Chapter 1 Speaking in Public

Power of Public Speaking Historical significance: –Egyptian handbook – 4,500 years ago –Aristotle’s rhetoric (3 rd century BCE) Value of public speaking 3 opportunities found in public speaking –Persuading –Informing –Entertaining

Similarities Between Conversation and Public Speaking 30% of waking hours in conversation 4 skills found in conversation –Organizing thoughts logically –Tailoring message to your audience –Telling a story for maximum impact –Adapting to listener feedback

Differences between Public Speaking and Conversation 3 Major Differences –Public speaking is more highly structured –It requires more formal language –It requires a different method of delivery

Developing Confidence Public speaking a fate worse than death? Nervousness –Normal, useful 6 strategies to deal with/reduce nervousness –Acquire speaking experience –Prepare 3 –Think positively –Power of Visualization –Most is not visible –Do not expect perfection

Other Suggestions to Reduce Nervousness Do not stay up all night preparing… get some sleep. Tighten/relax muscles Slow deep breaths Work hard on the introduction-anxiety decreases afterward

Public Speaking and Critical Thinking Critical thinking- focused, organized thinking about such things as: –Logical relationships among ideas –Soundness of evidence –Differences between fact and opinion

Speech Communication Process Speaker Message Channel Listener Feedback Interference Situation

Public Speaking in a Multicultural World Cultural diversity in the modern world Cultural diversity and public speaking Avoid ethnocentrism Avoid prejudging