Fundamentals of Public Speaking

Fundamentals of Public
Speaking
Version 1
Spring 2017
College of the Canyons
Unless otherwise noted, content in this book is licensed under the Creative Commons
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Attributions
The Public Speaking Project by Various Authors is licensed
under a Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercialNoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Saylor.org – Comm101: Public Speaking is licensed under a

Creative Commons Attribution License.
Reviewed and Edited By

Tammera Stokes Rice
Special Thank You to Natalie Miller
and Victoria Leonard
This Material is a College of the Canyons Open Educational

Resource (OER). To find out more about Open Educational
Resources at College of the Canyons please visit:
www.canyons.edu/OER or email [email protected].
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Contents
Welcome To Public Speaking .................................................................................... 4
Chapter 1: Introduction To Public Speaking.......................................................... 3
Chapter 2: Ethics.......................................................................................................... 27
Chapter 3: Speaking With Confidence ................................................................ 54
Chapter 4: Listening Effectively ............................................................................... 73
Chapter 5: Audience Analysis ................................................................................. 98
Chapter 6: Organizing and Outlining .................................................................. 126
Chapter 7: Introductions and Conclusions ........................................................ 154
Chapter 8: Delivering Your Speech...................................................................... 186
Chapter 9: Visual Aids .............................................................................................. 217
Chapter 10: Supporting Your Ideas ...................................................................... 253
Chapter 11: Using Language Well ........................................................................ 297
Chapter 12: Informative Speaking ....................................................................... 328
Chapter 13: Critical Thinking & Reasoning ......................................................... 351
Chapter 14: Persuasive Speaking ......................................................................... 390
Chapter 15: Special Occasion Speaking ........................................................... 439
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3
Welcome To Public Speaking

OVERVIEW
Given the demands for good communication skills in the civic realm and in the
workplace, a course in public speaking is perhaps more important than ever. There is no
quick path to a great speech. Good speaking is developed through practice and hard
work.
The public speaking course is a unique course. Unlike, say, a course in the principles of
law or the history of Central Asia, the public speaking course requires you to both know
content and be able to perform a skill well. You will learn important principles of public
speaking, but simply knowing these principles is insufficient; you must also be able to
apply them well. By the same token, you might be able to get through a speech without
saying “um,” but if the content of the speech is bad, it is not a good speech. The best
public speakers not only speak smoothly, they also say important and interesting things.
Course Outcomes
By the end of this semester, you should be able to
1. Organize and deliver effective informative and persuasive speeches
applying the principles of public speaking.
2. Utilize effective research skills using traditional and electronic resources.
3. Analyze public discourse.
This course thus advances the mission of the Department of Communication at College
of the Canyons to nurture socially responsible, literate citizens who can interpret and
evaluate the images and messages they create and receive.
HOW TO BE A STUDENT OF PUBLIC SPEAKING

The most successful model for teaching public speaking (and the one this class follows)
relies on a mix of instruction, imitation, and practice.
• Instruction reinforces the lessons learned from the history of public speaking study.
The instruction in this class draws most explicitly from the rhetorical tradition. We will
study principles of argumentation, arrangement, and style.
• Imitation means that when studying a performance skill like speaking, we benefit by
identifying and imitating the best practices of skilled speakers. I don’t mean stealing
or plagiarizing, I mean trying to link phrases together in a manner similar to a speaker
we think sounds good. There are a number of speeches that you will watch this
quarter (online and in class). The intent of these speeches is to show you some best
practices. You shouldn’t simply watch a speech like you would a television show; you
should look to find some verbal or nonverbal behaviors that you would like to be able
to imitate.
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• Practice is the most obvious leg of public speaking study. If you are going to get better at public
speaking, you must be able to apply the lessons of instruction and imitation by practicing your
speeches. The nice thing about public speaking is that you can practice it almost anywhere. However,
your practice time is best spent by speaking in situations where you have an attentive audience (as
opposed to a curious dog or a sleeping roommate).
MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT PUBLIC SPEAKING

