A POCKET GUIDE TO PUBLIC SPEAKING5TH EDITION

Chapter 1

Becoming a Public Speaker

Public Speaking

Message from Warren Buffet “…Public speaking is an asset that will last you 50 or 60 years, and it’s a necessary skill; and if you don’t like doing it, that will also last you 50 or more years…Once you tackle the fear and master the skill, you can run the world…”

Public Speaking

A situation in which an individual speaks to a group of people, assuming responsibility for speaking for a defined length of time.

Earliest Origins

Africa/Ethiopia Over 50,000 years agoHominid ancestorswere uttering sounds

Lucy is one of the most complete skeletons found to date from the early hominids that flourished between 4 and 2 million years ago. The skeleton consists of bones from a single individual, presumably female, who stood well under 4 feet tall.

Foundations of Public Speaking

Aristotle’s Rhetoric Storytelling

The Classical Roots of Public Speaking

Ancient Greece Developed rhetoric (making effective speeches—

also called oratory) Used rhetoric to persuade public policy Practiced public speaking in forums

The Classical Roots of Public Speaking (cont.)

Aristotle developed the canons of rhetoric: Invention Arrangement Style Memory Delivery

The Classical Roots

Invention-focuses on what you want to say

Arrangement-organize your ideas

Style-examines the language that you use

Delivery-how it is presented to the audience

Memory-importance of practicing the speech

Storytelling

People love to hear stories because it helps listeners understand the world

Narrative thinking relies on narratives, or stories to connect self with the world

Audience members welcome narratives in speeches

Stories

Share a Story

Gain a Vital Life Skill

Skill in public speaking Gives you an unmistakable edge; Leads to greater confidence and satisfaction; Is a potent weapon in career development.

Enhance Your Career as a Student

Skills used when preparing speeches Researching topics Analyzing audiences Outlining and organizing ideas Supporting claims

These skills apply to other courses.

Find New Opportunities for Civic Engagement

Studying public speaking allows you to Research topics meaningful to you; Consider alternate viewpoints; Choose a course of action; Distinguish between arguments and uncivil

speech.

Learning to Speak in Public

Public speaking Is an acquired skill; Improves with practice; Is similar to speaking and writing; Utilizes skills you already have.

What skills do you have?

Draw on Conversational Skills

Skills you commonly use in conversation Checking to ensure you are understood Adjusting your meaning as necessary Discussing issues appropriate to the

circumstances Uncovering the audience’s interests and attitudes

Draw on Skills in Composition

Skills used in writing Having a sense of the audience Researching a topic Offering credible evidence Employing effective transitions Devising persuasive appeals

Draw on Skills in Composition (cont.)

Similar components of speeches and essays Compelling introduction Clear thesis statement Supporting ideas Thoughtful conclusion

Develop an Effective Oral Style

Practices of successful speakers Using familiar words Using easy-to-follow sentences Using transitional words and phrases Repeating key words and phrases

Develop an Effective Oral Style (cont.)

Relate your message to the audience. Specific references to yourself, audience

Use clear, recognizable, and organized speech.

Offer the audience something of value.

Become an Inclusive Speaker

Address diverse audiences with sensitivity.

Cultivate your cultural intelligence.

Strive for inclusion.

Adopt an audience-centered perspective.

Public Speaking as a Form of Communication

Four categories of human communication

Dyadic communication Between two people

Small group communication Small number of people See, speak directly with one another

Public Speaking as a Form of Communication (cont.)

Four categories of human communication (cont.)

Mass communication Speaker and large audience (usually not present)

Public speaking Speaker delivers message with specific purpose. Audience is present during speech.

Public Speaking as a Form of Communication (cont.)

Public speaking always includes A speaker with a reason for speaking; An audience that gives its attention; A message meant to accomplish a purpose.

Public Speaking as an Interactive Communication Process

Elements of communication Source (creates a message) Receiver (receives the message) Message (content of the communication process) Channel (medium of the message) Shared meaning (mutual understanding)

Public Speaking as an Interactive Communication Process (cont.)

Public Speaking as an Interactive Communication Process (cont.)

Context Influences the speaker, audience, or occasion May include

Recent events Physical setting Cultural orientation of audience members

Public Speaking as an Interactive Communication Process (cont.)

Rhetorical situation Circumstance calling for a public response

Speech purpose or goal What the audience should learn or do