the Speech was not written out nor rehearsed. Before
speaking, one may ask for a few minutes to collect one’s thoughts or be given time to jot down a
few notes that can be used as basis for the Speech. Just remember that no matter how short the
Impromptu Speech is, it has to have a beginning (introduction), a middle (body of the speech), and
an end (conclusion/summary).
The advantages of a Speech delivered Impromptu are the following:
1. The Speech is delivered in a spontaneous manner and in a more conversational tone unlike the
Manuscript Speech.
2. The speaker can adjust the Speech (make it longer or shorter) and add or skip an idea without any
problem, obvious gaps, or long pauses due to memory loss as in the Memorized Speech.
There are, however, drawbacks to this type of delivery such as the following:
1. The Speaker can just go on and on, and sometimes, with no point to make at all.
2. The Speaker may be so rattled and disorganized that the Speech ends up with not much sense.
d. Extemporaneous Speech may sound like it is delivered “off-the-cuff” as it were with hardly any
preparation because it sounds so spontaneous or it may also sound like a Speech that was fully
written out and then memorized, but both are not the case. What the Speaker prepares, however,
is a good outline which organizes the Speaker’s thoughts and ideas (including data, testimonies,
etc.). It is only this fully developed outline that is memorized.
This outline preparation is what differentiates Extemporaneous Speech from Impromptu
Speech or any of the other Types of Speech according to Manner of Delivery. The following are the
advantages of using Extemporaneous Speech: 1. The outline helps the Speaker remember the
particular order of points he/she wants to make. There is no need to memorize paragraph upon
paragraph that make up the Speech. 2. At the same time, the outline allows the Speaker to jump
from one point to another or even rearrange the order of the Speech’s points should circumstances
demand it without the Audience knowing or noticing the change.
The delivery of the Speech is less formal than a Manuscript Speech, more conversational
than a Memorized Speech, and prevents the Speaker from losing eye contact with the audience.
Sometimes, Speakers using Extemporaneous delivery may bring one or two note cards so they do
not forget some data such as specific concepts, complicated statistics, or an important quotation.
But definitely, these outlines are not manuscripts in which the Speech is fully written out.
Having been introduced to the different types of Speech according to Purpose and Manner
of Delivery, the next lesson will discuss the Principles of Speech Writing.
Answer Me!
Activity 13:
Directions: Pick from the list of topics below for an exercise in Impromptu Speech Delivery. Using
the topic of the Impromptu Speech exercise, prepare an outline to be delivered as an
Extemporaneous Speech.
Choose from these topics:
Honesty Discipline Generosity Aggressiveness Secretiveness Charity
Compassion Responsibility Laziness Messiness Courtesy Kindness
Good Conduct Selfishness Ugliness
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Topic 9: Principles of Speech Writing
First Principle of Speech Writing: Choosing the Topic
A Speech is meant to impart a Message to Listeners. The choice of topic may be up to the
Speaker but, more often than not, the Speaker is given the topic because it is the central theme of
a program, conference, or presentation. In any case, the topic should be timely, meaning in existence
at the present time (unless a historical event is the reason for the gathering). The topic should be
interesting to you (the Speaker), of course, so that you will be enthusiastic in preparing and
delivering the Speech. At the same time, it should be just as interesting to your Audience so that
they will focus on your Speech and nothing else. If there is a conflict between what you want to say
and what your Listeners want to hear, then it is the Audience who wins. A topic that is new, that has
not been heard of before by your Listeners, is an attention grabber. So is a topic that is controversial
as it encourages the Audience to listen carefully so they can choose a side.
It must be pointed out that when choosing a topic, the Speaker must ever be mindful of the
culture of the Speaker and Listener, their ages, their gender as well as their social status and religious
affiliation. It is good advice for the Speaker to choose a topic that is at the level of knowledge of both
the Speaker and the Audience.
Second Principle of Speech Writing: Analyzing the Audience
Before writing down anything about the Speech, one must engage in Analyzing the
Audience. A Speech for one occasion cannot simply be used for another. There is no Speech that fits
any and all occasions. Each speech has a different Purpose and a different Manner of Delivery. So,
given the hundreds of thousands of Speech topics multiplied by the Types of Purpose and Types of
Delivery, each Speech, even if delivered by the same person, is unique. Every Speech is specific to
the Speaker and may be characterized by the topic chosen, the time and place of Delivery, and the
configuration of the Audience listening to this particular Speech.
The Audience is one of the major factors that determine the uniqueness of the Speech. Just
as there is no speech that fits all Public Communication Situation, there is no single Audience for a
Speech. How do you analyze the Audience if you do not know who the Audience will be?
