Beliefs about Public Speaking

UNIT CONTENTS

Part 1. Topics, Audiences and Research.

v Introducing Public Speaking

v Apprehension in Public Speaking

v Step 1: Select Your Topic and Purpose

v Step 2: Analyze Your Audience

v Step 3: Research Your Speech Topic

PART 2. Supporting and Organizing Your Speech

v Step 4: Formulate Your Thesis and Main Points

v Step 5: Support Your Main Points

v Step 6: Organize Your Speech

v Step 7: Construct Your Introduction, Conclusion, and Transitions

PART 3. Style and Delivery in Public Speaking

v Step 8: Outline Your Speech

v Step 9: Word Your Speech

v Step 10: Rehearse and Deliver Your Speech

Part 1. Topics, Audiences and Research.

Asyou move up the hierarchy in your businessand professional lives, you'll find an ever greater need for public speaking. In this unit you'll learn

■what public speaking is and the nature of the normal nervousness that most

people feel

■how to control your anxiety and accomplish the first few steps in preparing a public speech selecting and limiting your topic, analyzing your specific audience, and researching your topic

Introducing Public Speaking

The Benefits of Public Speaking

■ Personal and social competencies: In the pages that follow you'll learn such skills as self-awareness, self-confidence, and ways to deal with the fear of communicating – skills that you'll apply in public speaking but that also will prove valuable in all of your social interactions.

■ Academic and career skills: Among skills you'll learn are the ability to conduct research; explain complex concepts; support an argument with logical, emotional, and ethical appeals; organize a variety of messages; and evaluate the validity of persuasive appeals.

■ General communication abilities: As you acquire the skills of public speaking, you'll also develop and refine your general communication abilities; you'll develop a more effective communication style, learn to give and respond appropriately to criticism, improve your listening skills, and refine your delivery skills.

■ Public speaking competencies: And, of course, you'll become a more effective public speaker. Through instruction, exposure to different speeches, feedback, and individual learning experiences, you'll acquire the competencies, the skills, of public speaking.

Beliefs about Public Speaking

A good way to begin your study of public speaking is to examine your own beliefs about public speaking and public speakers. Compare some common beliefs with the research and theory that bear on these beliefs:

Belief: Good public speakers are born, not made.

Research finds that effective public speaking is actually a learned skill. Although some people are born brighter or more extroverted – which will certainly help in public speaking all people can improve their abilities and become more effective public speakers.

Belief: The more speeches you give, the better you'll become at it.

Research finds that this is true only if you practice effective skills. If you practice bad habits, you're more likely to grow less effective than to become moreeffective; consequently, it's important to learn and follow the principles of effectiveness.

Belief: You'll never be a good public speaker if you're nervous giving speeches.

Research finds that most speakers are nervous; managing, not eliminating, the fear will enable you to become effective regardless of your current level of anxiety. In fact, your fear may actually encourage you to prepare more thoroughly and to practice more often, which will contribute to more effective speaking.

Belief: It's best to memorize your speech, especially if you're fearful.

Research finds that acting on this belief is likely to be detrimental. Memorizing your speech is one of the worst things you can do; there are easier ways to deal with fear.

Belief: The skills of public speaking are similar throughout the world.

Research finds that they are not; the techniques of public speakingare culture specific. In other words, what proves effective with an Asian audience may not work with audiences in the United States or in Latin America, and vice versa.

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