Public Speaking
Lecture Notes – Chapter Eighteen
Public Speaking in the Workplace

nearly every job requires some public-speaking skills
o in many careers, public speaking is a daily part of the job
o presentations may take the form of routine meetings, reports to
executives, training seminars, or public-relation speeches to people
outside the company
Group Presentations

after a group have reached a decision, solved a problem, or uncovered new
information, group members often present their findings to others
 as when developing an individual speech, make sure you have
a clear purpose and central idea that is divided into logial main
ideas
 because this is a group effort, you need to make sure that each
group member can articulate about the purpose, central idea,
main ideas, and key supporting material
Selecting a Presentation Format

there are three primary formats for presenting information in a group:
o a symposium is a public discussion in which a series of short
speeches is presented to an audience
 group members share responsibility
 each speaker should know what the others are presenting, so
the same information is not covered twice
 at the end of the speech, there is often a question-and-answer
session to allow the audience to participate
o a forum is a question-and-answer session that usually follows a
public discussion or symposium
 audience members direct questions and comments to a group,
and group members respond with short impromptu speeches
 forums often follow more structured presentations
 forums work best when all group members know the issues
and are prepared to respond
o a panel discussion is a group discussion designed to inform an
audience about issues or a problem to make recommendations
 individuals may use notes, but information is not presented
formally
 a panel discussion is usually led by an appointed chairperson
or moderator

often, panel discussions are followed by a question-andanswer period or forum
Planning a Group Presentation

o make sure group members understand the task or assignment and
work together to identify a topic
o if your group assignment is to solve a problem or to inform the
audience about a specific issue, try brainstorming to develop a topic
or question
o give group members individual assignments
 devise a plan for keeping in touch with one another frequently
to share information and ideas
o develop a group outline and decide on an approach
o decide on a presentation approach
 your presentation should have an introduction and a definite
ending that reflect your group’s work as a problem-solving
team
o rehearse the presentation
o incorporate principles and skills of effective audience-centered public
speaking when giving the group presentation
making a group presentation
o because a group presentation creates the additional challenge of
coordinating your communication efforts with other group or team
members, keep the following tips in mind:
 clarify your purpose
 it is important for listeners to understand your goal
 it is also important for each group member to be
reminded of the overarching goal of the presentation
 use presentation aids effectively
 visual aids can unify your group presentation
 group members should use the same PowerPoint
template or font style to make the presentation smooth
and coordinated
 choose someone to serve as coordinator or moderator
 without adequate structure, conversation can bounce
from person to person and the presentation will lack
focus
 a moderator can help provide needed structure to a
group presentation by introducing the topic and group
members, as well as keeping track of time and to ensure
that no one group member dominates the presentation
 be ready to answer questions
 group presentations often include a question-andanswer session following the presentation

be informed about your topic – and read all reports /
handouts the group has distributed to prepare for this
Public-Relations Speeches

public-relations speeches are speeches designed to inform the public and
improve relations with them – either in general, or because a particular
program or situation has raised some questions
o a public-relations speaker should first discuss the need or problem
that has prompted the speech
o then, explain how the company or organization is working to need or
solve the problem – or why it believes that there is no problem
o it is important in public-relations speeches to anticipate criticism
 the speaker should emphasize the positive aspects of the policy
or program – without getting defensive
o you want to leave the impression that the company has worked out
the pitfalls or drawbacks
Ceremonial Speaking


kairos is the Greek term used to describe the circumstances surrounding or
the occasion for a speech
a ceremonial or epideictic speech is one delivered on a special occasion for
celebration, thanksgiving, praise, or mourning
Introductions

a speech of introduction is a speech that provides information about
another speaker
o it is much like an informative speech - the speaker provides
information to the audience about the main speaker
o the ultimate purpose is to arouse interest in the speaker and his or
her topic
o you need to get the attention of the audience, build the speaker’s
credibility, and introduce the speaker’s general subject
 be brief – the audience has some to see them, not you
 be accurate – know how to pronounce his or her name and
important terms you will need to know
o keep the needs of your audience in mind
 if the person you are introducing needs to introduce, just offer
a warm welcome and step aside
Toasts


