Public Speaking Final

Deductive Reasoning

→ Moves from general facts to a guaranteed, inevitable conclusion (100% certain).

Inductive Reasoning

→ Argument based on probability rather than certainty; conclusion is likely, not guaranteed.

Syllogism

→ Logical structure that uses specific premises to reach a conclusion (“math with words”).

Categorical Syllogism

→ Based on group membership. Example: All men are mortal → Socrates is a man → Socrates is mortal.

Disjunctive Syllogism

→ Major premise offers 2+ mutually exclusive options. If one isn’t true, the other must be.

Conditional Syllogism

→ “If–then” structure. Example: If you usually waste groceries, then DoorDash saves money.

Reasoning by Cause

→ One event causes another.

Necessary Cause

→ MUST be present for an effect to occur.

Sufficient Cause

→ CAN produce an effect but is not the only possible cause.

Reasoning by Example

→ Inferring a general conclusion based on several examples.

Reasoning by Analogy

→ What is true of one situation is likely true of a similar one.

Reasoning by Sign

→ One thing indicates the presence of another.

Either–Or Fallacy

→ Only 2 choices presented when more exist; oversimplifies.

Slippery Slope

→ One action will lead to an extreme chain reaction.

Ad Hominem

→ Attacking a person’s character instead of their argument.

Ad Verecundiam

→ Appealing to authority/status for credibility instead of logic.

Hasty Generalization

→ Conclusion about a whole group from limited examples.

Non-Sequitur

→ “Does not follow”; conclusion doesn’t logically come from premises.

Straw Man

→ Misrepresenting someone’s argument to make it easier to attack.

False Cause (Post Hoc)

→ Assuming one unrelated event caused another.

Begging the Question

→ Claim is assumed true without evidence; circular reasoning.

Red Herring

→ Bringing up a distracting point that doesn’t prove the argument.

Visual Aid Rule

→ 1 visual aid per main point.

Source Rule

→ Minimum 1 source per main point.

Attention Getter Rule

→ Start with a statistic (not a question).

Eulogy

→ Emotional, uplifting speech honoring the deceased; storytelling; no inside jokes.

Toast

→ Celebratory; highlight the person’s qualities and why they deserve recognition.

Award Acceptance Speech

→ Express gratitude, show respect for the award, thank those involved.

Award Presentation Speech

→ Short; highlight the recipient; build anticipation; don’t reveal the name early.

Introduction Speech

→ Explain who the speaker is, their accomplishments; ask them what they want shared.

Graduation Address

→ Celebrate the class, look to the future, thank supporters, inspirational tone.

Linear Model of Communication

→ One-way process; sender → message → receiver.

Interactive Model

→ Adds feedback and environment; still sender → receiver exchange.

Transactional Model

→ Continuous, simultaneous sending & receiving; conversation.

Internal Noise

→ Thoughts, anxiety, internal distractions.

External Noise

→ Sounds, environment distractions (construction, hallway noise).

Source

→ The speaker.

Receiver

→ The audience.

Messages

→ Verbal + nonverbal communication.

“Tell Them” Method

→ Tell them what you will tell them → Tell them → Tell them what you told them.

Systematic Desensitization

→ Repeated exposure reduces anxiety.

Communication Apprehension Symptoms

→ Sweating, shaking, nervousness.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

→ Believing something will happen makes it more likely to happen.

Why Practice Matters

→ Helps control mannerisms, vocal fillers, timing, confidence.

Practice Tip #1

→ Practice in front of real people.

Practice Tip #2

→ Know how you look when presenting.

Culture Definition

→ Ideas, customs, behaviors, and ways of life of a group.

High-Context Culture

→ Relies heavily on nonverbal cues and environment for meaning.

Low-Context Culture

→ Relies on explicit language; less dependent on nonverbals (U.S., Germany).

Physical Diversity

→ Differences in bodies, abilities, physical characteristics.

Cognitive Diversity

→ Differences in learning styles, thought patterns, problem-solving.

General Purpose Statement

→ Broad goal: to inform, to persuade, to entertain.

Specific Purpose Statement

→ One clear sentence: “To inform my audience about…”

Brainstorming

→ Generating ideas without evaluation.

Background Information

→ Provides context.

Unique Information

→ Stats, quotes, stories that “fluff up” content.

Evidentiary Information

→ Supports claims directly; used as proof.

Boolean Operators

→ “AND,” “OR,” “+” to refine database searches.

APA Style

→ Referencing format for citing sources.

Global Plagiarism

→ Taking another’s complete work (ex. friend’s old speech).

Incremental Plagiarism

→ Forgetting to cite or using someone’s exact wording without credit.

Patchwork Plagiarism

→ Combining pieces from multiple sources without citing.

Patch-Working

→ Poor paraphrasing; too close to original wording.

Memorized Delivery

→ Fully memorized; risky if you lose your spot.

Manuscript Delivery

→ Reading word-for-word (news anchors).

Impromptu Delivery

→ Little or no preparation; spontaneous.

Extemporaneous Delivery

→ Well-planned; key phrases on note cards; conversational style.

Verbal Delivery

→ Clear articulation, pronunciation, controlled rate, volume, pitch, rhythm.

Physical Delivery

→ Professional attire; good posture; effective gestures; no distractions.

Subordination

→ Main points supported by subpoints.

Coordination

→ Items at the same level should have equal importance.

Five Elements of an Introduction

• Attention getter

• Thesis

• Credibility statement

• Relevancy statement

• Preview of main points

Signposts

→ 1-word transitions (“first,” “next,” “finally”).

Transitions

→ Internal summary + internal preview.

Four Elements of a Conclusion

1. Signal ending

2. Restate thesis

3. Review main points

4. Memorable closer (quote, story, call to action for persuasion)

Types of Examples

→ Real, hypothetical, brief, extended.

Statistics

→ Numerical evidence.

Testimony

→ Peer or expert perspectives.

Citation Format

→ Author + publication.

Audience Analysis Timeline

→ Begins when assigned the speech → Ends after you sit down.

Direct Observation

→ Reading the audience’s reactions live.

Demographics

→ Age, race, religion, sex, education, sexual orientation.

Audience Signals

→ Smiles, nods, shifting, phones, eyebrows.

Write Body First

→ Then introduction & conclusion.

Goal of Public Speaking

→ To clearly and ethically communicate a message to an audience.

Ethical Speaking

→ Being honest, accurate, respectful of sources, and responsible with message impact.

Oral Citation Format

→ Include author, publication, and relevance.

Communication is Audience-Centered

→ You adapt message to the people listening, not yourself.

Listening vs. Hearing

→ Hearing is physical; listening requires processing and engagement.

Types of Listening

→ Appreciation, comprehension, critical, empathic.

Three Parts of a Speech

→ Introduction, body, conclusion.

Main Points Rule

→ 2–5 main points max.

Parallel Structure

→ Main points should be grammatically consistent.

Chronological Pattern

→ Organizes points by time or sequence.

Spatial Pattern

→ Organizes points by location or direction.

Topical Pattern

→ Breaks topic into categories.

Problem–Solution Pattern

→ Shows problem + proposes solution.

Cause–Effect Pattern

→ Shows causes that lead to an outcome.

Abstract Language

→ Vague, general wording.

Concrete Language

→ Detailed, specific wording.