Public Speaking Midterm
What are the ethical issues speakers should be concerned with when giving an informative speech?
-A speaker has ethical responsibilities no matter what type of speech he or she prepares and delivers -The principles of ethical responsibility are similar for every speaker -Applying reasonable ethical standards will help with your decision making
Sender/Receiver
-As a speaker, you have static variables (biological aspects such as race, age, and sex) and dynamic variables (subject to change) -Speakers must remember that your image makes a statement and the speaker and audience both have needs -The speech is about you and your audience
race/ethnicity
-As you develop your speech, we ask that you avoid invoking stereotypes related to race, ethnicity or nationality -Understand that ethnocentrism, which is the belief that one's own culture is superior is other cultures, comes into play when we express a bias for the way we do things
What kinds of criteria are important when making and using computer-generated images?
-Choose a PA that fits your purpose, occasion and audience -Emphasize only relevant points -Implement rule of 6 -Select appropriate design features -Avoid allowing your PA to upstage you -Preview and practice
What are the guidelines for effective informative speeches? What role does the audience play in these guidelines?
-Consider your audience's needs and goals -Consider your audience's knowledge level -Capture attention and interest immediately -Sustain audience attention and interest by being creative, vivid and enthusiastic -Cite your oral sources accurately -Signpost main ideas -Relate the new with the familiar -Use repetition -Offer interest visual aids -Consider how to respond to audience questions and distractions
Geographic identifiers
-Directional differences -Upstate vs. downstate -Terrain
Education/Knowledge
-Do not assume that expertise in one area necessarily means expertise in others. -Be careful about assuming what your audience knows and does not know about technical topics.
What types of overall principles should the speaker consider when using the presentational aids?
-Do not let your PA distract your audience -Be aware of timing and pauses -Make sure the equipment is working but be -prepared for failure -Use multimedia presentations only with careful planning and practice
What makes a topic relevant?
-First ask if it is something the audience that heard hundreds of times of before or can you create a new approach -If you cannot create a new approach, you might want to think of a new topic
What are the requirements for a planning outline?
-Follow consistent pattern -Roman numerals label the speech's main ideas -Subordinate points are labeled with letters and numbers -Be consistent with indentation -Check to see that you are following the principles of outlining
How can speakers adapt to the audience's level of knowledge and use language for specific effect?
-If you use unfamiliar terms in your speech, you should define them to keep the message clear. -Keep your audience in mind as you choose effective language for communicating your ideas.
Why is repetition so important in informative speaking?
-Important when presenting new facts and ideas -Help your listeners by reinforcing your main points through summaries and paraphrasing
Receiver/Sender
-Listeners bring their own frames of reference -Critical to plan every speech with your audience in mind -Both speaker and members of audience share the responsibility of achieving mutual understanding -Listening to the speaker and interpreting the speaker's message is the receiver's primary role in the communication process
Group affiliation
-Listeners may identify themselves as members of formal or informal interest groups -Avoid assuming all members of group have similar attitudes
Channel
-Medium through which message is sent -Face-to-face, public address system, radio, TV, internet, recordings, text, etc.
Noise
-Physical noise-anything in the environment that distracts the speaker or listeners -Physiological noise-occurs when our senses fail us in some way -Psychological noise-distraction that exists in an individual's mind -Semantic noise-disconnect between the speaker's words and listener's interpretation
Religious background
-Religious beliefs may also define moral attitudes -Some issues such as abortion and premarital sex may alienate the audience
Occasion
-Situation for public speaking -Composed of time, place, event and traditions that define the moment -Physical surroundings help define the speaking occasion
What are stereotypes, and why are they unethical?
-Stereotypes-avoid generalizations related to race, ethnicity, or nationality even if these are not present in your audience -Can be deeply offensive and unethical
What is the role of observing and interviewing in learning about an audience?
-The info you gather from observing and interviewing is likely to be richer if you adopt a less formal style than you used in a traditional audience analysis questionnaire to gather info about your speech -Actually getting involved this way
Feedback
-The message the audience sends back to the speaker -Immediate- applause, yawns, laughter, verbal comments and boos -Delayed-letters, emails, phone calls, formal evaluations or votes
What does it mean to be audience-centered, and why is this important?
