Declamation vs. Speech — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 2, 2024
Declamation involves reciting a speech from memory with emphasis on eloquence and expression, whereas a speech is an original oration focusing on content delivery to an audience.
Difference Between Declamation and Speech
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Key Differences
Declamation is a form of speech that involves the memorization and recital of an existing text, aimed at demonstrating the speaker's oratory skills and emotional engagement with the material. Whereas, a speech typically involves the presentation of original content, designed to inform, persuade, or entertain an audience, highlighting the speaker's personal ideas and communicative abilities.
In declamation, emphasis is placed on the speaker's ability to convey the emotions and rhetoric of someone else's words, making it a test of interpretative skill and expressiveness. On the other hand, a speech requires the speaker to develop and organize their own thoughts, showcasing their ability to engage directly with listeners on their terms.
Declamations are often used in educational settings or competitions as a way to develop and display rhetorical and public speaking skills without the necessity of original content creation. Speeches, however, are more commonly associated with professional, political, or social occasions where the speaker's own perspective and message are of paramount importance.
While declamation focuses on the art of delivery, including tone, pace, and body language, a speech places more importance on the content’s originality, logical structure, and relevance to the audience.
The practice of declamation allows speakers to explore a wide range of emotions and topics through the lens of another's words, offering a diverse experience in expression. Speeches, in contrast, provide a platform for individuals to express their unique views and connect with their audience on a personal level.
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
To showcase eloquence and interpretation of existing work
To communicate original ideas or information
Content Origin
Pre-written by others
Created by the speaker
Emphasis
Delivery and expression
Content and audience engagement
Common Use
Educational settings, competitions
Professional, political, social occasions
Skills Demonstrated
Interpretative skills, expressiveness
Originality, logical structuring, direct engagement
Compare with Definitions
Declamation
A performance art focused on the delivery of speeches.
He excels in declamation, bringing historic speeches to life.
Speech
The act of delivering a message or information to an audience.
His speech on environmental conservation was inspiring.
Declamation
The act of delivering a speech with expressive emotion and rhetoric.
Her declamation captivated the audience with its passion.
Speech
The expression of thoughts, opinions, or information by verbal means.
Her speech on women's rights drew widespread applause.
Declamation
A formal recitation of a speech from memory.
The student's declamation of Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech won the competition.
Speech
A public speaking event designed to inform, persuade, or entertain.
The keynote speech set the tone for the conference.
Declamation
An educational tool for teaching expression and speech delivery.
Teachers use declamation to improve students' oratory skills.
Speech
A formal address or discourse delivered to an audience.
The president's speech outlined the new policy changes.
Declamation
A practice method for developing public speaking and rhetorical skills.
Declamation is a key component of our public speaking curriculum.
Speech
The craft of composing and delivering effective communication.
Speech writing is an essential skill for leaders.
Declamation
A speech marked by strong feeling; a tirade.
Speech
Speech is human vocal communication using language. Each language uses phonetic combinations of vowel and consonant sounds that form the sound of its words (that is, all English words sound different from all French words, even if they are the same word, e.g., "role" or "hotel"), and using those words in their semantic character as words in the lexicon of a language according to the syntactic constraints that govern lexical words' function in a sentence.
Declamation
Declamation (from the Latin: declamatio) is an artistic form of public speaking. It is a dramatic oration designed to express through articulation, emphasis and gesture the full sense of the text being conveyed.
Speech
The expression of or the ability to express thoughts and feelings by articulate sounds
He was born deaf and without the power of speech
Declamation
The action or art of declaiming
Declamations of patriotism
Shakespearean declamation
Speech
A formal address or discourse delivered to an audience
He gave a speech about the company
Declamation
A recitation delivered as an exercise in rhetoric or elocution.
Speech
The faculty or act of speaking.
Declamation
Vehement oratory.
Speech
The faculty or act of expressing or describing thoughts, feelings, or perceptions by the articulation of words.
Declamation
The act or art of declaiming; rhetorical delivery; loud speaking in public.
Speech
What is spoken or expressed, as in conversation; uttered or written words
Seditious speech.
Declamation
The public recitation of speeches as an exercise in schools and colleges.
Speech
A talk or public address, or a written copy of this
The senator gave a speech.
Declamation
A set or harangue; declamatory discourse.
Speech
The language or dialect of a nation or region
American speech.
Declamation
Pretentious rhetorical display, with more sound than sense.
Mere declamation
Speech
One's manner or style of speaking
The mayor's mumbling speech.
Declamation
The act or art of declaiming; rhetorical delivery; haranguing; loud speaking in public; especially, the public recitation of speeches as an exercise in schools and colleges; as, the practice declamation by students.
The public listened with little emotion, but with much civility, to five acts of monotonous declamation.
