Learning Unit 5:

Public Speaking and Presentation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBtphbWrYfE

Learning Outcomes: page 84

Definition of Public Communication

A communicator does most of the talking, while

a large audience does most of the listening.

The audience actively participate in the communication process

through their occasional responses to the communicator’s

message (e.g. mmm, nod head, fiddling, yawning, etc.).

The communicator, because of the face-to-face nature of the

communication, enables him / her to adjust the message.

Definition of Public Communication

Three (3) aspects of public communication:1) It occurs in public2) It is a social occasion, usually planned in advance3) It include rules of behaviour – e.g. the speaker will not be

interrupted

Feedback, in public speaking, is usually not verbal and noise exist. The environment, place, time and culture make up the context of public speaking. Public speaking requires the speaker to be more deliberate.

Once there was a rich man, with two dogs

and a cat. His wife was pleasant and his

neighbour very rude. He never had

children, but enjoyed the sun rise daily.

Corn on the cob was on his plate when

ever it rained.

Ten (10) unique demands of communication:

The message must be relevant to the audience;

More formal, restrictive language;

Feedback from the audience is restricted (not two-way, active);

There is greater audience diversity / difference / heterogeneity;

Ten (10) unique demands of communication:

Feedback can be misinterpreted – e.g. If one person

asks a lot of questions, the speaker thinks that the

message is interesting to everyone else;

Requires speech preparation;

The audience liking the speaker is important;

Understanding the audience completely is a problem;

Distractions cause the speaker to loose focus on the

message;

Effect is greater than interpersonal, or small group

communication.

Importance of public speaking

1) Good presenters are recognised and get promoted more easily;

2) Helps to develop a person’s investigative skill about a certain topic. The speaker then becomes more perceptive and critical of their thinking and the thinking of others;

3) Helps the speaker to develop self-confidence.

Quick class exercise…

In one minute, presenting to the class, explain why you are

studying your course

Importance of public speaking

What is SOURCE CREDIBILITY? (pg88)

Source credibility refers to the audience’s

willingness to trust the speaker. To the audience,

the speaker has authority on the subject. He/she

is believed, because he/she wants to improve the

lives of the audience.

Dimension (aspects) and categories (types) of Credibility

The characteristics, of a speaker who has source credibility, is called ethos. Credibility is i. not constant and ii. changes from situation to situation. The three (3) dimensions of ethos are:

Authoritativeness; Character; and Dynamism.

Two (2) categories of credibility:

Extrinsic credibility – a speaker having credibility before delivering a speech; it refers to reputation – e.g. Desmond Tutu talking giving a lecture on Human Rights

Intrinsic credibility – a speaker gaining credibility as a result of his / her speech – e.g. a rape survivor talking about sexual abuse.

Speech delivery (how the speaker delivers the message)

In public speaking, remember your visual cues (make eye contact; use (appropriate) facial expressions; gesture (appropriately) with your hands; and smile occasionally) and vocal cues (avoid ‘uhms’, ‘ahs’ and ‘like’; breathe correctly; articulate; and pitch correctly to show emotion)

Modes (types) of delivery

Modes of delivery refer to the amount of preparation a speaker does for a presentation. The types of delivery are:

1.1. Impromptu deliveryImpromptu delivery: unprepared speech2.2. Manuscript deliveryManuscript delivery: very formal; reading from a

script3.3. Memorised speechMemorised speech: committing the speech to

memory; no notes; danger of forgetting part of the message

4.4. Extemporaneous deliveryExtemporaneous delivery: a lot of preparation; the speaker has cue cards to refer to; can respond to audience feedback

The Audience and The Message

The audience “What is in it for the listener?”

The speaker will analyse (guide speech) the audience demographics psychographics purpose-oriented

The message is the what is being said and needs to be prepared. The format of a message (i.e. what a speech looks like) is INTRODUCTION; BODY; and CONCLUSION

…The Message continued

Often how the message is organised (i.e. how it is put together) is more important than the delivery thereof.

A message can be organised according to:1. Topical; 2. Chronological; 3. Spatial; 4. Problem-

Solution; 5. Causal (pg98)

Often, the message also require materials of support, such as examples, statistics, testimonials, comparisons and / or evidence

The message can be delivered through visual aids such as PowerPoint Presentations; DVD’s; prepared flip charts; data projectors

ICE

…The Message continues #2

Language is also an important tool to execute an effective message – use vivid language (that is clear, explicit and unambiguous); metaphors (this is like that); intensify; and transitions

Overcoming the FEAR of public speaking

Source: www.google.com/images

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7OmO20DyTw&feature=pyv

Signs of nerves…and overcoming them

Outward signs of nervousness include:Perspiration, shaking, shuffling of hands and feet,

fiddling, avoiding eye contact, no smiling (body); dry throat, high pitch, quivering voice, gasping, stuttering and hedges (voice); rigid stance, swaying, involuntary hand gestures, clumsiness and drying up / grinding to a halt (co-ordination).

Nerves is important in public speaking as it allows for the production of a body’s adrenalin (which helps the speaker to have enough energy for lightning fast responses).

…overcoming nerves (continue)The most important thing to do is to PREPARE

your presentation.

Your voice needs to be the right volume, pace and pitch. You need to speak clearly, place emphasis on the right syllable and use the appropriate voice register.

Your body language needs to be an upright, regal posture and an appropriate stance; appropriate hand and arm movements; and make eye contact to establish rapport with your audience.

Handling audience questions

Allow for audience questions to ensure that everyone comprehend the message, have an opportunity to add something interesting, and can get in on the speakers act. Questions allow the speaker to establish the effectiveness of the presentation. The speaker can encourage questions by posing his / her own questions and answering it; or asking a member of the audience to voice a question which was pre-arranged.

Dealing with question1. Repeat the question;2. Answer the question simply and completely;3. Answer the whole audience;4. After answering the question, return to the person who asked

the question and ask whether the answer is satisfactory;5. If the person asks another question, answer it briefly…then

continue to other people; and6. Never put a question down.

How to handle difficult situations

If you do not know an answer, admit it Be assertive when an audience

member uses ‘question time’ to make a statement – refer the person to the right channels to deal with their complaints

End the question session by stating the amount of time you have to answer questions; and how many questions you will answer.

Thank the audience members for their time and consideration.. (depends)