Public Speaking: An Audience-Centered Approach – 7th edition Steven A. Beebe & Susan J. Beebe

Why Study Public Speaking? Empowerment Employment Achieves desired goals. Is an “advantage” over your competition. Shows confidence. Shows conviction. Corporations want skilled speakers- - - to adapt information, to be organized, and to keep listeners interested. Communication is the top skill sought by employers.

Top Factors in Helping Graduating College Students Obtain Employment Not in Rank Order Grade point average (gpa) Specific degree held Written communication skills Listening ability Leadership in campus/community activity Technical competence Work experience Poise Appearance Resume Part-time or summer employment Enthusiasm Recommendations Accreditation of program Oral (spoken) communication Participation in campus/community activity

Top Factors in Helping Graduating College Students Obtain Employment Oral (spoken) communication Written communication skills Listening ability Enthusiasm Technical competence Work experience Appearance Poise Resume Part-time or summer employment Specific degree held Leadership in campus/community activity Recommendations Accreditation of program Participation in campus/community activity Grade point average (gpa) Source: Winsor, JB,Curtis “National Preferences in Business and Communication Educatoin: A Survey Update,” Journal of the Associaton for Communication Administration 3, September 1997; 174.

Public Speaking Differs From Conversation Public Speaking is Planned More practice. More preparation. More research.

Public Speaking is Formal Less slang & casual language. More physical distance between speaker and audience. More controlled gestures and movements.

Speaker & Audience Roles Clearly Defined Expectations well-established. Behaviors stable. Speaker and audience follow rules more.

Speaking rules for this class Class Activity- As a group, let us establish rules for speaking and listening in this class.

The Communication Process Communication as Action Linear, one-way messages. Source: encodes message. Message: what is said & how it is said. Channel: how message is transmitted. Receiver: decodes message. Noise: interferes with message . Internal. External.

The Action Model of Communication:

Values Beliefs Attitudes

Past events or activities that give knowledge. Experiences

Values Beliefs Attitudes Experiences Past events or activities that give knowledge. Values Beliefs Attitudes Experiences

Communication as Interaction As message is sent, feedback to sender is provided by receiver. Communication happens within a context (environment/situation in which speech occurs.)

Communication as Transaction Communication happens simultaneously. Sender also receives message. Receiver also sends message.

The Rich Heritage of Public Speaking 4th Century B.C. – The “Golden Age” of Rhetoric Rhetoric: use of words and symbols to achieve a goal.

15th Century – Public speaking used mostly by clergy.

18th Century – Public speaking used by American patriots to promote independence.

19th Century – Public speaking plays role in abolition and suffrage movements.

20th Century – Television becomes a force in public speaking. War & civil rights issues.

21st Century – Technology & media revolutionize how people communicate.

Public Speaking & Diversity Different audiences have different expectations. Speakers must adapt to audiences. Audience-centeredness is key.

Improving Your Confidence Nervousness is normal. Public speaking number one in highest anxiety.

Understand Your Nervousness Brain triggers body. Communication apprehension (CA): fear of speaking. Styles of CA: Average: normal heart rate. Insensitive: lower heart rate. Inflexible: higher heart rate. Confrontation: high to normal heart rate.

Nervousness – Use anxiety to your advantage. Audience cannot see nervousness. Use anxiety to your advantage.

Build Your Confidence Before your speech: Don’t delay preparing. Learn as much as you can about your audience. Pick a comfortable and familiar topic. Rehearse your speech. Present a structured speech.

Other advice Before your speech: Be familiar with introduction and conclusion. Simulate actual speech conditions. Breathe deeply. Think & act calm. Picture positive outcomes. Reassure yourself mentally (with a pep talk). Tip: 1) Memorize your first minute of your speech. 3) Use 5 “Silent Reeelaaaax.” 4) Never tell an audience that your are nervous.

Finally… During the speech: Focus on content, not fears. Look for supportive audience members. After the speech: Reflect on positives. Seek other speaking opportunities.