Effective use of voice and nonverbal symbols (Nonverbal Communication)

Main source:
a. Zarefsky, D. (2009). Public Speaking. Strategies for Success. Boston: Allyn and
Bacon
Other sources:
b. Beebes, S. & Beebes S. (2009). Public Speaking: An Audience Centered Approach,
7th Ed. Massachusetts: Ally and Bacon

Overview
I. The Voice in Presentation
A. Volume
B. Pitch
C. Rate
D. Pauses
E. Articulation and Enunciation
F. Pronunciation
G. Inflection
II. The Body in Presentation
A. Physical Appearance
B. Movement
C. Gesture
D. Facial Expression

- One of the least effective ways to improve your presentation is to concentrate

on it directly The best way to improve your presentation is to keep your
attention on the speech and on the audience
- By learning about the aspects of presentation and by practicing certain
strategies, you can train yourself to speak naturally and confidently even if you
are nervous about facing the audience
- Presentation is also called delivery; the two terms are used interchangeably to
refer to how the voice and the body help create the effect a speaker wants. The
same ideas, even the same words, can elicit different reactions from an audience
depending on how you present them. Delivery, then, is much more than simply a
way to embellish a speech. How a speaker says something affect what is really
said, and so it also affects what listeners actually hear and understand
I. Characteristic of Effective Presentation
-Nonverbal Expectancy Theory [by Judee Burgoon, et. Al]
-People have certain expectations as to how you should communicate. If you
dont behave as people
think you should, your listeners will feel you have violated their expectations
-There can be an ideal style in delivering speeches for a certain culture but this
style is not
necessarily ideal for all types of audiences
-There are many characteristics which an effective presentation possesses.
Among these are:
a. Unobtrusive
b. Natural and uncontrived
c. Helpful [listen, understand, remember and act]
d. Identifiable and empathetic
II. The Voice in Presentation
- A speaker uses the voice to advance the overall purpose of the speech.
Particularly important to
realize is that vocal cues are among the audiences earliest evidence in judging a
speakers ethos
A. Volume
-Volume refers to the loudness and softness of the voice.
-Whether a speaker needs to speak louder or softer, it depends on the
setting and equipment that will be used during the presentation.
-A varied use of loudness or softness may also be used for emphasis on
certain ideas.
Feedback: Always look at the nonverbal cues of the audience whether
they hear you or not

Amplification: Because of the mediation between the speaker and the

audience, there may be a greater need for practice in handling
presentations which utilizes a microphone. Speaker may need to more
distinctly articulate words at a slower pace. At most times, avoid
questioning the audience, Can everyone hear me as it may undermine
your introduction.
B. Pitch
-Pitch refers to the highness and lowness of the voice.
-A overly high or low pitch may render the audience and the speaker
uncomfortable during the speech process.
-While a monotonous speech may allow the speaker to maintain
speaking in the comfortable pitches for the audience, a more varied use of
pitch can hold the audiences attention more.
-It is suggested that in practicing for a speech, one should record the
speech to be delivered. This is for two reasons: (1) The pitch we usually
hear is distorted and (2) Pitch rises under stress
C. Rate
-Rate is the speed at which a person speaks
-While the speakers rate in speaking doesnt always have an impact on
the speech itself [there are persuasive speakers who may talk slower or
faster than normal rate, yet are effective], there are factors that still need
to be taken accounted for.
(1) Stress. When speakers are stressed, it is highly probable that their
rate of speaking will be too fast to be understood. Breathe and relax.
(2) Variety. Similar to pitch, a monotonic rate can be displeasing to the
audience. It will also not allow the audience to classify the ideas according
to the importance the speakers wants them to perceive.
D. Pauses
-Pauses are the brief silences within a speech
-Pauses are highly communicative and are indicative of a message of
completeness and finality. These are some ways it can enhance a speech:
(1)It provides emphasis. While providing some kind nonverbal placing
of importance, pauses allows the audience to digest the previous
information provided by the speaker.
(2)It marks transition. Pauses allow the audience to receive a
nonverbal sign that one main idea/ section in the speech has been
completed.
And here are some guidelines in making use of pauses efficient:

(1) Only pause when needed.

(2) Know the effective length of pause you can use.
(3) Avoid vocalized pauses.
E. Articulation and Enunciation
-Articulation refers to the clarity of individual sounds.
-Enunciation refers to the distinctness with which the whole
words are sounded.
(1) Articulation. The goal of articulation is to be understood clearly by
the audience.
(2) Enunciation. Avoid being too precise and too informal in the
presentation.

F. Pronunciation
-Correct pronunciation is the accepted way to sound any given
word.
-In some cases, because of the many dialects that are used for a
particular language, correct pronunciation of words in the speeches may
not always be important. However, correct pronunciation brings about
certain importance that are undeniably important, these are as follows:
(1) Mispronouncing a word changes its meaning.
(2) Mispronouncing a word may bring attention to itself.
(3) Faulty pronunciation may affect the speakers credibility.
These three, however, may changes in its degree of value according to
pronunciation and audience analysis.
G. Inflection
III. The Body in Presentation
Like the utilization of the voice in a presentation, the body must not bring
attention to itself as it
brings the audience the visual resources they needed for the presentation.
A. Physical Appearance
-The performance of a public speaker starts once seen by the audience.
Consciously or unconsciously, the audience starts to evaluate the
speakers credibility even before he speaks.
-

B. Movement
C. Gesture
D. Facial Expression

IV. The Audience as center of the Presentation

As stressed in the previous topics, its important to always consider your
audience in whatever you do
as a speaker (Whether its verbal cues or nonverbal ones).
*From Beebe, S.
A. Accurately Interpret Nonverbal Messages and adapt.
i. Consider general nonverbal cues.
-There nonverbal reactions which are common through diverse
audiences. Such common nonverbal reactions such as applauses are
very helpful to take note of as these are very useful in any speaking
events. [recall concept of common places from Protagoras of
Abdara]
ii. Consider nonverbal cues in context.
-It cannot be helped that different cultures may have differences in
how they react to the speaker.
e.g. Japanese audience members, for example, are likely to be
restrained in their response to a speech and to show little expression.
Some Eastern European Countries listeners may not maintain eye
contact with you; they may look down at the floor while listening. In
some contexts, African American listeners may enthusiastically voice
their agreement or disagreement with something you say during your
presentation
iii. Look for cluster of cues.
-Combine the cues received from the audience. This helps in having a
more accurate interpretation of the audiences responses.
iv. look for cues that communicate liking, power, and
responsiveness
-Nonverbally involve the audience in the speech. This helps the
audience focus more on the speech.
v. Monitor the audiences emotional response
B. Closure