Public Speaking Midterm

How much of what we hear do we grasp?

50%

Positive Nervousness

Controlled nervousness that helps energize speaker for his or her presentation.

Listening

Paying close attention to, and making sense of, what we hear

Benefits of Visual Aids

-Decrease stage fright -Make you seem more prepared, credible, and professional -People find message more interesting, grasp it more easily, and retain it longer -Heighten audience interest -Shift attention away from speaker and give you greater confidence

Why is it important to rehearse speech?

-Get feedback from others about if it is understandable and if they have any advice for delivery -Make sure meets time requirements (usually talk faster when presenting so make sure speech runs longer when practicing)

In US history, what was restricting free speech used for?

-Stop women from public speaking -Stop civil rights leaders from public speaking -Suppress labor organizations

Positive Effects of Good Listening

-Student have better grades -Improves efficiency, sales, customer satisfaction, and employer morale in business world -Best speakers are usually best listeners

Ways to Resist Distractions

-Try to anticipate what speaker will say next, then see what they actually say and evaluate it -Review mentally what speaker has already said -Listen between lines (assess what speaker implies or says with body language)

Four Kinds of Listening

1) Appreciative: Listening for pleasure/enjoyment 2) Empathic: Listening to provide emotional support for speaker 3) Comprehensive: Listening to understand message 4) Critical: Listening to evaluate message for purposes of accepting or rejecting it

Language in speeches must be appropriate for...(4)

1) Appropriate for occasion 2) Appropriate for audience (aka avoid language that might offend or be confusing) 3) Appropriate for topic 4) Appropriate for speaker (don't try to become someone else when giving speech)

Methods of Speech Organization

1) Chronological Order: Main points follow time pattern. May narrate a series of events or explain process. Useful in informative speeches. 2) Topical: Main points divide topic into logical and consistent subtopics, each of which becomes a main point. Usually reasons why speaker believes in certain point of view if used persuasively. Can also be used informatively. 3) Spatial: Main points follow directional pattern i.e. top to bottom, left to right, east to west, front to back, inside to outside, etc. Used most often for informative speeches. 4) Causal: Main points show cause-effect relationship. Gives way to two main points - one dealing with causes of event and other dealing with effects. Can be used in persuasive or informative speech. May present cause OR effect first! 5) Problem-Solution: First main point deals with existence of problem and second presents solution to problem. Most appropriate for persuasive speeches.

Ways to Organize Speeches About Objects

1) Chronological when discussing history or evolution of subject 2) Spatial when describing main features 3) Topical - most common

Three Ways to Focus Listening

1) Listen for main points - should be able to detect easily if speech is well organized 2) Listen for evidence then ask if it's accurate, from objective sources, relevant to speaker's claims, and sufficient to support speaker's points 3) Listen for technique - focus on their strengths and weaknesses as this can help you in your own speeches

Four Ways to Start Speech to Capture Audience Attention

1) Pose a question 2) Tell a story 3) Give a quote 4) Make a startling statement

Four Ways to Reinforce Central Idea of Speech in Conclusion

1) Summarize main points. Easiest. Explicitly restates central idea and main points. 2) Quotation. One of most common ways to end. Must be brief. 3) Make a dramatic statement. 4) Refer to introduction for psychological unity. EX: if you told a story at the beginning, relate it back!

Ways to Organize Speeches About Concepts

1) Topical to focus on main features/aspects of topic 2) Topical to define concept, identify major elements, and illustrate it with examples

How much preparation should go into each minute of speaking?

1-2 hours

After 24 hours, how much of an original message can we remember?

10%

Where and when was the oldest handbook on public speaking written?

4500 years ago in Egypt

When should you come up with your central idea?

After you have written body of speech. Then you can emphasize it in intro and conclusion.

Stage Fright

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

Crescendo Ending

Conclusion in which speech builds to high point of power and intensity

Dissolve Ending

Conclusion that generates emotional appeal by fading step by step to a dramatic final statement.

Informative Speech

Designed to convey knowledge and understanding

Ethical Decision

Involve weighing potential course of action against set of ethical standards or guidelines. Guided by values, conscience, and sense of right and wrong.

