Introduction to Public Speaking

Importance of Studying Public Speaking

• Public speaking skills are beneficial in personal and professional settings.
  • Personal examples: giving a toast, delivering a eulogy, speaking at a retirement dinner.
  • Professional benefits: enhances managerial skills, coworker interactions, customer service roles, sales positions.
  • Aids in job interviews by improving self-presentation.

Communication Models

Linear Model of Communication

• Communication is unidirectional: from sender to receiver.
• Example: Radio broadcast from a tower to a car stereo.

Transactional Model of Communication

• Involves two or more communicators sending and receiving messages simultaneously.
• Nonverbal communication allows for simultaneous message exchange.
• Spoken messages are encoded and sent over a channel (e.g., language).
• Receiver decodes or interprets the message.
• Noise Types:
  • Physiological Noise: External sounds hindering clear hearing.
  • Psychological Noise: Internal thoughts distracting from the message.

General Purposes for Speaking

• To Inform: Educate the audience on a topic.
• To Persuade: Influence the audience’s beliefs or actions.
• To Entertain: Also known as special occasion speaking.

Preparing Your Speech

• Carefully select and organize your speech topic and supporting materials.
• Emphasize creating strong introductions and conclusions.
  • Introduction: First impression on the audience.
  • Conclusion: Leaves a lasting impression.

Delivering Your Speech

• Use clear, understandable language; avoid jargon.
• Maintain strong nonverbal communication:
  • Eye contact, attire, posture, gestures.
• Aim to project confidence and competence.

Reference

• Public Speaking Project textbook, "Public Speaking, the Virtual Text": www.publicspeakingproject.org