Public Speaking – Fall 2015

Luzerne County Community College

Introductions Syllabus What is public speaking? History Proofs 5 Canons of Rhetoric Transactional Model of Communication Game Time

Agenda

Find a partner in the class (someone you do not already know).

Find three things that you have in common with the other person.

Be prepared to introduce them to the class.

Introduce yourselves!

My name is Ms. Mary K. Orzolek (you may call me Ms. Orzolek or Professor O).

LCCC alumni! Undergraduate degree at The Bloomsburg

University of Pennsylvania in Communication Studies – Interpersonal Communication.

Masters also at Bloomsburg in Student Affairs and Academic Leadership.

Who am I?

Let’s take a look! If you have any questions please let me

know.

Sllyabus

The human voice…◦ It’s an instrument we all play.◦ Some may say it is the most powerful instrument

in the world because no other can say the words, “I love you,” or start a war.

Words (speech) are powerful.◦ Those who are able to engage in public speaking

gain a certain level of confidence.

Speech = Power

“His ability to reach the masses is unique and remarkable, fitting no organizational scheme or dogma.

He has the ability to express things so clearly, logically and directly that listeners are convinced that that is what they have always thought themselves.

The essential characteristics of his speeches to the people are: clear organization, irrefutable logical reasoning, simplicity and clarity of expression, razor-sharp dialectic, a developed and sure instinct for the masses and their feelings, an electrifying emotional appeal that is used sparingly, and the ability to reach out to the souls of the people in a way that never goes unanswered.”

Adolf Hitler – Public Speaking

The source: Joseph Goebbels, “Der Führer als Redner,” Adolf Hitler. Bilder aus dem Leben des Führers (Hamburg: Cigaretten/Bilderdienst Hamburg/Bahrenfeld, 1936, pp. 27-34.

Adolf Hitler

Even though Hitler used the power of speech in a negative and detrimental way… just as much positive power can be projected instead.

In this course you will learn how to..◦ Channel that power◦ Boost your self-confidence◦ Prepare for your career

Why are we discussing Hitler?

When an individual speaks to a group of people, assuming responsibility for speaking for a defined length of time.

What is “public speaking”?

Talking your friends into going to a restaurant.

Retelling a story about how fun a concert was.

Can you think of any other ways you use public speaking skills?

We use public speaking skills every day.

Public speaking is audience orientated (centered).◦ As a speaker you need to understand

experiences, expectations and situations.◦ How do we do this?

Demographics “people mapping”

The Audience

Age? Biological sex? Education level? From the area?

Let’s figure out the demographics of the room…

Audiences respond favorably to stories and visual aids◦ The “conversational approach”

However, if the facts don’t match up a speaker will lose credibility.

Audience continued…

Over 3 million years ago our ancestors were physically able to mutter sounds.

These sounds might not have been words but it was still a form of communication.

The History of Speech

Sophists (500 – 300 BCE): Ancient Greeks who lectured students on how to communicate◦ Focused on delivery

History continued…

Socrates (c. 470-399 BCE) & Plato (428-348 BCE) indentified logic, evidence, and reasoning as the basis for effective public speaking.

Both were Greek philosophers

History continued…

Aristotle (another philosopher) coined the term “rhetoric”…a term for public speaking

He emphasized the speakers need to adapt speeches to fit audience’s understanding and situation◦ “Audience centered communication”

History continued…

Aristotle's proofs: Various approaches a speaker can use to appeal to a specific audience on a particular occasion.◦ **Originally there were three proofs but a fourth

was added.

History continued…

Logos: Rational appeals based on logic, facts, and objective analysis.

Who is a speaker/person who might use logos?

1st Proof

Pathos: Refers to a speaker’s appeals to our emotions.◦ Can you think of any examples?

2nd Proof

Ethos: Rests on the speaker’s personal character and credibility.◦ Voting for someone to be President because they

seem trustworthy (might not know what they are actually doing).

3rd Proof

Mythos: Focuses on values and beliefs embedded in cultural narratives or stories.

Example: Americans respond positively to stories that are about freedom.

4th Proof

Public speaking used to be for elites but now anyone can post a video to YouTube.

We are able to speak to an audience in real time who is thousands of miles away from us.

Public speaking changing…

The digital divide: 15% of Americans don’t use/have access to the internet (elderly, poor, less educated, rural people).

Not everyone will understand “the digital language.”◦ Have you ever tried to teach someone how to use

a form of technology?◦ Technology should be used with caution.

The Digital Gap

1. Invention: Discovering what you want to say in a speech, such as by choosing a topic an developing good arguments.

2. Arrangement: The way ideas are presented in a speech or are organized.

3. Style: The language or words used in a speech.

Five Canons of Rhetoric

4. Memory: Using the ability to recall information to give an effective speech.

5. Delivery: The presentation of a speech to an audience.

Five Canons of Rhetoric continued…

Storytelling helps people understand => essential foundation.

Narrative: A story used in speech or other forms of communication.

◦ Example… Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

Importance of storytelling…

In a nutshell…What you learn here will be applied elsewhere (other parts of your life).◦ What you will learn:

Critically analyzing a topic or idea 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 Presenting information effectively

In this classroom you will develop “transferable skills”

In other classes In the workplace (promotion?) In communities At social events Online

Contexts where your “public speaking” skills will be used…

Distance speaking: The planned and structured presentation of ideas transmitted from one physical location to other locations by means of information and communication technology.

Speaking online…

Habituation: The diminishing of a physiological or emotional response to a frequently repeated stimulus.◦ As you practice public speaking your anxiety will

go down!◦ You’ll gain confidence.◦ You’ll receive positive feedback.

Do you know of any examples of habituation?

How does this class help you master your public speaking skills?

Interpersonal communication: Occurs when two people or more interact with each other.

Small-group communication: Three or more people interact to complete a task.

Organizational communication: Flow of information that takes place with and among organizations.

Categories of Human Communication

Mass communication: Transmitted to large, fairly anonymous, and often diverse audiences.

Public communication: For a limited amount of time, an individual speaks or otherwise sends a message to people outside that individual’s known social group.

Categories of Human Communication

Communication as an Action - Linear Source: The originator of a thought or idea Encode: To put an idea into language or gesture Message: Verbal and nonverbal elements of communication

in which people give meaning Channel: A pathway through which messages are conveyed Decode: To interpret or give meaning to a message Receiver: The party who interprets the message Noise: Anything that interferes with the encoding or

decoding of a message◦ What are some examples of 'noise' as found within the Action

Model?

Communication as Interaction Has all the same elements and the Action Model

but recognized the communication is a two way process.

Also, it adds the two elements of feedback and context.◦ Thank physics! Every action has a reaction!

What is feedback? Feedback is various verbal and nonverbal

responses to your message (an example might be nodding).

Can you think of anymore examples?

What is context? Context is synonymous with environment. (Includes both the physical and the

physiological) Examples of physical...

◦ Where you are physically interacting with one another

Examples of physiological...◦ How formal is the setting?◦ How much privacy do you have?◦ How emotionally charged is the situation?

Transactional Model of Communication Doesn't distinguish between roles of source and

receiver States that both people are simultaneously

sources and receivers

Transactional Model - The Complex Model

Doesn't just account for physical and psychological environment but account for...◦ Gender◦ Culture◦ Experience◦ Social class◦ History of relationship

Please divided yourselves into groups of 4-5 people.

Pick a team name for your group. Designate someone to “speak” for the

group. Get ready to answer some questions!

◦ **Possible quiz/exam questions in the future!

Time for some fun!