1The Evolving Art

of Public Speaking

Public Speaking

Here’s what Naomi, a blogger, posted…

“Everyone’s scared of public speaking, and they still wind up finding out that this is one of the most valuable classes you can take in college. No matter what you do in life, you’re going to need to communicate with others verbally, and this class is one of the best ways to help you get over your fears and learn”

Public Speaking Is an Evolving Art

The evolution of human communication Influences on public speaking today

Public Speaking

A situation in which an individual speaks to a group of people, assuming responsibility for speaking for a defined length of time

Earliest Origins

Africa/Ethiopia Over 50,000 years ago

Hominid ancestors

were uttering sounds

Lucy is one of the most complete skeletons found to date from the early hominids that flourished between 4 and 2 million years ago. The skeleton consists of bones from a single individual, presumably female, who stood well under 4 feet tall.

Foundations of Public Speaking

Aristotle’s Rhetoric Cicero and the Five Arts Storytelling

Cicero and the Five Arts

Invention-focuses on what you want to say

Arrangement-organize your ideas

Style-examines the language that you use

Memory-importance of practicing the speech

Delivery-how it is presented to the audience

Storytelling

People love to hear stories because it helps listeners understand the world

Narrative thinking relies on narratives, or stories to connect self with the world

Audience members welcome narratives in speeches

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Public Speaking Is a Life Skill

Developing transferable skills• Becoming more confident and managing

speech anxiety• Becoming a better listener• Adapting to different audiences and building

your credibility • Finding and using reliable information• Organizing ideas and information effectively• Presenting ideas and information effectively

Transferable Life Skills

Public Speaking Is a Life Skill Cont.

Speaking effectively in common public communication contexts• In classes• In the workplace• In communities• At social events• Online

Public Speaking and Human Communication Today

Contexts for human communication• Interpersonal communication• Small-group communication• Organizational communication • Mass communication• Public communication

Public Speaking and Human Communication Today Cont.

Models of human communication • Mass media• Information technology• Personal communications technology• Face-to-face

The Elements of Public Speaking

Speaker Message Channel Audience Noise Feedback Context Environment

Key Issues for Today’s Public Speaker

Ethics Critical thinking Cultural awareness Using presentation software

Relevant Websites

American Rhetoric Public speaking tips