Speaking Skill AnalysisCan You Master These Speaker Skills?Speaking skill analysis is a comprehensive look at both the public speaker and the delivery. Our analysis will cover three areas of the speech. Use these to grade your self or be graded to attain constant and never ending improvement. How To Master Speaker Skills
Speaking skill analysis covers the three pillars of a great speech. Speaking Skill: Consider the Content
For instance, gestures are a part of how we say and at the same time a part of us as a presenter. For this section, focus on words. The choice of words, how they are said and how they are used. The speaking skill analysis is considering the purpose of the speech in connection with the use of words. Did presenter inform you on the subject being discussed? Did you walk away with an understanding of subject? Was it practical, useable, relevant for the audience type. Is the meaning clear, is it understandable. Was the information understandable to the audience type? Was it presented at the understanding level of the audience? Was it expressed in simplest terms while still maintaining meaning? Were unfamiliar terms explained? Quantity of material appropriate for time and subject? Repetition of key words Repetition of key ideas Order of material presented reasonable Material relevant to theme Necessary material not excluded Was each point connected to the next logically? Were transitional expressions or connectors used? Was coherence appropriate for understanding by audience? Spaced repetition of main points Repetition of difficult to understand material Repetition to emphasize (emphasis) Appropriate number of main points Main points developed appropriately Sub-points linked to main points Did argument fit material? Did argument fit speaker? Was a foundation laid? Appropriate proof given (were appropriate proof tests used) Was summary effective Was explicit goal discernible? Was implicit goal discernible? Common ground maintained? Development of points suitable? Application to audience suitable? Simple and understandable Application clearly presented Linked to main points for emphasis Appropriate for audience background Appropriate content Conclusion reviews the unique pre-sell proposition Conclusion calls audience to action
You could use a wrench to hammer a nail, but not very effectively. If words were tools, the speaking skill analysis considers how effective what is being said matches the purpose of saying it throughout the lecture. Conversational expressions used in delivery Conversational style of delivery If colloquialisms were used, were they appropriate to audience or subject matter?
Variable use of power Variable use of pace Variable use of pitch Modulation appropriate for emotion or thought Enthusiasm through animated delivery Enthusiasm appropriate to material Enthusiasm appropriate to motivation or persuasion Appropriate words stressed Appropriate us of stress presenting principal ideas Warmth manifested in facial expression Warmth manifested in tone of voice Warmth and feeling appropriate to subject matter Descriptive gestures Emphatic gestures Loud enough to be comfortably heard Volume appropriate to circumstances Volume appropriate for material Correct use of microphone Ability to adapt to microphone failure Ability to adapt to microphone feed back Pause to punctuate Pause to change thought Pause for emphasis Pause for circumstances that require it See above regarding emphasis By recommendation By identifying hand out appropriately By identifying place in text being discussed By allowing time to find place in text Attention focused on reason for using handout Expressions made understandable for the audience Appropriate sections selected Practical value of hand out material highlighted Maintain eye contact with audience Contact maintained by direct address Reading with emphasis Right words stressed Effective method of emphasis used Effectively used of electronic visual aids Visual aid made interesting Visual aid correlated with handout Effective handling of equipment failure Avoiding unnecessary regressions
Speaking Skill: The Presenter
Specific material Informative to your audience Material of practical value Accuracy of statement Additional clarifying material Poise manifest in physical bearing Poise shown by controlled voice Proper attire and grooming Proper posture Neat equipment No inappropriate facial expression Appropriate Graphics Appropriate Font for ease of reading Appropriate lay out of graphics. Graphics in good taste Appropriate Graphics Appropriate Font for ease of reading Appropriate lay out of graphics. Graphics in good taste In addition to speaking skill analysis of a speech thereare other types of speech analysis.The science of critical thinking applied to speeches creates another type of analysis. This analysis is related to the message, its truthfulness and impact. It is equally important in a world so full of information. Although speaking skill analysis can look at the parts, it is the whole that is considered. However it is not part of our focus so will not be covered in depth here. Some notable comments on the subject... "I have advocated for 30 years that, in order to preserve our democracy and protect ourselves against demagogues, we should have courses in schools on how to watch TV, how to read newspapers, how to analyze a speech, how to understand the limitations of each medium and make a judgment as to the accuracy or the motives involved." Walter Cronkite, retired news anchor for CBS television network. "It is no longer enough to simply read and write. Students must also become literate in the understanding of visual images. Our children must learn how to spot a stereotype, isolate a social cliché and distinguish facts from propaganda, analysis from banter, important news from coverage." Ernest Boyer, past president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and former U.S. Commissioner of Education Return to top of Speaking Skill Analysis / Go to Home Page.
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