Public Speaking Chapter 1 - The Evolving Art of Public Speaking

public speaking

When an individual speaks to a group of people in person or online, assuming responsibility for speaking for a defined length of time.

optimized speaker

A public speaker who consciously adapts to their audiences, speaks personally and conversationally, encourages social cooperation, and uses technology, when appropriate

audience centered

Acknowledging an audience’s expectations and situations before, during, and after a speech.

distance speaking

The planned and structured presentation of ideas transmitted from one physical location to other locations by using communications technology.

Information Literacy

The ability to access, select, evaluate, and use information effectively and responsibly.

Rhetoric

Aristotle’s term for public speaking.

Invention

Discovering what you want to say in a speech, such as by choosing a topic and developing good arguments.

Arrangement

The way ideas presented in a speech are organized.

style

The language or words used in a speech.

Memory

Using the ability to recall information about all aspects of public speaking to give an effective speech

delivery

The public presentation of a speech to an audience

Narrative

A description of events in a dramatic fashion; also called a story

Pervasive communication environment

The ability to access and share information in multiple forms from multiple locations in ways that transcend conventional ways of thinking about time and space.

convergence

When people interact in multiple communications spheres simultaneously.

audience

The intended recipients of a speaker’s message.

speaker

The person who assumes the primary responsibility for conveying a message in a public communication context.

message

The words and nonverbal cues a speaker uses to convey ideas, feelings, and thoughts.

channel

A mode or medium of communication.

noise

Anything that interferes with the reception and understanding of a message.

feedback

Audience members’ responses to a speech.

context

The situation within which a speech is given.

environment

The external surroundings that influence a public speaking event.