Speech
The study of oral communication, speech sounds, and vocal physiology.
Declamation
A set or harangue; declamatory discourse.
Speech
(uncountable) The ability to speak; the faculty of uttering words or articulate sounds and vocalizations to communicate.
He had a bad speech impediment.
After the accident she lost her speech.
Declamation
Pretentious rhetorical display, with more sound than sense; as, mere declamation.
Speech
(uncountable) The act of speaking, a certain style of it.
Her speech was soft and lilting.
Declamation
Vehement oratory
Speech
(countable) A formal session of speaking, especially a long oral message given publicly by one person.
The candidate made some ambitious promises in his campaign speech.
Declamation
Recitation of a speech from memory with studied gestures and intonation as an exercise in elocution or rhetoric
Speech
(countable) A dialect, vernacular, or (dated) a language.
Speech
(uncountable) Language used orally, rather than in writing.
This word is mostly used in speech.
Speech
(grammar) An utterance that is quoted; see direct speech, reported speech
Speech
(uncountable) Public talk, news, gossip, rumour.
Speech
To make a speech; to harangue.
Speech
The faculty of uttering articulate sounds or words; the faculty of expressing thoughts by words or articulate sounds; the power of speaking.
There is none comparable to the variety of instructive expressions by speech, wherewith man alone is endowed for the communication of his thoughts.
Speech
He act of speaking; that which is spoken; words, as expressing ideas; language; conversation.
O goode God! how gentle and how kindYe seemed by your speech and your visageThe day that maked was our marriage.
The acts of God . . . to human earsCan nort without process of speech be told.
Speech
A particular language, as distinct from others; a tongue; a dialect.
People of a strange speech and of an hard language.
Speech
Talk; mention; common saying.
The duke . . . did of me demandWhat was the speech among the LondonersConcerning the French journey.
Speech
Formal discourse in public; oration; harangue.
The constant design of these orators, in all their speeches, was to drive some one particular point.
Speech
Ny declaration of thoughts.
I. with leave of speech implored, . . . replied.
Speech
To make a speech; to harangue.
Speech
The act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience;
He listened to an address on minor Roman poets
Speech
(language) communication by word of mouth;
His speech was garbled
He uttered harsh language
He recorded the spoken language of the streets
Speech
Something spoken;
He could hear them uttering merry speeches
Speech
The exchange of spoken words;
They were perfectly comfortable together without speech
Speech
Your characteristic style or manner of expressing yourself orally;
His manner of speaking was quite abrupt
Her speech was barren of southernisms
I detected a slight accent in his speech
Speech
A lengthy rebuke;
A good lecture was my father's idea of discipline
The teacher gave him a talking to
Speech
Words making up the dialogue of a play;
The actor forgot his speech
Speech
The mental faculty or power of vocal communication;
Language sets homo sapiens apart from all other animals
Common Curiosities
Is a speech always about original content?
Yes, a speech typically involves the presentation of the speaker's original thoughts, ideas, or information.
How do audiences differ for declamations and speeches?
Audiences for declamations are often evaluative, such as judges or teachers, while speech audiences seek information, persuasion, or entertainment.
Are declamations used outside educational settings?
While primarily used in educational and competitive settings, declamations can also be performed at public speaking events.
What is the main difference between declamation and speech?
Declamation focuses on reciting an existing speech with emphasis on delivery, while a speech involves presenting original content.
Can declamation help improve public speaking skills?
Yes, declamation can significantly improve public speaking skills by focusing on delivery techniques and emotional expression.
Is it easier to deliver a declamation or a speech?
This depends on the individual's skills; declamations require strong interpretive skills, while speeches demand originality and engagement.
Why are declamations important in education?
Declamations help students develop confidence, expressive skills, and a deeper understanding of rhetorical strategies.
Do declamations involve personal opinions?
No, declamations focus on delivering someone else's words and do not typically include the speaker's personal opinions.
How long can a speech be?
Speeches can vary in length, from a few minutes to over an hour, depending on the context and purpose.
Do declamations require memorization?
Yes, declamations typically involve memorizing and reciting speeches from memory.
Can anyone give a speech?
Yes, anyone can give a speech, regardless of experience, on any topic of their choice or necessity.
Can speeches be informal?
Yes, speeches can range from highly formal addresses to informal talks or presentations, depending on the occasion and audience.
Are declamations competitive?
Yes, declamations are often competitive, especially in educational settings where they are used as a form of assessment.
What makes a speech effective?
An effective speech is well-structured, engaging, relevant to the audience, and delivered with confidence.
How do I choose between giving a declamation or a speech?
The choice depends on the purpose: use declamation to practice delivery and explore historical texts, or a speech to share original ideas or information.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
