Public Speaking M03

credibility

(When speakers can identify with the audience and can show how the audience and the speaker share experiences, then the audience is more receptive to what the speaker has to say. The speaker is both more credible and more attractive to the audience.)

Use Humor

- one of the most effective types of introductions -create a connection between the speaker and audience, can get an audience relaxed and in a receptive frame of mind, and can allow an audience to perceive the speaker (and the topic) in a positive light. -Humor done badly can destroy the speech and ruin a speaker's credibility - None of us are as funny as we think we are -Humor is to a large extent situation-bound -Much humor requires a native understanding of English -humor is often culture-bound - light and subtle self-deprecation = safest (may be harming your credibility rather than creating a connection)

Functions of Conclusion

-Prepare the Audience for the End of the Speech -Present any Final Appeals -Summarize and Close

Gain Attention and Interest

-first function of the introduction -Gaining attention and interest is essential if you want the audience to listen to what you have to say -audiences will decide fairly quickly (Before you even open your mouth, your attire, stance, and physical presence are all sending out loud signals)

introduction functions

-gain the audience's attention and their goodwill (getting the audience to want to listen to you) -state the purpose of the speech -preview the main points (helping the audience understand you)

Preview Statement

-lets the audience know HOW you will develop the speech -a direction for the speech that leads to a successful conclusion -essentially an outline—an oral outline—of the basic organizational pattern of the speech -help the audience follow the content because they already know the structure -basic structure is circular

Composing the Conclusion

-regardless of the form of conclusion, all summary remarks must meet certain required functions -most conclusions will be a combination of two or more forms -Conclusions need to provide a match to the introduction, so that there is symmetry and completeness to the speech structure -the conclusion will be of the same form as the introduction, - conclusion must refer to the introduction

Real Questions

-speaker feels comfortable with his or her audience, and is able to handle some impromptu situations -guarantees that they're paying attention. -Using questions that lead to positive answers can also enhance your connection to and credibility with the audience.

Gain the Goodwill of the Audience

-the speaker should show himself to be of a certain character -you still need them to think favorably of you (establishing your credibility to speak - Credibility is your believability) - audience thinks you know what you are talking about -in introduction there's little time to develop this credibility, your options are a bit more limited

Write It Out Word for Word

-use an extemporaneous style of delivery for your speeches - introductions have to do a lot of work in a short period of time - need to carefully consider every word of your introduction. The best method for doing so is to write your introduction out word for word -easily see if you have met all four functions, and can also have a very good idea just how long the introduction will be. Just as importantly, memorizing and then delivering the introduction word for word gives you the most control over this important (yet short) part of your speech.

Clearly State the Purpose

-without this step, it is difficult for the audience to follow -State the thesis of your speech

End with a Clincher

-you can complete the story that you started in the introduction. -you can retell the story, and this time the story will reflect what the audience has learned from your speech -Humor also remains an effective type of conclusion, but the same dangers with the use of humor discussed in the section on introductions applies to the conclusion

expectancy violations

Failing to meet that expectation of your audience is in a sense a violation, create difficulties in communication situations.

Do Not Include Any New Information

If all of the sudden you present a new argument, new information, or a new point, you will confuse your audience. -lose the ability to integrate this information with the rest of the speech. -all elements of the speech need to flow together. New ideas at the very end of the speech will not enhance the flow of the speech -no or very little time to develop these ideas, or to provide supporting information and documentation for these ideas.

Prepare the Audience for the End of the Speech

One of the most important functions -providing the audience with verbal and nonverbal cues (language, movement, paralinguistic) -you let them know that they need to be ready for any final comments or appeals from you, and that they should be prepared to acknowledge you as a speaker.

Prepare the Conclusion

The conclusion is the last part of the speech to prepare. -What is common writing practice for the introduction is also true of the conclusion -you complete the introduction and conclusion at the same time -there are no false conclusions -you can only prepare them one time, and there can be only one end to the speech -conclusion is not so abrupt or sudden that no one in the audience is aware you have completed your speech -should comprise no more than 10% of the total speaking time. -write out the conclusion word for word

Preview and Structure the Speech

The preview statement

Construct the Introduction Last

You can't introduce the ideas in your speech until you have determined these ideas. -you want to make sure that the body of the speech drives the introduction -body= content: your arguments, your evidence, and your source material: -introduction sets up body, but it should not overwhelm the body nor dictate the content or structure of the speech.

internal credibility

You develop internal credibility as the speaker through specific actions. -First, be appropriately attired -Second, make eye contact with the audience before you speak. -Third, speak clearly, fluently and confidently. -demonstrating personal experience with or knowledge of the topic of your speech -showing a connection to your audience, demonstrating shared experiences or shared values

