Public Speaking

Summary

This script delves into the art of public speaking, emphasizing its historical significance and societal impact. It outlines the nature of public speaking, highlighting the roles of speaker and audience, formality, and the need for audience analysis. The script categorizes speeches into informative, entertaining, and persuasive, each with distinct goals. It also discusses four presentational methods: impromptu, memorized, manuscript, and extemporaneous, advising on choosing a topic of passion for effective speech preparation.

Takeaways

• 🎤 Public speaking is an inevitable part of life, with various purposes such as validation, campaigning, and education.
• 🗣️ Public Communication is defined by a single speaker addressing a formal, uninterrupted discourse to a sizable audience.
• 👥 The nature of public speaking includes constant role ability, high formality, adherence to norms, audience diversity, and non-verbal feedback.
• 📚 There are three main types of speeches: informative, to enhance knowledge; entertaining, to provide enjoyment; and persuasive, to influence beliefs or actions.
• 🎯 The purpose of a speech should be clearly defined before preparing it, guiding the content and delivery method.
• 🗣️ Presentational methods include impromptu, memorized, manuscript, and extemporaneous speeches, each suited to different occasions and objectives.
• 🚫 Impromptu speeches are challenging due to the lack of preparation time and reliance on personal knowledge and language skills.
• 📝 Memorized speeches require the speaker to commit the speech to memory, which can detract from the act of communication.
• 📜 Manuscript speeches are formal and precise, often used for important events where every word matters.
• 💬 Extemporaneous speeches are recommended for their balance of preparation and natural delivery, allowing for research and rehearsal without memorization.
• 🔥 Choosing a topic that you are passionate about can make speech preparation and delivery more engaging and successful.

Q & A

What are some common instances where public speaking is necessary?

Public speaking is necessary in various instances such as validatory addresses, campaign speeches, happy birthday messages, opening prayers, thesis defenses, and required communication classes.

How does public speaking contribute to society?

Public speaking contributes to society by keeping communities together, molding collective histories, and staining community stories and memories.

What are the key characteristics of public communication?

The key characteristics of public communication include constant role ability, high degree of formality, adherence to certain norms, high possibility of audience diversity, and immediate but usually non-verbal feedback.

What is the primary purpose of an informative speech?

The primary purpose of an informative speech is to enhance the knowledge or understanding of the audience or teach them something new.

What is the main goal of an entertaining speech?

The main goal of an entertaining speech is to provide interest and enjoyment for the listeners, without necessarily adding new knowledge or arguments.

What are the three types of persuasive speeches mentioned in the script?

The three types of persuasive speeches are: 1) speeches to convince or argue, 2) speeches to impress or stimulate, and 3) speeches to actuate.

What is an impromptu speech and when might one encounter it?

An impromptu speech is an unplanned, on-the-spot speech where the speaker relies on stock knowledge, personal experiences, and language command. One might encounter it in ambush interviews, surprise class recitations, or if a group member fails to prepare for a report.

How does a manuscript speech differ from a memorized speech?

A manuscript speech differs from a memorized speech in that the speaker writes the speech beforehand but reads from a script during delivery, rather than committing it to memory.

Why is the extemporaneous speech considered the most recommended type of speech?

The extemporaneous speech is considered the most recommended because it allows speakers to prepare and rehearse their speech, making it rich in content, while still sounding natural and conversational as it is not memorized.

What is the first challenge in speech preparation that the script suggests to overcome?

The first challenge in speech preparation is to determine the topic or general purpose of the speech. Choosing a topic that the speaker is passionate about and interested in is suggested to make this process easier.