2. LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this chapter, you are expected to:
1. Describe the qualities of a successful speaker.
2. Explain the advantages of a good posture.
3. Enumerate the importance of eye contact as a speaking
technique.
4. Explain the meaning of pitch, resonance, and volume.
5. Discuss the common annoying habits of speakers.
6. Describe the proper use of microphone
3. QUALITIES OF A SUCCESSFUL SPEAKER
Body Language-
The body is an effective communicator
with a language of its own. Body
language which includes posture,
movements, gestures, eye contact and
dress has a greater force than the
spoken word.
4. Posture-
posture shows much about a person’s
self-esteem, health and level of
interest in his surroundings. Tense,
stiff posture is as unappealing as a
slouched posture.
5. Body movement and gestures- gestures
such as the movement of the body, face and
hands are strong communication tools.
Nervous moments and unnatural gestures can
diminish the trust people have in a guide.
Repetitive movements can be very distracting.
6. Eye contact- eye contact is one of
the most important speaking
techniques. Making an eye contact
to many is difficult to learn.
However, once mastered, eye
contact becomes an energizing tool
for a speakers because it give
immediate feedback and supports.
7. The Voice- The voice is
the speaker’s most
important asset. Thus, it
must be cared for,
Tourist usually listen to a
guide’s voice for eight or
do not have pleasant
speaking voice.
8. Pitch- pitch is the low
quality of the voice. It is
the musical position of
speech sound. The
range of the pitch of a
person’s voice is fixed
although it may be
widened through
practice
9. Resonance- resonance is the
resounding quality of the
voice. The most common
problems with resonance are
nasality and denasality.
Nasality is more common
among women.
10. Volume- volume is the
loudness of sound. The
qualities of good voice
volume include not only
the ability to be loud the
also to control volume and
to produce volume
without straining the vocal
cords.
11. Taking care of the voice- The voice needs
continuous care especially by those who depend
on their voice for their livelihood such as singers,
speakers and guides. According to Dr. Lillian glass,
a popular voice coach, the common irritants to the
voice include smoking, excessive use of alcohol
and other drugs, sleeping with the open mouth,
talking loudly or too much, shouting and
screaming.
13. Intonation- Intonation is the
melody of speech. It is
personal quality that often
reveals a speaker’s geographic
background, personality and
enthusiasm
14. Articulation-
Articulation is the process
of producing clear and
distinct sounds. It is the
manner by which a
speaker utters the vowels
and the consonants.
15. Vocabulary- A good
vocabulary is the use
of basic words
appropriately and not
amazing people with
high sounding words.
17. Rate of speaking-
Rates of speaking vary
from one language to
another, from one region
to another within a
language and from one
situation to another.
18. How to overcome annoying
habits- Example of common
annoying habits of speakers are;
playing with hair, jewelry or clothing,
persistent “um’s” and “ah’s”; jerky
eye movements; overuse of slang or
colloquialisms; overuse of
expressions such as “you know” and
“like” or superlatives like
“incredible”.
19. How to use microphones- The
guide should check the microphones
for volume and quality before
passengers arrive. Once passengers
are seated, the guide should check the
sound again before departing. It is
also advisable to encourage
passengers to inform the guide at
once if a problem with the sounds
develops.
20. Listening- A discussion of
speakers skills includes the
importance of listening to the
audience. For the tour guide,
listening includes careful
attention to the questions,
attention span, posture, eye
movements and gesture of the
group.
21. Ending- Many
guides find it difficult
when or how to end
since they are more
inclined toward
drama and
talkativeness.
