Public Speaking Fundamentals – Vocabulary Review

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture on public speaking, ethics, audience analysis, organization, language, delivery, persuasion, special occasions, online speaking, and small-group communication.

Speaker

The individual who delivers a message in the communication process.

Similarities between Conversation and Public Speaking

• Organizing thoughts logically 

• Tailoring the message to the audience 

• Telling a story for maximum impact 

• Adapting to listener feedback 

Differences between Conversation and Public Speaking

• Public speaking is more highly structured 

• Requires more formal language 

• Requires a different method of delivery (clearer articulation, posture, gestures) 

Message

The information or ideas conveyed by the speaker to the audience.

Channel

The medium through which a message travels (e.g., microphone, Zoom, voice).

Listener

The person or people who receive and process the speaker’s message.

Feedback

Verbal or non-verbal responses listeners send back to the speaker (nods, laughter, questions).

Interference

Anything (external or internal) that impedes the communication of a message.

Situation

The time and place in which speech communication occurs.

Frame of Reference

A listener’s combined knowledge, experience, goals, values, and attitudes that shape interpretation.

Ways to reduce nervousness

• Acquire speaking experience 

• Prepare thoroughly 

• Think positively 

• Use the power of visualization 

• Know that most nervousness is not visible 

• Don’t expect perfection 

Ethnocentrism

The belief that one’s own culture or group is superior to others.

Ethics

Standards of right and wrong that guide speakers to be honest, fair, and respectful.

• Be courteous and attentive 

• Avoid prejudging the speaker 

• Maintain free and open expression of ideas 

Abusive Language

Name-calling, stereotyping, or threats that violate ethical principles and alienate audiences.

Speaker and Listener

The two parties that share responsibility for ethical communication. ________ should be truthful and clear, while _________ should be respectful and open minded.

Global Plagiarism

Stealing an entire speech or text and presenting it as one’s own.

Patchwork Plagiarism

Stitching together material from several sources without proper citation.

Incremental Plagiarism

Failing to credit specific quotes or paraphrases taken from sources.

Listening

What employers rank as the most important communication skill for employees.

Obstacles to effective listening

• Not concentrating 

• Listening too hard 

• Jumping to conclusions 

• Focusing on delivery or appearance 

Appreciative Listening

Listening for enjoyment or pleasure, such as to music.

Empathic Listening

Listening to provide emotional support for a speaker.

Comprehensive Listening

Listening to understand a message’s content.

Critical Listening

Listening to evaluate a message and decide whether to accept or reject it.

Causes of Poor Listening

• Spare “brain time” (thinking faster than people speak) 

• Distractions 

• Lack of effort 

• Prejudging speaker 

Better Listening

Tips for this term include:

• Take listening seriously 

• Be an active listener 

• Resist distractions 

• Don’t be diverted by delivery or appearance 

• Suspend judgment 

• Focus your listening 

• Develop strong note-taking skills 

To inform

The first general purpose of public speaking - Increase aduience’s understanding

To persuade

The second general purpose of public speaking - Influence attitudes or actions

To entertain

The third general purpose of public speaking - amuse or engage an audience

Specific Purpose Statement

A single infinitive phrase that states what the speaker hopes to accomplish.

Central Idea

One complete sentence that summarizes the speech’s main points. Also called a thesis

Egocentrism

Audience tendency to focus on messages relevant to their own values and interests.

Identification

Creating a bond with listeners by highlighting shared values, goals, or experiences.

Audience-Centered

Tailoring every speech element to the audience’s needs, knowledge, and interests.

Demographic Audience Analysis

Examining characteristics such as age, gender, religion, and ethnicity of listeners.

Situational Audience Analysis

Assessing audience size, setting, and disposition toward topic, speaker, and occasion.

Fixed-Alternative Question

Survey item offering limited choices (e.g., yes / no / maybe).

Scale Question

Survey item asking for agreement along a continuum (e.g., strongly agree to strongly disagree).

Open-Ended Question

Survey item inviting respondents to answer in their own words.

Internet Source

Looking for the credibility of this term includes:

• Authorship (Is the author qualified?) 

• Sponsorship (Is the site from a reputable organization?) 

• Recency (Is the information up to date?) 

Periodical Database

Subscription service that indexes and provides access to magazines, journals, and newspapers.

Biased Source

Determined by checking the language used and whether multiple perspectives are included. Overly favors one side without evidence. 

Citing Sources Orally

• The name of the document or publication 

• The author or sponsoring organization 

• The qualifications of the author (if not obvious) 

• The date of the publication 

Supporting Material

• Examples: Clarify or reinforce ideas 

• Statistics: Quantify ideas, show magnitude 

• Testimony: Use expert or peer opinion for credibilityThe Art of Public Speak… 

Staitstics

Tips for using __________:

• Use reliable sources 

• Quantify ideas 

• Use sparingly 

• Explain and clarify them 

• Round off complicated numbers 

• Use visual aids if needed 

Supporting Material

Uses:

• Examples make ideas concrete and relatable 

• Statistics demonstrate scope and importance 

• Testimony adds credibility and perspective 

Transition

A word or phrase that indicates a speaker has finished one thought and is moving to another (e.g., Now that we’ve covered…).

