A Speaker's Guidebook: Chapter 1

Name: ______

Becoming a Public Speaker

Define these KEY TERMS

oratory

rhetoric

agora

forum

public forum

forensic oratory

deliberative oratory

epideictic oratory

canons of rhetoric

invention

arrangement

style

memory

delivery

dyadic communication

small group communication

mass communication

public speaking

source

encoding

receiver

decoding

feedback

audience perspective

message

channel

noise

shared meaning

rhetorical situation

culture

ethnocentrism

cultural intelligence

  1. What are the similarities and differences between public speaking and other forms of communication?
  1. Based on the benefits of public speaking: Define and explain the elements of communication. (You may want to incorporate the elements of communication into an example or real-world situation.)
  1. Why is being culturally sensitive so important to success as a public speaker?Define a culturally sensitive speaker.
  1. What are the four categories of public speaking?
  1. There are four special considerations that speakers need to be aware of. Please list and explain them.
  1. People such as Adolf Hitler and Saddam Hussein could certainly be identified as persuasive speakers. Would you claim they were effective? Why, or why not? What role does ethics play in judging someone as an effective speaker?
  1. The thought of speaking in public arouses fear in many people. What do you suppose are the sources of these fears? In other words, where do these feelings of anxiety or fear originate?
  1. Evaluate your own strengths and weaknesses as a speaker. What are threeweaknesses that you want to improve on during this course? What are threestrengths you want to expand upon?

Weaknesses:Strengths:

1.1.

2. 2.

3.3.

II. In Class GROUP ACTIVITY:Characteristics of an Effective and an Ineffective Public Speaker

Work in a group of three or four classmates. Individually,fill in the columns below, andthen compare them with other members of your group. Which characteristicsof an effective speaker did your group agree on?You should have at least six for each column. Then put your groups top three for both columns onto the classroom poster. (Do not repeat any ideas from any groups which go before you.)

EffectiveIneffective

Required Speech 1: Speech of Introduction

Purpose: To help students introduce themselves to the class.

Materials: Bring an object to class that you feel best represents you or some part of your life.

Instructions: Give a brief one- to three-minute speech in which you introduce yourself using the object as a symbol of who you are or as one of the roles you play in life. Below is the rubric upon which you will be graded:

AUDIENCE ANALYSIS/TOPIC CHOICE (10)

Interesting and creative topic

Tone of speech proper for speech type

INTRODUCTION (10)

Gained attention

Object appropriate for thesis

BODY (10)

Organizational pattern that explains key ideas5

Created a vivid, memorable image about topic5

CONCLUSION (10)

Summarized main theme

Creative

DELIVERY (30)

Vocally expressive, conversational style

Adequate eye contact

Avoided nervous mannerisms

Used purposeful gestures

Dressed appropriately for situation

Generally effective and extemporaneous