Central Idea

One-sentence statement that sums up the major idea of speech aka what you want audience to walk away with. More precise than topic and specific purpose statement.

Introduction Definition and Goals

Opening section of speech where you want to capture audience's attention, orient listeners toward subject matter, and give preview of main points.

Key-Word Outline

Outline that briefly notes a speaker's main points and supporting evidence in rough outline form using only a few words and short hand. This is an effective note-taking method when listening to speeches.

Visual Framework

Pattern of symbolization and indentation in speech outline that shows relationship among speaker's ideas.

Strategic Organization

Putting a speech together in particular way to achieve particular result with particular audience. This is necessary because speeches must be coherent. Listeners can't go back to a point they didn't understand; they have to understand it the first time!

Internal Preview

Statement in body that lets audience know what speaker will discuss next. More detailed than transitions but often combined with them (transition then preview).

Internal Summary

Statement in body that summarizes speaker's preceding points/point. Useful when finishing complicated point/points.

Preview Statement

Statement in introduction that identifies main points to be discussed in body. Must be done even if you don't want to identify your central idea yet. Usually at end of introduction.

Patchwork Plaigirism and How Best to Avoid

Stealing ideas or language from two or three sources and passing them off as your own. Consult many sources and start research early.

Plaigirism

Presenting another's language or ideas as your own.

Other Ways to Combat Nerves

-Get good night's sleep -Tighten and relax muscles while waiting to speak -Take deep breaths before speaking -Work hard on intro because nerves decrease once you get past this -Make eye contact and remember your audience are people! Not scary! -Use visual aid -Concentrate on communicating with audience rather than "giving speech"

Four Considerations for Inclusive Language in Speaking

1) Avoid generic "he" 2) Avoid use of "man" when referring to both men and women 3) Avoid stereotyping jobs and social roles based on gender 4) Use names that groups use to identify themselves.

Three Guidelines for Ethical Listening

1) Be courteous and attentive. Sit up in chair, make eye contact, show support in face, etc. GOOD MANNERS. FOCUS ON SPEAKER. 2) Avoid prejudging speaker or message 3) Maintain free and open expression of ideas. Speakers have right to be heard.

5 Guidelines for Selecting Font

1) Choose ones that are clear and easy to read 2) Avoid ALL CAPS 3) Don't use more than two per slide 4) Use same ones on all slides 5) Put titles and major headings in 36-44 pt. font or larger and sub-head and other text at least 24-30 pt.

Ways to Organize Speeches About Processes

1) Chronological - most common 2) Topical when focusing on major principles or techniques involved in performing process

Ways to Organize Speeches About Events

1) Chronological when recounting its history 2) Topical if focusing on specific aspects of the event

3 Speeches Not Protected Under First Amenedment

1) Defamation or falsehoods destroying person's reputation 2) Threats on president's life 3) Inciting audience to illegal action where audience is likely to carry out action

7 Guidelines for Presenting Visual Aids

1) Display where listeners can see them. Decide ahead of time. Might use pointer so you don't obstruct view. 2) Avoid passing visuals around during speech 3) Display only when discussing 4) Explain it clearly and concisely 5) Talk to audience, not visual aid 6) Practice using it beforehand 7) Check room and equipment. Always have backup on flash drive.

Two Questions to Ask Yourself Once You've Formed Specific Purpose Statement

1) Does it meet the assignment? 2) Can I accomplish it in the time allotted?

Two Problems of Inefficient Note-Takers

1) Don't know what to listen for 2) Don't know how to record what they do listen for

Six Guidelines for Informative Speaking

1) Don't overestimate what audience knows 2) Relate subject to audience to get them interested. Put them in body of speech. Use "you" or "your" etc. 3) Don't be too technical 4) Avoid abstractions (see next flash) 5) Personalize ideas aka present in human terms that relate to experience of audience 6) Be creative

Two Kind of Process Speeches

1) Explains a process so listeners understand it better 2) Explains a process so listeners can perform it themselves

Two Important First Steps to Developing a Speech

1) Focus your topic --> Do this so it conforms with time limit and meets expectation of speech. Be sure not to make topic too broad (leads to not being able to cover it thoroughly) or narrow (leads to presenting too many little details that may be boring). 2) Develop your topic --> Ways to do this include: Think of structure that makes speech interesting and meaningful. Think of ways to make speech mysterious or suspenseful. Find ways to include fascinating experiences. Use colorful/descriptive language. Use humor if you can do it well.

