Audience Analysis & Persuasion Strategies in Public Speaking

What is formal audience analysis?

A systematic, structured method using surveys, questionnaires, and interviews to gather reliable data before a speech.

What is informal audience analysis?

Based on observation and prior knowledge, such as casual conversations and demographic observations, to gain quick insights.

Define audience analysis.

The process of gathering and interpreting information about listeners to adapt the message to their attitudes, beliefs, knowledge level, and expectations.

What is audience adaptation?

Using insights from audience analysis to tailor the topic, wording, organization, delivery, examples, and supporting materials for clarity and impact.

What does demographic analysis focus on?

Measurable categories like age, gender, cultural background, education, socioeconomic status, and group membership.

What is the purpose of psychological analysis?

To predict audience resistance or acceptance based on attitudes, beliefs, values, motivation, and prior knowledge.

What factors are considered in situational analysis?

Audience size, physical setting, time limits, location, occasion, and audience expectations of the speaker and topic.

What should you do before a speech to analyze and adapt?

Read the assignment context, research audience demographics, conduct surveys or interviews, and observe the space and audience size.

How can you adjust during a speech?

By reading nonverbal feedback, asking questions, adjusting pacing, and adding spontaneous examples.

What are the goals of persuasion?

To influence attitudes, change beliefs, and motivate specific behaviors.

What is the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM)?

A model of persuasion with two processing routes: central route (deep thinking) and peripheral route (relying on cues).

What does the Social Judgment Model explain?

Persuasion depends on how close a message is to existing beliefs, with latitudes of acceptance, noncommitment, and rejection.

What is cognitive dissonance in persuasion?

The motivation to resolve inconsistencies between beliefs and behaviors.

What are the four main strategies for motivating listeners?

Cognitive dissonance, positive motivation, negative motivation, and appeal to needs.

Define ethos in persuasion.

Credibility, established by demonstrating expertise, goodwill, citing reliable sources, and using respectful language.

What does logos refer to in persuasive strategies?

Logic, involving clear reasoning, credible evidence, and structured arguments.

What is pathos in persuasive communication?

Emotional appeal, using vivid stories, emotional language, and connections to shared values.

What is an ad hominem fallacy?

Attacking the person instead of addressing the argument.

What is a straw man fallacy?

Misrepresenting someone's argument to make it easier to attack.

What is the false dilemma fallacy?

Presenting only two choices when more exist.

What is Monroe's Motivated Sequence?

A persuasive organizational pattern consisting of Attention, Need, Satisfaction, Visualization, and Action.

When should you use the Problem-Solution outline?

When the audience already recognizes the problem.

What is the purpose of emotional appeals in persuasion?

To drive attention and memory, making messages with emotional content more memorable.

What are the undesirable outcomes of social media and AI on emotions?

Exploitation of emotional wiring, leading to polarization, misinformation, and addictive use.

What is algorithmic amplification?

When platforms boost content that triggers strong emotional responses, leading to negative societal impacts.

What is cognitive bias exploitation in social media?

Showing content similar to past engagement, creating echo chambers.

What effect does rapid emotional triggering have?

Keeps the brain in a loop of emotional stimulation, affecting decision-making.