Basic Concepts in Rhetoric Informative Speaking that is Not for Dummies

Some Guidelines for the Info Speaking Assignment Your audience is your audience The topic must be business-related Salience is key Keep the presentation informative rather than persuasive

Informative Speaking Topic Ideas Look for new trends/services/problems Check business related web sites www.businessdaily.com www.morningstar.com www.cbs.marketwatch.com Browse business related magazines—Fast Company, Fortune, Red Herring, Business Week, Harvard Business Review

Basic Rhetorical Concepts Modes of Proof (Aristotle) Ethos---credibility Pathos--emotions Logos--logical proof Proof begins and ends with the audience Five Canons of Rhetoric--Invention, Arrangement, Style, Delivery, Memory

Invention--the first among equals Invention defined: “Energizing the truth” or “the discovery and adaptation of arguments and material for the speech” Step 1--determining the universe of arguments available to the rhetor Step 2--adapting that material to the particular audience

Audience Adaptation Situational Analysis Why are they here? Size of group, time of day, size of room, amplification, availability of media? Are they hostile, favorable or indifferent? Demographic Analysis Age, group affiliation, race or ethnicity, religion or creed, sex, socio-economic status

Arrangement and Organizational Patterns The Connection with Invention Topical Spatial or Geographical Chronological Cause/Effect

Understanding Speech Anxiety It is a natural physical reaction to stress Understand the spiral of anxiety Speech anxiety peaks at the beginning of a speech and then decreases Studies show that audiences consistently underestimate speaker anxiety

Dealing With Speech Anxiety Avoid avoidance Avoid caffeine Practice, practice, practice Concentrate on the first two minutes Deep breathing Avoid bottling up nervous energy

Special considerations for informative speeches Understand the knowledge level of your audience Consider other time savers rather than jargon Have other non-techies review your speech Sensitize your audience to the issue and encourage interruptions for translation

Introductions--Goals and Methods Gain Attention Develop Rapport Establish Credibility Motivate Listeners Preview Main Points Methods Startling Statistic Personal Experience Quote an Expert Tell a humorous story Preview of your main points

Transitions--getting from here to there... Why are they necessary? --oral v. written discourse --signposting When do you use them? --moving between identifiable parts of the speech When do you plan for them? --prior to the speech!

Conclusions--Goals and Methods Tie in to something from your Introduction Provide an Explicit Review of Main Points End with a Closing Thought or Final Statement Goals Review Speech Content Provide a Sense of Closure Motivate Your Audience