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Public Speaking Basics: 9 Key Elements

Speaker (Sender)

  • The Speaker is the originator of the message in the public speaking process, i.e., the Source in the communication model (Slide 2).
  • Role: initiates and delivers the message to the audience; serves as the conduit for the purpose, content, and delivery.
  • Contextual note: Central to the model alongside Channel, Message, Feedback, and Receivers.

Purpose

  • PURPOSE: the goal the speaker aims to achieve with the speech.
  • The stated aims are:
    • inspire
    • instruct
    • rally ext{ }support
    • lead ext{ to }action
  • These purposes guide content, tone, and call to action.

Message

  • The content or content structure of the speech.
  • Related concept: “How To” topics work best as demonstration speech topics.
  • Demonstration examples mentioned:
    • Draw a heart
    • Pack a suitcase
    • Blow a chewing gum bubble
    • Sharpen a knife
  • Insight: The message should be organized to illustrate a process or outcome clearly for the audience.
  • Additional note: The slide emphasizes that these topics are effective for demonstration-style delivery.

Channel

  • Channel refers to how the message is conveyed, which includes three aspects:
    • Verbal: What is said (e.g., Hello. Hi. Sup. Alright. Ayup. Howdy. Hiya. Greetings. Yo.)
    • Paralinguistic: How it is said (tone and delivery): Irreverent, Neutral, Respectful, Enthusiastic, Neutral, Matter-of-fact
    • Technological: Visual aids, nonverbal behavior
  • Implication: Choice of channel and delivery affects audience reception and interpretation.

Audience

  • The receivers of the message; the people for whom the speech is intended.
  • Audience characteristics influence how the message should be crafted, delivered, and supported with appropriate channel and examples.

Feedback

  • Feedback is the response of receivers to the message.
  • It is essential for adjusting delivery, clarifying content, and ensuring the message has the intended impact.

Noise (Interference)

  • Noise disrupts or distorts the communication process and is categorized into several types:

    • External Noise (interference from outside the speaker and listeners):
    • Involves the five senses: visual, audible, tactile, olfactory, gustatory
    • Internal Noise (within the speaker/listener):
    • Physiological: body-related distractions
    • Psychological: mind-related distractions
    • Organizational Noise (structure-related issues):
    • Problems with the organization or sequence of the message; Example line from slide: "What did you say?"; and sentiment like "All I heard was Blah, Blah, Blah…"
    • Semantic Noise (language-related issues):
    • Misunderstandings due to language use or ambiguous wording; Example phrase shown: "WHEN SOMEONE ASKS ME TO BE MORE PACIFIC" followed by a product/brand text about SCOTCH WHISKY

  • Practical takeaway: minimize these noise types through clear content, appropriate channel, concise language, and audience-aware pacing.

Setting (Communication Environment)

  • The setting includes three aspects:

    • Place: where the speech occurs
    • Time: when the speech occurs (seasonal and temporal references shown on the slide)
    • Conditions or Context: the situational factors surrounding the speech

  • Place: the physical or virtual location of the speech, which can affect comfort, acoustics, and engagement.

  • Time: represented by seasonal cues (SPRING, SUMMER, FALL, WINTER) and a clock-like numeric layout (e.g., 12, 11, 1, 10, 2, 3) plus days of the week (Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri).

  • Conditions or Context: factors such as Preliminary Tuning Effect, Recent Speeches, and Recent Events that prepare or influence the delivery before the speech.

  • Practical implication: setting informs preparation, examples, and adaptation of content and delivery to maximize audience receptivity.

Consequences (Impacts)

  • Definition: the result or effect of an action (the speech) and its importance or relevance to the audience.
  • Types of consequences:
    • No consequences
    • Immediate consequences
    • Long-term consequences
  • Practical takeaway: articulate expected impacts to guide audience takeaways and to measure speech effectiveness over time.

Conceptual Connections and Real-World Relevance

  • The 9 key elements align with fundamental communication principles: Speaker (Source), Message, Channel, Receivers, Feedback, Noise, Setting, and Consequences.
  • Real-world relevance:
    • Understanding how each element affects clarity, engagement, and outcome in any public-speaking situation.
    • Emphasizes the need to tailor the purpose, message, channel, and setting to the audience and context to maximize impact.
    • Highlights practical strategies for reducing interference (noise) and clarifying semantics and organization.

Ethical, Philosophical, and Practical Implications

  • Ethical implications: strive for clarity, avoid manipulation, and consider accessibility and inclusivity to minimize misinterpretation or harm.
  • Practical implications: deliberate channel choice, audience analysis, and setting adjustments improve comprehension and actionability.
  • Philosophical implication: effective speech aims to create understanding and shared meaning, not just to persuade; this requires listening, feedback, and adaptation.

Key Quantities and Notable Figures (Illustrative)

  • Number of key elements: 9
  • External Noise involves 5 senses
  • Year referenced in a semantic example: 1875
  • Time-related cues shown include multiple clock positions: 12, 11, 1, 10, 2, 3 and days of the week (Mon–Fri)