Four Guidelines for Speaking Outline

1) Follow visual framework used in preparation outline because this makes it easier to keep your place when glancing down. 2) Make sure outline is legible with large font and much space between lines. 3) Keep it as brief as possible so you don't have hard time maintaining eye contact. However it is okay to include complete sentences for points whose wording is important. 4) Give yourself cues for delivering good speech. EX: write "slow down" in margin.

Four Objectives of Introduction + One Extra

1) Get attention of audience 2) Reveal topic 3) Establish credibility/goodwill 4) Preview body ALSO want to give specialized information (definitions, background, etc.)

Six Ways to Deal with Nervousness

1) Get experience 2) Be prepared 3) Think positively by reframing negative thoughts 4) Use visualization to see yourself succeeding. 5) Know that your nervousness isn't as visible as you think 6) Don't expect perfection because there is no such thing. Don't dwell on it if you make a mistake, just move on

Three Ways Informative Speeches are Judged

1) Is information communicated accurately? 2) Is information communicated clearly? 3) Is information made meaningful and interesting to audience?

Considerations About Specific Purpose for Audience (2)

1) Is purpose too trivial? 2) Is purpose too technical?

Three Tips in Preparing Main Points

1) Keep them all separate 2) Use the same pattern of wording for each one 3) Balance the amount of time spent on each one

Two Major Functions of Conclusion

1) Let audience know you're ending speech (might use words, i.e. "in conclusion"; use manner of delivery aka voice; evoke emotion) 2) Reinforce audience's understanding of, or commitment to, central idea

Five Guidelines for Ethical Speaking

1) Make sure goals of speech are ethically sound. 2) Be fully prepared for speech because it is a waste of other people's time to listen to bad speech. Must analyze audience, create visual aides, organize ideas, rehearse speech, and most importantly be fully informed. DON'T WANT TO COMMUNICATE FALSE INFORMATION. 3) Be honest n what you say. Don't juggle stats, quote out of context, misrepresent sources, paint tentative findings as firm conclusions, etc. DO NOT PLAIGIRIZE 4) Avoid name-calling and abusive language 5) Put ethical principles into practice aka live out what you preach.

Four Causes of Poor Listening

1) Not concentrating, often due to spare brain time (see next flash) 2) Listening too hard (trying to remember all little details but missing main point) 3) Jumping to conclusions (putting words in speaker's mouth, prematurely rejecting an idea, or assuming we know point speaker is trying to make) 4) Focusing on delivery/personal appearance of speaker

6 Kinds of Visual Aids

1) Objects and models 2) Photos and drawings 3) Graphs (shows statistical trends and patterns and helps audiences grasp complex series of numbers) 4) Charts. Useful for large blocks of information. Don't let lists on charts exceed 7-8. **The above 4 should be large enough for everyone to see and shouldn't be passed around during speech because this diverts attention from what you're saying 5) Video. Must not be too long (under 30 seconds). Cue it beforehand and edit it if needed. Beware of low resolution videos. 6) The Speaker

7 Guidelines for Preparing Visual Aids

1) Prepare it in advance so that it's more relevant and creative and so that you can practice with it. 2) Keep it simple 3) Make sure it's large enough but don't use all caps because it's actually harder to read. 4) Use limited amount of text (no more than 6 typed lines per slide) 5) Use fonts effectively. 6) Use color effectively by limiting number of colors used and using them consistently. Beware of blue/green colorblindness 7) Use images strategically aka only when needed. Must be large enough, high resolution, and simple. Should have title.

