Communication Principles: Chapters 11-13

• Oral communication principles are covered in chapters 11, 12, and 13.
• The content aligns with textbook "Communication. Principles for a Lifetime" by Beebe S.A., Beebe S.J, Ivy D.K.

Purposes for Public Speaking

• Speeches can inform, teach by defining, describing, or explaining a topic to give information.
• Speeches can persuade by using information to change or reinforce ideas or encourage action.
• Speeches can entertain by seeking to amuse the audience, so learning or persuasion becomes secondary.

Specific Purpose

• A specific purpose acts as a succinct statement of what listeners should achieve.
• It is an audience-centered behavioral goal for a speech.
• It guides speech preparation, while the central idea guides audience listening.
• A central idea is typically stated near the end of the speech introduction.

Central Idea and Main Ideas

• The central idea is the thesis statement of a paper
• Main ideas are subdivisions of the central idea.
• They provide detailed points to develop the speech.

Generating Main Ideas

• Ensure the central idea has logical divisions.
• Main ideas should offer reasons why the central idea is true.
• The central idea can be supported through steps or a chronological sequence.

Supporting Material

• Supporting material clarifies or amplifies main ideas, and provides evidence in a presentation.
• Verbal supporting materials include illustrations, explanations, descriptions, definitions, analogies, and opinions (soft evidence).
• Verbal supporting materials include statistics (hard evidence).
• Visual supporting materials include objects, charts, graphs, posters, maps, models, and computer-generated graphics.
• Sources include personal knowledge, the Internet, online databases, and libraries.

Organizing Ideas

• Topical organization is based on the speaker's discretion or by recency (least to most important), primacy (most to least important), or complexity (simple to complex).
• Chronological organization is based on time or sequential order of events.
• Spatial organization is based on location, position, or direction.
• Cause and Effect organization involves discussing a situation and its causes, or a situation and its effects.
• Problem and Solution organization begins by discussing a problem and then offers solutions.

Speech Structure

• An oral speech contains an introduction, body, and conclusion.
• The introduction creates a first impression, gains attention, introduces the topic and justifies listening along with credibility, central, and main ideas.
• The conclusion provides a final impression.
• It summarizes the speech and reemphasizes the central idea in a memorable way.
• A conclusion motivates the audience response and provides closure.
• Closure can be achieved by referring back to the introduction.

Outlines

• Preparation outlines and speaking notes are types of speech outlines
• Most speakers use a detailed preparation outline to ensure their main ideas relate to their central idea.
• Guidelines for a standard outline when preparing include using standard numbering, a minimum of two subdivisions per point, correct alignment, and grammatically consistent headings.

Speaking Notes

• Speaking notes can provide information without excessive detail.
• Use note cards, a smartphone or tablet
• Utilize standard outline format
• Include the introduction and conclusion in abbreviated form.
• Incorporate the central idea (but not the purpose statement), supporting material, and signposts (verbal or nonverbal cues).
• Include relevant delivery cues.

Delivering the Speech

• Methods include manuscript speaking, memorized speaking, impromptu speaking, and extemporaneous speaking.
• Effective verbal delivery uses specific, concrete, unbiased, vivid, simple, correct word usage.
• Memorable word structure uses figurative language such as metaphors, similes, and personification.
• Memorable word structure uses drama such as omission, inversion, and suspension.
• Cadence employs parallelism, antithesis, repetition, and alliteration.

Effective Nonverbal Delivery

• Eye contact is key.
• Physical delivery includes gestures, movement, and posture.
• Facial expressions are important.
• Vocal delivery involves volume, pitch, and rate.
• Articulation is also important, as is appearance.

Presentation Aids

• Objects, models, people, drawings, photographs, maps, graphs, audio/video, and computer-generated slides.

Guidelines for Preparing and Using Presentation Aids

• Select presentation aids, making presentations easy to see and simple.
• Use presentations thoughtfully after preparation by rehearsal
• Maintain eye contact with the audience, not with the presentation aid.
• Clearly explain the presentation aid to coincide with your discussion of them,
• Avoid passing objects, pictures
• Use handouts effectively and exercise caution with small children or animals.