Unit 1: The Basics of Public Speaking

"According to most studies, people's number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two? Does that seem right? To the average person that means that if they have to go to a funeral, they'd be better off in the casket than giving the eulogy." -Jerry Seinfeld

What will this class do for me? Personal Benefits School/Career Benefits Social Benefits

Personal Benefits self-confidence sensitivity to other people and other viewpoints take into account your audience and listeners learn the power of words and speaking--to build, create, transform and hurt

School/Career Benefits Good communication is one of the top skills in demand by employers More self-confidence in class presentations It might inspire you to participate in a play/theatre activity Improve and refine your reading and writing skills Become an active participant in your education You will learn the fine art of persuasion (getting people to do what YOU want them to do)

Social Benefits Advocacy--standing up for what you need or want Will teach you how to seek social justice in a productive way It is the nature of humanity to form groups--oral communication is key to these groups

The Vocabulary of Forensics Forensics: art and science of public speaking rhetoric: art of speaking or writing effectively

The Vocabulary of Forensics Aristotle: Ancient Greek philosopher and teacher, developed the art of rhetoric.

The Vocabulary of Forensics Message: information that a speaker is relaying to his/her audience Listener: the audience of a speaker and receiver of a message Feedback: the verbal and non-verbal responses of an audience to a message

The Vocabulary of Forensics Speaker: a person giving a speech or relaying information to an audience Interpersonal: communication between two people Mass Media: Type of media designed to reach a large audience Ex: newspaper, TV

The Rhetorical Triangle Emotional (Pathos): Persuasion using emotion. Ethical (Ethos): Persuasion using credibility, status, or trust. Logical (Logos): Persuasion using logic, facts, statistics.

Rational (Logical) Types of Evidence Emotional (Pathetic) Types of Evidence Ethical (Ethos) Types of Evidence Facts"Higher" EmotionsTrustworthiness Case studiesGenerosityCredibility ExperimentsLoveExpert Testimony StatisticsReliable sources Anecdotes"Base" EmotionsFairness Greed Lust

The Speech Model Made up of four facets. o Speaker o Message o Listener o Feedback Works in a cycle. When one facet of the model does not function correctly, the communication process breaks down.

Speech Model: Speaker The speaker formulates a thought and translates that thought into words, which is communicated to the audience. What can go wrong with the speaker? Example: Speaker does not speak loud enough for all of the audience to hear her.

Speech Model: Message The message is the speaker's words, carried through air, and delivered to the audience. What can go wrong with the message? Example: The speaker's message is in a language that is not spoken or understood by his audience.

Speech Model: Listener The listener is the receiver of the message, and translates the speaker's words into thoughts. What can go wrong with the listener? Example: The listener is not paying attention. Instead of listening to the speaker, they are texting and playing games on their cell phones.

Speech Model: Feedback Feedback is given, either verbally or nonverbally, to the speaker. What can go wrong with the feedback? Example: The speaker does not do anything when half of her audience has fallen asleep.

Five Communication Arenas Self-communication: I communicate with myself. Interpersonal communication: I communicate with one other person. Group communication: I communicate with two or more other people. Public communication: I speak to a group or am part of an audience. Mass Media communication: I am an audience to a media presentation or I communicate through the media.

Stage Fright: Fact or Myth? Most people have some degree of stage fright. The best speakers have learned to eliminate their fear. A speaker's fear is obvious to the audience. Speaker experience commonly decreases fear. Fear affects women more than men If the inexperienced speaker is nervous, it is more obvious to the audience through non-verbal behaviors.

Stage Fright: Fact or Myth Most people have some degree of stage fright. FACT The best speakers have learned to eliminate their fear. MYTH A speaker's fear is obvious to the audience. MYTH Speaker experience commonly decreases fear. FACT Fear affects women more than men. MYTH If the inexperienced speaker is nervous, it is more obvious to the audience through non-verbal behaviors. FACT

What can you do about it? BEFORE Practice, practice, practice. Do not underestimate the power of preparation. Have a positive attitude. Volunteer to go first or early. Take a deep breath. Visualize.

What can you do about it? DURING Take a deep breath. Use notes (large font). Slow down your rate of speaking. Look to a friend for support (or your teacher). Have a closer ready--"Thank you, are there any questions?" always works. Fake it till you make it.

What can you do about it? AFTER Reflect on the speech/presentation. What went well? What should I do better next time? Listen to the feedback of your audience/teacher.