Oral Communication

We have also discussed oral communication during this term. Many of the same principles apply in both written and oral communication. Like written communication, good oral communication should be carefully prepared, well-organized, and well-delivered. It is certainly the case that some people are more skilled at one or the other. Some communicators are at their best when writing; others shine when they are speaking. However, most successful communicators develop reasonable skills in both areas; and it is certainly the goal toward which one should strive. Among the points which have been made are the following:

Read: Chapters 9-10 of Communication in the Real World (pp. 423-528)

1) Good oral communication requires preparation. Mrs. Showalter emphasized preparation in oral as well as written. Like written, it is a good idea to begin with an outline which includes your main points. Expand the outline with content, with illustrations, etc. In the case of an oral presentation, one should practice the presentation. It is a good idea to speak it out loud and practice the gestures ahead of time. Rev. Soko also pointed out that a well-organized speech should not be too long. He correctly noted that listeners can absorb no more than about 45 minutes of oral presentation. If an oral presentation is longer than this, it must be especially interesting and engaging.

2) One should also learn how to use the voice. Rev. Soko gave us good guidance on this point. He emphasized that a good speaker can take advantage of differences in volume in order to highlight various points. He noted that many preachers today spend the entire time shouting, a technique which tires the listeners and in in the end is ineffective. Our texts also notes that the speed of a speaker’s voice is a factor in effective oral presentations: too fast and people will miss things, too slow and it seems dull. Rev. Soko also suggested that changes in tone or pitch can be an effective technique when used carefully.

3) One must understand the impact of nonverbal cues when communicating orally. Rev. Soko demonstrated some of these techniques. Hand gestures, for example, can be very effective. At the same time, exaggerated movements (of the hands or body) can distract from the message and make the presentation seem like little more than entertainment. However, the absence of nonverbal cues is also bad. An oral presentation without nonverbal communication can lead listeners to believe the speaker is not really interested in the topic. In the end, nonverbal cues should be used in good balance.

4) One can develop various tools and draw on various methods of oral communication. Both the text and our guests pointed out that oral communication can use illustrations, stories, proverbs, and humor to emphasize the message and to maintain interest. A lecture can be fine, but if it is simply a dry lecture with no illustrations or humor, listeners can become bored. Moreover, oral communication can sometimes utilize different formats effectively. For example, an interview format or a conversational format can be a useful way to convey one’s message. It could even be helpful in some instances to set up a debate situation in order to present opposing points of view for consideration.

5) Good oral communicators understand their audiences. Different audiences require different communication approaches. Demographic differences should be considered: age, gender, social status, urban/rural, professional/non-professional. The nature of the audience will affect the choice of words, the choice of illustrations, the sort of humor, the pace of the speaking, and the nature of nonverbal cues. When speaking with teenagers, for example, it is generally not a good idea to dwell on stories from the past. While they might have some interest in these stories, young people will quickly tire of hearing about “the ways things used to be” and “the good old days.” Similarly, and older audience can easily become confused or misunderstand too many references to contemporary media or popular entertainment personalities. In the end, a good oral presentation must resonate with the listeners; it must meet them where they are.