Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
chapter 1
introduction
Humans’ ability to communicate chapter objectives chapter outline
using formalized systems of language After reading this chapter, you should be Introduction
sets us apart from other living creatures able to: Benefits of Public Speaking
on the Earth. Whether these language o Personal
conventions make us superior to other 1. Articulate at least three o Professional
reasons why public o Public
creatures is debatable, but there is no
speaking skills are Models of Communication
question that overall, the most
important. o Linear
successful and most powerful people o Transactional
2. Describe the difference
over the centuries have mastered the Elements of the Communication
between the linear and
ability to communicate effectively. In the transactional model of Process
fact, the skill of speaking is so communication. o Encoding and Decoding
important that it has been formally 3. List, define, and give an o Communicator
taught for thousands of years (see example of each of the o Message
Chapter 2 “The Origins of Public components of o Channel
Speaking” by DeCaro). communication. o Noise
4. Differentiate between the o Worldview
The ironic feature of public speaking major types of speeches o Context
is that while we recognize that it is an 5. Identify the eleven core Types of Speeches
important skill to have, many of us do public speaking Speaking Competencies
not like or want to give speeches. You competencies. o Useful Topic
may be reading this book because it 6. Apply chapter concepts in o Engaging Introduction
was assigned to you in a class, or you final questions and o Clear Organization
may be reading it because you have to activities. o Well-Supported Ideas
o Closure in Conclusion
give a speech in your personal or
o Clear and Vivid Language
professional life. If you are reading o Suitable Vocal Expression
this book because you like public o Corresponding Nonverbals
speaking or you have a burning desire The purpose of this chapter is to
o Adapted to the Audience
to learn more about it, you’re in the familiarize readers with the basic o Adept Use of Visual Aids
minority. concepts of communication and public o Convincing Persuasion
speaking. The chapter begins with a Conclusion
The good news about public description of the personal, Review Questions and Activities
speaking is that although it may not be professional, and public benefits of Glossary
on the top of the list of our favorite learning more about public speaking. References
activities, anyone can learn to give Then the transactional model of
effective presentations. You don’t have communication is introduced along
to look like a Hollywood star and you with the fundamental components of
don’t have to use fancy words to be a the communication process. Next,
successful speaker. What is important readers will learn about different types Wherever I go meeting the
is that the audience understands you of speeches and the occasions for public... spreading a message
and remembers what you have to say. which they would be presented. The
By learning and using the techniques of human values, spreading a
chapter ends with an overview of
provided in this book, you will discover eleven primary public speaking message of harmony, is the
how to create engaging speeches and competencies. most important thing.
present them using your own delivery
style. ~Dalai Lama
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Chapter 1 Introduction to Public Speaking www.publicspeakingproject.org
fulfill essential roles in our family and But before you even start a career,
community. you have to get a job. Effective
Another great personal benefit of speaking skills make you more
public speaking is that it builds self- attractive to employers, enhancing your
confidence. It’s no surprise that chances of securing employment and
speaking in public is scary, but by later advancing within your career.
engaging in the activity you will build Employers, career counselors, and the
self-confidence through the experience. National Association of Colleges and
Chapter 11, “Speaking with Employers (NACE) all list good
Confidence” by Grapsy ( in this book) communication skills at the top of the
will give you advice on how to list of qualities sought in potential
minimize speech apprehension, and the employees. According to NACE’s
advice can be used in many other social executive director, Marilyn Mackes, the
situations as well. Job Outlook 2013 Report found that
employers are looking for people who
benefits of public speaking can communicate effectively (Koncz &
According to the Association of Allen, 2012). Monster.com advises,
American Colleges and Universities, Action is a great restorer and “articulating thoughts clearly and
there are a core set of skills that are builder of confidence. concisely will make a difference in
necessary “both for a globally engaged both a job interview and subsequent job
democracy and for a dynamic- Inaction is not only the result, performance” (McKay, 2005).
innovation fueled economy” (Rhodes, but the cause, of fear.