First, if possible, get or guess the demographic data of the audience: age, gender, ethnic
background, occupation, economic and social status, etc., especially if one is addressing a business
group, a student club, or a community organization. These data may influence the Audience’s
reaction to the Speech. Moreover, the data will influence the way you will write the Speech—what
points to choose, what to leave out, the words to use, and even what tone of voice will work on
them.
Second, it is important to know the groups to which your Audience belongs as these groups
hold certain beliefs and values. You may then be able to ascertain how your Listeners feel about
certain issues without having to talk to each and every Listener or do a survey among them.
Third, it is just as important to find out how your audience feels about the topic of your
Speech and what they already know about it (so that you do not repeat it and bore the audience).
 Finally, you should try to know how they feel about you as the Speaker and what they
already know about you. The Speaker may be able to gauge this from the organizers of the event
and the people who extended the invitation.
Third Principle of Speech Writing: Sourcing the Information
This involves seeking out all the available means for finding materials to support the Speech.
Good sources are newspapers, magazines, books, journals, or any reading material full of useful
information. Search engines on the Internet such as Google or Yahoo may also be used. However,
the best resource are people, especially the experts or those who are involved in the field to which
the topic belongs. A Speech on “How to Take Care of Your Heart” may be built on reading materials,
but a cardiologist (heart doctor) may give more accurate data while someone who has suffered a
heart attack can provide real life experiences that a Speaker may use to reach out and affect them
emotionally.
Information for any Speech topic must be relevant, that is, it discusses the topic directly;
must be timely, meaning it focuses on the present or recent past; and must cover most, if not all, of
the topic (unless the topic focuses only on a part of a general subject or issue). Information gathered
must be at the level of knowledge of both the Speaker and the Audience, without offending any
Listener.
Fourth Principle of Speech Writing: Outlining and Organizing the Speech Content
This makes sense of all the research conducted. With all the information gathered for the
Speech topic, it is quite easy to be overwhelmed. Although one may want to use all the information
gathered, that is not possible, particularly since there is a time limit.
The first step is to sort the information into categories: statistics, testimonies and opinions,
historical facts, etc. Or they may be classified according to the point they are making, specifically,
that part of the topic to be discussed.
The next step is to organize the Speech itself. For this, the best method is an outline. Even a
Manuscript Speech and a Memorized Speech begin with an outline, which is then filled out with
supporting materials. There are different types of outlines that one can use depending on how the
Speech is to be organized:
1. Chronological Outline – a historical/time approach like from the past to the present. Example:
Development of Ilocos Region from Martial Law to the Present
2. Spatial/Geographical Outline – going from one place to another, from one direction to another.
Example: The Heritage Churches of Pampanga
3. Cause and Effect Outline – involves a discussion of both cause and effect of an issue. Example:
The Fish Kill in Laguna de Bay
4. Problem-Solution Outline – explains a problem and suggests a possible solution. Example:
Cleaning Up Manila Bay
5. Topical Outline – divides the topic into subtopics based on importance or interest value or simply
because the topic requires it; for topics that do not fall under any of the previously mentioned
outlines. Example: Social Media Have Made Us Anti-Social
Techniques for Writing the Speech
There are three techniques to actually writing the speech, whether in full form for
Manuscript or Memorized Speeches, or in outline form for Impromptu and Extemporaneous
Speeches. The first technique is to Write the Body of the Speech first, filling in the content of the
Speech later with supporting materials. Then write the Introduction and Conclusion after. The other
technique is to Write the Conclusion first, which many find very helpful because it shows what the
Speech ends with. On the other hand, some use the technique of Writing the Introduction first to
guide the Speech in the direction one wants it to go, then filling in the Body and writing the
Conclusion. Remember that for Extemporaneous (and even Impromptu) Speech, only the
Introduction and the Conclusion can be written out in full. The Body of the Speech should remain in
outline form.
Whichever technique works for you, the Speech, as written, should flow logically from one
point to another. This logical progression makes it easy for the Speaker to Deliver the Speech
whether in full form like the Manuscript or Memorized Speeches or in outline form like the
Impromptu and Extemporaneous Speeches. As a reminder, do not forget the Audience when
writing the Speech. They may have their own ideas and opinions about the topic that may not
necessarily agree with those of the Speaker.
Answer Me!
Activity 14:
Directions: Based on your outline, create your own speech.
