Public Speaking Fundamentals

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the core concepts of public speaking as discussed in the lecture notes.

Public speaking

The act of delivering a planned speech to an audience using words, voice, and nonverbal cues.

Rhetoric

The art and study of using language to persuade, inform, or entertain.

Transactional model of communication

A looped exchange where speaker and listener continually send and receive messages and feedback, not a one‑way flow.

Publics

Groups of people who share common concerns, values, or experiences relevant to a message.

Specific audience

The immediate, identifiable group of listeners a speaker targets for a given message.

Audience analysis

Researching who the audience is, what they care about, and how best to reach them.

Purposes of public speaking

The goals of informing, persuading, or entertaining an audience.

Message

The content or idea the speaker intends to communicate to the audience.

Democracy in public speaking

The principle that everyone has the right to speak and to challenge ideas in a public forum.

Feedback loop

The ongoing exchange of verbal and nonverbal signals between speaker and audience that guides the communication.

Topic selection

Choosing a subject based on its relevance to the audience and the speaker’s goals.

Organization strategy

The plan for arranging ideas (e.g., topical, chronological, problem-solution) in a speech.

Evidence

Data, facts, and sources used to support claims; should be credible and valid.

Credibility

The audience’s perception of the speaker’s trustworthiness and competence.

Relevance

The degree to which content matters to the audience’s interests and needs.

Cultural norms and values

Shared beliefs about acceptable behavior in a culture that shape how messages are received.

Delivery

The actual act of presenting, including voice, pace, tone, and confidence.

Visual aids

Tools like slides, charts, or props used to enhance understanding and retention.

Nonverbal cues

Body language, facial expressions, and gestures that convey meaning during a speech.

90/10 rule

An informal guideline: about 90% of success comes from preparation and 10% from delivery.