Public speaking

creativity

The ability to produce original ideas and insights

credibility

The audience's perception of whether a speaker is qualified to speak on a given topic.

denotative meaning

The dictionary definition or objective meaning of a word

connotative meaning

The emotional, subjective, personal meaning that certain words can evoke in listeners.

grabber (introduction)

The first part of a speech, intended to gain the audience's attention and to prepare them for the rest of the presentation

kicker

The last element of a speech conclusion used in public speaking for a short and snappy ending. It is a clever, unexpected statement to leave your audience with. It is the last thing you say.

speech setting

The location and occasion for a speech.

warrant

The logical statement that connects the support to the claim

volume

The loudness or softness of the speaker's voice.

reasons

The main point statements that summarize several related pieces of evidence and show why you should believe or do something.

supporting materials (support)

The materials used to support a speaker's ideas. The three major kinds of supporting materials are examples, statistics, and testimony.

body of the speech

The middle part of a speech, used to develop the main ideas.

pitch

The position of a human voice on the musical scale.

thesis statement

The speech's central idea

rate

The speed at which a person speaks

topic

The subject of a speech

quality

The tone, timbre, or sound of your voice

productive thinking

To think about something from a variety of perspectives

speaking vividly

Using language that is full of life - vigorous, bright, and intense.

speaking outline

A brief outline used to jog a speaker's memory during the presentation of a speech.

subject

A broad area of expertise, such as movies, cognitive psychology, computer technology, or the Middle East.

extemporaneous speech

A carefully prepared and rehearsed speech that is presented from a brief set of notes.

dialogue

A conversation between the speaker and the audience.

proposition

A declarative sentence that clearly indicates the position that the speaker will advocatein a persuasive speech. Propositions are divided into three types: fact, policy, and value

visual aid

A form of speech development that allows the audience to see as well as hear information

brainstorming

A method of generating ideas by free association of words and thoughts.

spontaneity

A naturalness of speech where what is said sounds as if the speaker is really thinking about the ideas and the audience as he or she speaks.

specific goal

A single statement that identifies the exact response the speaker wants from the audience.

impromptu speech

A speech delivered with little or no immediate preparation.

persuasive speech

A speech designed to change or reinforce the audience's attitudes, beliefs or actions.

informative speech

A speech designed to convey knowledge and understanding.

audience analysis

A study made to learn about the diverse characteristics of audience members and then, based on these characteristics, to predict how audience members are apt to listen to, understand, and be motivated to act on your speech.

demonstrative speech

An informative speech aimed at showing the audience how to do something or how something works.

stage fright

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

speaking apprehension

Anxiety over the prospect of giving a speech in front of an audience, otherwise know as stage fright.

claims

Conclusions that go beyond factual statements to make judgments about their subjects.

eye contact

Direct visual contact with the eyes of another person

clutter / vocal distractions

Filler words, such as er, um, and you know, used in the place of a pause.

critical thinking

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

Aristotle

Greek philosopher observed, "The audience is the end and object of the speech."

characteristics of the voice

Here are a few characteristics of a good voice that you can work on: Volume - Increase your volume to express anger and lower the volume to share something secretive Pitch - Use a high pitch to convey excitement and enthusiasm and a low pitch to indicate sadness or thoughtfulness Rate - The most effective speaking rate is approximately 125 - 160 words a minute Quality - Your voice should convey friendliness, naturalness and confidence. You could listen to yourself on tape and improve it towards these qualities

intellectually stimulating

Information that is new to audience members and is explained in a way that piques their curiosity.

motivation

Internal forces that impel action and direct human behavior toward specific goals.

synonym

Is a word that has the same of a similar meaning. Synonyms for glad areeager, elated, joyful, pleased and delighted.

antonym

Is a word that is directly opposite in meaning. Antonyms for fast are slow and poky.

emphasis

Is the stress given to certain words, phrases, sentences, and/or paragraphs within a speech by such methods as repeating important ideas; positioning thesis and topic sentences effectively; supplying additional details or examples.

listening

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

positive-talk

Positive coping statements to reduce anxiety about giving speeches in front of an audience

extemporaneous presentation

extemporaneous speaking) A form of presentation in which a speech, although carefully prepared and practiced, is not written out or memorized.