Persuasive Speaking and Communication Concepts

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts from communication studies, including persuasive speaking, listening skills, nonverbal communication, and group dynamics.

Persuasive Speaking

A form of communication aimed at convincing an audience to accept a particular point of view.

Neutral Audience

An audience that is uninformed or feels the topic does not apply to them.

Types of Propositions

Propositions can be categorized into three types: fact, value, and policy.

Inductive Reasoning

A method of reasoning that moves from specific observations to broader generalizations.

Deductive Reasoning

A method of reasoning that starts with general statements and moves to specific conclusions.

Monroe’s Motivated Sequence

A persuasive organizational structure that includes attention, need, satisfaction, visualization, and action steps.

Symbol

An object or image that represents something else.

Displacement

The quality of language that allows communication about things not present.

Triangle of Meaning

A model describing the relationship between thought, symbol, and referent.

Connotation

The emotional or experiential meaning associated with a word.

Denotation

The literal, dictionary definition of a word.

Nonverbal Communication

Communication that occurs without words, including gestures, facial expressions, and body language.

Gestures

Physical movements that convey meaning, characterized as adaptors or emblems.

Oculesics

The study of eye movement and eye behavior in communication.

Haptics

The study of communication by touch.

Vocalics

The use of voice to convey meaning.

Proxemics

The study of personal space and distance in communication.

Chronemics

The study of the use of time in communication.

Listening Components

The four key components of listening: receiving, interpreting, recalling, and responding.

Types of Listening

Categories of listening include informational, critical, and empathetic.

Barriers to Listening

Obstacles that affect effective listening, including cognitive and environmental barriers.

Cognitive Barriers

Mental blocks that prevent effective listening.

Narcissistic Listening

Listening with the intention of making the conversation about oneself.

Pseudo-listening

Pretending to listen while not actually paying attention.

Active Listening

Engaging fully in the listening process through both verbal and nonverbal communication.

Critical Listener

A listener who analyzes and evaluates the information presented.

Mindfulness

Being fully present and aware during communication.

Cognitive Flexibility

The ability to adapt one's thinking and to change perspectives.

Tolerance for Uncertainty

The ability to cope with ambiguous and unknown information.

In-groups

Groups to which an individual feels a strong sense of membership and identity.

Out-groups

Groups to which an individual does not feel a sense of belonging or identification.

Social Constructionism

A theory suggesting that self-identity is formed through social interactions.

Code-switching

The practice of alternating between different languages or forms of speech based on context.

Ethnocentrism

The tendency to consider one's own culture as superior to others.

Communication

The process of creating meaning through verbal and nonverbal messages.

Rhetoric

The art of effective or persuasive speaking and writing.

Intrapersonal Communication

Communication that occurs within an individual.

Interpersonal Communication

Direct, face-to-face communication between two or more people.

Group Communication

Interaction among members of a small group.

Mass Communication

The imparting or exchanging of information on a large scale, typically to a wide audience through media.

Encoding

The process of turning ideas into communication.

Decoding

The process of interpreting and making sense of received messages.

Transmission Model of Communication

A model that emphasizes one-way communication from sender to receiver.

Interaction Model of Communication

A model that incorporates feedback as part of the communication process.

Transaction Model of Communication

A model that views communication as a simultaneous process of sending and receiving messages.

Communication Principles

Key concepts that guide effective communication, including relational, instrumental, and identity needs.

Schema

Mental frameworks that help organize and interpret information.

Self-concept

An individual's perception of themselves, shaped by experience and social interactions.

Self-esteem

An individual's subjective evaluation of themselves.

Social Comparison Theory

A theory that examines how individuals determine their own social and personal worth based on comparisons to others.

Self-fulfilling Prophecy

A belief that leads to its own fulfillment; our beliefs influence our actions toward others.

Perception Checking

A strategy to verify that one’s perceptions are accurate.

General Purpose of Speech

The broad goal of a speech: to inform, persuade, or entertain.

Specific Purpose of Speech

A clear statement outlining what the speaker wants the audience to learn or do.

Thesis Statement

A concise summary of the main point or claim of a speech.

Audience Analysis

Studying the audience to tailor the message to their interests and attitudes.

Primary Sources

Original materials or firsthand accounts such as interviews and surveys.

Secondary Sources

Works that interpret or analyze primary sources, such as books or articles.

Organizational Patterns

The systematic arrangement of speech points including topical, chronological, spatial, and causal.

Transitions in Speech

Words or phrases that connect ideas and help guide an audience through a presentation.

Public Speaking Anxiety

The fear or apprehension associated with speaking to an audience.

Systematic Desensitization

A technique for reducing anxiety by gradually exposing individuals to speaking situations.

Cognitive Restructuring

Changing negative thoughts associated with speaking to positive ones.

COM Therapy

Viewing a speech as a conversation to reduce performance pressure.

Delivery Methods of Speech

Different ways to present a speech: impromptu, manuscript, memorized, and extemporaneous.

Physical Delivery

The physical aspects of presenting a speech, including posture, gestures, and facial expressions.

Informative Speech

A type of speech that aims to increase the audience's understanding or awareness.

Outlining

The process of organizing main points and supporting details in a logical order.

Description in Informative Speaking

Using vivid details to create a clear mental image.

Demonstration in Informative Speaking

Showing how something works through explanation.

Explanation in Informative Speaking

Breaking down complex ideas into simpler terms.

Definition in Informative Speaking

Clarifying the meaning of terms or concepts in a speech.

Components of Clarity

Elements such as articulation, pronunciation, and fluency that contribute to effective speaking.

Decentralized Structure

Small group structure where communication flows freely among members.

Centralized Structure

Small group structure where one or few members dominate communication.

Primary Groups

Groups composed of members with close, personal relationships.

Secondary Groups

Groups formed to accomplish specific tasks or goals.

Task Groups

Groups formed to achieve a specific outcome or goal.

Group Development Stages

Phases of group progress: forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning.

Groupthink

A phenomenon where the desire for group harmony leads to poor decision-making.

Task Roles

Roles that contribute directly to the group's goals and objectives.

Maintenance Roles

Roles that focus on building relationships and maintaining group cohesion.

Decision Making Types

Methods for making group decisions: majority rule, minority rule, and consensus rule.

Nominal Group Technique

A structured method for group brainstorming and decision-making.

Group Problem Solving Process

Steps followed by a group to solve a problem: define, analyze, generate solutions, evaluate, implement.