2010, p. 10). In the category of public
Perhaps the action you take Learning about public speaking will
“Intellectual and practical skills”
public speaking is listed as one of will be successful; perhaps allow you to participate in democracy
these core skills. This is not different action or at its most basic level. Public speaking
particularly surprising given that is important in creating and sustaining a
adjustments will have to society, which includes informed,
communication skills are critical for
intellectual development, career follow. But any action is active participants. Even if you do not
trajectory, and civic engagement. better than no action at all. plan to run for office, learning about
Public speaking is universally public speaking helps you to listen
~ Norman Vincent Peale more carefully to and critically evaluate
applicable to all types of majors and
occupations and is seen by U.S. other’s speeches. In fact the “Listening
employers as a critical employability professional Effectively” and “Critical Thinking and
skill for job seekers (Rockler-Gladen, TV announcers, teachers, lawyers, Reasoning” chapters in this book by
2009; U.S. Department of Labor, and entertainers must be able to speak Goddu and Russ will help you to
2000). No matter what your ambitions well, but most other professions require develop those skills. Listening and
and interests are, developing speaking or at the very least can benefit from the critical thinking allow you to
skills will benefit your personal, skills found in public speaking. understand public dilemmas, form an
professional, and public life. opinion about them, and participate in
It is believed 70% of jobs today resolving them. The progress of the
personal involve some form of public speaking past century involving segregation,
People don’t just give presentations (Aras, 2012). With the recent
on the job and in classes. At times we economic shift from manufacturing to
are called upon to give speeches in our service careers, the ability to
personal lives. It may be for a special communicate with others has become
event, such as a toast at a wedding. We crucial. Top CEOs advise that great
may be asked to give a eulogy at a leaders must be able to communicate
funeral for a friend or loved one. As a ideas effectively, they must be able to
part of volunteer work, one may have persuade, build support, negotiate and
to introduce a guest speaker at an event speak effectively in public (Farrell,
or present or accept an award for 2011). The chapters on “Informative
service. Chapter 17, “Special Occasion Speaking” and “Persuasive Speaking”
Speaking” by Scholl will help you to can help readers understand how to
prepare for these brief but important write presentations that enhance their
speeches. Developing the skill to give leadership skills.
these types of speeches can help us to
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communication is not a one-way message same speech but speaks with a solemn
process. Even in a public speaking The message involves those verbal tone of voice. If there is ever a conflict
situation, we watch and listen to and nonverbal behaviors, enacted by between the verbal and the non-verbal
audience members’ responses. If communicators, that are interpreted aspects of a message, people will
audience members are interested, agree, with meaning by others. The verbal generally believe the nonverbal portion
and understand us, they may lean portion of the message refers to the of the message. To test this, tighten
forward in their seats, nod their heads, words that we speak, while the your muscles, clench your fists at your
have positive or neutral facial nonverbal portion includes our tone of sides, pull your eye brows together,
expressions, and provide favorable voice and other non-vocal components purse your lips, and tell someone in a
vocal cues (such as laughter, “That’s such as personal appearance, posture, harsh voice, “NO, I’m NOT angry!”
right,” “Uh huh,” or “Amen!”). If gestures and body movements, eye See if they believe your words or your
audience members are bored, disagree, behavior, the way we use space, and nonverbal behavior.
or are confused by our message, they even the way that we smell. For The message can also be intentional
may be texting or looking away from instance, the person who gets up to or unintentional. When the message is
us, shake their heads, have unhappy or speak wearing a nice suit will be intentional, this means that we have an
confused expressions on their faces, or interpreted more positively than a image in our mind that we wish to
present oppositional vocal cues (like person giving the exact same speech communicate to an audience or a
groans, “I don’t think so,” “That wearing sweats and a graphic t-shirt. person in a conversation, and we can
doesn’t make sense,” or “You’re Or if a speaker tries to convince others successfully convey the image from our
crazy!”). Thus, communication is to donate to a charity that builds wells mind to others’ minds with relative
always a transactional process – a give in poor African villages using a accuracy. An unintentional message is
and take of messages. monotone voice, she will not be as sent when the message that we wish to
effective as the speaker who gives the convey is not the same as the message
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fairly straightforward, it is actually One of the ways that you can tell what
much more complicated than it seems. people value is to ask them what their
The reason for this is because we all goals are, or to ask them what qualities
have different worldviews. Worldview they look for in a life partner. Our
is the overall framework through which values represent the things that we hope
an individual sees, thinks about, and for --they do not represent reality.
interprets the world and interacts with Values can have an impact on multiple
it. There are five core components to levels of the public speaking process,
our worldview. but in particular values impact speaker
1. Epistemology is the way that we credibility and effectiveness in
acquire knowledge and/or what counts persuasion. For instance, some cultures
as knowledge. Think about the process value modest dress in women, so a
of conducting research. Thirty years female speaker wearing a sleeveless
ago, to find a series of facts one had to blouse while speaking could cause her
use a card catalogue and scour the to lose credibility with some audience
library stacks for books. Now members. Or if audience members
researchers can access thousands of value the freedom to bear arms over the 5. Praxeology denotes our preferred
pages of information via their computer benefits of government regulation, a method of completing everyday tasks
from the comfort of their own home. speaker will have a difficult time or our approach to solving problems.