Title:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Topic 9: Principles of Speech Delivery
First Principle of Speech Delivery: Articulation
When the Speaker’s words cannot be understood because of poor articulation, the Speech
might as well not have been delivered at all. Word choice and grammatical correctness are necessary
in writing the Speech, but it is articulateness in pronouncing the words and speaking with clear
diction that effectively transmits the Message of the Speaker. It is highly important to know the
correct way of saying a word, whether they are familiar or unfamiliar. Proper breathing techniques
together with the correct molding of sounds that make up words contribute to efficient articulation.
(Were the Speakers in the video/film articulate in their Speech? Were they understandable?)
Second Principle of Speech Delivery: Modulation
There are pleasant sounding voices, quite soothing to the ears, just as there are unpleasant
voices that sound fl at, are high pitched, or screeching. People like to listen to voices that are well
modulated, meaning the capability to adjust or manipulate the resonance and timbre of the vocal
tone. A microphone requires even more modulation as the amplifi ers will resonate voices further.
But with or without a microphone, voices should not bombard our eardrums. If the Speaker’s voice
is modulated, Listeners will pay attention. The Speaker’s words will be heard clearly and the Message
of the Speech will be sent and received. (Were the Speakers’ voices modulated? Was it easy to listen
to them?)
Third Principle of Speech Delivery: Stage Presence
The ability to “own” the stage, of the Speaker being able to fi ll the space and project his/
her personality to the Audience—that is stage presence. The opposite of stage presence is stage
fright, which is considered by many as the topmost fear in the world of public speaking! But instead
of trying to get rid of stage fright (which cannot be done anyway), all that energy that is making one
feel shaky and nervous should be used to make the Speaker become an interesting, enthusiastic
speaker capable of being heard and able to move about on stage. No one is immune from stage
fright. Other people just manage it better and create what we see as stage presence. (Did the
Speakers show stage presence? Cite what contributed to that.
Fourth Principle of Speech Delivery: Facial Expressions, Gestures, and Movement
It is not just the choice of words and their proper pronunciation that make for an effective
Speech delivery. The Message of any speech is reinforced, clarified, and complemented by
Nonverbal Communication such as facial expressions, gestures, and movement. Without these
nonverbal elements, the Speaker may be judged as boring, with flat delivery and an unemotional
voice. Facial expressions should change with the content of the Speech. Gestures should emphasize
only certain points. Movement should allow the Speaker to carry the Speech around, forward, and
to the Audience, metaphorically speaking. It should also direct the Audience to follow the Speaker
and keep them hanging on to his/her every word. (Did the Speakers use Nonverbal Communication?
Was it too much or too little?)
Fifth Principle of Speech Delivery: Audience Rapport
It was pointed out previously that the most important tool for establishing a connection with
the Listeners is an Audience Analysis. Using these data, one is able to write a Speech that would
appeal to the Audience. Also because of the same data, one will know how to deliver the Message
to the Audience and connect with them at a deeper level. (How did the Speakers establish rapport
with their Audience? Did it work?
Answer Me!
Activity 15:
Directions: Deliver a part of the Final Speech (Introduction or Conclusion) to hear pointers on
articulation, modulation, stage presence, nonverbal communication, and audience rapport.
Maintain eye contact with the Audience. Try and reach out to all of the Audience by speaking to the
Listeners in the last row of seats in the classroom.
The Extemporaneous Speech will be delivered in front of the class. Remember that:
1. it should be on a topic you chose, following certain guidelines, including Audience Analysis;
2. it should have its data organized using a specific outline suitable to the topic;
3. it should be written using the Principles of Effective Speech Writing; and
4. it should be delivered following the Principles of Effective Speech Delivery.
Note: Attached is a rubric for speech delivery.
Answer Me!
Activity 16:
Directions: Write an essay on one’s journey from the first time one spoke or stood in front of the
class (in one of the activities) until this Final Exercise of delivering an Extemporaneous Speech. Use
the following points as parts of the essay:
1. What was the most useful thing you learned?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
2. What was the worst problem you had encountered in speaking in public?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
3. What was the biggest improvement you experienced?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Answer Me!
Activity 17:
Directions: Answer the following questions.
1. What are the Types of Speech according to Purpose?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
2. Does Purpose determine the way a Speech is constructed?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
3. What are the Types of Speech according to Manner of Delivery?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
4. Is one Manner of Delivery applicable to all Types of Speech?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
5. What are the Principles of Writing a Speech?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
6. If the First Principle is to choose a topic, what happens if the topic is given?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
7. What are the Sources of Information for a Speech?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
8. What can be used to organize the Information gathered for the Speech?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
9. What is the best preparation for delivering a good Speech?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
10. What should be the focus of any Speaker?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
CONGRATULATIONS!!!