1.2 Techniques for public speaking

English home language

Grade 8

Valued values

Module 3

Techniques for public-speaking

Now we need to look at some popular wrong ideas before we look at some techniques which will help us:

Activity1:

[lo 4.4.1]

Now we need to look at some popular wrong ideas before we look at some techniques which will help us:

• Which of the following are true or false? Tick the correct answer in your view.

Ideas about public-speaking which most people believe

TRUE

FALSE

All public speakers are extroverts (speak very easily and openly)

Shy people should not speak in public.

The ability to speak in public is an inherited talent.

Experienced speakers are not nervous.

An audience is not interested in what a speaker has to say.

Adults are more confident speakers than youngsters.

Only well-educated people make good public speakers.

Good speakers do not have to prepare a speech.

If you make a mistake, never speak in public again!

Men make better speakers than women.

Speeches must be made without notes.

Audiences are usually hostile and critical.

If I take every opportunity to speak, I will not improve.

• MY ABILITY AS A PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SPEAKER; what I need to learn:

Activity 2:

[lo 1.5]

Let us see why EVERY speaker has the ability to speak well:

• Label the following diagram neatly:

Include ‘lips’, ‘tongue’, ‘palate’, ‘teeth’, ‘vocal chords’, ‘pharynx’, ‘larynx’, ‘lungs’.

Ask your Biology educator to help you if you get stuck.

• These features help to make sound. So sound can be produced well by most people.

ACTIVITY 3:

Now, let us test each: Have some FUN WITH SOUNDS

• Use of your lips:

Say the sound ‘b’ / ‘p’ / ‘f’ / ‘m’ / ‘v’ / ‘w’ loudly.

Say the vowel sounds clearly and see how your lip shape changes: aa / ě / i (ee)/ ǒ/ u

• Use of your teeth.

Say ‘s’ / ‘z’ / ‘x’

• Use of your palate:

Say ‘d’ / ‘j’ / ‘l’ / ‘n’ / ‘r’ / ‘t’ /

• Back of the throat:

Say ‘c’ / ‘q’ / ‘g’ / ‘h’ / ‘k’ /

• Now, put your hand on your larynx (vocal chords) and say the following clearly:

• Now, say the following using just the vowel sounds

Susie Saucy showed the sea-shells to the sailor who said she should show them to the

u ie aw i owe e ee e oo e ai o oo e ee oo owe e oo e

shop-keepers selling sea souvenirs around town.

o ee e e ee oo e er a ow ow

What you are doing here is exercising your muscles and using your mouth and lips so that sounds come out correctly.

Perhaps it is a good idea to consider the whole question of speech now.

Activity 4:

• Have a class discussion about speech in general

Let your educator help you here.

Activity 5:

[lo 2.6]

• Now listen to your educator when s/he discusses ORATORY MANNERS

CLEAR SPEAKING

Open your mouth. Project the sounds you make. Use your lungs, palate, lips, tongue, teeth fully.

POSTURE

Stand one foot slightly in front of the other; arms relaxed at the side; head up, shoulders down.

TONE AUDIBILITY

Do not speak too softly or too loudly. A tone VARIETY is always interesting.

GOOD USE OF GESTURES

Only use gestures if they contribute to the point you are making. Rehearse them to be ‘natural’.