1 You can’t learn to be a good public speaker; you have to be born a naturally good
speaker. Everyone can become a better public speaker through study and practice. I
love to ski. I wasn’t born being a good skier; rather, I grew up skiing. I skied as often as
I could and I got better. The same is true of public speaking. You were born with the
basic equipment needed for speaking in public—lungs and a mouth.
2 I can only learn public speaking through practice alone. This misconception often
works in conjunction with the misconception #1 and #3. I see this as a hugely egoistic
argument since it assumes that only you know what good public speaking is and only
you know how to improve. Let me return to the skiing analogy (though you could
substitute any sports or skills analogy, like playing a musical instrument). Most people
develop their skiing ability by simply skiing a lot. But if you want to get better, you
need to seek outside information about the principles of skiing. That’s why people pay
a lot of money for ski lessons. Ski instructors can both model good skiing behaviors
and they can talk about the physics of metal on snow and the physiology of your
muscles on skis.
3 Public speaking is just delivery (speech content doesn’t matter). This is like saying
that a good essay is simply one that has good grammar or punctuation. A good essay
should have good grammar and punctuation, but it also needs good content. The
same holds true of a speech. When we listen to a speech we judge the speaker
according to what they say as well as how they say it. Think about presidential
debates. After any presidential debate, pundits flood the airwaves and pick apart both
content and delivery, but they spend far more time discussing what the candidates
said.
4 Reading a speech is the best way to ensure a good speech. You will hear me talking a
lot about the similarities between writing and speaking, but they also differ in many
important respects. A speech is an act of communication with a specific audience.
Reading a speech undermines this (and as we will see, can actually make you more
nervous). If you were having a conversation with a friend about your classes and
suddenly started reading a prepared set of comments, the conversation would sink.
Why? A conversation is dynamic and relies on communicating with the other person.
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A speech is like a conversation in this way, you are engaging in a shared act of
communication with the audience.
Chapter 1: Introduction To Public Speaking

By Lisa Schreiber, Ph.D. and Morgan Hartranft
Millersville University, Millersville, PA
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After reading this chapter, you should be able to:
• Articulate at least three reasons why public speaking skills are important.
• Describe the difference between the linear and the transactional model of
communication.
• List, define, and give an example of each of the components of communication.
• Differentiate between the major types of speeches.
• Identify the eleven core public speaking competencies.
• Apply chapter concepts in final questions and activities.
Introduction to Public Speaking: Introduction

Humans’ ability to communicate using formalized systems of language sets us apart
from other living creatures on the Earth. Whether these language conventions make us
superior to other creatures is debatable, but there is no question that overall, the most
successful and most powerful people over the centuries have mastered the ability to
communicate effectively. In fact, the skill of speaking is so important that it has been
formally taught for thousands of years.
The ironic feature of public speaking is that while we recognize that it is an important skill
to have, many of us do not like or want to give speeches. You may be reading this book
because it was assigned to you in a class, or you may be reading it because you have to
give a speech in your personal or professional life. If you are reading this book because
you like public speaking or you have a burning desire to learn
more about it, you’re in the minority.
The good news about public speaking is that although it may

