Introduction to Public Speaking

Public speaking is speaking to a group of people in a structured, deliberate manner intended to inform, influence, or entertain the listeners.

Definition of Public Speaking

The sender or originator of the message

Source

The content or signal that the source/ sender gives to the receiver.

Message

The listener or audience that interprets the message.

Receiver

The sense (eyes, ears, nose, mouth, body) used to send a message. More than one sense can be used to send a message.

Channel

The time, setting, or situation in which communication occurs.

Context

Anything audible that gets in the way of the message.

Noise

The reactions of the listener to the source. Listeners give feedback through comments, facial expressions, and body movements.

Feedback

The materials used to support a speaker's ideas.

The three major kinds of supporting materials are: examples, statistics, and testimony.

Supporting Materials

The loudness or softness of the speaker's voice

Volume

Making your voice loud enough that the person in the back of the room can hear you.

Projection

The speed at which you speakRate

Changes in a speaker's rate, pitch, and volume that give the voice variety and expressiveness

Vocal Variety/Inflection

Talking with the same voice (opposite of vocal variety/ inflection)

Monotone

How clearly you speakArticulation

A temporary stop or restPauses

Distracting words that fill pauses in speaking

Examples include: Um, uh, and like

Filler Words

One or more motions or positions of the muscles in the skin

These movements show the emotional state of the individual to observers.

A form of nonverbal communication

Facial Expressions

Looking people in the eyeA form of nonverbal communication

Eye Contact

Motions of a speaker's hands or arms during a speech

Gestures

Communication based on a person's use of voice and body, rather than on the use of words

Nonverbal Communication

A speech done without preparing beforehand

Impromptu

Anxiety over the prospect of giving a speech in front of an audience

Stage Fright