Key Concepts in Speech Delivery and Persuasion (copy)

Outlining

Organizing the points of a speech into a structured form that lays out the sequence and hierarchy of a speaker's ideas.

Detailed Outline

A complete outline that is used to craft a speech. It contains full sentences or detailed phrases of all the elements of a speech, including attention-getter, main points, subpoints, sub-subpoints, and clincher.

Speaking Outline

A type of outline that uses brief phrases, keywords, or abbreviations to represent the speaker's key ideas and give reminders of delivery guidelines.

Extemporaneous Delivery

Presenting a speech using a speaking outline as a reference rather than reading it word-for-word.

Body

The main part of a speech, occurring after the introduction and before the conclusion. It includes all the main points and supporting materials.

Subordination

The act of making one thing secondary to another. It dictates the hierarchy of points in a speech outline, where subpoints support main points, and sub-subpoints support subpoints.

Evidence

Information gathered from credible sources to support a speaker's claims.

Transition

A sentence that indicates movement from one idea to another in a speech.

References

A list of all the sources cited in a speech, often included at the end of a detailed outline.

Delivery Reminder

Instructions in a speaking outline that remind the speaker about body language, pauses, special emphasis, or use of presentation aids.

Word Choice (Diction)

The selection of language for a speech that considers the audience, occasion, and message to make it memorable and engaging.

Denotative Meaning

The literal dictionary definition of a word.

Connotative Meaning

An association that comes to mind when a person hears a word.

Jargon

Specialized or technical words or phrases familiar only to people within a specific field or group.

Concrete Word

Specific words that clearly suggest what is meant, offering clarity and precision.

Abstract Word

Terms that refer to intangible things like feelings, ideals, and concepts, which may be vague or ambiguous.

Verbal Clutter

Extraneous words that make a presentation hard to follow.

Hypothetical Example

An imagined example or scenario used to clarify a point or help an audience follow a complex idea.

Vivid Language

Attention-grabbing and descriptive words or phrases that appeal to the senses.

Imagery

Mental pictures or impressions painted with vivid language.

Figurative Language

Language employing techniques like simile, metaphor, and anaphora to clarify or make claims more memorable.

Anaphora

The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or sentences.

Antithesis

The opposition of ideas expressed in parallel structure to clarify or distinguish contrasting concepts.

Simile

A comparison using 'like' or 'as' (e.g., 'Her smile is like the sun').

Metaphor

A direct comparison identifying one thing as another (e.g., 'Time is a thief').

Biased Language

Words or phrases that suggest prejudice against a person or group.

Stereotype

A generalized belief about a group based on assumptions that are often false or oversimplified.

Gender-Neutral Term

A word that does not suggest a particular gender.

Delivery

A speaker's varied and appropriate use of vocal and nonverbal elements, such as voice, gestures, and movement.

Script

A typed or handwritten document containing the full text of a speech.

Impromptu Delivery

Delivering a speech on the spot without extensive preparation or notes.

Verbal Delivery Skills

The use of one's voice effectively during a speech, including volume, tone, rate, and clarity.

Volume

The loudness or softness of a speaker's voice when presenting.

Tone

The quality or emotion conveyed by a speaker's voice, created by variations in pitch and volume.

Pitch

How high or low a speaker's voice is.

Monotone

Speaking with little or no variation in pitch or tone, which can cause boredom or disinterest.

Rate of Delivery

The speed at which a speaker speaks during their presentation.

Projection

The act of making one's voice carry across a room so that all audience members can hear clearly.

Articulation

Crisp and clear pronunciation of words to ensure they are understood.

Pronunciation

The way words are said correctly in a language, based on accepted norms.

Pausing

Strategic moments of silence between words or sentences to emphasize a point or allow the audience to absorb information.

Verbal Filler

Words or phrases (e.g., 'um,' 'like,' 'you know') used to fill gaps in speech, often unconsciously.

Verbal Tic

Unintentional sounds or repeated words (e.g., 'uh' or 'ah') when searching for the next thought.

Nonverbal Delivery Skills

Physical behaviors such as eye contact, gestures, and movement used to enhance speech delivery.

Eye Contact

Looking directly at audience members to engage them and convey confidence.

Panning

A nonverbal delivery technique where the speaker looks across the audience, making brief eye contact with individuals to ensure inclusivity.

Gesture

Movements of the hands, arms, or head that emphasize or illustrate a speaker's points.

Physical Movement

Bodily actions during a speech, such as walking or shifting, used to engage the audience or emphasize points.

Proxemics

The use of physical space between the speaker and the audience to establish connection and comfort.

Personal Appearance

The visual impression a speaker makes through their clothing, grooming, and overall presentation.

Presentation Aid

Anything beyond the speech itself that helps listeners understand and remember the message.

Diagram

A drawing that details an object or action, showing relationships among its parts.