a toast is a brief salute to a momentous occasion
o the modern toast is usually quite short – only a few sentences
if you are asked to give an impromptu toast, let the audience and occasion
dictate what you say – sincerity is more important than being witty
Award Presentations

a presentation speech accompanies the presentation of an award
o remember that the audience has come to see the award winner, not
you
 first, refer to the occasion of the presentation
 next, talk about the history and significance of the award
 finally, name the person who has been given the award
 if the audience knows ahead of time who won, you can
refer to the person in your speech
 if the recipient is unknown, recite his or her
achievements first and save the drama of the winning
moment for last
Nominations

nomination speeches officially recommend someone as a candidate for an
office or position
o the person making the nomination should clearly explain why the
nominee’s skills, talents, and past achievements serve as qualifications
for the position
o the actual nomination should come at the end of the speech
Acceptances

acceptance speeches are speeches of thanks for an award, nomination, or
other honor
o they have a bad reputation because of some bad, lengthy, rambling
speeches given on televised award shows
o there is a simple formula for successful acceptance speeches:
 first, thank the person making the presentation and the
organization that he or she represents
 next, comment on the meaning or significance of the award to
you
 you may also want to reflect on the larger significance
of the award
 finally, try to find some meaning the award may have for the
audience
Keynote Addresses

a keynote address is a speech that sets the theme and tone for a meeting or
conference
o it emphasizes the importance of the topic or the purpose of the
meeting, motivates the audience to learn more or work harder, and
sets the theme and tone for other speakers and events
Commencement Addresses

commencement addresses are speeches delivered at a graduation or
commencement ceremony
o to be audience-centered, a commencement speaker must:
 praise the graduating class
 turn graduates toward the future
 do not talk about negative aspects of the world
 inspire graduates and suggest bright goals and futures
Commemorative Addresses and Tributes

commemorative addresses are delivered during ceremonies held in
memory of some past event and / or the person or persons involved
o the speaker in this case is, in part, an informative speaker
 he or she needs to present some facts about the event and / or
the people being celebrated
 then, he or she should build on those facts and urge the
audience to achieve new goals
Eulogies

eulogies are speeches of tribute delivered when someone has died
o when delivering a eulogy, mention and linger on the unique
achievements of that person and express a sense of loss
o you should also include a person and even humorous recollection
o lastly, turn to the living and courage them to transcend their sorrow
and feel gratitude that the person who has died was once alive among
them
After-Dinner Speaking: Using Humor Effectively


the after-dinner speech is not always after dinner, it can be delivered before
the meal or even between courses
after dinner speeches can present information or persuade, but their primary
purpose is to entertain
Humorous Topics


the central question for the after-dinner speaker should be: What do
audiences find funny?
even serious subjects can lend themselves to humorous presentations
o be careful, however, to not push the boundaries of what is appropriate
or tasteful
Humorous Stories


humorous stories should be simple
o complicated stories and jokes are rarely perceived by audiences as
funny
it is also important to know your anecdotes very well
o only if you know the material can you hope to deliver it with the
intonation and timing that will make it funny
Humorous Verbal Strategies

plays on words
o pun – the use of double meanings to create humor
o spoonerism – a phrase in which the initial sounds of words are
switched
 “sublic peaking” instead of “public speaking”
 many parodies and satires use spoonerisms to avoid copyright
infringement or libel charges
o malapropism – the mistake use of a word that sounds much like the
intended word
 “destruction” instead of “instruction”
o hyperbole – exaggeration
o understatement – downplaying a fact or event
o verbal irony – saying the opposite of what one means
o wit – relating an incident that takes an unexpected turn at the end
Humorous Nonverbal Strategies

after-dinner speakers often create humor through nonverbal cues, like
posture, gesture, and voice
o well-timed pauses are especially crucial
o