Preparing for a Public Presentation

Preparing for a Public PresentationCHAPTER 11

Public Speaking andPersonal Relationships

• People seek to inform, understand, persuade respect, trust, support, connect, satisfy, and evoke particular responses from one another

• People adapt and adjust to one another• Transacted through communication

The Basics of Communication, Second Edition © 2011 SAGE Publications

Analyzing and Relating to the Audience

• Relationship with the Speaker• Relationship with the Issue and Position• View of the Occasion• Attitudes, Beliefs and Values• Demographics

The Basics of Communication, Second Edition © 2011 SAGE Publications

Selecting Your Topic

• Consider Yourself• Consider Your Audience• Searching for a Topic– Brainstorm• Open• Topic-specific

– Browse current issues and events– Conduct an Individual Inventory– Solicit suggestions from other people

The Basics of Communication, Second Edition © 2011 SAGE Publications

Determining the Purpose and Thesis

• General Purpose – basic objective– To inform– To persuade– To evoke

• Specific Purpose – narrow, explicit goal– Should include general purpose, audience, and

focus• Thesis Statement– Condensed statement of speech content

The Basics of Communication, Second Edition © 2011 SAGE Publications

Evidence and Supporting Material

• Definitions• Facts and Opinions• Comparisons and Contrasts• Testimony– Personal– Expert– Lay

• Examples– Illustrations and hypothetical Illustrations

The Basics of Communication, Second Edition © 2011 SAGE Publications

Evidence and Supporting Material

• Statistics– Mean/Median/Mode– Population/Base– Use Statistics Effectively• Should come from a trustworthy and credible source• Should be used sparingly• Should personally involve and impact the audience• Should be simple to understand and remember• Should be explained to the audience

The Basics of Communication, Second Edition © 2011 SAGE Publications

Selecting and Using Evidence

• Quantity• Quality– Oral citations

• Type– Depends on audience’s attitudes toward the topic,

involvement with the issue, cultural differences, and relationship with the speaker

The Basics of Communication, Second Edition © 2011 SAGE Publications

Selecting Sources

• Unbiased• Editorial Review• Expertise• Recency• Credibility of the Source’s Sources• Credibility for the Audience

The Basics of Communication, Second Edition © 2011 SAGE Publications

Searching for Sources

• Start early• Use multiple types of sources• Go to the library• Use multiple search engines and databases• Do not read everything• Take notes as you proceed• Pay attention to the citations of others• Engage in multiple searches and trips

The Basics of Communication, Second Edition © 2011 SAGE Publications