Epistemology is linked to public convincing these audience members to Some speech writers may begin
speaking because it governs audience vote for stricter gun control legislation. working on their outlines as soon as
members’ preferred learning styles and they know they will need to give a
who or what they consider to be speech, while others may wait until a
credible sources. It is always good to explore few days before their speech to begin
preparing (we do not recommend this
2. Ontology refers to our belief the stuff you don't agree with, approach). Praxeology may also have
system, how we see the nature of to try and understand a an impact on a speaker’s preference of
reality or what we see as true or false. delivery style, methods of arranging
We may (or may not) believe in aliens
different lifestyle or foreign
main points, and choice of slideware
from outer space, that butter is bad for worldview. I like to be (i.e., Power Point versus Prezi).
you, that the Steelers will win the challenged in that way, and
Superbowl, or that humans will be It is important to understand
extinct in 200 years. Speech writers
always end up learning worldview because it has a profound
should be careful not to presume that something I didn't know. impact on the encoding and decoding
audience members share the same process, and consequently on our
~ Laura Linney ability to be understood by others. Try
beliefs. If a speaker claims that illness
can be aided with prayer, but several this simple experiment. Ask two or
people in the audience are atheists, at 4. Cosmology signifies the way that three people to silently imagine a dog
best the speaker has lost credibility and we see our relationship to the universe while you imagine a dog at the same
at worst these audience members could and to other people. Cosmology time. “Dog” is a very concrete word
be offended. dictates our view of power (a word that describes a tangible object
relationships and may involve our that can be perceived through the
3. Axiology represents our value religious or spiritual beliefs. senses), and it is one of the first words
system, or what we see as right or Controversial speech topics (like children in the United States learn in
wrong, good or bad, and fair or unfair. universal health care and the death school. Wait a few seconds and then
penalty) are often related to this aspect ask each person what type of dog they
of worldview as we must consider our were thinking of. Was it a Chihuahua?
responsibilities to other human beings A greyhound? Golden retriever?
and our power to influence them. Rottweiler? Or some other dog? Most
Interestingly, cosmology would also likely each person you asked had a
play a role in such logistical points as different image in his or her mind than
who is allowed to speak, the order of you had in yours. This is our worldview
speakers on a schedule (e.g., from most at work.
to least important), the amount of time To further illustrate, you may tell a
a speaker has to speak, the seating co-worker, “I can’t wait to go home
arrangement on the dais, and who gets this weekend – we are having lasagna!”
the front seats in the audience. Seems like a fairly clear-cut statement,
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Context is worth 80 IQ
points.
~ Alan Kay
context
The last element of the
communication process is the context
in which the speech or interaction takes
place. In the 1980’s context was taught
as the actual physical setting where
doesn’t it? Unfortunately, it is not.
communication occurred, such as in a
While “lasagna” is also a concrete types of speeches and
place of worship, an apartment, a
word, our worldviews cause us to
interpret each word in the statement
workplace, a noisy restaurant, or a speaking occasions
grocery store. People communicate There are three general purposes for
differently. Where is “home?” Who is
differently in each one of these places speaking in public. The general
making the meal? What ingredients
as there are unwritten rules of purpose of a speech is usually
will be used in the lasagna? Is this dish
communication (called norms) that determined by the occasion in which
eaten as a regular meal or for a special
govern these settings. More recently the speech will be presented. The first
occasion? Will there be leftovers? Are
the concept of context has evolved and general purpose is to inform your
friends invited? Since everyone who
expanded to include the type of audience. In an informative speech, the
has eaten lasagna has had a different
relationships we have with others and presenter will share information about a
experience of the cuisine, we all
the communicative rules that govern particular person, place, object,
acquire a different image in our mind
those relationships. So you do not process, concept, or issue by defining,
when we hear the statement “…we are
speak the same way to your best friend describing, or explaining. Occasions
having lasagna!”
