Speech Study Guide (chpts. 3, 5, & 15)

What is listening?

A conscious act of receiving, constructing meaning from, and responding to spoken and nonverbal messages.

What is public-speaking anxiety?

A situation specific social anxiety that arises from anticipating giving an oral presentation.

What steps can you take to become a more active listener?

Avoid daydreaming, sit in front, be well rested, monitor yourself for lapses in attention, and consciously focus on listening.

Analogy

Comparing between two things; example: as light as a feather

What is concrete language?

Describes things we can physically sense.

How can you evaluate evidence and reasoning while listening?

Evaluate the speaker's evidence, analyze the speaker's assumptions and biases, assess the speaker's reasoning, consider multiple perspectives, and summarize and assess the relevant facts and evidence.

Listening involves selective perception, which is influenced by several factors. List and define these factors.

External distractions- Things that happen outside of us/ around us Internal distractions- Your own thoughts or feelings

How can an analysis of audience attitudes, values, and beliefs be used to evaluate the connotative implications of certain words?

Found how it associates that different people bring to bear on it.

When does nervousness occur in the speechmaking process?

Giving the speech

How can you use language to create a lasting impression?

Having an oral speech that is artfully arranged and infused with rhythm draws listeners in and leaves a lasting impression on the audience members.

How can following the general procedures for planning a speech help a speaker become more confident?

Helps get your stress out of the way and helps you be more prepared for your speech.

Why is listening important?

Helps select what you will listen to, giving it your attention processing and understanding it, remembering the information and responding to it either verbally, nonverbally, or through both channels.

Why is it important that speech language be simple and concise?

Helps the audience understand better what the speaker is talking about.

Do you think that some people are natural-born listeners?

I do.

Assume that a friend who has not had a course like this one tells you that she is expected to give a presentation in one of her major classes, and that she's "scared to death." What will you tell her?

I would tell her she would do fine as long as she practices enough, takes deep breaths before she would give the speech, and no matter what happens just remember to keep moving on.

What are the strategies for active listening?

Identify your listening needs, identify why listening will help you, and make an action statement.

What are some of the common fears associated with public-speaking anxiety?

Lacking positive public speaking experience, feeling different from members of the audience, or feeling uneasy about being the center of attention.

List the barriers to active listening and explain.

Listening for main ideas, watching for nonverbal cues, and using critical thinking strategies will help you become a more adept listener.

Why is it so important to consider the connotative meanings of words in appealing to an audience?

Might affect the audience's response to your message, including those of non-native speakers of English.

What strategies does this chapter offer for gaining confidence as a public speaker?

Practice positive self-talk, visualization to various relaxation techniques, and have a thorough plan for each presentation.

Discuss what it means to listen responsibly.

Refraining from using disruptive and intimidating tactics in place of civil dialogue.

Think of three or four instances in which you could incorporate slang or regional or ethnic terms into a speech in a way that would be appropriate to the audience, the occasion, and the topic.

Repeating key words, phrases, or even sentences at various intervals throughout a speech creates distinctive rhythm and thereby implants important ideas in listeners' minds.

How can you ensure that your language is culturally sensitive and unbiased?

Review and eliminate any language that reflects unfounded assumptions, negative descriptions, or stereotypes of given group's age, class, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, and ethnic, racial, or religious characteristic.

What are the major obstacles to active listening?

Selective perception, external distractions (jackhammers or competing conversations), and internal distractions (your own thoughts and feelings).

Why is public speaking a source of anxiety for most people?

Some don't feel prepared enough or haven't prepared enough, then that leads to them being unconfident.

How can you use language to build credibility?

Use language that is appropriate, accurate, assertive, and unbiased.

It has been said that practice makes perfect. How can this adage be applied to gaining confidence as a public speaker?

When they practice their speech more and in front of an audience they gain more confidence.

How can you create vivid imagery in your speeches?

You can bring the senses smell, taste, sight, hearing, and touch to help create a mental picture.