Module 11 Speech and Communications

Common types of written arguments

-Definition essays

-Classification essays

-Compare/Contrast essays

-Cause and Effect essays

-Evaluation essays

-Proposal essays

Rogerian arguments

named after psychologist Carl Rogers

In Rogerian Arguments,

both parties fully understand and can clearly state the position of their opponent

The general philosophy behind Rogerian arguments is

that the opposition will be more likely to entertain your position if they feel you have fairly entertained their stance

Rogerian structure

-1 Introduction: describe the issues and illustrate you understand and appreciate all valid alternate positions

-2 Oppositions Position: outline the ways you opponents positions are valid

-3 Your Position: state your position and outline the ways it is valid

-4 Benefits to Opposition: discuss the ways your opponents would benefit by adopting your position

Toulmin Arguments

named after British philosopher Stephen Toulmin

Toulmin arguments are focused on

the fact that arguments are never airtight

Toulmin Structure

-1 Claim: What you want to prove

-2 Conditions: The limits of your claim

-3 Evidence: Support of your claim

-4 Warrants: Underlying assumptions that support your claim

-5 Backing: Evidence that supports your warrants

Claims are

statements that can be considered debatable

Steps To Support Claims

-identify supporting reasons

-make an enthymeme

Enthymeme

a specific type of thesis statement unique to arguments

Enthymemes are the combination of

your supporting reasons and your claim into a single statement that summarizes your argument

Persuasive Speaking

a speech act designed to convince someone else to change their mind, attitude, or behavior

Problem-Solution

point to a problem and then try to convince your audience to fix it

Problem-Cause-Solution

Identify a problem and it’s specific cause and then convince your audience to fix it

Ethos

a speaker’s credibility

Pathos

a speaker’s attempt to appeal to emotion

Logos

a speaker’s attempt to appeal to logical arguments

Questions that Help Identify Persuasion

-Is there a call to action?

-What do they want you to do?

-How do they motivate you to do it?

-What tools do they give you to do it?

Paths to Persuasion

-The Central Path

and

-The Peripheral Path

The Central Path

persuasion method that relies on presenting a strong logical argument built on data and facts

The Peripheral Path

persuasion method that relies on appealing to certain personal cues of the audience members

Logical Fallacies

flaws in reasoning that render an argument invalid

Informative speaking

speaking that attempts to teach new material or deepen an understanding of existing material

Event Speeches

seek to teach an audience about a historical or cultural event

Object Speeches

seek to teach an audience about an object

Process Speeches

seek to teach an audience how to do something

Ways to Present Topics

-spatial organization

-chronological organization

-topical organization

Spatial Organization

relates things to how they are physically arranged

Chronological Organization

teaches a topic in the order that the events took place

Topical Organization

explains things in whatever order they occur

Steps to Avoid Information Overload

-Only introduce 3-7 new concepts in a presentation

-Use direct and concise visual aids

-Gauge your audience’s reactions

Questions to Identify Bias in Research

-Who funded it?

-What is the agenda?

-How does the information suit the agenda?

Informative Speaking Tips

-Focus on repetition

-Allow the audience to ask questions

Toasts

short speech delivered to commemorate a special event, person, or occasion

Steps for a Good Toast

-Get people’s attention and introduce yourself

-Have a 4-5 sentence toast

-Stick to the mood and purpose of the event

-Conclude with a short parting statement and glass raise

Elevator Speech

short proposal speech, meant to pull in a audience of 1 to 2 people

Before an Elevator Speech

-identify you goal

-know exactly what you want to accomplish

During the Elevator Speech

-Identify what you do

-Explain what makes you unique

-Try to pull your audience in by asking a question

-Have a clear conclusion summarizing what you offer and the benefit to your audience

Introduction

short speech given to let the audience know who is about to speak to them

An Introduction should…

-Be short

-Include speaker credibility

-Include information about the speaker

Structure of an Introduction

-1 Accolades and Qualifications

-2 Humorous Story

-3 The Speaker Name

Impromptu Speaking

on-the-fly speaking with little to no advance preparation of the speaking topic

Impromptu speaking focuses more on

connecting with the audience

Impromptu Speaking Tips

-1 keep your prompt in mind

-2 repeating yourself can be helpful

-3 be confident

Steps to Prepare for an Interview

-1 research the company

-2 research the specific job/position

-3 update your resume

-4 cater your resume toward the position

-5 practice interviewing

Resume

a brief document summarizing your educational and professional background

Business Review

a written report explaining how your business is doing and what needs improved

Steps to Write a Business Review

-Give useful feedback

-Recommend solutions to problems

-Be honest

-Comment on things that are going well

Steps for Taking Feedback from a Business Review

-1 Take it to heart

-2 Learn from the information you receive

-3 Don’t take it personally

-4 If you’re unsure get a second opinion

Watercooler Talk

small talk that happens in a work environment

Steps to Maintain Professionalism in Casual Interactions

-1 Remember your still at work

-2 Be kind and Polite

-3 Pay attention

-4 Read social cues

-5 Be sensitive with jokes/topics

Small Talk

polite conversations about unimportant or irrelevant topics

Tips for better small talk

• have topics prepared based on where you are

• ask questions

• use active listening

Informative Speaking…

-Doesn’t try to change a person’s mind or behavior

-Doesn’t take a clear side on an issue

-Teaches information

-No call to action

-Factual

-Avoids bias

Persuasive Speaking…

-Tries to change people’s minds/behavior

-Takes a clear side on an issue

-Might teach information

-Call to Action

-Factual

-Acknowledges the speakers bias

Steps to Narrow Down a Topic

-1 pick an interesting topic

-2 do research

-3 narrow it down to an appropriate length and focus

Listening Styles

the way people hear/interpret information

Artistic proofs

how a speaker proves his/her arguments : Ethos, Pathos, Logos

Thesis Statement

central argument of a presentation

Types of arguments that inform and persuade

-appeal to different listening styles

-artistic proofs

-Thesis Statement

3 Stages of Practice

-1 Organization

-2 Feedback

-3 Fine-Tuning

Organization

The 1st stage of practice; ordering all relevant information into a presentation outline

Feedback

2nd Stage of practice; presenting a presentation to practice audiences and collecting ideas on things to change or improve

Fine-Tuning

3rd stage of practice; making adjustments based on feedback from stage 2

Steps of a Presentation

-Select a topic

-Outlining

-Practice

-Present