Exploring Public Speaking

Overview of chapter
Defining public speaking
Anxiety and public speaking
Understanding the process of public speaking
The value of learning public speaking in your life
Some starting principles in public speaking

Defining public speaking
Organized
Face-to-face
Intentional (purposeful) attempt
To inform, entertain, or persuade
A group of people (usually five or more)
Through words, physical delivery, and perhaps visual/audio aids

Anxiety and public speaking
Glossophobia: a severe fear of public speaking
Most people’s anxiety is lower than a true phobia
Sources of anxiety:
All or nothing thinking
Overgeneralization of experiences
Fortune telling
Fixed mindset about intelligence, skill, and learning
Fear of failure and rejection

Addressing anxiety in public speaking
Mental preparation
Focus on message rather than self
Be realistic about experience and what’s at stake
Physical preparation
Protein rather than high sugar content
Sleep well the night before
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes
Utilize stretching techniques

Addressing anxiety in public speaking
Contextual preparation
Know the venue, circumstance, and audience
Arrive early
Speech preparation
Do not procrastinate: Kiss of Death for a speaker!
Practice several times beforehand in a setting and way as close to the real setting as possible; Record self
Amy Cuddy: “Fake it til you become it.”
YOU NEVER LOOK AS NERVOUS AS YOU FEEL.

Understanding the process of public speaking
“Enlarge or projected conversation”
Commonalities with other forms of human communication
Seven elements: People, Context, Message, Channel, Noise, Feedback, Outcome

Understanding the process of public speaking
First element: People
Senders/receivers
Exchange roles

Understanding the process of public speaking
Second element: Context
Historical
Cultural (“the system of learned and shared symols, language, values, and norms that distinguish one group of people from another” Floyd, 2017)
Social (relationship)
Physical

Understanding the process of public speaking
Third element: Message
May be informal and spontaneous (conversation)
May be formal, intentional, and planned (speech)

Understanding the process of public speaking
Fourth element: Channel
“Means through which a message gets from sender to receiver”
Face-to-face and immediate as opposed to mediated (computer, phone)
Verbal and nonverbal
Face-to-face adds to urgency, immediacy, and “linear” nature

Understanding the process of public speaking
Fifth element: Feedback
Verbal
Nonverbal
Used to evaluate effectiveness and decide next steps in interaction

Understanding the process of public speaking
Sixth element: Noise (Interference)
Contextual
Physical
Psychological (stressors, anxieties, past experiences, etc.)
Seventh element: Outcomes
Internal, external
Short-term, long-term

Understanding the process of public speaking
Encoding: putting thoughts and feelings into words or symbols
Decoding: putting words and symbols into personal meaning
Models of communication
Linear, transmissional – Weaver (bowling)
Interactive (ping-pong)
Transactional (Charades)

The value of learning public speaking in your life
Career: one of many desired communication skills
Academic: expect to give any presentations in college
Personal
Critical listening and thinking skills
Gain confidence, overcome fear
Find voice
Influence your world
Make friends!