Attention Getting Strategies

all introductions still need to meet the four basic functions of an introduction. -Tell a Story -Refer to the Occasion -Refer to Recent or Historical Events -Refer to Previous Speeches -Refer to Personal Interest -Use Startling Statistics -Use an Analogy -Use a Quotation -Ask a Question -Use Humor

introduction

audience members begin evaluating us immediately -Introductions have four specific functions

Use a Quotation

borrowing some of that person's credibility for your speech, enhancing your credibility with the audience. -something to which your audience can relate. -You need to place the quotation in the context of your speech -easy to fall into a bad (and somewhat lazy) habit of simply finding a quotation and using it to start every speech -your audience may simply not like the author of the quotation -beware of overly- long quotations (three or more sentences

rhetorical question

designed to allow you as speaker to get the audience to think about your topic without actually speaking the answer to the question -allow you as speaker to maintain the most control over a speech situation, and allow you to guard against an inappropriate or even offensive response.

Ask a Question

generally a good technique to get audience involvement and interest). -consider the question and possible answers -carefully deliver the question. speakers will use a question as an intro but give the audience no time to think about or answer the question -use timing and pause -use eye contact in asking questions, since you are above all asking for audience involvement

Refer to Recent or Historical Events

helps to create a shared experience for the speaker and the audience, as the speaker reminds all present that they have these events in common -establish goodwill and personal credibility, demonstrating that the speaker is aware of the relationship between this particular speech and what is going on in the world at that time, or what has occurred in the past.

Appeals and Challenges

it is appropriate to leave the audience with an appeal or a challenge - primarily divide by tone. -Appeals are generally phrased more as requests, -challenges can take on a more forceful tone, almost ordering or daring audiences

Refer to Personal Interest

noting your personal interest, you will demonstrate your credibility by showing your knowledge and experience with this topic, and because you have a personal interest, you are more likely to present this information in a lively and clear manner—again, enhancing your credibility. -set the stage for additional anecdotes or examples from your personal experience

thesis

one sentence, that one statement that succinctly and accurately lets the audience know what the speech will be about and what the speaker plans to accomplish in the speech -A good thesis statement clearly announces the topic and purpose of the speech.

Refer to the Occasion

reasons can provide you with an effective attention getter. Referring to the occasion is often used as an introduction to tribute speeches, toasts, dedication ceremonies and historical events

Use an Analogy

show a connection between your speech topic (something new and different for the audience) and something that is known by your audience. -they use ideas, information and values of the audience to draw a connection to your speech topic—and to you as a speaker -create connections between you and the audience

Be Succinct

speaker will be on a time limit -most people will simply not pay attention to a speech that goes on and on and on. -Many authors suggest that the introduction be no more than 10-15% of the total speaking time.

Use Startling Statistics

startle an audience and catch its attention, and encourage that audience to listen further -Use of startling statistics requires that you do a number of things.: -the statistic is accurate -the statistic is relevant to the topic of the speech -present "the rest of the story

Tell a Story

stories are used to communicate and share values, traditions and knowledge -stories have a built-in structure that everyone recognizes and expects (beginning, middle and end) and allows the audience and the speaker to immediately share this experience -lend themselves readily to a well- structured speech -you also have the conclusion of the speech all set to go—the end of the story

primacy effect

tendency to remember words at the beginning of a list especially well

recency effect

tendency to remember words at the end of a list especially well

Summarize and Close

the conclusion must include a restatement of the thesis and a review of the main ideas of the speech. -review and restatement are mirror images of the preview statement in the introduction -bring the speech back to the top of the circle and remind the audience where we started. -Functionally, they help cue the audience that the end of the speech is coming up.

Make It Relevant

the introduction can relate to the speech -many of the types could easily lend themselves to disconnection from the speech

External credibility

the type of credibility you as a speaker gain by association: use of sources that the audience finds credible

Follow the Structure

using the built-in structure of the specific introduction/conclusion technique is as equally effective with quotations, -use the same quotation at the end as at the beginning, but because of what we have learned in the speech, the quotation has a new and more developed meaning -use a new quotation that draws a comparison and contrast -use the same question at the conclusion as you did at the beginning -Startling statistics, as quotations and questions, now take on new meaning because of all that you have told the audience in your speech

Refer to Previous Speeches

you enhance your credibility by showing your knowledge of the previous speech, and you have the opportunity to either compare or contrast your speech to the previous speeches.

Present any Final Appeals

you will be asking the audience for something -leave the audience motivated positively toward you and the topic you have been presenting.