Graph

A visual representation of the relationship among different numbers or quantities.

Line Graph

A graph showing relationships between two elements by connecting data points.

Bar Graph

A graph comparing data using parallel bars of varying height or length.

Pie Chart (Circle Graph)

A graph representing proportions of a whole as slices of a pie.

Verbal Chart

Words arranged to explain ideas, often in lists or columns.

Flowchart

A diagram that outlines steps in a process or flow of information.

Presentation Software

Programs (e.g., PowerPoint) used to create and display presentations.

Forum

The setting in which an audience hears a speech.

Prior Exposure

The extent to which an audience is already familiar with a topic or idea.

Definition

A statement explaining the meaning, purpose, or identity of something.

Explanation

An analysis tracing a line of reasoning or causal connections between events.

Description

Using words to paint a mental picture for the audience.

Demonstration

Combining physical modeling with verbal explanations to show how something works.

Narrative

A story or anecdote used to convey information or engage the audience.

Persuasive Speech

A presentation aimed at influencing the audience's beliefs, attitudes, or actions.

Fact Claim

A statement that asserts something is true or false (e.g., 'Climate change is caused by human activity').

Value Claim

A judgment-based statement evaluating something as good, bad, moral, or immoral (e.g., 'Animal testing is unethical').

Policy Claim

A call for action or a change in policies or behaviors (e.g., 'The government should implement universal healthcare').

Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM)

A theory explaining how people process persuasive messages through two distinct routes: Central Route: Deep processing based on logic and evidence. Peripheral Route: Shallow processing influenced by external cues like the speaker's attractiveness or delivery style.

Strategic Discourse

The ethical and intentional selection of arguments to achieve a specific rhetorical purpose.

Social Judgment Theory

A model suggesting that audience members compare new persuasive messages to their existing beliefs.

Latitude of Acceptance

The range of positions or ideas an audience is willing to consider acceptable.

Latitude of Rejection

The range of ideas or positions an audience finds unacceptable.

Boomerang Effect

When a persuasive message backfires, causing the audience to strengthen their opposition.

Needs

The basic desires or motivations of an audience, such as physiological needs, safety, love, esteem, or self-actualization (referencing Maslow's hierarchy of needs).

Hierarchy of Needs

A model by Abraham Maslow identifying levels of human needs: Physiological: Basic survival needs like food and water. Safety: Security and protection. Social: Relationships and belonging. Esteem: Recognition and self-worth. Self-Actualization: Achieving one's full potential.

Values

Core principles or ideals that influence judgments and behaviors (e.g., honesty, freedom).

Beliefs

Ideas the audience considers true, which shape their attitudes and responses to persuasive messages.

Attitude

An individual's favorable or unfavorable feelings toward a topic or idea.

Core Belief

A deeply ingrained viewpoint resistant to change (e.g., belief in equality).

Peripheral Belief

A less strongly held belief, more susceptible to persuasion (e.g., preferred movie genre).

Two-Sided Argument

A strategy that acknowledges opposing views before refuting them with evidence, increasing the speaker's credibility.

Full Disclosure

The ethical practice of revealing any biases or conflicts of interest when presenting an argument.

Causal Pattern

An organizational structure that explains cause-and-effect relationships (e.g., 'Pollution causes health issues').

Categorical Pattern

An organization method dividing a speech into categories based on main ideas or themes.

Criteria-Application Pattern

A persuasive structure that sets up a standard (criteria) and demonstrates how a subject meets or fails to meet it (e.g., defining what makes a good leader and applying those criteria to a candidate).

Comparison Pattern

A structure comparing two ideas, showing why one is superior to the other.

Motivated Sequence

A five-step method to inspire action, developed by Alan Monroe: Attention: Capture the audience's interest. Need: Establish a problem that needs solving. Satisfaction: Propose a solution. Visualization: Illustrate the benefits of the solution. Action: Call the audience to act on the solution.

Problem-Cause-Solution Pattern

A structure identifying a problem, analyzing its causes, and proposing specific solutions.

Ethos (Credibility)

An appeal to ethics; the quality of being worthy of trust. Credible speakers demonstrate knowledge, honesty, and goodwill.

Competence

A speaker's knowledge and experience on a topic, often referred to as practical wisdom.

Trustworthiness

The quality of being honest and fair, a critical component of a speaker's ethos.

Goodwill

A speaker's perceived care and concern for the audience's interests rather than their own.

Logos (Evidence and Reasoning)

An appeal to logic, using evidence and sound reasoning to persuade an audience.

Fallacious (Faulty) Reasoning

Arguments with weak links between claims and supporting material.

Precise Evidence

Specific facts, dates, statistics, or information that supports a claim.

Inductive Reasoning

Drawing a general conclusion from specific examples.

Example Reasoning

Using specific instances to support a general claim.