The First Amendment Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Why Public Speaking is Important Whatever profession you enter Public Speaking will be important. Presenting ideas effectively will enhance your influence in civic, social, and political contexts. Microsoft Photo

Public Speaking as Enlarged Conversation Good public speaking is not usually stiff or exceedingly formal. Effective public speakers tend to use an informal, personal style that invites listeners to feel part of the conversation.

Choosing and Refining a Topic Select a topic that:  Matters to you  Is appropriate to your situation  Is appropriate to your audience Narrow your topic.

General Speaking Purposes To Inform Define Instruct Explain Clarify Demonstrate Teach Train To Entertain Create interest Amuse Warm feelings Celebrate Remember Acknowledge Create/fortify ties between people To Persuade Influence Convince Motivate Preach Inspire Sell To Narrate Share experiences Build community Pass on history Teach a lesson

Specific Speaking Purposes A behavioral objective or observable response that will indicate that you have been effective in achieving your communication goal Example:  “I want 25% of listeners to sign up to donate blood.”

Defining Your Purpose I want my speech to _____________. At the end of my speech, I want listeners to_____________________. To achieve my goal I need to _____________________ ( entertain, narrate, inform, persuade.)

Speeches to Inform Make listeners aware of a new way of thinking about a familiar topic Teach listeners how to do something new Correct misconceptions listeners have Increase listeners’ understanding of a topic they know only a little about Make listeners aware of issues or problems Inform listeners about important events Your audience should have new information as a result of your speech.

Speeches to Persuade Convince listeners to do something they are not currently doing Show listeners they should believe in, or support, a specific policy, law, or organization Convince listeners that something they currently believe or do is wrong and they should change Convert listeners to a cause or specific action Convince listeners to buy a product Motivate listeners to vote for a candidate Inspire listeners to volunteer time or make donations to a worthy cause

Thesis Statement The main idea of the speech  Captures the key message in a short and precise sentence that listeners can remember easily  Is one listeners can grasp at the beginning of your talk and remember after you have finished  Refines what you’ve already done in limiting your topic and defining your purpose

Sample Thesis Statements Effective Ineffective Think twice before you decide against affirmative action. Affirmative action is still needed in the United States. Vegetarianism is a way of life. Vegetarian diets are healthful and delicious.

Effective Speaking Requires Understanding your Audience Demographic Analysis Age, sex, religion, cultural heritage, race, occupation, political allegiances, educational level Use demographic information to make connections with your audience.  Guard against stereotypes. Demographics are not capable of providing in- depth insight into particular listeners.

Effective Speaking Requires Understanding your Audience Goal-focused Analysis Seeks information about listeners that relates directly to the speaker’s topic and purpose Listeners attitudes, knowledge, and experience relevant to the topic Observations, conversations, and surveys are means of gathering information.