Intro to Public Speaking

1/27/25

• What is public speaking?

  1. Addressing an audience

     • interaction between speaker and audience

     • speaker is the main communicator

     • audience plays a response rule

  2. Audience centered message

     • audience gives the purpose of the speech

     • Speaker considers the audience for all rhetorical choices

       • Topic, content, style, delivery

  3. Spoken word emphasis

     • verbal language drives the message

       • presentation aids supplement but never dominates

     • Spoken (verbal) language is different than written language

  4. Prepared presentation

     • Speakers rarely improv on the spot

     • Extemporaneous speaking: carefully prepared and rehearsed, presented to sound natural and conversational

     • Even impromptu speaking is prepared

Importance of “rhetoric” and “public address”

• Rhetoric: persuasive public communication, particularly public speaking

• Public address: communication directed at broad, general audiences

• Importance public speaking has in everyday life, particularly in your education or in careers you may pursue

Summary:

• Public speaking is communication addressed by a speaker to an audience

• Rhetoric and public address are crucial for both engaged citizens and career success