not be on the top of the list of our favorite activities, anyone
can learn to give effective presentations. You don’t have to
look like a Hollywood star and you don’t have to use fancy
words to be a successful speaker. What is important is that
the audience understands you and remembers what you
have to say. By learning and using the techniques
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“Europe for Tibet Solidarity provided in this reading material, you will discover how to
Rally 200 His Holiness, the 14th
create engaging speeches and present them using your own
Dalai Lama” by Wolfgang H.
Wögerer. CC BY-SA. delivery style.
Wherever I go meeting the public… spreading a message of human values, spreading a
message of harmony, is the most important thing. -Dalai Lama
Introduction to Public Speaking: Benefits of Public Speaking
According to the
Association of American
Colleges and Universities,
there are a core set of
skills that are necessary
“both for a globally
engaged democracy and
for a dynamic, innovation
fueled economy.”[1] In the
category of
“Intellectual and practical
skills” public speaking is
listed as one of these core
skills. Public speaking is
the process of designing
and delivering
a message to an
Image of speakers from Lumens course.
audience. Effective public speaking involves understanding your audience and speaking
goals, choosing elements for the speech that will engage your audience with your topic,
and delivering your message skillfully. Good public speakers understand that they must
plan, organize, and revise their material in order to develop an effective speech. (Stand
up, Speak Out, p. 3) This is not particularly surprising given that communication skills are
critical for intellectual development, career trajectory, and civic engagement. Public
speaking is universally applicable to all types of majors and occupations and is seen by
U.S. employers as a critical employability skill for job seekers.[2] No matter what your
ambitions and interests are, developing speaking skills will benefit your personal,
professional, and public life.
Personal
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People don’t just give presentations on the job and in classes. At times we are called
upon to give speeches in our personal lives. It may be for a special event, such as a toast
at a wedding. We may be asked to give a eulogy at a funeral for a friend or loved one. As
a part of volunteer work, one may have to introduce a guest speaker at an event or
present or accept an award for service. Developing the skill to give these types of
speeches can help us to fulfill essential roles in our family and community. Another
great personal benefit of public speaking is that it builds selfconfidence. It’s no surprise
that speaking in public is scary, but by engaging in the activity you will build
selfconfidence through the experience.
Professional
TV announcers, teachers, lawyers, and
entertainers must be able to speak well, but
most other professions require or at the very
least can benefit from the skills found in public
speaking. It is believed 70% of jobs today
involve some form of public speaking.[3] With
the recent economic shift from manufacturing
to service careers, the ability to communicate
with others has become crucial. Top CEOs
advise that great leaders must be able to
communicate ideas effectively, they must be
able to persuade, build support, negotiate and speak “Alice Walker” by Virginia
DeBolt. CC-BY-SA.
effectively in public.[4] The chapters on
“Informative Speaking” and “Persuasive Speaking” can help readers understand how to
write presentations that enhance their leadership skills. But before you even start a
career, you have to get a job. Effective speaking skills make you more attractive to
employers, enhancing your chances of securing employment and later advancing within
your career. Employers, career counselors, and the National Association of Colleges and
Employers (NACE) all list good communication skills at the top of the list of qualities
sought in potential employees. According to NACE’s executive director, Marilyn Mackes,
the Job Outlook 2013 Report found that employers are looking for people who can
communicate effectively.[5] Monster.com advises, “articulating thoughts clearly and
concisely will make a difference in both a job interview and subsequent job
performance.”[6]
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Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is not only the result, but
the cause, of fear. Perhaps the action you take will be successful; perhaps different action
or adjustments will have to follow. But any action is better than no action at all. ~
Norman Vincent Peale
Public
Learning about public speaking will allow you to participate in democracy at its most basic
level. Public speaking is important in creating and sustaining a society, which includes
informed, active participants. Even if you do not plan to run for office, learning about
public speaking helps you to listen more carefully to and critically evaluate other’s
speeches. Listening and critical thinking allow you to understand public dilemmas, form
an opinion about them, and participate in resolving them. The progress of the past
century involving segregation, women’s rights and environmental protection are the
result of people advancing new ideas and speaking out to others to persuade them to
adopt changes.
• Rhodes, T. (Ed.) (2010). Assessing outcomes and improving achievement: Tips and tools for using rubrics.
Washington D. C.: Association of American Colleges and Universities.
• Rockler-Gladen, N. (2009, March 21). Job skills that every college student needs: Writing, speaking,
professionalism, and other important knowledge. Suite 101.com. Retrieved from
• Aras, K. (2012). The nuts and bolts of public speaking: Practical tools for powerful presentations. Retrieved
from
• Farrell, R. (2011). Soft skills all great leaders should have. CareerBuilder.
http://www.careerbuilder.com/Article/CB-2335-Leadership-Management-Soft-skillsall-great-
• Koncz, A. and Allen, C. (2012). Employers look for communication skills, ability to work in a team in new
college grads.
• McKay, J. (2005). Employers complain about communication skills. Pittsburgh Post Gazette. Retrieved from
http://www.post-gazette.com/business/businessnews/2005/02/06/Employers-complain-
Introduction to Public Speaking: Models of Communication

It should be clear by now that public speaking happens all around us in many segments
of our lives. However, to truly understand what is happening within these presentations,
we need to take a step back and look at some of the key components of the
communication process.
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Linear Model of Communication
The first theoretical model of communication was proposed in 1949 by Shannon and
Weaver for Bell Laboratories.[1] This three-part model was intended to capture the
radio and television transmission process. However it was later adapted to human
communication and is now known as the linear model of communication. The first part
of the model is the sender, and this is the person who is speaking. The second part of
the model is the channel, which is the apparatus for carrying the message (i.e., the
phone or TV). The third part of the model is the receiver, and this is the person who
picks up the message. In this model, communication is seen as a one-way process of
transmitting a message from one person to another person. This model can be found in
Figure 1.1. If you think about situations when you communicate with another person
face-to-face or when you give a speech, you probably realize that this model is
inadequate—communication is much more complicated than firing off a message to
others.
“Figure 1.1” by Public Speaking Project. CC-BY-NC-ND.
Transactional Model of Communication

