1. Chapter 1: Speaking in Public

2. The Power of Public Speaking
During modern times, many women and men around the globe have spread their ideas and influence through public speaking such as:
FDR
Cesar Chavez
MLK
Ronald Reagan
Barack Obama
Margaret Thatcher
Nelson Mandela

3. The need for public speaking may also come from:
Job interview
School board meeting
Job promotions
Out of 300 employers 93% stated the ability to think critically and communicate clearly is more important for career success that the undergraduate major
Out of 768 executives and managers asked to rank the skills most essential in the work place, communications skills was the number 1 answer

4. Similarities Between Public Speaking and Conversation
The average adult spends 30% of the working hours in conversation
The 4 main skills needed when talking to people are:
Organizing your thoughts logically
Tailoring your message to your audience
Telling a story for maximum impact
Adapting to listener feedback
These skills are also heavily utilized in public speaking

5. Differences Between Public Speaking and Conversation
As the size of the audience grows, there will be 3 major differences between conversation and public speaking. Public speaking:
Is more highly structured
Time limitations
No listener questions or commentary
Accomplish the purpose in the speech alone without answering questions
More detailed planning needed than conversation
Requires more formal language
No slang or bad grammar
The speaker must evaluate and polish the speech
Requires a different method of delivery
No “like” or “uhm” or “you know”
Adjust voices to be heard clearly
Good posture
Avoid mannerisms

6. Developing Confidence
In 2005, Americans were polled on their greatest fear. 42% identified speaking in front of a group as their largest fear
Speechmaking is at the top of many lists provoking anxiety
Nervousness is a healthy sign of someone getting “psyched up” for a good performance by producing adrenaline

7. Nervousness is Normal
Famous people who have reported to have stage fright:
Abe Lincoln
Winston Churchill
Jennifer Lawrence
Conan O’Brien
Oprah Winfrey
Leonardo DiCaprio

8. Dealing with Nervousness
6 tested ways to turn nervousness from negative to positive:
Acquire speaking experience
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare!
Pick topics you care about
1 minute of speaking = 1-2 hours of prep
Think positively
If you think you can do it you can
Use visualization
Create a mental blueprint on how you will succeed in your mind
Be realistic but stay positive
Nervousness is not visible
Act cool and confident on the outside
Look calm even when you aren’t
Don’t expect perfection
The audience does not know what you planned to say
Audiences are not looking for perfection, they are looking for well thought out speech

9. Dealing with Nervousness
Additional ways to combat nerves:
Be at your best physically and mentally
Take a few slow deep breaths
Make eye contact with audience
Use visual aids

10. Public Speaking and Critical Thinking
What is critical thinking?
The ability to spot weakness in other people’s arguments and avoid them
Distinguishing fact from opinion
The ability to see clear relationships between ideas
How is it used in speeches?
Organizing your thoughts clearly
Backing your claims up with sound evidence
Think clearly on the spot

11. The Speech Communication Process

12. Public Speaking in a Multicultural World
The U.S is the most diverse society on earth
The internet allows for instant communication
Despite many difference in the human race, all nations are a part of the global network

13. Cultural Diversity and Public Speaking
Speech making becomes more complex as cultural diversity increases
The following meanings vary vastly through cultures:
Gestures
Facial expressions
Other non-verbal signs (I.E waving, pointing, ok sign)

14. Cultural Diversity and Public Speaking
Ethnocentrism: The belief that one’s group or culture is superior to all others
“Right” “natural” vs. “wrong” “unnatural”
Positive to create pride and loyalty
Negative to create prejudice and hostility
Does not mean you must agree with the practices of other cultures
However, you must attempt understanding and show respect for the practices
Be aware of how cultural factors may affect your audience and how they will respond
Avoid ethnocentrism when listening to speeches as well
Be aware of how quickly you judge someone and stop yourself from creating a bias