Public speaking

Presenting is just one kind of communication

A unique form of communication

• PS has no turn-taking as other communication forms (questions-answers)

• addresses a larger group in public sphere• uses more carefully chosen language • short (Reagan: No speech should Last more than 20

minutes)• limited to few points• simple: What can you say in 2-3 minutes?

Defining communication

• transaction • speaker and listener

simultaneously send, receive,

and interpret messages• One cannot

not communicate

Because behavior does not have a counterpart (there is no anti-behavior), it is impossible not to communicate

(Paul Watzlawick)

1. Source2. Receiver3. Message4. Channel 5. Feedback 6. Situation 7. Noise

7 components of the communication process

7 components of the communication process

1. Source: Who the sender is will determine who (if anyone) will listen. A speaker is useless without an audience. Is this true?

How is this compatible with Watzlawick’s statement?

Ethical responsibility of the source: You cannot say anything (to promote riots, cause panic, or slander/insult someone). Do you agree?

2. Receiver: the individual or group that hears and listens to you.We see the world through the audience’s eyes. Adapt your message to the audience.Is there such thing as “listener’s responsibility?”

7 components of the communication process

4. channel: the means of distributing your words such as coaxial cable, fiber optics, microwave, radio, video, or air that carries sound

waves

5. feedback: verbal or nonverbal responses from

audience

6. situation: the time, place, and occasion

7. noise: any form of interference with the message

or obstacles of communication

An effective speaker is developed in 3 areas

• ethos

(source credibility, the speaker’s reputation in the eyes of the audience)

• logos

(logical argument)

• pathos

(emotional argument).

Source credibility: the audience’s perception of your effectiveness as a communicator.

Remember some arguments pro and contra Hillary Clinton.

You can establish source credibility by

1. Common ground: pointing out what features you share with your audience

Based on the interviews with your classmates, what is the

common ground for you as a speaker?

From now, I expect you to use “we” or “us” statement that links you to your audience

2. Trustworthiness: the degree to which the audience perceives you as honest and honorable

• Showing Competence: a thorough familiarity with topic

(an agricultural major’s competence in organic gardening)

• Displaying Dynamism: the energy you expend in delivering your message

(speaker who lacks facial expressions v.s.

speaker who is dramatic)

Five Canons of Rhetoric to maximize effectiveness

1. Invention: finding information for your presentation

2. Organization: appropriate arrangement

3. Style: clear/ornamental language

4. Understanding: being able to recall main ideas and details

5. Delivery: using effective verbal and nonverbal behavior

Fear of public speaking

• Lack of confidence• not used to interact with people

However,• speaking is a skill

You can develop presentation skills.

Less fear

• know more about their subject

• they want to share

How is public speaking connected to issues you care about?

Selecting a topic that you are passionate about reduces fear of speech.