Models of communication have evolved significantly since Shannon and Weaver first
proposed their well- known conceptual model over sixty years ago. One of the most
useful models for understanding public speaking is Barnlund’s transactional model of
communication.[2] In the transactional model, communication is seen as an ongoing,
circular process. We are constantly affecting and are affected by those we communicate
with. The transactional model has a number of interdependent processes and
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components, including the encoding and decoding processes, the communicator, the
message, the channel and noise. Although not directly addressed in Barnlund’s (2008)
original transactional model, participants’ worldviews and the context also play an
important role in the communication process. See Figure 1.2 for an illustration.
“Figure 1.2” by Public Speaking Project. CC-BY-NC-ND.

He who would learn to fly one day must first learn to stand and walk and run and climb and
dance; one cannot fly into flying. ~ Friedrich Nietzsche
• Shannon, C. E., & Weaver, W. (1949). The mathematical theory of communication. Urbana: University of
Illinois Press.
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Barnlund, D. C. (2008). A transactional model of communication. In. C. D. Mortensen (Eds.),
Communication theory (2nd Ed), pp. 47–57. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Transaction.
Introduction to Public Speaking: Elements of the Communication Process
Encoding and Decoding

Encoding refers to the process of taking an idea or mental image, associating that image
with words, and then speaking those words in order to convey a message. So, if you
wanted to explain to your aunt the directions to your new apartment, you would picture
in your mind the landscape, streets and buildings, and then you would select the best
words that describe the route so your aunt could find you.
Decoding is the reverse process of listening to words, thinking about them, and turning
those words into mental images. If your aunt were trying to find her way to your apartment,
she would listen to your words, associate these words with streets and landmarks that she
knows, and then she would form a mental map of the way to get to you. Ramsey’s “Using
Language Well” (Chapter 10) provides additional insight into the encoding and decoding
process.
Communicator
The term communicator refers to all of the people in the interaction or speech setting.
It is used instead of sender and receiver, because when we are communicating with
other people we are not only sending a message, we are receiving messages from
others simultaneously. When we speak, we observe others’ nonverbal behavior to see
if they understand us and we gauge their emotional state. The information we gain from
these observations is known as feedback. Over the telephone, we listen to paralinguistic
cues, such as pitch, tone, volume and fillers (i.e., “um,” “uh,” “er,” “like,” and so on).
This means that communication is not a one-way process. Even in a public speaking
situation, we watch and listen to audience members’ responses. If audience members
are interested, agree, and understand us, they may lean forward in their seats, nod their
heads, have positive or neutral facial expressions, and provide favorable vocal cues
(such as laughter, “That’s right,” “Uh huh,” or “Amen!”). If audience members are
bored, disagree, or are confused by our message, they may be texting or looking away
from us, shake their heads, have unhappy or confused expressions on their faces, or
present oppositional vocal cues (like groans, “I don’t think so,” “That doesn’t make
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sense,” or “You’re crazy!”). Thus, communication is always a transactional process—a
give and take of messages.
Message
The message involves those verbal and nonverbal behaviors, enacted by communicators
that are interpreted with meaning by others. The verbal portion of the message refers
to the words that we speak, while the nonverbal portion includes our tone of voice and
other non-vocal components such as personal appearance, posture, gestures and body
movements, eye behavior, the way we use space, and even the way that we smell. For
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instance, the person who gets up to speak wearing a nice suit will be interpreted more
positively than a person giving the exact same speech wearing sweats and a graphic
tshirt. Or if a speaker tries to convince others to donate to a charity that builds wells in
poor African villages using a monotone voice, she will not be as effective as the speaker
who gives the same speech but speaks with a solemn tone of voice. If there is ever a
conflict between the verbal and the non-verbal aspects of a message, people will
generally believe the nonverbal portion of the message. To test this, tighten your
muscles, clench your fists at your sides, pull your eye brows together, purse your lips,
