Public Speaking Principles and Techniques

Flashcards covering essential vocabulary, concepts, and techniques for public speaking and communication.

Public Speaking

A vital means of communication that has been taught and studied globally for thousands of years.

Similarities to Everyday Conversation

Public speaking and everyday conversation share organization of thoughts, audience adaptation, and storytelling.

Key Differences in Public Speaking

Public speaking is more structured, uses formal language, and different delivery methods compared to everyday conversation.

Stage Fright

A major concern among students that can be managed with techniques like preparation and positive thinking.

Critical Thinking

Skills needed for assessing arguments, distinguishing facts from opinions, and judging credibility.

Communication Process

Includes elements such as speaker, message, channel, listener, feedback, interference, and situational context.

Interference

Anything that impedes the communication of a message, including external and internal factors.

Ethics in Public Speaking

The branch of philosophy concerned with questions of right and wrong in human affairs as it relates to public speaking.

Plagiarism

The act of presenting another person's language or ideas as one’s own, which is a serious ethical lapse.

Global Plagiarism

Taking an entire speech from a single source and passing it off as one's own.

Patchwork Plagiarism

Combining parts of multiple sources to create a speech without proper attribution.

Incremental Plagiarism

Failing to give credit for specific increments of a speech that are borrowed from others.

Ethnocentrism

The belief that one's own culture or group is superior to others, which should be avoided in public speaking.

Comprehensive Listening

Listening focused on understanding the speaker’s message.

Critical Listening

Evaluating a message to either accept or reject it.

Appreciative Listening

Listening for pleasure or enjoyment.

Empathic Listening

Listening to provide emotional support to the speaker.

Poor Listening Causes

Includes distractions, jumping to conclusions, and focusing too much on delivery.

Improving Listening Skills

Involves taking listening seriously, becoming an active listener, and resisting distractions.

Demographic Traits

Characteristics like age, gender, religion, and cultural background that can affect audience reception.

Situational Audience Analysis

Examining features unique to the speaking situation such as audience size and disposition.

Speech Connectives

Words or phrases that join thoughts and indicate relationships between ideas.

Transition

A kind of connective indicating when a speaker has completed one thought and is moving to another.

Internal Preview

An indication of what the speaker will take up next.

Signpost

Short statements that indicate where the speaker is in the speech.

Critical Thinking Skills

Assessing the strengths and weaknesses of arguments and distinguishing fact from opinion.

Effective Speech Delivery

Key nonverbal communication using the speaker’s voice and body to convey the intended message.

Manuscript Speech

A speech that is read verbatim, often used for accuracy.

Memory Speech

A speech delivered from memory, often used for short presentations.

Impromptu Speech

A speech given with little preparation, focused on responding to a prompt.

Extemporaneous Speech

A speech prepared and practiced in advance, delivered with the aid of notes.

Vocal Variety

Modulations in rate, pitch, volume, and timing that make delivery engaging.

Using Nonverbal Communication

Involves body language, gestures, and facial expressions to enhance speech.

Visual Aids

Tools like graphs, charts, and images that enhance audience understanding and retention.

Causal Reasoning

Establishing cause-and-effect relationships in persuasive arguments.

Analogical Reasoning

Comparing two similar cases to draw conclusions.

Emotional Appeal

A persuasive technique that aims to elicit feelings from the audience.

Initial Credibility

Perception of the speaker's credibility before the speech begins.

Derived Credibility

Perception of the speaker's credibility during the speech.

Terminal Credibility

Perception of the speaker's credibility at the end of the speech.

Inclusive Language

Language that respects and acknowledges diversity among audience members.

Ethical Guidelines

Principles that guide speakers to ensure their goals are ethically sound and that they present evidence accurately.

Audience-Centered Speaking

Public speaking that focuses on engaging and relating to the audience's values and concerns.

Informative Speech

A speech aimed at providing information clearly and accurately.

Persuasive Speech

A speech that aims to create, reinforce, or change beliefs or actions.

Commemorative Speech

A tribute to honor someone or something, often characterized by emotional language.

Speech of Introduction

A brief speech that introduces a speaker and builds anticipation.

Speech of Acceptance

An expression of gratitude for a gift or award, acknowledging contributors.

Speech Presentation

A speech that explains why someone is receiving an award or recognition.