Public Speaking Notes

**Personal Benefits** You will learn more about yourself You will learn about others You will learn to be a more effective listener The personal growth you experience in a public speaking class can help you in other classes, in campus activities, and in later life The abilities you develop in t...

**Personal Benefits** You will learn more about yourself You will learn about others You will learn to be a more effective listener The personal growth you experience in a public speaking class can help you in other classes, in campus activities, and in later life The abilities you develop in this class also can help you be a more effective citizen. A final personal bonus of your public speaking class is that it makes you an active participant in the learning process. You will learn to be a more effective listener. Listening is a part of communication that is often neglected, even though we listen far more than we speak. You will learn the twin arts of critical and constructive listening, so that you can recognize the flaws and deficiencies of messages as well as appreciate their virtues and worth The personal growth you experience in a public speaking class can help you in other classes, in campus activities, and in later life. On a practical level, the ability to communicate ideas effectively is vital to getting a good job and advancing professionally. Each year, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) surveys hundreds of corporate recruiting specialists. On the basis of a survey of 294 employers in various fields, NACE isolated eleven fundamental skills that recruiters seek in job candidates. The most important of these skills ---at the top ofthe list ---was oral communication. NACE concluded: \"Learn to speak clearly, confidently, and concisely.\"- In a similar study, 250 companies surveyed by the Center for Public Resources rated speaking and listening as among the most critical areas in need of improvement for people entering the workforce. Martin Ives, vice chair of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, commented, \"The difference between an average career and a \'special\' career is the ability to communicate orally and in writing.\"\"\* Finally, an American Council on Education report. Employment Prospectsfor College Graduates, advises readers that \"good oral and written skills can be your most prized asset\" in getting and holding a desirable position.\" The abilities you develop in this class also can help you be a more effective citizen. If you think you may never have to speak outside the classroom, picture the following scenarios: Aristotle the study of rhetoric three major forms of public address Forensic - Speeches that argue guilt and innocence in legal settings Deliberative - Speeches that debate public policy in legislative settings Epideictic - Speeches that celebrate special occasions He also identifies three forms of influence Logos - Proofs that are based on reason demonstrations Pathos - Appeals to audience feelings Ethos - Perceived personal qualities of speaker Aristotle stressed the importance of logic in the public arena and of using ex amples and narratives to illustrate points. He further suggested that speeches should have effective structure An introduction that gains attention, creates favorable impressions of the speaker, and makes clear the purpose of speech A body that develops, demonstrates, and proves the speaker\'s message A conclusion that reminds listeners of the speakers main points, amplifies the importance of the choices they must make, and leads them to the point of decision Aristotle\'s Rhetoric laid the groundwork for later Roman rhetoricians. Cicero, who was a celebrated speaker as well as renowned writer, described rhetoric as \"an art made up of five great arts.\" In his greatest work, De Oratore, he identified the following \"great arts\": invention: the discovery and selection of ideas, themes, and lines of argument for a speech arrangement: the placement of these ideas in appropriate order style: the expression of these ideas in effective language memory: the storage of these ideas in the mind for recall during speaking delivery: the presentation of the ideas to an audience Public Speaking as Expanded Conversation Public speaking retains three important characteristics of good conversation. First, it presen-es the natural directness and spontaneity)- of informal talk. Second, it is colorfill. And third, it is tuned to the reactions of listeners Public Speaking Preserves Conversational Directness and Spontaneity. Even though a speech has been carefully researched, thoughtfully prepared, and well rehearsed, it should sound conversational and spontaneous as it comes to life before an audience. Those words bear repeating: A speech comes to life before an audience. Consider the following opening to a self-introductory Public Speaking Is Colorful and Compelling. We often enjoy talking with some people because their speech is colorful. Consider the following development of the \"heat\" Public Speaking Is Tuned to Listeners. Like a good conversation, a good public speech is tuned to listeners. As you talk with people in social situations, you monitor their reactions. If they look confused, you try to explain yourself more clearly. You may give an example or tell a story. If they frown, you may rephrase an idea or present evidence that supports your views. If they smile or nod, you may feel you have the green light to develop your thoughts. Public Speaking as Communication Seeing yourself as public speaker may at first seem difficult, especially if you think of public speaking as a mysterious skill possessed only by a privileged few. But vou have actually been preparing for public speaking for a long time. As an infant, you developed the most essential tool of the speaker ---language. When your grandfa ther showed you how to catch a fish or your mother cautioned you to stay away from fire, you were introduced to two of the great functions of human communi cation, informing and persuading. Later, as you developed friendships, you began practicing interaction skills that are vital to communication: how