Your Supervisor Recently Announced That You And A Colleague
Your Supervisor Recently Announced That You And A Colleague Bruce Wi
Your supervisor recently announced that you and a colleague, Bruce, will have an opportunity to meet with the company’s CEO in 2 hours and deliver a presentation on your team’s current project. Due to the short notice, Bruce believes your presentation should be an impromptu speech (delivered without notes or plan); however, you disagree with him. Under these circumstances, which type of speech do you believe you and Bruce should deliver? Choose one of the options below and share the justification you would use to persuade Bruce. Option A: Extemporaneous speech (carefully prepared and rehearsed) Option B: Manuscript speech (written out word for word and read to audience).
Paper For Above instruction
In high-pressure professional situations such as presenting to a company's CEO within a short timeframe, the manner of speech delivery can significantly influence the effectiveness and credibility of the presentation. Given the scenario where only two hours remain before the presentation, I firmly believe that an extemporaneous speech—carefully prepared and rehearsed—is the most appropriate and advantageous approach, rather than an impromptu or a manuscript speech.
An extemporaneous speech strikes a balance between preparation and spontaneity. Unlike an impromptu speech, which is delivered spontaneously without preparation, or a manuscript speech, which involves reading verbatim from a prepared script, the extemporaneous approach allows the presenters to deliver their message with naturalness, confidence, and clarity. This method involves thorough preparation, including drafting key points, practicing delivery, and anticipating potential questions, enabling the speakers to present smoothly and confidently in front of the CEO.
The primary advantage of choosing an extemporaneous speech in this situation is its preparation level. Given the limited time frame of two hours, it is feasible to prepare a structured outline that highlights essential points of the project, as well as rehearse briefly to ensure effective delivery. This preparation helps in conveying professionalism and authority, attributes that are critical when presenting to a senior executive such as a CEO. Without prior rehearsal, an impromptu speech risks sounding vague, unfocused, or disorganized, which can diminish the team's credibility.
Additionally, an extemporaneous approach enables speakers to engage more effectively with their audience through natural language, eye contact, and appropriate gestures, fostering a connection that can enhance the persuasiveness of the message. This conversational style makes the presentation more memorable and impactful, which is particularly important in high-stakes settings.
Contrastingly, delivering a manuscript speech—reading from a script—can lead to a disengaged delivery, especially if the speaker is not adept at reading aloud or if the script is lengthy. It also leaves little room for adaptability or natural interaction, potentially making the presentation seem stiff or rehearsed at the expense of authenticity.
In conclusion, under the severe time constraints of only two hours, preparing an extemporaneous speech provides a strategic advantage by combining readiness with natural delivery. It allows the team to present confidently, clearly, and professionally, thereby increasing the likelihood of making a positive impression on the CEO. This approach not only enhances credibility but also demonstrates the team’s competence and preparedness, crucial factors in a high-level business setting.
References
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