-To be audience-centered means showing your audience you understand their needs and want to help them achieve their goals -Making your intended audience central in your message formation will result in a stronger, more tailored speech that resonates with your listeners
Message
-What is communicated by the speaker and perceived by the audience -The essence of the meaning lies not only in what the speaker intends, but also in the meaning ascribed to the message by the listeners -A fundamental task of the speaker's message is to maximize understanding
What is the role of rehearsal in an effective speech?
-Without practicing your speech, it's difficult to know whether the speech flows and the material "works" for you -Practicing reduces surprises in your speech
What does it mean to be an audience-centered speaker, and how can a speaker learn to understand the audience? How can a speaker balance the desire to speak about something familiar with the need to speak on a topic the listeners want to hear more about?
-Your reason for presenting a speech is to communicate your message to others in the clearest, most convincing way. An effective speaker analyzes and adapts to the audience. -While choosing a topic you are familiar with is the best place to begin, carefully consider what your listeners might want to hear. If you lean toward the topic less traveled, can you create a motive for your audience to care? What can you tell them early on to convince them of the importance of your chosen topic? Remember, a topic should fit the speaker and audience.
What are the nine main strategies for reducing public speaking apprehension? Why are these effective approaches to reducing apprehension?
1. Complete a public speaking course 2. Focus on your audience, not yourself 3. Reframe your message 4. Prepare 5. Take several deep breaths 6. Realize that you may be your own worst critic 7. Gain skill and confidence by choosing to speak 8. Visualize you success as a speaker 9. Release tension through assertive and animated delivery
What are the differences between the introduction, body, and conclusion of a speech?
1. Introduction-supports the body of your speech and should capture your audience's attention and indicate your intent 2. Body-includes your main points and supporting material that reinforces your specific purpose and thesis statement 3. Conclusion-supports the body of the speech, reinforces your messages and brings your speech to a close
What are the five steps of preparing to speak?
1. Select and Narrow an Audience-Centered Topic 2. Develop Content through Research and Sound Support 3. Draft the Introduction, Body and Conclusion 4. Develop the Language of the Speech with Care 5. Practice
Describe the eight elements of the communication process
1. Sender/Receiver 2. Receiver/Sender 3. Message 4. Channel 5. Feedback 6. Noise 7. Occasion 8. Cultural Context
What are the three general purposes for speeches? Be able to give an example of each.
1. To inform To inform about the importance of exercise 2. To persuade To persuade the audience that sweet candy is better than chocolate 3. To entertain or inspire To entertain the audience with a demonstration
Why is it important to study public speaking (7 reasons)?
1. Valuable activity 2. Influences success in college 3. Teaches critical thinking skills 4. Influence career and community success 5. Key to leadership 6. Complement technology 7. Part of our democratic tradition
What types of questions are most helpful to public speakers, and what are some examples of each?
1.Fixed alternative questions (yes/no questions) -What is your marital status? 2.Scale questions (questions set up along a continuum ex. Always, Sometimes , Never) -How often do you vote? 3.Open-ended questions (respond however they want) -How do you feel about a 12-month school year for K-12 students?
3. Draft the Introduction, Body and Conclusion
1.Introduction -Capture the attention of the audience, establish your credibility and preview your speech 2.Body -Contains your key ideas and relevant supporting material 3.Conclusion -Reinforces message, summarizes main points, and to provide closure
Why is it important to organize a speech?
A good speech flows smoothly and consists of a clear introduction, body and conclusion Listeners expect your speech to be logical and organized
What are the main goals of informative speaking?(COMMA)
Accurate Objective Clear Meaningful Memorable
What are the main types of presentational aids? Be able to identify them and give examples of when they might be used with a speech.
Actual objects Three-dimensional models Two-dimensional reproductions: Photographs Drawings and diagrams Maps Tables Charts Graphs
What are the advantages of using presentational aids in your speech? What are the disadvantages?
Advantages: available, engaging, persuasive, entertaining, memorable, increase clarity, make abstract ideas concrete, help organize ideas Disadvantages: access, impersonal, time consuming, death by powerpoint, potential for reductionism
What are the 10 key demographics speakers should consider? How can each be used in creating a speech?
