COM101: Public Speaking Principles

• This text is a COM101 reviewer discussing communication for various purposes.

Public Speaking

• Public speaking is also known as Oration.
• It is the process or act of performing a presentation directly to a live audience
• The purpose can be to inform, influence, or entertain.

Principles of Effective Public Speaking (4Ms)

• Material is the subject the speaker explores, and the central idea or theme.
• Audience consideration involves understanding the audience's interests, background, and needs
  • Topics should be relevant and engaging.
• Expertise involves aligning the topic with the speaker's expertise to aid delivery.
• Purpose means the topic should align with the overall purpose of the speech.
• Relevance ensures the topic is current, relevant, and resonates with the audience.
• Message includes the main points of the presentation and serves as a guide for all other elements
  • Determines the impact and effectiveness of the presentation.

Speech According to Purpose

• Speech to Inform aims to provide the audience with a clear understanding of the concept.
• Speech to Entertain aims to provide the audience with entertainment.
• Speech to Persuade aims to influence the audience with favorable or acceptable ideas.

Methods of Delivery

• Methods of delivery, also known as the style of delivery involves how a speaker presents their speech.
• Manuscript style involves reading a script word-for-word.
• Memorized delivery involves delivering a speech from memory without notes or prompts.
• Impromptu delivery involves giving a speech without any preparation.
• Extemporaneous delivery involves delivering a speech that is carefully prepared or planned, but not word-for-word.

Manners in Speech

• Manners in speech refers to the way speakers use their voice and language, referencing ethical standards.

Non-verbal Communication in Public Speaking

• Using body language, gestures, facial expressions, and other non-verbal cues is key
• Non-verbal communication enhances the message, communicates feelings, sustains attention, reflects the speaker, and makes the delivery dynamic.

Body Language

• Body language involves body movements.
• Using eye contact helps gauge a speaker's confidence.
• Using facial expressions communicates emotions
• Using gestures involves movements of the hands, legs, and other body parts.
• Having good posture shows confidence and elicits a positive audience impression.

Clothing and Appearance

• Clothing and appearance impacts how the audience perceives the speaker's credibility, authority, and professionalism.

Vocal Elements

• Pitch refers to the highness or lowness of the voice.
• Volume refers to the loudness or softness of the voice.
• Rate is the speed of speech.
• Tone is the quality of the speaker's voice.
• Articulation is the clarity and distinctness of speech.
• Pauses are intentional breaks in speech.
• Pronunciation is the correct way of saying words.
• Proxemics is the use of space and distance.
• Touch involves physical contact.

Colors

• Colors can reveal a person's personality.
• Red is dynamic and passionate.
• Yellow is joyous and radiant.
• Orange is optimistic.
• Green is the color of spring.
• Blue represents depth, stability, and independence, best for studying and working.
• Purple is the stability of blue and energy of red.
• White is associated with goodness, purity, and innocence.
• Black is mysterious.

Audience Analysis

• Audience analysis involves understanding the audience's behavior, values, beliefs, and culture.

Preparing for Speech

• Impromptu Speech means delivering a speech without planning or rehearsal.
  • Has limited preparation time and is spontaneously organized.

Strategies for Delivering an Impromptu Speech

• Using the past, present, future structure
• Using Reason-Example/Explanation-Point (PREP)
• Opening with a strong statement, using the rule of three, and ending with a clincher.
• Bridging involves building a connection between what the speaker knows and doesn't know to transition smoothly.
• Reframing involves rephrasing a statement to redirect the conversation.
• Playing the Devil's Advocate involves taking a contrary position to explore.

Extemporaneous Speech

• Extemporaneous speech involves delivering a prepared and planned speech without a script.
  • Speakers may use notes or outlines.
  • Flexible and adaptable with a conversational tone.
  • Relies on research, clear organization, and practiced delivery.
  • Delivered spontaneously

Purpose of Extemporaneous Speech

• To inform, entertain, or persuade.
• To Inform (Exposition) explains the context.
• To Entertain uses humor.
• To Persuade appeals to emotion, ethical character, and reasoned arguments.

Argumentative and Persuasive Speech

• Argumentative employs formal purpose with much research
• Persuasive blends emotion and facts to sway the reader with opinion

Workplace Communication

• Workplace communication involves the exchange of information, ideas, opinions, feedback, and instructions.
• Aims to achieve organizational goals, build relationships, and ensure a positive work environment.

Workplace Dynamics

• Multigenerational workforce impacts employee satisfaction.
• Organizational culture shapes attitudes and overall tone.
• Multiplicity of identities recognizes differences.
• Co-worker relationships involve hiring to specific positions.
• Shared leadership distributes responsibilities within a team, also sailing the course.
• Team Building involves task roles.

Principles of Communication

• The purpose is to create, inform, and persuade.
• Considering the reader/audience addresses specific questions.
• Tone should respond to questions and audience.

Technical Writing in the Workplace

• Technical writing in the workplace is a form of professional writing using specialized terminology, graphics, and tools.
• It presents information relevant to organizations, jobs, and professions.
• It must be accurate, and clear.

Types of Business Letters

• Letter of inquiry, also known as letter of interest.
• Letter of claim used in legal matters.
• Response to a letter of claim.
• A letter of request reports situations and demands appropriate action
• A concise reminder for a large audience
• 1. Instruction Memo contains directives that org members need to follow.
• 2. Request Memo the provision of facilities and services.
• 3. Announcement Memo announcing an event.
• 4. Transitional Memo is a release of a report.
• 5. Authorization Memo grants permission.

Electronic Mail (E-Mail)

• The exchange of digital messages between groups or individuals

Report Types

• Present in either a mostly formal/ informal academic context
• Typically used to present information and date.

Research

• 1. A progress report, updated on the results of a work assignment/project
• 2. A report on the feasibility of a proposed project or business structure.
• 3 Present collected research.
• 4 Incident report

Resume and Cover Letter

• *RESUME - A summary of qualifications and experience for a job
• *COVER LETTER - Provides context that conveys why someone should be offered and interview

Nature of Research

• Research is a systematic inquiry to interpret data