Overview
This lecture covers the importance of audience analysis in public speaking, the different types of audience analysis, and practical methods for analyzing your audience before giving a speech.
Importance of Audience Analysis
- Audience analysis ensures the speech is tailored to the listeners’ interests and needs.
- It helps speakers choose appropriate language, presentation aids, and strategies to relate content to the audience.
- Showing audience consideration strengthens identification and connection with listeners.
Types of Audience Analysis
- Demographic Analysis: Examines characteristics such as age, gender, cultural background, socioeconomic status, religion, political affiliation, and group membership.
- Attitudinal Analysis: Investigates the audience’s attitudes, beliefs, values, feelings, and opinions toward the topic, speaker, and occasion.
- Situational Analysis: Considers contextual factors like audience size, room setup, time of day, and available technology.
Methods for Conducting Audience Analysis
- Observation: Qualitative assessment by observing the audience and environment before and during the speech.
- Sampling: Surveying the audience with formal or informal questions, either before or during the speech, to gather opinions or knowledge.
- General Research: Using published sources or interviews to collect information about the group and the speaking context.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Audience Analysis — The process of gathering and interpreting information about audience members to tailor a speech effectively.
- Demographic Analysis — Analysis based on general audience characteristics like age, gender, and background.
- Attitudinal Analysis — Understanding the audience’s feelings and perspectives regarding the topic and speaker.
- Situational Analysis — Assessment of the physical and contextual elements affecting the speech.
- Identification — The process of finding common ground between speaker and audience.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Practice conducting demographic, attitudinal, and situational analyses for upcoming speeches.
- Prepare surveys or interview questions to gather audience information.
- Observe audiences and environments before your next presentation.