Age, Gender Race/ Ethnicity Education/knowledge Group affiliation Occupational groups Socioeconomic status Religious Background Political affiliation geographic identifiers
What is communication apprehension?
An individual's level of fear or anxiety associated with either real or anticipated communication with another person or persons
What are the stages of the physiological symptoms of apprehension?
Anticipatory stage Confrontational stage Adaptation stage Release stage
What are the reasons audiences stop listening
Audience members have other things on their minds-distractions, preconceived notions, prejudices, misunderstandings, and stress examples why: When our attention drifts When we are distracted When we have preconceived notions When we disagree When we are prejudiced or inflexible
What are the options for sharing technology-based presentational aids?
Audiotape/CD/iPod Video/DVD/and Online Media Sharing Sites
What are some guidelines for writing survey questions?
Avoid leading questions Ask everyone the same questions Be aware of time constraints
What are the guidelines for constructing speaker's notes?
Avoid overloading your outline Include only necessary information Reduce your sentences to key phrases Include transitions, but in an abbreviated form Notes must be legible
gender
Avoid unfairly categorizing or stereotyping members of the audience
Socioeconomic status
Be mindful of your audience's financial status while framing your message
Chapter 3
Being Audience Centered
What are beliefs, values, and attitudes, and how does each affect how an audience member receives a speech?
Beliefs-represent a mental and emotional acceptance of information. They are judgements about the truth or the probability that a statement is correct. Values- socially shared ideas about what is good, right and desirable; deep-seated abstract judgments about what is important to us. Attitudes- predispositions to act in a particular way that influences our response to objects, events and situations
What are the special considerations that must be taken into account for technology-mediated communication (cameras, radio, Skype, etc.)?
Camera:without a live audience, your primary focus becomes creating a message that is conveyed effectively to your intended audience through camera Radio: you may have the option to edit your speech, but if it is not you cannot rewind Videoconferencing: can be awkward and have the potential for technical problems Skype: promotes the creation of many hardware and software add-on products Podcasts and streaming audio: may not edit their speeches, leads to mixed success
What are the three purposes of an introduction?
Captures the attention and interest of your audience, establish your credibility as a speaker and preview your speech
What is a thesis statement's role in a speech? Be able to create a thesis statement.
Central message you want listeners to take with them. EX. A close relationship with family pet can help children with emotional problems feel better about themselves.
What are the options for displaying 2D presentational aids, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of these?
Chalk or dry erase board Advantage: writing on the board before the speech Disadvantage: seen as less professional Poster board Adv: low cost and familiarity and potential use in classrooms where computer generated technology is not available Disadv:some speakers lack time, talent or patience to create a professional-looking poster Flip chart Adv:allow for spontaneity, speaker may add words based on audience response, can be prepared in advance or during speech Disadv:difficult to read and may be distracting Repositionable Note Pad Adv: you don't have to worry about chalk, tape, push-pins, or staples and you have tremendous flexibility, write on it before or after speech Disadv:typically handwritten so don't look as professional
What is cognitive dissonance, and how does dissonance affect a listener?
Cognitive dissonance-tendency to agree with ideas that fit our value system and disagree with those ideas that conflict with our value system
What role does communication play in public affairs?
Communication is a part of everyday life and we must keep the three pillars in mind with communicating with people especially when public speaking.
Chapter 9
Confidently Delivering your Speech
When does apprehension peak?
Confrontational stage
1.Select and Narrow an Audience-Centered Topic
Consider: time requirements Time frame for preparation Type of source materials acceptable Timeliness of research Number of sources Notecards Media An effective speaker analyzes and adapts to the audience If you are allowed to choose, the best place to begin your search for a topic is yourself Determine the General Purpose, Specific Purpose, and Thesis Statement Demonstrate ethical behavior throughout the process
Why are the criteria for critiquing speeches important outside the classroom?
Criteria are applied each time someone in the audience thinks about a speech, what is means, and what its value may be
What are the pillars of public affairs at MSU?
Cultural competence Ethical leadership Community engagement
Culture Context
Culture-the rules people follow in their relationships with one another; values; the feelings people share about what is right or wrong, good or bad, desirable or undesirable; customs accepted by the community of institutional practices and expressions, institutions and languages
What are the two main types of audience analysis?