as you do to a small child, your parent, for which an informative speech would
Complicating matters is the fact that your boss, your doctor or a police be presented include a report presented
the more abstract the word becomes, officer. And you may speak to your to coworkers, a teacher presenting
the more room there is for best friend differently in your information to his or her class, and a
interpretation. Abstract words (words apartment than you do in your parents’ training session for a job. The second
that refer to ideas or concepts that are home, and your communication may purpose for public speaking is to
removed from material reality) like also change when you are both out with persuade. In a persuasive speech, the
“peace,” “love,” “immoral,” “justice,” friends on the weekend. In sum, the presenter will attempt to reinforce or
“freedom,” “success,” and “honor” can context refers to the norms that govern change their audiences’ beliefs,
have a number of different meanings; communication in different situations attitudes, feelings, or values. Several
each of which is predicated on one’s and relationships. occasions where persuasion is used
worldview. Communicators have their include a sales pitch to potential
own unique worldviews that shape both customers, a politician’s campaign
the encoding and decoding processes, speech, or a debate during a public
which means that we can never be forum. The last general purpose is to
completely understood by another commemorate or entertain. These types
person. People from the Midwest may of speeches often strengthen the bonds
call carbonated beverages “pop,” while between audience members from
those from the east coast may say recalling a shared experience or intend
“soda,” and those from Georgia may to amuse audiences through humor,
say “coke.” Even when simple terms stories, or illustrations. Examples of
are used like “oak tree” or “fire this purpose include a toast, such as a
hydrant,” each listener will form a best man’s speech at a wedding
different mental image when decoding reception; a eulogy to praise the dead; a
the message. Never take commencement speech at graduation;
communication for granted, and never or presenting an award. It is important
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Chapter 1 Introduction to Public Speaking www.publicspeakingproject.org
to note that these general purposes may 2. engaging introduction are somewhat organized, but the
overlap one another. One might wish to To formulate an introduction that content of these points may overlap.
use some forms of entertainment while orients the audience to the topic and Transitions may also be present in his
informing or persuading his or her the speaker is the second speaking speech, but they are not particularly
audience. competency. An advanced speaker effective. In the ineffective speaker’s
writes an introduction that contains an speech, there is no clear organizational
excellent attention-getter. She firmly pattern, there are no transitions, and it
A desire presupposes the establishes her credibility. She sounds as if the information is
provides a sound orientation to the randomly presented.
possibility of action to topic, states her thesis clearly, and
achieve it; action previews her points in a cogent and
presupposes a goal which is memorable way. For the beginning Don't leave inferences to be
speaker, her attention-getter is drawn when evidence can be
worth achieving. mundane and she somewhat develops
~ Ayn Rand her credibility. Her thesis is presented.
awkwardly composed and she provides ~ Richard Wright
little direction for the audience. The
speaking competencies ineffective speaker has no opening 4. well-supported ideas
We assume you are reading this technique, no credibility statement and Fourth on the list of speaking
book or chapter because you wish to provides no background on the topic. competencies is to locate, synthesize,
improve your speaking skills – a In addition she has no thesis statement and employ compelling supporting
worthy goal. As Ayn Rand alludes to and no preview of her points. materials. In the advanced speaker’s
in her quote, a desire to succeed is the speech, her key points are well
first step in achieving this objective. supported with a variety of credible
Nevertheless, you cannot hit a target materials, and her sources provide
unless you know what it is. Thus, the excellent support for her thesis. In
final portion of this chapter is devoted addition, all of her sources are clearly
to an overview of eleven speaking cited. A beginning speaker has points
competencies which we consider to be that are generally supported with a fair
the standards for evaluating a variety of mix of materials. Only some of her
presentations at every level of mastery. evidence supports her thesis, and her
These are based on the Public Speaking source citations need to be clarified.
Competence Rubric [PSCR] (Schreiber, An ineffective speaker gives a speech
Paul & Shibley, 2012). A complete with no supporting materials or no
copy of the rubric can be found at source citations.
http://www.publicspeakingproject.org/
activities.html.
