Introduction to

Public Speaking

Textbooks

Stephen E. Lucas

The Art of Public Speaking (8th edition)

Foreign Language Teaching & Research

Press
200410

Essentials of Public Speaking 2nd

edition)

By Cheryl Hamilton

200411

20044
L.G. Alexander

19995

Sue Kay
A Simple Guide to the Art of Debate in
English
FLTRP
20064

Major teaching methods:

1. Lectures on public speaking & debate

(parliamentary style, A/P & B/P)
2. Great Speeches appreciation;
3. Sample speeches and analysis;
4. After-class practice and in-class
discussions;
5. Debate practices.

Scoring breakups:

Class attendance: 10%

Classroom performance10%
In-class speeches30%
(compulsory 2 times/each person:
reciting & an informative speech
Final exam 50%
(a persuasive speech + a feedback note)

Course introduction:

Chapter One Introduction to the Course

2 periods
Chapter Two Selecting a topic and
Analyzing the Audience 2 periods
Chapter Three Gathering Materials 2
periods
Chapter Four Organizing the Body &
Beginning and Ending the Speech 4
periods

Chapter Five Delivery of a Public Speech

2 periods
Chapter Six Speaking to Inform 2 periods
Chapter Seven Speaking on Special
Occasions 2 periods
Chapter Eight Speaking to Persuade 4
periods
Chapter Nine Impromptu Speech and
Q&A 2 periods
Chapter Ten Art of Debate 2 periods

A survey for the public speaking class:

1.What do you think makes a good speech?

List three qualities;
2. What do you think are your strong and
weak points as a presenter?
3. How would you like to improve as a
presenter? What exactly do you want to
learn to do in this course? List at least three
things.

4. Do you have any fears as a speaker? For

example, do you have stage fright or feel you
make a fool of yourself, or are you afraid you will
say the wrong thing or forget your words or the
speech entirely? List them.
5. Which of these types of presentation do you
like to make most?
1)
impromptu speech
2)
speaking to inform
3)
speaking to persuade
4)
speaking on special occasions
5)
debates

I. The power of Public Speaking

One who forms a judgment on any point

but cannot explain it clearly might as well
never have thought at all on the subject.
--- Pericles (), Greek leader
A good speech could be:
clear, well reasoned, articulate, thoughtful,
compelling, witty, touching, convincing,
believable

Public speaking is

A vital means of civic engagement.

A way to express your ideas and to have
an impact on issues that matter in a
democratic society.
A form of empowerment.
It can and often does make a difference
in things people care about very much.

II. The tradition of Public Speaking

Orator: a term to designate someone
with special skills in public speaking
Eloquence has always been highly
prized
The principles of public speaking --long tradition and a substantial body
of research

1. Similarities between
public speaking and conversation:

How do children learn the art of

conversation?

--- by trial and error

Skills employed in conversation

a. Organizing your thoughts logically;
b. Tailoring your message to your audience;
c. Telling a story for maximum impact;
d. Adapting to listener feedback;
These are among the most important skills
you will need for public speaking.

Training in public speaking can make

you a more adept communicator in a
variety of situations, such as
conversations,
classroom discussions,
business meetings,
interviews.

2. Differences between public

speaking and conversation:
Public

speaking
A. is more highly structured;
B. requires more formal language;
C. requires a different method of
delivery.

Do not use

stock phrases

casual posture

vocalized pauses

Instead
Adjust your voices to be heard clearly
throughout the audience;
Assume a more erect posture
Avoid distracting mannerisms and
verbal habits.

Developing confidence:
your speech class

Stage Fright
Nervousness is normal, even
desirable at the start of a speech;
Use your nervousness to your
advantage, to put your butterflies to
good use.

How can we control our nervousness and

make it work for us rather than against us?
--- how to turn it into

positive nervousness

Positive Nervousness:
--- an enthusiastic, lively feeling
with a slight edge to it
--- the controlled nervousness that
helps energize a speaker;
--- not victimized by it, but vitalized
by it.

The ways are

A. Acquire speaking experience;

B. Prepare, prepare, prepare;
C. Think positively;
D. Use the power of visualization;
E. Know that most nervousness is not
visible;
F. Dont expect perfection;

Remember
speechmaking is
NOT:
a kind of performance
BUT:
an act of communication

Besides, you can

A. Be at your best physically and mentally;

B. Tighten and relax your leg muscles or
squeeze your hands together and then
release them;
C. Take a couple slow, deep breaths
before you start to speak;
D. Work especially hard on your
introduction.

E. Make eye contact with members of your

audience;
F. Concentrate on communicating with
your audience rather than on worrying
about your stage fright;
G. Use visual aids.

Your First Speech:

Introducing yourself in 1 minute:

--- purpose:
make other people remember you as
someone unique.