Three Differences Between Public Speaking and Conversations

1) Public speaking is more highly structured due to time limitation and expectation that speaker must accomplish purpose of speech and be ready t0 answer questions 2) Public speaking requires more formal language (slang, jargon, and poor grammar should rarely be used) 3) Public speaking requires a different method of delivery. Shouldn't use phrases "like," "um," "you know," etc. Should also speak loudly enough to hear and avoid distracting mannerisms and verbal habits.

Seven Ways to Begin a Speech to Grab Attention of Audience

1) Relate topic to audience. People pay attention to things that affect them. Should use this even when you use one of the other ways. 2) State importance of topic. If not clear must demonstrate significance. 3) Startle audience. Be sure it relates directly to topic 4) Question audience using rhetorical question(s) (answered mentally rather than out loud). 5) Quotation. Doesn't need to be from someone famous but should be brief. 6) Tell a story, either personal or otherwise 7) Arouse curiosity of audience. May do this with series of statements that progressively whet their curiosity because this builds suspense.

Seven Elements of Speech and Definition of Each

1) Speaker: Person who is presenting oral message. Success depends on credibility, manner of speaking, knowledge of subject, preparation of speech, enthusiasm, and sensitivity to audience 2) Message: Whatever speaker communicates to someone else. Want intended message (what you want to convey) to be the actual message. 3) Channel: Means by which message is communicated. 4) Listener: Person who receives speaker's message. Without them there is no communication. Everything speaker says is filtered through frame of reference. 5) Feedback: Message, usually nonverbal, sent from listener to speaker that can tell you what listeners think about speech. Can be affected by frame of reference. 6) Interference: Anything that impedes communication of message. Can be external to audience such as traffic outside or a cold room OR internal which comes from audience (i.e. listener has toothache and isn't paying attention) 7) Situation: Time and place in which communication occurs.

Five Things to Consider When Presenting Speech

1) Starting Speech --> Stand up straight, face audience, plant feet a little wider than shoulder-width, put arms loosely at side, arrange notes beforehand, smile before starting. 2) Gestures --> Don't plan ahead of time, do what's natural. Be sure you don't use so many that it's distracting. 3) Eye Contact --> If too nervous, look to the side of people or above them. 4) Voice --> Be sure to project and be as expressive as you would in everyday conversation 5) Dealing with Nerves --> See ch. 1 on how to control nerves. Must do this when presenting. Deep breaths, tighten and relax muscles, visualize speech going well, etc.

Eight Guidelines for Preparing Preparation Outline

1) State specific purpose of speech. Should be a separate unit before the outline itself. 2) Identify central idea. Do this after specific purpose before outline itself for this class, although it's sometimes within outline. 3) Label intro, body, and conclusion but don't include in symbolization. 4) Use consistent pattern of symbolization and indentation to create visual framework of speech. Usually: I. Main Point; A. Subpoint; 1. Sub-subpoint; a. sub-sub-point. 5) State main and subpoints in complete sentences to ensure you will develop ideas fully 6) Label transitions, internal summaries, and internal previews but don't include in symbolization 7) Attach bibliography (list of all sources used in preparing speech) 8) Give speech a title (something brief that attracts attention of audience and encapsulates main thrust of speech). May be straight forward or use figurative language.

Seven Ways to Become a Better Listener

1) Take listening seriously - give it the seriousness it deserves 2) Be an active listener (see next flash) NOT passive. Don't get distracted by interference, don't jump to conclusions, focus on message, etc. 3) Resist distractions (see next flash) 4) Don't be diverted by appearance or delivery. It's common, for example, to trust someone who is good looking, but that's not a good reason. The opposite is also true. Can occur for eloquent delivery too. 5) Suspend judgement. Don't stop listening when you hear something you disagree with. Instead, keep listening to all evidence presented so you can make an educated decision on your opinion. 6) Focus your listening (see next flash) 7) Develop note-taking skills (see next flash)

Two General Categories of Topics plus One More

1) Topics you know a lot about 2) Subjects you want to know more about OR for persuasive speech, 3) Subjects about which you hold strong opinions or beliefs

Three Ways to Generate Imagery

1) Use concrete words because they call up mental impressions of sights, sounds, touch, smell, and taste. 2) Use similes (explicit comparison, introduced with word "like" or "as," between two things that are essentially different yet have something in common. But DON'T use cliches (trite or overused expression). 3) Use metaphor (implicit comparison, not introduced with "like" or "as," between two things that are essentially different yet have something in common.