5. closure in conclusion
The fifth speaking competency is to
1. useful topic develop a conclusion that reinforces
The first speaking competency is to the thesis and provides psychological
select a topic that is appropriate to the closure. The advanced speaker
audience and the occasion. An provides a clear and memorable
advanced speaker selects a worthwhile summary of his points, and he refers
topic that engages the audience. His back to the thesis or big picture. His
topic also presents the audience with speech also ends with a strong clincher
new information that they did not know 3. clear organization or call to action. A beginning speaker
before the speech. A beginning Competency three is to use an provides some summary of his points,
speaker selects a topic that lacks effective organizational pattern. An but there is no clear reference back to
originality or is out of date. His topic advanced speaker is very well his thesis. The closing technique of his
provides no new information to the organized and delivers a speech with speech can also be strengthened. In an
audience. An ineffective speaker may clear main points. His points are ineffective speaker’s speech, there is no
give a speech in which a single topic mutually exclusive and directly related conclusion. His speech ends abruptly
cannot be deduced by the audience. to the thesis. Further, he employs and without closure.
effective transitions and signposts to
help the speech flow well. The
beginning speaker has main points that
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review questions
1. What are the personal, professional and public benefits of enhancing your public speaking skills?
2. What is the difference between the linear and transactional model of communication?
3. Define and give an original example of each of the elements of the communication process.
4. Which of the elements of the communication process do you think has the greatest impact on the way a message
is interpreted. Explain.
5. What are the three types of speeches? For each of the three types of speeches, give two examples of an occasion
or situation in which that type of speech might be given.
6. List the eleven speaking competencies. For each competency listed, describe the differences between the
advanced speaker and the inexperienced speaker.
activities
1. Working in groups of 3 – 5, generate a list of the characteristics of ineffective speakers you have seen. Next, generate
a list of the characteristics of the effective speakers you have seen. What three qualities do you believe are most
important to be a successful speaker? Explain.
2. Locate a speech on YouTube. While watching the speech, identify the strengths and weaknesses of the speaker’s
content and delivery? What three things could the speaker improve on? What three things did you like about the
speaker? If you were to deliver the speech, how would you do things differently?
glossary
Abstract Word Context Encoding
Words that refer to ideas or The communication rules that The process of taking a mental
concepts that are removed from govern different physical settings image, associating the image with
material reality. and/or different types of words, and then speaking those
Axiology relationships. words.
A part of worldview; refers to an Cosmology Epistemology
individual or group’s value A part of worldview; refers to the A part of worldview; refers to the
system. way individuals and groups see way an individual or group
Channel themselves in relation to other acquires knowledge or what
The means through which the people and their view of their counts as knowledge.
message travels. place in the universe. Listening
Communicator Cultural Noise The psychological process of
The people in the interaction or Differences in worldview that interpreting and making sense of
speech setting who encode and cause message interference. the messages we receive.
decode messages simultaneously. Decoding Message
Concrete Word The process of listening to words The words, nonverbal behavior,
A word that describes a tangible and interpreting the words so they or other signals transmitted from
object that can be perceived are associated with a mental one person to another.
through the senses. image.
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references
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Koncz, A. and Allen, C. (2012).
from http://www.thecommuni e.cfm/job_skills_that_every_college
Employers look for communication
cationfactory.com/seminars/skills/Pu skills, ability to work in a team in _student_needs
blicSpeaking.php new college grads. Schreiber, L., Paul, G. & Shibley, L. R.
Barnlund, D. C. (2008). A transactional www.naceweb.org/pressreleases/. (2012). The development and test of
model of communication. In. C. D. the Public Speaking Competence
McKay, J. (2005). Employers complain
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theory (2nd Ed), pp. 47-57. New Pittsburgh Post Gazette. 61 (3), 205 – 233.
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Rhodes, T. (Ed.) (2010). Assessing
Farrell, R. (2011). Soft skills all great outcomes and improving The mathematical theory of
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professionalism, and other important
photo credits
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http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/co http://www.flickr.com/photos/codepo8/4
Dalai-Lama-talking-to-KD.jpg By mmons/1/17/FEMA_-_32747_- 348896264/
Wakan Foundation for the Arts _FEMA_Community_Relations_worker_ by Christian Heilmann
p. 2 Ronsenbaum talking to woman talking_to_a_Ohio_resident.jpg By John p. 9 Woman drawing
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: Ficara / FEMA http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonnygolds
Michael_Rosenbaum_(4995506953).jpg p. 6 Superfans tein/3958940167/sizes/m/in/photostream/
By Vagueonthehow http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: by Jonny Goldstein
p. 2 Alice Walker NFL_Superfans.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: By HMJD02
Alice_Walker_(cropped)1.jpg By p. 7 Hand cyclists at Warrior Games
Virginia Debolt http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:
p. 5 The Kennedy / Nixon Debate 1960 Flickr_-_The_U.S._Army_-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kenned _Talking_technique.jpg By U.S. Army
y_Nixon_Debat_(1960).jpg By the
National Park Service
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