Public speaking

Public speaking has roots in ancient 

Greece and Rome

In classical ______, citizens were expected to be able to defend ideas by _______; rhetoric was tied to civic life and ________

Athens, speech, democracy

Aristotle, plato, and others formalized ________ (pathos, logo, ethos) as art of persuasion. 

rhetorical theory

Over time, public speaking has evolved through ________, _______, __________ into what we study today. 

religious, political, educational settings

What is one of the main contexts in which people typically envision public speaking?

The President delivering an inaugural address

According to the text, what is the most common fear among Americans?

Public Speaking

Which term is used to describe a severe fear of public speaking?

Glossophobia

What does the text suggest is a helpful attitude fro public speaker to have toward their audience?

Respect and Empathy

According to research, what are intelligence and related skills considered to be?

Malleable

What is one strategy mentioned for reducing public speaking anxiety?

practicing repeatedly

What type of food us recommended before giving a speech

Protein-based food

Which physical activity is suggested to help with relaxation before public speaking 

stretching 

How does the text define public speaking?

Organizing, face-to-face, purposeful communication

What should you do if you are part of the audience during a speech to help the speaker?

Be an engaged listener

__________is not a one-way event; it’s process involving multiple parts( speaker, message, channel, listener, feedback, noise).

Communication

_______ - Slender and receiver exchange roles; feedback loops allow adjustment. 

interactive model

______- Context changes over time; meaning can shift; bother speaker and audience affect each other.

Dynamic

Communication includes both _________ ( what is said) and _________ ( how it is said, the connection) - a concept form Watzlawick, beavin and jackson

context dimension, relationship dimension

_________ - Awareness of different cultures enriches your speaking - helps you tailer language, examples; avoid offense, connect more deeply. 

Cultural Benefit

________ - The tendency to judge other cultures by your own cultural standards, seeing yours as superior. This can harm credibility and alienate audience.

Ethnocentrism

__________ - Oversimplified generalizations about groups. Speakers must avoid stereotyping (or totalizing) audiences. (Totalizing = treating one trait as the whole identity)

Stereotypes

Source / Sender

(speaker)

Encoding

( putting Ideas into verbal/nonverbal symbols)

Message

(what is said)

Channel (s) 

(medium: spoken voice, visuals, etc.)

Receiver

( Audience)

Decoding

(Interperting the message)

Feedback

(audience reactions)

Noise / interference

(anything that distorts message)

Context / Situation

( environment, cultural, physical setting)

Effect

(impact on audience)

Symptoms of Fear

Dry mouth, trembling, rapid heartbeat, forgetfulness, voice quivers.

Causes of fear and anxiety during a speech

Negative evaluation, perfectionism, lack of experience, physiological reactions (shaking, sweaty. blanking).

What are strategies to manage fear and anxiety during public speaking

Preparation rehearsal, visualization, deep breathing, focus on message and audience rather than self, use notes/ speaking aids, start small (smaller audience), Build confidence through practice

________ - reading word - for - word from a written text

Manuscript

_______ - committing the entire speech to memory 

Memorized 

________ - little or no preparation ( spur of moment)

Impromptu

___________ - prepared and rehearsed, but delivered with flexibility ( using notes/ outlines, no reading) 

Extemporaneous 

_______ - Loudness/ softness appropriate to room and audience

Volume

________ - High, low, variation to avoid monotony

Tone/ Pitch

________ - not too fast; pausing for effect

Rate / Speed

__________ - clarity in speaking

Articulation/ Pronunciation

_______ - speaking so all can hear

Projection

_________ - deliberate pauses can emphasize points 

Pause/ Silence 

_________ - combining changes in pitch, rate, volume for interest

Vocal variety

_______ - engaging with audence, scanning across

Eye Contact

_______ - reflecting emotion appropriate to speech 

Facial expression 

_______ - confident, open posture

Body posture/ stance

______ - purposeful hand/ arm movement to support meaning 

Gestures

________ - purposful pacing or stepping, not wandering

Movement

________ - appropriate to context, enhances ethos

Appearance / Dress

________ - signals closeness/ engagement (leaning slightly forward facing audience) 

Nonverbal immediacy 

• the study of personal space/ distance in communication

• In speaking : How far you stand from audience, distance affects realtionships and intimacy

• Using the speaking area: moving closer for emphasis, stepping back, using the stage

• Being aware of how audience seating, room layout, boundaries affect your movement

Proxemics

What is Imprompu speaking

Presenting a short message without advance preparation

Which of the following is a disadvantage of impromptu speaking

The message may. be disorganized and difficult to follow

What should you avoid saying when giving an impromptu speech 

mention that you are unprepared

What is manuscript speaking?

