Final answer:
Beginning speakers often fall into the trap of reading mechanically from a manuscript, which leads to a lack of engagement and clarity in their speech. Using simple, declarative sentences in the active voice and literary devices like repetition can help maintain audience focus. Avoiding shifts in voice and starting with the conclusion can also aid in delivering a coherent and effective speech.
Step-by-step explanation:
One trap that beginning speakers often fall into when trying to speak from a manuscript is becoming overly dependent on the written text, causing them to read mechanically rather than engaging with their audience in a conversational tone. This reliance on the manuscript can make the speech feel flat and can lead to issues with clarity and audience connection.
Additionally, starting speakers might struggle with wordy writing that lacks focus or directness. Writing that is clear and effective often uses simple, declarative sentences in the active voice (subject + verb + object) to keep the speech clear and maintain audience focus. Moreover, effective speakers understand the power of using repetition and parallelism for emphasis and persuasion, and they avoid lapses in tone that make the writing unsuited to the audience and purpose.
Another common issue is inconsistency in voice or tone. Beginning speakers may inadvertently switch from third to second person, potentially confusing the audience. Paying attention to voice, tone, and language choices is crucial for matching the speech to the audience and the rhetorical situation. Finally, for speakers who find it challenging to start their speech, reverse-engineering the structure by starting with the conclusion can help establish a clear roadmap and ensure consistency throughout the speech.