REHEARSAL SUGGESTIONS
“It usually takes more than 3 weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech." -Mark Twain
FAMILIARITY WITH MATERIAL
· Talk through your detailed outline aloud, following your planned sequence of ideas
· Continue until you have learned the sequence and can express each idea clearly and fluently
· Set your outline aside and say your presentation aloud
· At this point, you will begin to see what parts of the speech will require more notes than other parts and you
can develop your note cards or speaking outline accordingly.
· As you rehearse, since you are using an extemporaneous style of delivery, you might omit some points and
interchange others, but don’t worry
· Practice until your ideas are in the proper order and your words flow easily
· At this point, you will feel much more confident and you’ll be able to more actively engage in the speaking
process. That is when giving a speech is really enjoyable!
PRACTICING DELIVERY
· Stand and deliver your presentation as you will be giving it
· Pay attention to physical aspects: eye contact, posture, gestures, facial expressions, movement, use of
available space, podium and note card usage, keeping yourself open to and facing the audience
· Pay attention to vocal aspects: energy, volume, enunciation, pronunciation, vocalized pauses, rate
· Maintain eye contact with audience at least 85% of the time, only glancing at notes occasionally
· Rehearse in front of actual individuals if possible. That will accustom you to actual reactions and feedback.
You can get the sense of “connecting with” your audience.
· Time yourself at various points in the rehearsal process
· Visualize a good performance
1. Excerpts from Principles of Speech Communication (1984) Ehninger, Gronbeck, Monroe.
“It usually takes more than 3 weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech." -Mark Twain
FAMILIARITY WITH MATERIAL
· Talk through your detailed outline aloud, following your planned sequence of ideas
· Continue until you have learned the sequence and can express each idea clearly and fluently
· Set your outline aside and say your presentation aloud
· At this point, you will begin to see what parts of the speech will require more notes than other parts and you
can develop your note cards or speaking outline accordingly.
· As you rehearse, since you are using an extemporaneous style of delivery, you might omit some points and
interchange others, but don’t worry
· Practice until your ideas are in the proper order and your words flow easily
· At this point, you will feel much more confident and you’ll be able to more actively engage in the speaking
process. That is when giving a speech is really enjoyable!
PRACTICING DELIVERY
· Stand and deliver your presentation as you will be giving it
· Pay attention to physical aspects: eye contact, posture, gestures, facial expressions, movement, use of
available space, podium and note card usage, keeping yourself open to and facing the audience
· Pay attention to vocal aspects: energy, volume, enunciation, pronunciation, vocalized pauses, rate
· Maintain eye contact with audience at least 85% of the time, only glancing at notes occasionally
· Rehearse in front of actual individuals if possible. That will accustom you to actual reactions and feedback.
You can get the sense of “connecting with” your audience.
· Time yourself at various points in the rehearsal process
· Visualize a good performance
1. Excerpts from Principles of Speech Communication (1984) Ehninger, Gronbeck, Monroe.