Five Tips for Forming Specific Purpose Statement AND Central Idea

1) Write it as full phrase, not fragment 2) Express it as statement, not question 3) Avoid figurative language 4) Limit it to one distinct idea 5) Make sure it's not too vague or general

Residual Message

Another way to think of your central idea. What speaker wants audience to remember after they have forgotten everything else in speech

Goodwill

Audience's perception of whether speaker has best interest of audience in mind

Credibility

Audience's perception of whether speaker is qualified to speak on given topic. Can come from first-hand knowledge/experience but doesn't need to.

Ethnocentrism

Belief that one's own group or culture is superior to all others. Must avoid this in public speaking. Doesn't mean you agree with other's values, just means you show respect for cultures of people you're addressing. Don't use confusing or offensive language.`

Thesaurus

Book of synonyms. Words can mean roughly the same thing but have different shades of meaning. Be sure to use the correct word in your speeches!

Ethics

Branch of philosophy dealing with issues of right and wrong in human affairs. Also deals with honesty vs. dishonesty and what is moral vs. immoral. We should be ethical when speaking! Use speech only for power of good. Doesn't always happen (i.e. Hitler).

Speaking Outline

Brief outline used to jog speaker's memory during speech presentation. Allows for extemporaneous delivery where much of exact wording is chosen while speech is being delivered.

Signpost

Brief statement that indicates where speaker is in speech or that focuses attention on key ideas. Frequently they are just numbers. Can also be questions, because they get audience involved.

General Purpose and Two Categories it Falls Under

Broad goal of speech - usually to inform or persuade

Extemporaneous Speech

Carefully prepared and rehearsed speech that is presented from brief set of notes. Best way to deliver speech because it is spontaneous and comes off enthusiastic. Requires you know content of speech well.

Preparation Outline

Detailed outline developed during process of speech preparation that includes title, specific purpose, central idea, introduction, main points, subpoints, connectives, conclusions, and works cited.

First Step in Organizing Body of Speech

Determine main points

Spare "Brain Time"

Difference between rate at which most people talk (120-150 words per minute) and rate brain can process language (400-800 words per minute) leading us to interrupt our listening with other thoughts.

Delivery Cues

Directions in speaking outline to help speaker remember how she or he wants to deliver key parts of speech.

Incremental Plaigirism and How Best to Avoid

Failing to give credit to particular parts of speech that are borrowed from other people. Usually done with quotes and paraphrasing. Be careful when researching and be sure to distinguish between direct quotes, paraphrased material, and your own comments. When in doubt, cite the source.

Conclusion Definiton and Goals

Final section of speech where you let the audience know you are about to finish, reinforce your central idea, and end on a dramatic, clever, or thought-provoking note.

Bill of Rights

First 10 amendments of US Constitution

Critical Thinking

Focused, organized thinking about such things as the logical relationships among idea, the soundness of evidence, and the differences between fact and opinion.

Active Listening

Giving undivided attention to a speaker in genuine effort to understand speaker's point of view

Line Graph

Graph that uses one or more lines to show changes in stats over time or space. Most common type used in speeches.

Pie Graph

Highlights segments of circle to show simple distribution patterns. Should ideally have 2-5 segments and never more than 8.

Adrenaline

Hormone released into blood in response to physical or mental stress. Makes heart race, hands shake, knees knock, skin perspire, etc. when nervous about speaking.

Three Ways to Use Language Clearly and Why Important

Important so that speaker's meaning can be immediately comprehensible. 1) Use familiar words 2) Use concrete words (see next flash) 3) Eliminate clutter (discourse that takes many more words than necessary to express idea). Watch out for redundant adverbs and adjectives.

