Intro to Communications Quiz 1

Elements of the Communication Process

Includes Speaker, Audience, a message, Feedback, Interference, Channel, and Situation.

Speaker ______ to Audience

sends a message

Feedback

Responses from the audience that can be verbal (laughter, yelling) or nonverbal (smiling, yawning).

Interference

Any distractions or disruptions that affect the clarity of the message being communicated (airplane, lawn mower, AC unit)

Channel

The means by which the presentation is made, such as a microphone.

Situation

The environment in which the presentation occurs

Two types of nervousness

positive nervousness and stage fright

Positive Nervousness

An enthusiastic feeling with a slight edge that keeps a speaker on their toes.

Stage Fright

The fear of the unknown

How to combat nervousness (turn it positive)

A. gain speaking experience

B. prepare thoroughly

C. think positively

D. power of visualization

E. know that most nervousness is not visible

F. don't expect perfection

Structure of a Speech

Typically consists of Introduction (10-20%), Body (70-85%), and Conclusion (5-10%).

Introduction

Gains attention and establishes credibility; introduces topics and reveals main points (2-4).

How to gain attention

a. relate topic (common ground)

b. state importance

c. startle

d. arouse curiosity

e. rhetorical question

f. being with a quote

g. tell a story

h. use good humor (self-deprecating)

Body

comprised for explanations, background information, statistics, quotes, and examples that support the main points of the speech with references.

Conclusion

begin with signaling the ending then summarizes main points, reinforces message, and provides closure. leave with a bang!

short hand for speech structure

tell me what you are going to tell me… tell me… tell me what you told me

Audience Centerance

Keeping the audience in focus during speech preparation and presentation.

Audience Analysis

Understanding who the audience is and what they believe to effectively communicate.

Good Delivery

Conveys the speaker's ideas clearly and interestingly without distracting the audience.

4 methods of delivery

manuscript, memory, inpromtu, extemporaneous

Manuscript delivery

A speech that is written out word for word and read to the audience.

Impromptu delivery

A speech delivered with little to no preparation.

memory delivery

delivered in a memorized style

extemporaneous delivery

presentation that is carefully prepared and rehearsed

aspects of a speakers voice

‣ volume - loud or soft

‣ pitch - highness or lowness

‣ rate - the speed at which you talk

‣ pauses - momentary breaks in a speakers delivery

‣ vocal variety - changes in rate, pitch, and volume

‣ pronunciation - the accepted sound and rhythm of your speech

‣ articulation - the physical production of the words you use

‣ dialect - your language is distinguished by difference in accent grammar or vocabulary

aspects of a speakers body

• appearance - don't wear something that distracts

• movement - move around

• gestures - natural

• eye contact !!!

speaking with authority = POWER PERSONA

you own the room

authority

your words matter

write short sentences (understandable)

strong opening, powerful ending

be fallible

build in humor

Humor: questions to ask

will it tie into the mood and subject?

will the audience feel comfortable?

is the joke fresh?

is it short and uncomplicated?

can i deliver the joke with confidence, ease, and good timing?

Things humor can do

increase likability, move ideas forward, change in tone and pacing, boost confidence, bring fun to audience

best kind of humor

self-deprecating

Self-deprecating humor

A style of humor where the speaker gently pokes fun at themselves; the best kind of humor.

nothing worse than…

silence following a failed joke

best time to impact a speech with humor

a dinner speech

when using humor DO NOT

emphasize humor that promotes large laughs

“Here is a funny story…”

When using humor DO

Create a “light touch”

Use a personal story

One-liners

Quotes

Seems to be spontaneous

Use clever stats

Use word play

Smiling