Oral Communication Final Review

glossophobia

fear of public speaking

Source

individual or group originating an idea

Message

core information—ideas, feelings, or data—conveyed by a speaker to a listener using spoken words, tone of voice, and body language

Channel

the medium (e.g., airwaves, phone lines) used to transmit spoken messages from a sender to a receiver

Receiver

the individual or audience who listens to, processes, and decodes the spoken message from the sender

Feedback

the immediate, two-way response a receiver gives to a sender, confirming how the message was received and understood

Hearing

the involuntary, passive physical process of perceiving sound waves through the ear

Listening

a learned, active process of receiving, interpreting, evaluating, and responding to verbal and nonverbal messages

General purpose

the broad, foundational goal of a speech, typically categorized as to inform, persuade, or entertain

Specific purpose

a concise, one-sentence statement that defines the precise goal of a speech, identifying the general purpose, target audience, and specific objective

Central idea

a single, concise sentence that encapsulates the core message, argument, or primary concept a speaker wants the audience to understand and remember

Informative speaking

educates an audience on a specific topic, such as people, events, processes, or concepts

Persuasive speaking

uses reasoned arguments, emotion, and credibility to influence an audience's beliefs, attitudes, values, or actions

Transitions

words, phrases, or sentences that connect ideas, allowing a speaker to smoothly move between points

Signposts

brief, verbal, or non-verbal cues—such as "first," "however," or "in conclusion"—that guide listeners through a presentation's structure

Internal signposts

verbal or non-verbal cues (like "first," "however," or "most importantly") used by speakers to guide listeners through a presentation's structure

Statistics

the systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of numerical data used to support arguments, enhance credibility, and make complex information persuasive and digestible

Testimonies

formal spoken statement, declaration, or endorsement given by a witness or speaker to support a claim, clarify a point, or establish evidence

Vocalized pauses

non-lexical, spoken sounds or words—such as "um," "uh," "like," or "you know"—used to fill silence between words during speech

Chronological pattern

organizes a speech by arranging main points in a linear time sequence, detailing events or steps from beginning to end

Spatial pattern

organizes a speech's main points based on physical location, direction, or geographical layout

Cause/effect pattern

an organizational structure for speeches that demonstrates the direct relationship between an action or event (the cause) and its consequences (the effects)

Topical pattern

a structure that divides a central speech topic into logical, distinct subtopics or categories

Problem/solution pattern

a persuasive, two-part organizational structure used in oral communication to define a significant issue, analyze its causes, and propose a viable, actionable solution