Manuscript Speech: Definition, Pros And Cons, Examples

Manuscript speech, generally is the verbatim recital or performance of an. Manuscript Speech Definition. Manuscript Definition. How to write manuscrip

Manuscript Speech Definition

Manuscript Speech—Delivering a speech in public often occurs with different method, one that is usually geared toward creating a striking connection between what the reader or speaker is saying and what the audience is able to hear or understand. Out of the methods of speech delivery, manuscript Speech is that which is usually adopted in formal settings  Other methods of speech delivery are impromptu speech, extemporaneous speech and memorized speech.

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What is Manuscript Definition?

To have more understanding about manuscript speech definition, it's important to also consider the manuscript definition. 

Manuscript generally is any document in printed form. The word manuscript is derived from two Latin words, namely “manu" and "scriptus,” that mean “to write by hand".  Traditionally, manuscripts are handwritten before the invention of typewriter and are abbreviated as MS- singular and MSS-plural.

 Nowadays, the words are strikingly and often used while referring to an author's draft work before publishing. Although, there are some shared similarities between the two concepts "manuscript" and "manuscript speech", but they are used in different ways or format.

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What is a Manuscript Speech

Having the basic understanding about manuscript, it now begs the viable qiestion— Manuscript Definition.

 Manuscript speech, generally is the verbatim recital or performance of an already written message in print or from teleprompter . In the process of delivering a manuscript speech, the speaker already had each word planned out.

 Such method is often used when the message is critical, not just based on mere opinions but when the exact repetition of the words is important. The speaker maintains his undivided attention and has it fixed on the page unless he is using a visual aids.

A speaker who is not good at memorizing a speech or cannot have his thoughts coordinated while delivering a speech offhand are most likely to adopt this method of speech delivery. It reduces the workload of guessing and memorizing. It also helps to avoid a situation where a speaker forgets the already mastered speech—which could be undeniably devastating for anyone.

Another advantage of using manuscript speech is that it allows the speakers to make exact quotes from their source material. Noteworthy, manuscript speech is adopted mostly in appropriate formal settings like a funeral, Congress etc.

The only mistakes that is likely to occur is mispronouncing of words or having problems with sentence structures. It is no denial that this method of delivery could easily take away the burden, anxiety that are mostly evident while delivery a speech in public. This is because the speaker is expected to say exactly the same thing in the printed page in order to convey the proper emotion or decorum the situation deserves.

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The Cons Of Manuscript Speech

Manuscript speech is not without its cons. Manuscript speech, not being quite the easiest out of the methods of speech delivery could also be the costliest if the information in the printed form is mistakenly read or conveyed. 

Manuscript Speech is arguably an interested method of delivering a  speech, putting into the consideration, the connection that is often expected to exist between the speaker and the audience. There is a typical loose in this connection unless the speaker has rehearsed the speech as a complete performance and animated with expressions and gestures.

Critically, a good speaker is expected to maintain an eye contact with the audience. This keeps the attention of the audience glued to the speakers and the information he is conveying. Thus, for a person delivering a manuscript speech, there's likely to be an absence of this unless the speaker is a practiced speaker.

Another disadvantage with manuscript speech is that there are too much words on the printed page for them to read. This in fact also reduces the maintenance of eye-contact with the audience as the reader finds themselves looking at the page more often in order to avoid missing where they stopped.

Arguably, manuscript speech delivery is considered not ideal compared to extemporaneous speech delivery. The latter is the most advanced or advised out of the methods of speech delivery. It is also the most used among professional speakers, educationalists etc. For extemporaneous speech, there's always time for research and practice before the speech delivery. the speakers do not memorize or read from manuscript.

There's also a situation of less conversation tone while delivering a manuscript speech.

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Example Of Manuscript Speech

Manuscript speech example is when the president delivers a state of the union speech.

 These are mostly error-free and well crafted words, edited and proofread by staff-writers in order to avoid mistakes  Another thing that is noticed during such speech delivery is that, the president tries as much as possible to maintain eye contact with the screen, thereby giving the impression that he has studied the speech and he is understandably adverted with the information therein.

The settings in which such speech is delivered also matters and contributes to its essence. As stated earlier, it is often used in formal setting just like the example provided above.

Another example of manuscript speech is when people are to deliver reports at professional meetings or when they are to testify before the Congress. Manuscript speech in diluted sense, is a call for the exact words in the correct order.

How To Deliver Manuscript Speech

Delivering a manuscript speech practically depends on the author of the speech. If the manuscript is yours, there's always a tendency that you'll be able to add your own thoughts without necessarily delivering them verbatim. On the other hand, if the manuscript was written by someone else, you'll have to deliver them verbatim as printed.

While delivering another person's manuscript, reading through the manuscript first could get you to understand the author's meaning. With that, you will be able to give the speech in a more conversational tone through words emphasis, pace management and the ability to convey the meaning of the original scripted words in an interesting way.

However, if the manuscript is originally written by you. Here are the things to consider:

• Your audience. Who are they? Their age rank and other necessary factors should be considered.
• Write as if you're directly speaking to them. With this, you'll be able to make a connection with your audience.
• Try to make it conversational as much as possible.

Using Teleprompter to deliver a speech

One of the primary method of giving a good speech to the audience as earlier stated is "maintaining eye contact". This might be quite challenging especially with manuscript speech. However, with the use of Teleprompter, a display device that displays the visual text of a speech or script, it appears to be much easier.

How To Write A Manuscript Speech Examples

The answer to this is already highlighted under how to deliver manuscript speech section. The audience is critically to be considered while writing a manuscript speech. This underlies their interest, the topic and how it relates to them. Their views and your opinions in relation to the information you intend to pass across to them.

The settings are another point of consideration while writing a manuscript for speech. This implies the usage of words, the level of communication and the intensity required in conveying the information, the mood and the tone to be adopted while writing a manuscript for speech.

Nonetheless, a person delivering a manuscript speech can give the impression similar to extemporaneous speech. With the following in place, that is:

A learned speaker with good use of a conversational tone and script, it is achievable.

It is obviously not advisable to focus only on manuscript speech. A person developing himself in speech delivery should apply other methods of delivering a speech.

Having considered extensively the topics under manuscript speech which are:

• Manuscript Speech Definition
• Manuscript Definition
• How To Write A Manuscript Speech Examples
• Manuscript Speech Examples
• How To Deliver A Manuscript Speech

It is without no doubt that you'll be able to distinguish between manuscript speech amongst other methods of delivering a speech.