Demographic and psychographic
What is a subpoint, and what is its purpose in an outline?
Each point underneath the main point Extension of the point it supports It is important for organization
What is the difference between the strongest point pattern and the equality pattern?
Equality pattern-giving equal time to each point Strongest point pattern-you spend the most time in your speech on the first point, less time on the second point, and even less time on the last point of your speech
What is ethnocentrism, and how can a speaker avoid ethnocentrism in speeches?
Ethnocentrism-the belief that one's own culture is superior to other cultures -Usually people who have little experience with other cultures -Avoid being offensive or unfair by examining his/her language usage as well as the examples, stories and illustrations he/she is contemplating incorporating into a speech
What are a few types of supporting materials?
Facts, statistics, examples, testimonies, analogies
What are the eight steps to fine-tuning your listening skills?
Get ready to listen Minimize personal barriers to listening Leave distractions behind Do not rush to judgement Listen first for content, second for delivery Become an effective note taker Be an active listener Provide feedback
What are the ways speakers can create a speaker-audience connection? Be prepared to give examples of each.
Get to the point quickly Have confidence Be the people, not above the people Use humor Get personal Encourage participation Examine other situational characteristics Learn as you go
What is the difference between hearing and listening?
Hearing- physical ability to receive sound Listening- the attending, receiving, interpreting, and responding to messages presented aurally
What does it mean to be a culturally sensitive speaker, and why is this important to accomplishing a speaker's goal?
Inappropriate cultural references do harm to others and should be eliminated from your speech They cause you to lose credibility
Chapter 11
Informative Speaking
How do informative, persuasive, and entertainment speaking differ? How do these differences manifest themselves in a specific purpose?
Informative speech-communicates info and ideas in a way that your audience will understand and remember Your intent is to enlighten audience Persuasive Your intent is to influence your audience to agree with your point of view-to change attitudes or beliefs or to bring about a specific desired action Entertainment Intent is to entertain, commemorate, inspire or amuse
What is the role of a supportive and positive environment in helping speakers control public speaking apprehension?
Instructors accept CA as normal and teach techniques that help students handle feelings of apprehension
Why is an audience's interest level important?
Interest level often determines audience response
What are the two types of connections, and why are they important to creating unity in a speech? Be able to provide an example of each.
Internal previews-extended transitions that tell the audience what you will say next Internal summaries-follow a main point and act as reminders; useful to clarify or emphasize what you have just said
What is a speech critique?
It is constructive feedback for the speaker
How might the speaking assignment influence a speaker's decisions in creating a speech?
Knowing the guidelines for the assignment helps you get started. Whether it's a speech for a class, fundraiser or briefing at work, understanding what is expected of you is the place to begin.
Chapter 4
Listening and Critiquing Speeches
Why is listening important to public speaking?
Listening is important to public speaking because as speakers we hope our message and meaning will be understood.
Political affiliation
May influence how you respond to a given speaker
How many main points should a speech have? Why?
No fewer than two and no more than five If you add more, you may confuse your listeners and you may not have time to provide adequate support
Occupational groups
Occupational info can often tell you a great deal about listeners' attitudes
What are the criteria for evaluating speeches?
Organization Research/supporting material Analysis Language Verbal and nonverbal delivery
Chapter 6
Organizing and Outlining you Ideas
What are the four main components of a planning outline?
Parallelism Coordination Subordination Division
Know the following organizational patterns
Past-present-future Step by step Spatial Cause and effect Problem- Solution Topical
What are the differences between the physical, psychological, and behavioral manifestations of communication apprehension?
Physical-include rapid pulse, dry mouth, increased sweating, shallow breathing, shaky hands and knees, stammering, throat constriction, quivering voice, etc. Psychological-more difficult to treat because they are not observable and they speak to our fears Behavioral-the degree of assumed speaker anxiety perceived by observers on the basis of manifest speaker behavior
What is plagiarism, and why is it unethical? What are some examples of plagiarism?
Plagiarism-using another's work, words, or ideas without adequate acknowledgement It is unethical because you are stealing someone else's ideas.
What are the differences between a planning outline and the speaker's notes?
