1. Essential Question: How does communication affect your life?
Notes for Senior Seminar:
PUBLIC SPEAKING/COMMUNICATIONS

2. Definitions
Communication (def.) is the process of sending and receiving messages to achieve understanding.
People communicate both verbally (spoken word and writing) and nonverbally (head nod, smile, hand shake, etc.)
Speech communication (def.) the transmission of information or ideas by means of vocalized words

3. BENEFITS of Speech Communication
You learn
You make decisions
You find pleasure
Your future depends on it
Try to provide an example where communication is not a part of your future.

4. TYPES of Speech Communication
Interpersonal communication (def.) transmission of messages between two or more people
One-to-one
Group discussions
Public communication
Public speaking (def) one or more people communicate to an audience
Intrapersonal communication (def.) an inward talking to oneself
Mass Communication (def.) one person/several senders communicate with a large number of listeners (radio, television, newspaper, etc.)

5. CHARACTERISTICS of Effective Speech Communicators
Sincerity
Knowledge
Organization
Listening
Confidence
Language
Nonverbal Communication
Goal Setting

6. METHODS for Speaking
Extemporaneous- allows for flexibility and adaptability
Speech is carefully planned, outlined and rehearsed but never memorized word-for-word.
Memorize 3 things only:
The first one or two sentences
The order of the main ideas
The concluding statement
Impromptu- Spur of the moment
Memorized- Speeches learned verbatim
Manuscript- Reading on Television, radio, and formal occasions

7. Impromptu Speaking 4-Step Plan
Here is a simple four-step plan of organization that will help you collect and present your thoughts, and that you can apply to most impromptu speaking situations:
State the point you are answering (if you have been asked to respond to a previous speaker).
State the main point you wish to make. You do not need to elaborate on your point.
Support your main point with appropriate examples, statistics, and testimony.
Summarize and restate your main point. (If your speech has been less that a minute in length, you may want to omit this step.)