and tell someone in a harsh voice, “NO, I’m NOT angry!” See if they believe your words
or your nonverbal behavior.
The message can also be intentional or unintentional. When the message is intentional,
this means that we have an image in our mind that we wish to communicate to an
audience or a person in a conversation, and we can successfully convey the image from
our mind to others’ minds with relative accuracy. An unintentional message is sent
when the message that we wish to convey is not the same as the message the other
person receives. Let’s say you are returning from an outing with your significant other
and she or he asks, “Did you have a good time?” You did have a good time but are
distracted by a TV commercial when asked, so you reply in a neutral tone, “Sure, I had
fun.” Your significant other may interpret your apathetic tone of voice and lack of eye
contact to mean that you did not enjoy the evening, when in fact you actually did. Thus
as communicators, we cannot always be sure that the message we wish to
communicate is interpreted as we intended.
ChannelThe channel is very simply the means through which the message travels. In
face-to-face communication the channel involves all of our senses, so the channel is
what we see, hear, touch, smell and perhaps what we taste. When we’re
communicating with someone online, the channel is the computer; when texting the
channel is the cell phone; and when
watching a movie on cable, the
channel is the TV. The channel can
have a profound impact on the way
a message is interpreted. Listening
to a recording of a speaker does not
have the same psychological impact
as listening to the same speech in
person or watching that person on
television. One famous example of
this is the 1960 televised
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presidential debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. According to
History.com (2012), on camera, Nixon looked away from the camera at the reporters
asking him questions, he was sweating and pale, he had facial hair stubble, and he wore
a grey suit that faded into the set background. “Chicago mayor Richard J. Daley
reportedly said [of Nixon], ‘My God, they’ve embalmed him before he even died.”[1]
Kennedy, on the other hand, looked into the camera, was tanned, wore a dark suit that
made him stand out from the background, and appeared to be calm after spending the
entire weekend with aides practicing in a hotel room. Most of those who listened to the
radio broadcast of the debate felt that it was a tie or that Nixon had won, while 70% of
those watching the televised debate “Kennedy Nixon Debate” by United Press felt that
Kennedy was the winner. International. Public domain
Noise
The next aspect of the model of communication is
noise. Noise refers to anything that interferes with
message transmission or reception (i.e., getting the
image from your head into others’ heads). There
are several different types of noise. The first type of
noise is physiological noise, and this refers to bodily
processes and states that interfere with a message.
For instance, if a speaker has a headache or the flu, “The 2nd most famous face in
Pushkar” or if audience members are hot or they’re hungry, by Shreyans Bhansali. CC-BY-
NC-SA. these conditions may interfere with message accuracy. The second type of noise
is psychological noise. Psychological noise refers to mental states or emotional states
that impede message transmission or reception. For example, if someone has just
broken up with a significant other, or if they’re worried about their grandmother who is
in the hospital, or if they are thinking about their shopping list, this may interfere with
communication processes as well. The third type of noise is actual physical noise, and
this would be simply the actual sound level in a room. Loud music playing at a party, a
number of voices of people talking excitedly, a lawnmower right outside the window, or
anything that is overly loud will interfere with communication. The last type of noise is
cultural noise. Cultural noise refers to message interference that results from
differences in peoples’ worldviews. Worldview is discussed in more detail below, but
suffice it to say that the greater the difference in worldview, the more difficult it is to
understand one another and communicate effectively.
Worldview
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Most people don’t give a lot of thought to the communication process. In the majority
of our interactions with others, we are operating on automatic pilot. Although the
encoding and decoding process may appear to be fairly straightforward, it is actually
much more complicated than it seems. The reason for this is because we all have
different worldviews. Worldview is the overall framework through which an individual
sees, thinks about, and interprets the world and interacts with it. There are five core
components to our worldview.
1. Epistemology is the way that we acquire knowledge and/or what counts as