Planning outline-includes most of the info you will present in your speech Speaker's notes-abbreviated key-word outline, lacking much of the detail of the planning outline
Chapter 10
Presentational Aids and Technology
Chapter 1
Public Speaking: Essentials for Excellence
What are the three purposes of a conclusion?
Reinforce your message, summarize main points and provide closure in some way that relates your message to your listeners' lives
2. Develop Content through Research and Sound Support
Research Support your ideas-use facts, provide statistics, illustrate using examples
What are the four steps for selecting main points?
Select the main points, support the main points, choose the best organizational pattern, create unity throughout the speech
What are the four stages of listening?
Sensing Interpretation Evaluation Reaction
What is signposting?
Separating one idea from the other Acts as a transition and keeps the audience informed in where you are in a speech
Why is it important to relate the new with the familiar?
Should introduce new information in terms of what the audience already knows with metaphors, analogies, similes and other forms
What are the main types of informative speaking?
Speech of description Speech of explanation Speech of demonstration
What is supporting material?
Strengthens each main point
What is the difference between terminal and instrumental values?
Terminal values-those we would like to achieve in our lifetime; ex: national security, family security, equality and freedom Instrumental values-help us achieve the terminal values such as intellect, ambition, self-control, responsibility and independence
What are the functions of presentational aids in a speech?
The functions of presentational aids in a speech are: to satisfy an ever-escalating thirst for information and entertainment, promise to enhance or hinder presentations, more than afterthoughts, add-on or speech class requirements
How do the general purpose and specific purpose differ? Be able to write a specific purpose.
The general purpose is vague and only fits into the 3 categories (to inform, to persuade, to entertain) and the specific purpose is expressed as an infinitive phrase that includes the general purpose as well as the main thrust of your speech ex.General purpose: to inform Specific purpose: To explain to my class how pets can provide unexpected psychological benefits for children.
What should the thesis statement identify?
The main ideas of your speech
Why is it important to have the introduction planned and well-rehearsed?
The speaker is most nervous at the beginning of the speech
How do listeners try to reduce dissonance?
To reduce the stress we are forced to change one or more of our attitudes or behaviors so that the inconsistency is reduced or eliminated Dissonance disappears when your overall impression is consistent
age
Try to determine if there is a wide variation in age
4. Develop the Language of the Speech with Care
Use plain English, remember that writing and speaking are different activities, relate your language to your audience's level of knowledge, use language for specific effect, be culturally sensitive, determine where to incorporate technology and presentational aids
What kind of language is preferred in speeches? Why?
Use plain english. Let simple, direct language convey your message. Your audience should not need to be an interpreter.
What are the various ways a speaker can access audience information?
Using a questionnaire Survey questions Interview Observe
What criteria should a speaker consider in determining what kind of presentational aids to use?
Value to presentation Item safety Ease of transportation Size of object and audience
5. Practice
Without practicing your speech, it's difficult to know whether the speech flows and the material "works" for you
How formal are speeches, as opposed to writing?
Writing, in general, is a more formal process than speaking. While the spoken word should sound more conversational, we still want you to pronounce words correctly and articulately.
(Organizational patterns ) Speeches of explanation
arranged chronologically, topically or according to cause and effect or problem solution Ex: for several years the Asian carp has made headlines in the Great Lakes area because of its potential to harm the habitat of the Great Lakes
(Organizational patterns) Descriptive speeches
arranged in spatial, topical and chronological patterns Ex: is a speaker chose to talk about Oktoberfest in Munich, a topical speech might talk about the beer tents, food possibilities, entertainment and tourist activities
Topical
most frequently used organizational system; not tied to time or space, problem or solution, or cause and effect, but to the unique needs of your topic
Problem-solution
present and audience with a problem and then examine one or more likely solutions
Past-present-future
provides perspective for a topic or issue that has relevant history and future direction or potential
Spatial
the sequence of ideas moves from one physical point to another
Cause and effect
the speaker can focus specifically on why something happened and what the consequences of the event or action were
(Organizational patterns) Speeches of demonstration
use spatial, chronological and cause and effect or problem solution patterns Ex: a speech on how to buy a home a few organizational patterns are possible Spatially-focus on what to examine when searching for homes
Step by step
used to describe steps in a process