LECTURE #2 PUBLIC SPEAKING

“To speak and to speak well are two things. A fool may talk, but a wise man speaks.” ~Ben Jonson

TOPICS TO COVER… What is public speaking? Why study public speaking? It is a great tradition It is a dynamic discipline

PUBLIC SPEAKING IS… Communication between a speaker and an audience Speaker does most of the talking Speaker reacts and adapts to the audience Speaker retains control of the floor

PUBLIC SPEAKING IS… Audience Centered Presenter chooses his or her message with the audience needs and interests in mind Sharp assessment is key to success Develop the message so that it is interesting and understandable

PUBLIC SPEAKING IS… Fundamentally about the spoken word Supplemental aides should never outperform the speaking The words should always be the central role Experienced presenters know how to add depth and breadth through non-verbal cues or visuals without taking away from the speech

PUBLIC SPEAKING IS… Usually a prepared presentation The best speakers choose topics in advance The best speakers consider how best to present topic and how to tailor it to their audience The best speakers rehearse (seconds, days, or weeks) is paramount

WHY STUDY PUBLIC SPEAKING StudentCareerCommunity

USING PUBLIC SPEAKING AS A STUDENT All your courses include public speaking in some form Introductions Oral Presentations Reading out loud Performance Group work communication/leadership Be a class contributor Engage in extra-curricular activities College prep Speech/Communication general ed. requirement

USING PUBLIC SPEAKING IN YOUR CAREER Transferable skill - #1 skill employers look for regardless of industry Interviews According to a 2000 study, “Making the Grade? What American Workers Think Should Be Done to Improve Education” 87% rated communication as very important for performing their jobs Essential skills necessary in any work environment – for example: Police officer talking down an angry crowd A nurse explains to her management team an important union issue An accountant makes a presentation to investors Teachers…

USING PUBLIC SPEAKING IN YOUR COMMUNITY Getting involved Social clubs Athletic leagues Religious groups Political committees “People have to talk about something just to keep their voice boxes in working order so they'll have good voice boxes in case there's ever anything really meaningful to say.” ~Kurt Vonnegut “Be the change you wish to see in the world” - Gandhi

THE GREAT TRADITION OF PUBLIC SPEAKING 5 th century B.C.E. Athens Right to speak out in assembly As many as 6,000 audience members Aristotle Rhetoric (4 th century B.C.E.) 1 st century B.C.E. Romans embrace debate Cicero – renowned political orator Quintilian –emphasized the ideal of ethics in rhetoric Also Chinese, African, Islamic, Native American and other important oral traditions and influences

PUBLIC SPEAKING HAS BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF AMERICAN HISTORY Boston Tea PartyLincoln Douglas Debate

PUBLIC SPEAKING HAS BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF AMERICAN HISTORY “I have a dream…”Steve Jobs Keynote

MLK JR

THE DYNAMIC DISCIPLINE Aristotle still holds some relevance today…But the discipline has evolved to reflect changes in society The public speaking process Audience awareness Cultural diversity Importance of critical thinking Attention to ethics

LINEAR COMMUNICATION Source (the speaker)Encoded message (verbal and non-verbal symbols)Channel (the medium of delivery)Noise (interference impedes communication)Receiver (audience)Decoded message (individual perception)

TRANSACTIONAL COMMUNICATION Message Source Receiver Feedback

SHARED MEANING It’s not just about getting your point across Improve your own knowledge Seek understanding Develop partnership and agreement An adept public speaker uses knowledge of transactional communication with a goal of shared meaning to direct his or her presentation --- Checking for understanding

AWARENESS OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY Culture – the values, traditions, and rules for living that are passed from generation to generation Culture is learned and influences all aspects of an individual’s life Food choices Use of language Dress Religious practices Communication Americans obviously need to be sensitive and informed about cultural diversity

STUART MCARTHUR – 12 YEARS OLD - AUSTRALIAN WORLDVIEW?

THE IMPORTANCE OF CRITICAL THINKING Decide what to believe and how to act after careful evaluation and reasoning Analyze assumptions Examine truth, reliability, and accuracy before making judgments Consider other perspectives Research!

THE IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS Definition: a set of beliefs shared by a group about what behaviors are correct or incorrect Quintilian – “the good person speaking well” Virtuous, moral, and public spirited Unethical public speaking (politicians, media, lawyers, corporations) have forced the public to be hyper-sensitive Credibility is crucial