Speech Communication 3

1 Public Speaking

Introduction to Public Speaking

Welcome to Speech Communication 3! For this course, we will focus on

improving your public speaking and listening skills. In order to do this, we
will study the basic foundation of the Speech Communication process, and
we will learn the essentials of speech making.

For the first week, we will learn what public speaking is all about. We will
zero in on what public speaking is, the speech communication process it
goes through, and how to face one’s fear and develop the confidence to
stand in front of a crowd and deliver a good speech.
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
1. Define what public speaking is and how it differs from everyday conversation
2. Apply the techniques in developing confidence
3. Explain in your own terms the process of speech communication

Public Speaking

Public Speaking is a form of oral communication wherein a speaker has to

speak in front of an audience. It has to be one of the most dreaded forms of
Oral Communication, but it is one of the most important skills to have. It is
essential to me, to you, to us. It is part of life. And seeing now how
inevitable it is, we need to do our part in making sure that we are able to
excel in it.

Public Speaking vs Conversation

Public Speaking and everyday conversation both involve communicating

an intended message to a recipient. While both are forms of oral
communication, these two also have their fair share of dissimilarities.

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 Below is a summary of these similarities and differences:

Similarities
Differences

Details Public Speaking Conversation

Organized Responsibility Compelling, Interesting, Casual,

Persuasive, Interesting Relaxed
Structure Topics can vary
Has Introduction, Main
Relatable
points and Conclusion
Time Limited, Must define Time varies, Goals do
Message should be
emphasized goals not have to be defined
Planning
Careful planning is Spontaneous and
required Casual

Language Formal Informal

Adapt to feedback of
listener/s
Cues Must appeal to Casual, Socially
audience and not entertaining
distracting

Developing Confidence

Even the most seasoned celebrities, the most influential leaders and the
most successful business owners got scared, at one point in their lives,
with the idea of giving speeches. Try out these techniques that will help
tame your nerves:
• Recognize that nerves are normal
• Focus on your message
• Prepare your introduction and conclusion
• Plan and practice
• Talk with other Individuals
• Think Positive and Visualize Success
• Project Confidence
• Reduce Tension
Speech Communication 3
3 Public Speaking

• Look for Speaking Opportunities

• Don’t Expect Perfection

Public Speaking and Critical Thinking

When we speak in public, we give the impression to our audience that we

are critical thinkers. We share what’s on our minds, and this is backed up
by research, interviews, and surveys.

With the limitless access we get to data from the internet, we need to
strictly filter the information we get (Coopman & Lull, 2015). Be mindful
that not everything we find is legitimate.

The research and the relaying of our thoughts not only convince our
audience, but change us as well. We become more analytical of our ideas,
allowing us to think more critically and intelligently.

Speech Communication Process

Public Speaking is a communicative process. And just like in any skill you
wish to master, it is wise to understand it in its most basic form.
Regardless of the circumstances, the speech communication process
usually goes through the same routine, which involves seven elements:
• Speaker
• Message
• Channel
• Listener
• Feedback
• Interference
• Situation

Public Speaking in a Multicultural World

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 Diversity is common nowadays, and must be factored in every speech that
we make (Lucas, 2009). It makes speech making more complicated
because the language barrier needs to be considered and meanings
assigned to gestures also vary from culture to culture.

A speaker can never overlook the racial profile of his audience. One wrong
move or one wrong statement can bring down your credibility, and ruin
the entire speech. Avoid ethnocentrism, or thinking that your culture is
superior to others. As a speaker, try to remain unbiased, and treat all races
equally and with respect.

Activities and Exercises

Activity 1:
1. Create a communication model based on the seven elements of the
speech process and your understanding of what public speaking is.
2. Explain the communication model you created.

Glossary

Critical Thinking - focused, organized thinking – the ability to see clearly

the relationships among ideas (Lucas, 2009).

Frame of Reference - the totality of his knowledge, experience, values,

attitudes, background, etc (Lucas, 2009).

Public Speaking - is a form of Oral Communication wherein a speaker has

to speak in front of an audience.

References

Books:
Boveé e, C. (2003). Contemporary Public Speaking. California: Collegiate
Publishing Group
Speech Communication 3
5 Public Speaking

Coopman, S. & Lull, J. (2015). Public Speaking: The Evolving Art, 3rd ed. USA:
Cengage Learning

Lata, P. & Kumar, S. (2011). Communicate or Collapse: A Handbook of

Effective Public Speaking, Group Discussions and Interviews. New Delhi: PHI
Learning Private Limited.

Lucas, S. (2009). The Art of Public Speaking, 10th ed. USA: McGraw Hill

Online:
Gareis, E. Guidelines for Public Speaking. Retrieved Aug 2016, from
https://www.baruch.cuny.edu/wsas/academics/communication/docume
nts/Guidelines.pdf

Wrench, J., Goding, A., Johnson, D., Attias, B. (2012). Public Speaking:
Practice and Ethics. Retrieved Aug 2016, from
http://2012books.lardbucket.org/pdfs/public-speaking-practice-
andethics.pdf

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