The Art of Public Speaking Wuhan University Summer Intensive English Program, 2006

Effective speaking skills Actual speaking and presentation Listening skills Critical thinking skills Writing and research ability

Why study public speaking? Pervasive – We are judged how we talk Range of audiences – from 2 to millions Same principles Same fundamental elements – intro, body, and conclusion, as well as others Empowerment – in work, civics, etc

Public speaking versus normal conversation Similarities You organize ideas in your head or on paper You tailor your message to your audience You adapt to your listener

Public speaking versus normal conversation, continued Differences Public speaking is more formal Time limits Detailed preparation Formal language Delivery style – improved voice, posture, dress Can you think of any other differences?

Problems with Public Speaking Fear 1. Death 2. Public Speaking Communication apprehension

Communication Apprehension It happens to everyone It is normal, and should happen You can channel your nervousness: Debilitate vs. motivate More apparent to you than others

Tips for success Choose a topic you are enthusiastic about Research your topic well Good organization Practice, practice, practice, practice… Good rule of thumb – practice at least 6 times before performance

Tips for success Know your audience and how they might react Be familiar with your introduction and conclusion, especially the first sentence Think positively! Remember each speech delivery is a chance to improve Relax – deep breathing or meditate

Communication model feedback message Context (time and place)‏ Interference (internal and external)‏ senderreceiver

Listening

Listening! As you already know, listening is just as important as speaking, if not more 4 general stages to listening Selecting what we want to listen to Attending to the message, with effort Understanding the message Remembering – short term and long-term

Barriers to effective listening Distractions External – noise, light, temperature, physical characteristics Internal – not concentrating; physiological issues like hunger, tired, angry Listening too hard Jumping to conclusions

Listening Overall We can improve our listening skills Critical listening Evaluate Analyze Assess Consider Summarize

Ethical Responsibilities of Listeners 1. Be prepared 2. Have high expectations 3. Be sensitive and tolerant 4. Listen critically

1. Be prepared Ready to Listen Learn

2. Have high expectations Expect presentations that are: Coherent Organized Competently delivered

3. Be sensitive and tolerant Speakers’ messages may reflect different Opinions Ideas Ethnicities Cultures

4. Listen critically Holds speaker to ethical speaking responsibilities. Communicate your reactions through nonverbal cues. Do not resort to unethical messages and tactics while seeking to express your opinions and beliefs about others’ messages.

A little more on listening We pay attention to what we think is important, touches our experiences and plays on what we already know – selective perception Distractions – how do we get past them? First of all, hear them out

Improving Active Listening Set listening goals What do you need and expect? Listen for main ideas Is there a pattern or structure? Watch for nonverbal cues as well Body language, facial expressions

Topics

Picking a good topic Three questions to ask yourself: 1. What do I want my audience to know after leaving this room? 2. What do I want my audience to think about after leaving? 3. What do I want my audience to think about me when leaving this room?

Picking a good topic (cont.)‏ Focus on the type of speech and/or occasion: A toast at a wedding A sales presentation at work What else?

Picking a good topic (cont.)‏ Write the following on a sheet of paper: 10 things you like and/or care about 5 things you would do if you had an entire day off with no responsibilities These are the things you really care about. There are speeches hiding in there somewhere.

Important points about topics 1. You: Topic boring…Them: Topic boring 2. Ask a friend: What do you think? 3. Creative and fun – If you use your imagination, so will the audience. 4. Don’t be afraid to take a chance. 5. Choose a topic focused enough to handle in the allotted time. 6. At the end of a speech, each member of the audience should be able to write your thesis on a piece of paper.

Your topic and the audience Need to understand the psychology of your audience Your task to make them pay attention Audiences are selective Audiences are egocentric What’s in it for me? Listeners will judge a speech based on what they already know and believe You must take care to relate your message to an audience’s existing knowledge and beliefs

Appendix: Organizing your Speech Preparing your speech Choose an interesting topic you are passionate about Narrow your focus for a short speech Organizing your speech Introduction: tell audience what you will tell them Body: tell them your main ideas Conclusion: remind them what you just told them

Delivering our speech Speaking extemporaneously Don't write down every word Practice enough to be familiar with main points Rehearsing a prepared speech Practice out loud, not just in your head Time the length of your speech!! Presenting your speech Take a few deep breaths Don't READ it!! Use gestures but not too many If you forget a part, keep going Establish eye contact with many members of the audience.