Public Speaking Concepts and Practices

Public Speaking

• Public speaking is the act of conveying information or expressing ideas in front of an audience.
• Protagoras, known as the Father of Debate, advocated for the rights of the people during the Greco-Roman era.
• Aristotle, considered the Father of Modern Communication, developed the Rhetoric model, which emphasizes Logos, Pathos, and Ethos for effective communication.
• Balagtas (Francisco Baltazar), the Father of Filipino Poetry, popularized the poetic debate format known as Balagtasan.

Philippine Public Speaking Activities

• Karagatan is a non-poetic debate focused on criticizing or assessing a potential suitor or partner.
• Juego de Prenda is a public speaking activity similar to a eulogy, discussing the life of the deceased in a formal manner.
• Balagtasan is a poetic debate that adheres to rhyme, meter, and structure to resolve issues or concerns.

Best Practices in Public Speaking

• Introduction: Start your speech with a clear direction and impactful opening.
• Performance: Remember that every public speech is a performance.
• Planning: Develop relevant ideas and manage your time effectively.
• Eye Contact: Establish eye contact with your audience to foster connection and convey sincerity.
• Speaking Style: Tailor your delivery to the context, audience, and message.
• Hand Gestures: Use gestures to enhance your message and emphasize key points.
• Recording: Record your speech to identify areas for improvement.
• Peer Evaluation and Feedback: Seek feedback and suggestions from your audience for growth.
• Appearance and Good Grooming: Dress appropriately for the occasion while maintaining a presentable appearance.
• Visual Aids and Handouts: Use visual aids and handouts to support complex topics and visual language.
• Conclusion: Conclude your speech with a powerful message that echoes the introduction, leaving a lasting impact on the audience.

Effective Communication

• Directness and Politeness: Be straightforward and clear while remaining respectful and considerate.
• Precise and Appropriate: Stay on point and align your communication with the audience, location, and overall message.
• Avoid Technical jargon: Avoid using technical terms that may be unfamiliar to a broader audience.
• Simple and Direct: Use clear and concise language that is easy to understand for everyone.
• Delete the Obvious: Don't reiterate information that is already known or easily understood by the audience.
• Intensify the Least Obvious: Highlight your unique perspectives and opinions on the topic.
• Practice: Regularly practice your speech, including posture, gestures, and delivery.

Standard vs. Non-Standard Language

• Standard language is formal and generally understood across various audiences and contexts.
• Non-standard language is informal or casual, and the meaning of words or phrases may vary depending on location or audience.

Euphemisms

• Euphemisms are words or phrases used to replace potentially offensive or inappropriate language.
• The goal is to make the message more acceptable and understood.
• Euphemisms help to lessen the impact or weight of a potentially sensitive message.

Multimodal Texts

• Creating refers to the development and production of various texts, whether spoken, written, or multimodal.
• Multimodal uses two or more communication modes (e.g., images, gestures, music, speech, writing) to convey meaning.

Kinds of Multimodal Texts

• Paper or piece of writing: Traditional texts.
• Digital: Texts presented on digital platforms.
• Live or Actual: Real-time performances or events.
• Transmedia or Multimedia: Texts spanning across various media platforms.

Types of Multimodal Texts

• Print-based: Texts combining one communication mode with printing or writing. Examples: Comics, picture storybooks, graphic novels, posters, brochures, newspapers.
• Digital: Texts integrating one communication mode with digital technologies. Examples: Websites, videos, interactive games, social media posts.