Chapter 1: Public Speaking - An Overview

Flashcards covering key concepts from Chapter 1: Public Speaking - An Overview, including why public speaking matters, the communication process, context, the canons of rhetoric, and fundamental starting principles.

What five skills do employers look for according to Campbell in The Nth Degree article referenced in the notes?

Critical thinking and problem solving; teamwork and collaboration; professionalism and a strong work ethic; oral and written communication skills; leadership.

What is the main benefit of taking a public speaking course beyond it being required?

It helps develop communication, critical thinking/problem solving, teamwork, professionalism, and leadership that apply across fields.

List the seven elements of the human communication process as described in the notes.

People (senders/receivers), context, message, channel, noise, feedback, and outcome.

What are the four contexts highlighted that influence communication?

Historical, cultural, social, and physical contexts.

What are the two ways messages can be conveyed in communication?

Language and nonverbal communication.

What is feedback in public speaking and how is it typically expressed?

Nonverbal cues (eye contact, facial expressions, posture, etc.) used to gauge audience understanding and involvement.

What is 'noise' in the communication process and what types are mentioned?

Interference or interruptions; contextual, physical, and psychological noise.

What does 'outcome' mean in the communication process?

A change in the audience or context, such as increased information, agreement, inaction, or action taken (e.g., becoming a donor).

Name the five canons of rhetoric referenced in the notes.

Invention, arrangement (disposition), style, memory, delivery.

What is emulation in public speaking?

Learning from effective speakers by adopting successful strategies while adapting to your own style; not copying.

Why is timing considered essential in public speaking?

To stay within time limits, show preparation, and demonstrate respect for the audience.

What is 'muscle memory' in the context of public speaking?

The training of the body to perform delivery; public speaking is a physical activity requiring practice.

What is the 'Power of Story' in public speaking?

Stories and anecdotes are highly memorable and persuasive; audiences remember stories longer than statistics.

How does the notes describe 'Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses' in relation to public speaking?

Recognize whether you are extravert or introvert; energy source and how it affects preparation and delivery; adapt accordingly.

Who are the historical figures cited in relation to rhetoric and public speaking, and who proposed the canon framework?

Corax, Tisias, Plato, Isocrates, Aristotle; Marcus Cicero proposed the canons of rhetoric.

Which cultures are mentioned as having early rhetoric conceptions beyond Greece?

India (Buddha), China (Confucius, Han Fei Tzu), and Egypt.

In real-world public speaking, how do 'sender' and 'communication act' relate?

The speaker initiates messages and may respond to audience; sender and act are interconnected rather than fixed roles.

What is the significance of the face-to-face channel in public speaking?

Adds immediacy and urgency; audience can perceive delivery and nonverbal cues; time is linear with limited opportunity for a redo.

What does 'physical context' include that can influence communication?

Environment, temperature, seating, external noise, and cultural meaning of the space (e.g., shrines or monuments).