A word- for- word reading of a written message

What is the primary benefit of practicing your speech out loud?

It identifies awkward sentences and mispronunciations 

Why is it important to practice your speech while standing up?

To develop muscle memory for standing during the speech

Why should you practice your speech with a lectern

To simulate the actual speaking environment

what should you do if you do not have access to real lectern for practice?

Using a kitchen counter or an ironing board as a substitute 

Why is it beneficial to practice your speech in front of an audience

To simulate the feeling of having people watch you

What is the main reason people fear public speaking?

Developing the speech

How long do classroom speeches typically last?

5-8 min 

What is the key difference between Bob's and Chris's speeches?

Bob's speech was well-prepared but poorly delivered; Chris's speech was poorly prepared but well-delivered

What should you do to present yourself professionally during a speech?

Be well-groomed and wear clean, appropriate clothes

Why is speaking considered less formal than reading?

It allows for flexibility and nonverbal interpretation

What is a common challenge when speaking outdoors?

Distractions such as noise and weather

What is a key consideration when using a microphone during a speech?

It amplifies but does not clarify

What is the advantage of a clip-on (Lavalier) microphone?

It allows freedom of movement

How should a speaker handle a small audience of eight to twelve people?

Maintain an intimate, minimally formal tone

What should a speaker do if someone in a small audience interrupts with a question during the speech?

Politely defer the question to the end

What is a common drawback of manuscript speaking?

It can be dull and uninteresting

What device is often used by professional speakers to read a manuscript while maintaining eye contact?

TelePrompTer

What is extemporaneous speaking?

The presentation of a carefully planned and rehearsed speech, spoken conversationally using brief notes

What is one advantage of extemporaneous speaking?

It allows the speaker to make eye contact with the audience

What is memorized speaking?

The rote recitation of a written message that the speaker has committed to memory

What is a potential drawback of memorized speaking?

The speaker might forget parts of the speech and struggle to continue

What is one advantage of studying public speaking?

To become more aware of other speakers' techniques

According to the text, what are the two dimensions of communication?

Content and relationship

What is the primary goal of audience analysis?

To understand the audience's demographic and psychological traits

What is stereotyping in the context of audience analysis?

Generalizing about a group based on a few individuals

Why should a speaker avoid totalizing an audience?

It reduces individuals to a single characteristic

How can understanding the primary reason for an audience's gathering help a speaker?

It helps identify common bonds and tailor the speech effectively

What do psychographic characteristics focus on?

The inner qualities of the audience

What are beliefs, according to Daryl Bem?

Statements we hold to be true

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of beliefs?

Flexability

How are attitudes defined in the text?

Stable positive or negative responses

What are the four types of listening?

Appreciative, Empathic (Therapeutic), Comprehensive, and Critical listening.

What is appreciative listening?

Listening for enjoyment or pleasure, such as music or entertainment.

What is empathic listening?

Listening to provide emotional support or understand another’s feelings.

What is comprehensive listening?

Listening to understand information, ideas, and concepts

What is critical listening?

Listening to evaluate and judge a message’s logic, credibility, and emotional appeal.

Why do people often fail to listen effectively?

External or internal distractions, prejudgment, emotional reactions, focusing on delivery, information overload, or lack of concentration.

Name one strategy to become a better listener.

Be attentive, avoid distractions, take notes, keep an open mind, ask questions, and listen for structure.

What are audience demographics?

Observable traits such as age, gender, ethnicity, education, occupation, religion, and socioeconomic status.

What are psychographic traits?

Internal characteristics—attitudes, beliefs, values, motivations, and needs.

What does audience dynamics refer to?

The way audiences change, react, and respond depending on context, time, and topic.

Why is word choice important when adapting to your audience?

Clear, inclusive, and precise language increases understanding and avoids offense.

What are rhetorical land mines?

Offensive, biased, or insensitive language that can alienate or anger listeners.