Day One: Introduction to
Public Speaking
by
Yana A. Cornish
Hamilton College
Presentation Agenda
• Introductions
• Overview of the Course Syllabus
• Introduction to Public Speaking
Introductions
Introductions
Give the following information about
yourself using the five fingers on your
hand:
– Thumb – name something you’re good at or
something you need luck with this quarter;
– Pointer – say where you’re headed, your direction;
– Middle – tell the others something that makes
you mad;
– Ring – name someone or something special to
you;
– Pinky – state something to remember you by.
Let’s take a look at our course
syllabus…
Chapter One:
Introduction to Public Speaking
A journey of a thousand miles
begins with a single step.
-- Old Chinese Proverb
Why Study Public Speaking?
• Get in groups of 3 or 4 and
brainstorm some reasons;
• Time: 2 minutes
Why Study Public Speaking?
• Empowerment
– Gives you an edge;
– The ability to stand up and say what you
think in front of others;
– Audition for Leadership:
• “Every time you have to speak – whether
it’s in an auditorium, in a company
conference room, or even at your own desk
– you are auditioning for leadership” James
Humes (former presidential speech writer).
Why Study Public Speaking?
• Employment
– Communication skills are rated as the top
employment factor by personnel managers
in the US and internationally.
– 1st Factor Sought by Employers
– 2nd is Writing Skills
Benefits of Public Speaking Skills
• Throughout your lifetime, the
ability to prepare and deliver
effective presentations will benefit
you:
– Academically;
– Professionally;
– Publicly;
– Personally.
Academic Benefits of Public
Speaking Skills
• Successful students must speak and write
with clarity;
• By preparing for your speeches you will also
develop other skills:
–
–
–
–
–
Critical thinking
Effective listening;
Research techniques;
Cultural sensitivity;
Organizational ability
all necessary for enhancing learning and
academic success.
Professional Benefits of Public
Speaking Skills
• Ability to make effective presentations
impacts your professional growth and
career success;
• Employers seek applicants who can
present ideas
– Clearly (informative speeches)
– Persuasively (persuasive speeches)
• Learning to speak is not a luxury, it is a
necessity in most careers.
Public Benefits of Public
Speaking Skills
• The survival of democracy depends on
whether citizens are
– ready,
– willing, and
– able to speak in public.
• Speaking opportunities in the community:
–
–
–
–
A school board hearing;
Rally of faith communities;
Political candidates forums;
Community celebrations.
Personal Benefits of Public
Speaking Skills
• Effective presentations can boost:
– your personal confidence;
– your perceived competence;
– your popularity.
• You will be able to express your thoughts;
• Most listeners admire speakers who can
express their ideas clearly, justify opinions
logically, and share feelings;
• Speakers derive enormous satisfaction
from their speaking experiences.
Public Speaking and
Conversation
• Similarities:
– Focus and vocalize thoughts;
– Adapt to listeners;
Differences
• Public Speaking
– Planned
– Formal language and
nonverbal
communication
– Roles of speaker and
listeners are clearly
defined and stable
– Often involves a larger
audience
• Conversation
– Spontaneous
– Casual language and
nonverbal
communication
– Roles of speaker and
listeners are fluid and
interactive
– Normally is carried out
among a smaller group
of people
The Rich Heritage of Public
Speaking
• Greek and Roman
Rhetoricians
• European Clergy
• American Patriots
• Abolitionists and Suffragists
• Radio and Television
Speakers
• Internet Speakers
Public Speaking and Diversity
• Different expectations for
appropriate and effective speech
topics, argument structure,
language style, and delivery.
• A speaker needs to understand
differences and adapt to diverse
audiences.
Public Speaking and Diversity
• Gender
• Ethnicity
• Culture
Context - The Culture
Maximum Difference
Western
Italian
U.S. American
White Anglo-American
Urban American
Catholic
Male Dominance
Heterosexual
Environmentalist
Asian
Saudi Arabian
French-Canadian
African-American
Rural American
Baptist
Female Equality
Homosexual
Developer
Minimum Difference
Resources:
• Textbook: Beebe, S. & Beebe, S.
(1997). Public Speaking: An
audience-centered approach. New
York: Prentice Hall
• Internet:
– http://www.abacon.com/beebe
– http://www.abacon.com/pubspeak/index.h
tml
Questions for review:
• Why is it important to study public
speaking?
– Describe specific benefits (academic,
personal, professional, and public);
• Describe how public speaking
differs from casual conversation;
• How does diversity impact public
speaking?
Assignment for next class:
• Read Chapters 1 & 2;
• Go to one of the websites:
– http://www.abacon.com/pubspeak/index.
html
– http://wps.ablongman.com/ab_beebe_pub
speak_5
• Write a short promotional
description about the site
highlighting each of the content
areas you will find on the site.
http://www.abacon.com/pubspeak/index.html
http://www.abacon.com/beebe
http://www.abacon.com/beebe
Communication
Process
In-Class Assignment
• Pp. 7-9 in the textbook;
• Read one of the section (will be
assigned);
• Be ready to present, illustrating each
idea with concrete examples;
• Time: 10 minutes – preparation;
• Time: 3-5 minutes – presentation.
Communication Process
Communication as Action.
Noise
Source
Message
Channel
Message
Receiver
Communication Process
Communication as Interaction.
Noise
Source
Message
Channel
Feedback
Context
Message
Receiver
Communication Process
Communication as Transaction.
Sender
Receiver