to Hsten as well as speak. Public speaking expands the conversational skills we have been using all our lives. However, some distinctive features make public speaking a unique form of communication Public speaking tests and critiques public policies, urges support for good causes, proposes new programs and attitudes, and urges the reform of flawed institutions. In these ways, public speaking classes often become dynamic laboratories for the democratic process. **Three major forms of public address** Forensic - speeches that argue guilt and innocence in legal settings deliberative: speeches that debate public policy in legislative settings epideictic: speeches that celebrate special occasions **three forms of influence that determine whether listeners will accept what speakers say:** logos: proofs that are based on reasoned demonstrations pathos: appeals to audience feelings ethos: perceived per sonal qualities of the speaker **speeches should have effective structure:** an introduction that gains attention, creates favorable impressions of the speaker, and makes clear the purpose of the speech a bodythat develops, demonstrates, and proves the speaker\'s message a conclusion that reminds listeners of the speaker\'s main points, amplifies the importance of the choices they must make, and leads them to the point of decision the following \"great arts\": invention: the discovery and selection of ideas, themes, and lines of argument for a speech arrangement: the placement of these ideas in appropriate order style: the expression of these ideas in effective language memory: the storage of these ideas in the mind for recall during speaking delivery: the presentation of the ideas to an audience **ethnocentrism**-evaluation of other cultures according to preconceptions originating in the standards and customs of one\'s own culture. **Public Speaking as Expanded Conversation Public speaking retains three important characteristics of good conversation.** First, it presen-es the natural directness and spontaneity)- of informal talk. Second, it is col orflil. And third, it is tuned to the reactions of listeners **Medium.** The medium conducts the speaker\'s message. When public speaking takes place in a direct, face-to-face encounter, the medium is the air through which the sound travels. When a speech is presented outside or in a large auditorium, a microphone and amplifiers may become part of the medium. We tend to take the medium for granted until we discover something wrong with it, such as poor acoustics. **Listener.** A constructive listener is supportive, yet listens carefully and critically **Feedback** is important because it can improve the quality of communication. It can alert speakers to problems, signaling that some listeners didn\'t understand a point, or that others were drifting away, or that still others want more evidence before they are willing to grant a point. **Interference.** Interference (or noise) can enter at any point in the process to disrupt the effectiveness of communication. Interference can range from physical noise that impedes the hearing of a speech, such as a plane flying over the building, to psychological \"noise\" within speakers and listeners that prevents them from connecting. **Setting**. A speech occurs within a physical and psychological setting that can determine how well it succeeds. **Purpose.** People seldom speak in public unless they have a purpose or motive. **Consequences**. Successful speeches ob\\dously have impact. As a result ofsuch speeches, listeners learn, often decide to change their minds or to take action, or join in celebrating someone\'s accomplishment. **Transactional communication** suggests that successful communication goes beyond personal achievement and the sharing of vital information, ideas, and advice. It also implies the shaping and sharing of selves. **Transformational communication** connects on an emotional level and inspires people through a shared mission and vision. **Public knowledge**, what we as a community decide is worth knowing.\'\' Public speaking expands and builds this knowledge base. **Models of Communication** **The first is the mechanical model. In this model, we see that the speaker has initiated a message within a certain communication setting. The message flows through the medium of air until it is received by an audience member. Along the way, the message passes through various forms of interference that can distort its intended meaning.** **identification model-** In the postcommunication stage, we see speaker and listeners after the transactional and transformational processes of an ethical communication act. As a result of that act, the scattered listeners have been joined into an audience, and audience and speaker have been brought together so that they now share an identity, an area of common ground **Ethical Public Speaking** **Ethics** is the moral dimension of human conduct ---the way we treat others and want to be treated by them in return**.** **responsible knowledge** knowing the main points of concern. understanding what experts believe about them. being aware of the most recent events or discoveries concerning them. realizing how these points affect the lives of listeners **quoting out of context.** This unethical use of a quotation distorts its meaning. In effect, it lies to the audience. **avoid Plagiarism**. Plagiarism is presenting the ideas or words of others as though they were your own, without acknowledging where the ideas or words came from. **Blatant Plagiarism**. Plagiarism is blatant when a speaker intentionally steals an en tire work from another source. **More Subtle Plagiarism.** You must also guard against more subtle forms ot pla giarism, many involving the abuse or neglect of citations or oral credits. **Avoiding the Traps of Plagiarism** You may stumble into plagiarism because of the traps of time and careless research practices. Be sure to allow enough time to prepare thoroughly for your presentation. **global code of ethical conduct,** centering on the deeply and widely shared values of love, truthfulness, fairness, freedom, unity, tolerance, responsibility, and respect for life