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Public Speaking. Lecture #2. “To speak and to speak well are two things. A fool may talk, but a wise man speaks .” ~ Ben Jonson. Topics to cover…. What is public speaking? Why study public speaking? It is a great tradition It is a dynamic discipline. Public speaking is….
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Public Speaking Lecture #2
“To speak and to speak well are two things. A fool may talk, but a wise man speaks.” ~Ben Jonson
Topics to cover… • What is public speaking? • Why study public speaking? • It is a great tradition • It is a dynamic discipline
Public speaking is… • Communication between a speaker and an audience • Speaker does most of the talking • Speaker reacts and adapts to the audience • Speaker retains control of the floor
Public Speaking is… • Audience Centered CLIP --- PLAYING THE AUDIENCE ___ World Science • Presenter chooses his or her message with the audience needs and interests in mind • Sharp assessment is key to success • Develop the message so that it is interesting and understandable
Public Speaking is… • Fundamentally about the spoken word • Supplemental aides should never outperform the speaking • The words should always be the central role • Experienced presenters know how to add depth and breadth through non-verbal cues or visuals without taking away from the speech
Public Speaking is… • Usually a prepared presentation • The best speakers choose topics in advance • The best speakers consider how best to present topic and how to tailor it to their audience • The best speakers rehearse (seconds, days, or weeks) is paramount
Using public Speaking as a Student • All your courses include public speaking in some form • Introductions • Oral Presentations • Reading out loud • Performance • Group work communication/leadership • Be a class contributor • Engage in extra-curricular activities • College prep • Speech/Communication general ed. requirement
Using public speaking in your career • Transferable skill - #1 skill employers look for regardless of industry • Interviews • According to a 2000 study, “Making the Grade? What American Workers Think Should Be Done to Improve Education” • 87% rated communication as very important for performing their jobs • Essential skills necessary in any work environment – for example: • Police officer talking down an angry crowd • A nurse explains to her management team an important union issue • An accountant makes a presentation to investors • Teachers…
Using Public Speaking in your community • Getting involved • Social clubs • Athletic leagues • Religious groups • Political committees • “People have to talk about something just to keep their voice boxes in working order so they'll have good voice boxes in case there's ever anything really meaningful to say.” ~Kurt Vonnegut • “Be the change you wish to see in the world” - Gandhi
The great tradition ofpublic speaking • 5th century B.C.E. Athens • Right to speak out in assembly • As many as 6,000 audience members • Aristotle • Rhetoric (4th century B.C.E.) • 1st century B.C.E. Romans embrace debate • Cicero – renowned political orator • Quintilian –emphasized the ideal of ethics in rhetoric • Also Chinese, African, Islamic, Native American and other important oral traditions and influences
Public Speaking Has been an integral part of American History Boston Tea Party Lincoln Douglas Debate
Public Speaking Has been an integral part of American History “I have a dream…” Steve Jobs Keynote
The dynamic Discipline • Aristotle still holds some relevance today…But the discipline has evolved to reflect changes in society • The public speaking process • Audience awareness • Cultural diversity • Importance of critical thinking • Attention to ethics
Shared meaning • It’s not just about getting your point across • Improve your own knowledge • Seek understanding • Develop partnership and agreement • An adept public speaker uses knowledge of transactional communication with a goal of shared meaning to direct his or her presentation --- Checking for understanding
Awareness of Cultural diversity • Culture – the values, traditions, and rules for living that are passed from generation to generation • Culture is learned and influences all aspects of an individual’s life • Food choices • Use of language • Dress • Religious practices • Communication • Americans obviously need to be sensitive and informed about cultural diversity
Worldview? Stuart McArthur – 12 years old - Australian
The importance of critical thinking • Decide what to believe and how to act after careful evaluation and reasoning • Analyze assumptions • Examine truth, reliability, and accuracy before making judgments • Consider other perspectives • Research!
The importance of ethics • Definition: a set of beliefs shared by a group about what behaviors are correct or incorrect • Quintilian – “the good person speaking well” • Virtuous, moral, and public spirited • Unethical public speaking (politicians, media, lawyers, corporations) have forced the public to be hyper-sensitive • Credibility is crucial