Two Extremes of Presentation Technology Issues

It can either dominate the talks because it's so busy/colorful/interactive/etc. OR it can be mind-numbingly boring

Three Methods of Brainstorming

JOT DOWN ANYTHING THAT COMES TO MIND! 1) Personal Inventory of your experiences, hobbies, interests, skills, beliefs, etc. 2) Clustering --> Make 9 categories: people, places, things, events, processes, concepts, natural phenomena, problems, and plans. List 4-5 things in each category. Then choose a few things that you listed and list more ideas under each of these. 3) Internet search

Antithesis

Juxtaposition of contrasting ideas, usually in parallel structure.

How to Avoid Plaigirism with Online Sources

Keep record of title of document, author, date, and date accessed.

Inclusive Language

Language that does not stereotype, demean, or patronize people on the basis of gender, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or other factors.

Denotive Meaning

Literal or dictionary meaning of word or phrase.

Body

Main section of speech

Main Points

Major points developed in body of speech. Most speeches contain 2-5.

Supporting Materials and 3 Major Kinds

Materials used to support a speaker's ideas. The three major kinds are examples, statistics, and testimony. Must be directly relevant to main points.

Connotative Meaning

Meaning suggested by associations or emotions triggered by word or phrase.

Visualization

Mental imaging in which speaker vividly pictures self giving successful presentation

Brainstorming

Method of generating ideas for speech by free association of words and ideas.

Four Similarities Between Public Speaking and Conversation

Must have following skills: 1) Ability to organize thoughts logically. 2) Ability to tailor message to audience. 3) Ability to tell story for maximum impact 4) Ability to adapt to feedback of listener

Rhythm and Ways to Develop it

Pattern of sound in speech created by choice and arrangement of words. Can be done using parallelism, repetition, alliteration, or antithesis.

Repetition

Reiteration of same word or set of words at beginning or end of successive clauses or sentences. Usually results in parallelism.

Alliteration

Repetition of initial consonant sound of close or adjoining words. Can make points easier to remember but should be used sparingly.

Parallelism

Similar arrangement of a pair or series of related words, phrases, or sentences.

Specific Purpose

Single infinitive phrase that states precisely what speaker hopes to accomplish in speech. Should relate topic to audience.

Orator

Someone designated with special skills in public speaking

Ice Breaker Speech

Speech early in term designed to get students speaking in front of class as soon as possible. Usually short and simple.

Four Classifications of Informative Speeches and Definition of Each

Speeches about... 1) Objects (anything visible, tangible, and stable in form) 2) Processes (systematic series of actions that leads to specific result or product) 3) Events (anything that happens or is regarded as happening) 4) Concepts (a belief, theory, idea, notion, principle, or the like)

Global Plaigirism and How Best to Avoid

Stealing speech entirely from single source. Don't put off speech to last minute.

Topic

Subject of speech

Who should decide what should be open to free speech?

The people

Goal of Public Speaking

To gain desired response from listeners

Frame of Reference

Total of someone's knowledge, experience, goals, values, attitudes, etc. that affect how someone interpret a message. No two people have exactly the same one.

Generic "he"

Use of "he" to refer to men and women. Should be avoided.

Imagery

Use of vivid language to create mental images of objects, actions, or ideas. Make ideas come alive.

3 Ways to Avoid Abstractions and Definition of Each

Use: 1) Description --> Statement that depicts person, event, idea, or the like with clarity/vividness 2) Comparison --> Statement of similarities among two or more people, events, ideas, etc. 3) Contrast --> Statement of differences among two or more people, events, ideas, etc.

Bar Graph

Uses vertical or horizontal bars to show comparisons among two or more items.

Name-Calling

Using language to defame, demean, or degrade individuals or groups

Hearing

Vibration of sound waves on eardrums and firing of electrochemical impulses in brain.

Connective

Word or phrase that connects ideas of speech and indicates relationship among them.

Transition

Word or phrase that indicates when speaker has finished one thought and it moving to another. Usually reminds listener of thought just completed and reveals thought about to be developed.

Abstract Words

Words that refer to ideas or concepts. Easier to misinterpret than concrete words.

Concrete Words

Words that refer to tangible objects (people, places, and things)