Page 229 - Essentials of Human Communication

208 Chapter 11 Public Speaking Preparation (Steps 1–6)

efore getting to the steps for preparing and presenting a public speech, we’ll define public
Bspeaking and consider the benefits that will reward your public speaking efforts. In addi-
tion, we’ll address what is probably your number one problem: the fear that so often accom-
panies giving speeches. As you read these four chapters dealing with public speaking, you’ll
find it useful to consult the public speaking sections of My Communication Lab.

the Nature of public Speaking

Public speaking is a form of communication in which a speaker addresses a relatively large
audience with a relatively continuous discourse, usually in a face-to-face situation. A student
delivering a report to a political science class, a teacher lecturing on
the structure of DNA, a minister preaching a sermon, and a politician
delivering a campaign speech are all examples of public speaking. In
addition, delivering a speech to a television camera to be broadcast
to an entire nation or over the radio to be heard by thousands or
millions of people is similar in many ways to what is traditionally
thought of as public speaking. One way in which it differs is in the
nature of the audience feedback. In face-to-face public speaking, the
audience gives the speaker immediate feedback largely through facial
expressions, head nodding, and posture. In mediated public speaking,
the feedback may come a while after the speech in the form of politi-
cal commentary, for example. Increasingly, however, both remote and
immediate audiences are communicating with both face-to-face and
mediated public speaking through social media sites such as Twitter.
figure 11.1 While the speaker is speaking (and afterward as well), listeners are
Pearson’s Mycommunicationlab/Public speaking sending messages—communicating approval or disapproval or asking
questions they hope the speaker will address—to the speaker as
Website
well as to other audience members. The simple hashtag has already
brought about dramatic changes in public speaking and will surely continue to do so
(Atkinson, 2010).
In addition to the speeches that you will give in this class and during your college career,
you will also be called on to make formal and informal speeches throughout your life. For ex-
ample, you may make a presentation about a new product at a sales meeting, present your
company’s rules and regulations to a group of new employees, explain the benefits of a new
playground to members of your local PTA, or give a speech about your family genealogy at a
family reunion. Regardless of the circumstances under which you give a speech, you will find
the 10 steps to public speaking preparation discussed in this chapter and the next extremely
practical.

Benefits and skills of PuBlic sPeaking
Public speaking draws together a wide variety of social, academic, and career skills. Although
these skills are central to public speaking, they also enrich other competencies. Among these
Take a look at “A Preface to a Public are your ability to present yourself to others with confidence and self-assurance, to conduct
Speaking Course” at tcbdevito research efficiently and effectively, to understand human motivation, to analyze and evaluate
.blogspot.com.
the validity of persuasive appeals, and to use persuasion effectively.
Public speaking will also develop and refine your general communication abilities by
helping you explain complex concepts; organize a variety of messages for clarity and
persuasiveness; develop logical, emotional, and ethical appeals to support an argument; and
improve your listening and delivery skills.
It’s important to remember, however, that effective public speakers aren’t born; they’re
made. Through instruction, exposure to different speeches, feedback, and individual learning
experiences, you can become an effective speaker. Regardless of your present level of compe-
tence, you can improve your public speaking skills through proper training.