COMM 101 DAY 1

Misconceptions About Earth and Historical Beliefs

• Common Misconceptions

  • The belief that the Earth revolves around the Sun has been established scientifically, countering earlier misconceptions.

  • Historical belief: The idea that the Earth was flat was prevalent in myths but not as a scientifically accepted view.

• Historical Context

  • During the Age of Exploration (e.g., Columbus in 1492), myths about the Earth falling off the edge were exaggerated. This narrative has distorted the understanding of people's actual beliefs.

  • The truth: Ancient civilizations understood the Earth's curvature and built sea navigation around it.

Fallacies in Argumentation

• Bandwagon Fallacy

  • People often assume that if something is popular, it must be true; e.g., beliefs surrounding conspiracy theories or historical misconceptions about the Earth.

  • Example: Misbeliefs such as the Earth being flat have become part of popular culture, but were never the dominant view.

• Argument Ad Hominem

  • Definition: This fallacy involves attacking the character or circumstances of a person making an argument rather than addressing the argument itself.

  • Importance: A person's background should not invalidate their valid arguments. For instance, a celebrity can have valid opinions despite their status.

  • Example: Kim Kardashian speaking on genocide; her status does not impact the validity of the argument.

• Consequential Fallacy

  • Definition: Accepting or rejecting an argument based on the perceived positive or negative consequences rather than the argument itself.

  • Example: Arguments against stimulus funding based on fear of socialism without evidence is a classic case of this fallacy.

Communication Context

• Understanding Audience Dynamics

  • Audience types:

    • Pedestrian Audiences: People unaware they are an audience until engaged (e.g., street performers).

    • Passive Audiences: Individuals attending for enjoyment (e.g., people watching a movie).

    • Selected Audiences: Individuals with a shared purpose for attending (e.g., public speaking class).

    • Organized Audiences: Groups with a defined structure or leadership (e.g., church gatherings).

• Polarization

  • Refers to a tendency of audiences to have strong, homogenous opinions, particularly in political contexts.

  • Notable in communication settings where speakers must be aware of potentially polarized views.

Effective Communication Strategies

• Establishing Context

  • Context includes background information influencing how the audience interprets messages.

  • Importance of relevance in speeches: Topics need to resonate with the audience to maintain engagement.

• Response and Adaptation

  • Speakers should monitor audience reactions (e.g. body language) and adjust accordingly to keep engagement.

  • Jokes can alienate an audience if not well-received; therefore, starting with humor should be done cautiously.

Purpose and Topics in Public Speaking

• Defining Your Purpose

  • Clarity of purpose shapes speeches: to inform, persuade, or entertain.

  • Importance of tailoring topics that match the audience's expectations and interests.

• Narrowing Speech Topics

  • The specificity of topics aids in depth and coverage within time constraints (3-5 minutes).

  • Choosing relatable and researchable topics is essential for credibility and listener connection.