Public Speaking Essentials: Key Concepts and Techniques
Public Speaking Key Concepts
- Source or Sender: Creates a message.
- Shared Meaning: The mutual understanding of a message between the speaker and the audience.
- Message Sent: The content of the communication process: thoughts and ideas put into meaningful expression.
- Body of a Speech: The point at which you go into full detail about each of your main points.
- Speaking Outline: Covers the main points and aids the speaker’s memory on certain topics.
- Verbal Communication: The use of sounds and language to relay a message.
Methods of Delivery
- Manuscript
- Memory
- Impromptu
- Extemporaneous
Motivated Sequence
Persuasive sequence:
- Attention
- Need
- Satisfaction
- Visualization
- Action
Communication Definition
The act or process of using words, sounds, signs, or behaviors to communicate.
Introduction
Something that introduces a person or topic.
Conclusion
The end or result; the final part.
Connotative Meaning
Suggestive or secondary meaning in addition to the primary meaning.
Denotative Meaning
Literal meaning of a word.
Patterns of Organization
Chronological, Compare and Contrast, Order of Importance, Sequence, Spatial, Cause and Effect, Problem and Solution
Communication Process
Source, encoding, receiver, decoding, feedback, message, and channel.
Becoming a Public Speaker
Willingness and ability: The ability to speak confidently is necessary for our daily life.
- Ethos: Credibility of the speaker.
- Pathos: Emotional connection to the audience.
- Logos: Logical argument.
Managing Speech Anxiety
Identify what makes you anxious, use anxiety-reducing techniques like preparing and practicing, modify thoughts and attitudes, visualize success, control breathing and relax, use movement, and learn from feedback.
Quick Tips for Presenters
- Be clear
- Be concise
- Be compelling
- Be confident
Ethical Public Speaking
Moral conduct, demonstrate character, respect listeners’ values, use your rights of free speech responsibly, avoid plagiarism.
Speech Structure
Analyze the audience, topic, speech purpose, thesis statement, main points, supporting materials, outline, presentation aids, and practice.
Listeners and Speakers
Together make a speech possible.
Delivery Styles
- Extemporaneous: Prepare and practice in advance; you speak from an outline.
- Memorized: Oratory; memorization of a speech.
- Manuscript: Read a speech word for word.
- Impromptu: Unpracticed.
Evidence
Prove or disprove something.
Active Listener
Setting listening goals (listen for main ideas, etc.).
Credible Sources
Avoid plagiarism.
Thesis Statement
Appears at the end of the introductory paragraph of a paper and should be the last sentence of the introduction.
Effective Delivery
Controlled use of voice and body to express naturalness and confidence.
Presentation Aids
They can assist in keeping the audience engaged. Keep them simple, use appropriate fonts, and use color carefully.
Supporting Material
Use videos and images for support.
Rhetorical Strategy
Persuasive strategies used in arguments to support claims and respond to opposing arguments.
Analyzing the Audience
Choose a topic of interest for the audience.
Organizing
Organize your ideas.
Outlining
Make an outline to maintain order.
Communication Triangle
Me, message, audience, and goals.
Selecting a Topic and Purpose
Explore topics, identify personal interests, consider current events, and identify your general purpose for the speech.
Language
Use an oral style, simplicity, and repetition. Use concrete language and vivid imagery.
Style
Simply the unique way in which the speech is delivered to the audience.
Voice
Volume, pitch, intonation, speaking rate, and pauses.
Body
Nonverbal communication.