Public Speaking and Communication Lecture Notes

Vocabulary flashcards covering public speaking delivery methods, levels of anxiety, organizational principles, and communication ethics based on the lecture notes.

Active listening

An intentional, active process of listening where the audience member focuses, evaluates, and seeks to comprehend the speaker's core message

Preview (introduction)

A statement in the introduction of a speech that briefly outlines the main points the speaker will address

Extemporaneous

A method of delivery that is well-prepared and practiced using brief notes, delivered conversationally.

Impromptu

A method of delivery characterized by spontaneous delivery with little to no prior preparation.

Manuscript

A method of delivery involving reading directly from a written script word-for-word.

Memorized

A method of delivery involving reciting a speech entirely from memory without notes.

Internal Distractions

Thoughts, emotions, physical sensations (e.g., hunger, fatigue, stress), or personal preoccupations that divert focus.

External Distractions

Environmental variables (e.g., room temperature, background noise, phone notifications, visual movement) that interrupt communication.

Public Speaking Anxiety

Fear or anxiety Associated with actual or anticipated communication to audience as speaker.

Pre-preparation anxiety

A feeling of dread or anxiety experienced the moment a person learns they have to give a speech, often leading to procrastination.

Preparation anxiety

Anxiety that arises during the process of researching, outlining, or drafting the speech, usually caused by feeling overwhelmed.

Pre-performance anxiety

Stress experienced while rehearsing or during the immediate buildup right before walking up to present

Performance anxiety

Anxiety experienced during the actual delivery of the speech, typically peaking during the introduction.

Scriptwriting

A listening distraction where a listener plans their own counterargument or response while the speaker is talking, rather than focusing on understanding the speaker's point.

Unity

One of the three characteristics of a well-organized speech where the speech remains focused on a single central thesis without tangential information.

Coherence

One of the three characteristics of a well-organized speech where the main points flow logically and logically connect to one another.

Balance

One of the three characteristics of a well-organized speech where appropriate relative weight and time are given to each main point.

Encoding

The process by which the speaker converts thoughts into verbal and nonverbal messages.

Decoding

The process by which the receiver interprets and assigns meaning to the speaker's symbols.

Plagiarism

Presenting someone else's words, ideas, research, or work as your own without proper citation or credit.

Hearing

The passive, physiological process of perceiving sound waves through the ears.

Listening

The active, cognitive process of receiving, interpreting, evaluating, and responding to spoken messages.

Internal Preview

A type of transition that tells the audience what key point will be covered next.

Internal Summary

A type of transition that reviews key points that were just presented.

Signposts

Numerical or structural cues (e.g., "First," "Next," "Finally") guiding the listener

Intonation

The variation in vocal pitch, tone, and inflection used to convey meaning, emphasis, and emotion.

Legal and ethical speech

Speech that respects legal constraints (avoiding defamation or incitement) while adhering to ethical standards like honesty, fairness, avoiding manipulation, and respecting the audience.

Ethics

The moral principles and standards that guide human judgments regarding what is right, wrong, fair, and responsible

Ethnocentrism

The tendency to believe that one's own cultural worldview or group standards are superior to those of other cultures.

Dyadic communication

Communication that occurs directly between two individuals (such as a conversation or one-on-one interview).

Demographics

Quantifiable characteristics of an audience, such as age, gender, ethnicity, education, income level, and cultural background.

Working outline

A detailed, full-sentence outline created during the research and development phase to organize all points, sub-points, and evidence

Speaking outline

A condensed, quick-reference outline used by the speaker during actual delivery.

Selective listening

A habit in which a listener pays attention only to specific parts of a message that interest them or align with their personal beliefs while ignoring the rest