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