Signpost

A brief statement showing where a speaker is in the speech (e.g., “First,” “Next”).

Internal Preview

A statement in the body of a speech that details what the speaker will discuss next (e.g., Let’s look at three causes of…). 

Internal Summary

A statement that recaps points already made before moving on. (e.g., So far we’ve explored…).

Chronological Order

Organizing main points in a time sequence (Good for informative speeches)

Spatial Order

Organizing points according to direction or physical location (e.g., top to bottom).

Causal Order

Organizing points to show cause-and-effect relationships.

Problem-Solution Order

Organizing points by describing a problem and offering a solution; common in persuasion.

Topical Order

Organizing points into logical, consistent subtopics or categories.

Introduction

Opening section designed to gain attention, reveal topic, establish credibility, and preview points.

Conclusion

Closing section that signals the end, reinforces the central idea, and leaves a lasting impression.

Relationship between Words and Thoughts.

Words are tools we use to shape and express thoughts. The meaning of a word depends on how the audience interprets it.

Denotative

The literal, dictionary definition of a word.

Connotative

The emotional or cultural associations a word evokes. (e.g., “school” = childhood, stress, opportunity) 

Effective Language

• Use language accurately 

• Use language clearly (avoid jargon or ambiguity) 

• Use language vividly (create mental images) 

• Use language appropriately to the occasion, audience, topic, and speaker 

Inclusive Language

• Avoid generic "he" 

• Avoid "man" when referring to both sexes 

• Avoid stereotyping jobs/social roles by gender 

• Use names groups use to identify themselves 

• Be respectful of gender identity, culture, and ability 

Metaphor

Comparison without “like” or “as”.

Simile

Comparison using “like” or “as.”

Personification

Giving human qualities to nonhuman objects or ideas.

Parallelism

Repetition of a grammatical pattern for rhythm and emphasis.

Repetition

Restating key words or phrases to reinforce ideas.

Alliteration

Repetition of initial consonant sounds in nearby words.

Antithesis

Juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in a parallel structure.

Abstract Language

Words that refer to ideas or concepts rather than tangible objects (e.g., freedom, love).

Concrete Language

Words that refer to specific, tangible objects or experiences (e.g., spoon, dog, car).

Nonverbal Communication

• Includes facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, posture, and movement 

• It affects how a message is received and interpreted 

• Must be consistent with verbal message to avoid confusion 

Manuscript Delivery

Reading a speech word-for-word from a written text.

Memorized Delivery

Reciting a fully memorized speech without notes.

Impromptu Delivery

Speaking with little or no immediate preparation.

Extemporaneous Delivery

Carefully prepared and rehearsed speech delivered from brief notes or an outline.

Verbal Pause

Filler word such as “um” or “uh” that interrupts flow.

Articulation

Clarity in pronouncing speech sounds.

Pronunciation

Correctness in saying words according to accepted standards.

Visual Aid

Tips for this term include:

• Clarify and reinforce ideas 

• Enhance understanding and retention 

• Add interest to your speech 

• Boost your speaker credibility 

• Helps to combat stage fright

Visual Aid Guidelines

Guidelines for this term include

• Prepare them well in advance 

• Keep them simple and easy to read 

• Make sure they are large and clear enough 

• Use fonts, colors, and images that are readable and consistent 

• Display them only when discussing them 

• Explain them clearly 

• Talk to your audience, not the visual aid 

Informative Speaking

Public speaking whose primary goal is to convey knowledge and understanding.

Object Speech

Informative speech focusing on tangible, visible items.

Process Speech

Informative speech explaining how something works or is done.

Event Speech

Informative speech describing past, present, or future happenings.

Concept Speech

Informative speech discussing ideas, theories, or beliefs.

Persuasion

The process of creating, reinforcing, or changing beliefs or actions.

Target Audience

The subgroup a speaker most wants to influence during a persuasive speech.

Question of Fact

Persuasive topic dealing with truth or falsity of an assertion (e.g., “Will the economy improve?”).

Question of Value

Persuasive topic dealing with the worth, morality, or rightness of an idea or action (e.g., “Is capital punishment ethical?”).

Question of Policy

Persuasive topic about whether a specific course of action should be taken.

Ethos

A speaker’s credibility and trustworthiness.

Pathos

Appeal to audience emotions.

Logos

Logical appeals based on evidence and reasoning.

Reasoning from Specific Instances

Drawing a general conclusion from particular facts or examples.

Reasoning from Principle

Applying a general principle to reach a specific conclusion.

Causal Reasoning

Establishing a cause-and-effect relationship between two events.

Analogical Reasoning

Inferring that what is true for one case is also true for a similar case.

Hasty Generalization

Fallacy of drawing a conclusion without sufficient evidence.

False Cause

Fallacy of assuming that because one event follows another, it caused it.