knowledge. Think about the process of conducting research. Thirty years ago, to find a
series of facts one had to use a card catalogue and scour the library stacks for books.
Now researchers can access thousands of pages of information via their computer from
the comfort of their own home. Epistemology is linked to public speaking because it
governs audience members’ preferred learning styles and who or what they consider to
be credible sources.
2. Ontology refers to our belief system, how we see the nature of reality or what we
see as true or false. We may (or may not) believe in aliens from outer space, that butter
is bad for you, that the Steelers will win the Superbowl, or that humans will be extinct in
200 years. Speech writers should be careful not to presume that audience members
share the same beliefs. If a speaker claims that illness can be aided with prayer, but
several people in the audience are atheists, at best the speaker has lost credibility and
at worst these audience members could be offended.
3. Axiology represents our value system, or what we see as right or wrong, good or
bad, and fair or unfair. One of the ways that you can tell what people value is to ask
them what their goals are, or to ask them what qualities they look for in a life partner.
Our values represent the things that we hope for—they do not represent reality. Values
can have an impact on multiple levels of the public speaking process, but in particular
values impact speaker credibility and effectiveness in persuasion. For instance, some
cultures value modest dress in women, so a female speaker wearing a sleeveless blouse
while speaking could cause her to lose credibility with some audience members. Or if
audience members value the freedom to bear arms over the benefits of government
regulation, a speaker will have a difficult time convincing these audience members to
vote for stricter gun control legislation.
4. Cosmology signifies the way that we see our relationship to the universe and to
other people. Cosmology dictates our view of power relationships and may involve our
religious or spiritual beliefs. Controversial speech topics (like universal health care and
the death penalty) are often related to this aspect of worldview as we must consider
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our responsibilities to other human beings and our power to influence them.
Interestingly, cosmology would also play a role in such logistical points as who is allowed
to speak, the order of speakers on a schedule (e.g., from most to least important), the
amount of time a speaker has to speak, the seating arrangement on the dais, and who
gets the front seats in the audience.
5. Praxeology denotes our

preferred method of completing
everyday tasks or our approach to
solving problems. Some speech
writers may begin working on their
outlines as soon as they know they
will need to give a speech, while
others may wait until a few days
before their speech to begin
preparing (we do not recommend
this approach). Praxeology may also
have an impact on a speaker’s
preference of delivery style, “NFL
Superfans” by HMJD02. CC-BY-SA. methods of arranging main points, and choice of
slideware (i.e., Power Point versus Prezi).
It is always good to explore the stuff you don’t agree with, to try and understand a
different lifestyle or foreign worldview. I like to be challenged in that way, and always
end up learning something I didn’t know. ~ Laura Linney
It is important to understand worldview because it has a profound impact on the

encoding and decoding process, and consequently on our ability to be understood by
others. Try this simple experiment. Ask
two or three people to silently imagine
a dog while you imagine a dog at the
same time. “Dog” is a very concrete
word (a word that describes a tangible
object that can be perceived through
the senses), and it is one of the first
words children in the United States
learn in school. Wait a few seconds and
then ask each person what type of dog
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they were thinking of. Was it a “Lasagna” by David K. CC-BY-SA. Chihuahua? A
greyhound? Golden retriever? Rottweiler? Or some other dog? Most likely each person
you asked had a different image in his or her mind than you had in yours. This is our
worldview at work.
To further illustrate, you may tell a co-worker, “I can’t wait to go home this weekend—
we are having lasagna!” Seems like a fairly clear-cut statement, doesn’t it?
Unfortunately, it is not. While “lasagna” is also a concrete word, our worldviews cause
us to interpret each word in the statement differently. Where is “home?” Who is
making the meal? What ingredients will be used in the lasagna? Is this dish eaten as a
regular meal or for a special occasion? Will there be leftovers? Are friends invited? Since
everyone who has eaten lasagna has had a different experience of the cuisine, we all
acquire a different image in our mind when we hear the statement “…we are having
lasagna!”
Complicating matters is the fact that the more abstract the word becomes, the more
room there is for interpretation. Abstract words (words that refer to ideas or concepts
that are removed from material reality) like “peace,” “love,” “immoral,” “justice,”
“freedom,” “success,” and “honor” can have a number of different meanings; each of
which is predicated on one’s worldview. Communicators have their own unique
worldviews that shape both the encoding and decoding processes, which means that we
can never be completely understood by another person. People from the Midwest may
call carbonated beverages “pop,” while those from the East Coast may say “soda,” and
those from Georgia may say “coke.” Even when simple terms are used like “oak tree” or
“fire hydrant,” each listener will form a different mental image when decoding the
message. Never take communication for granted, and never assume your listener will
understand you. It takes hard work to make yourself understood by an audience.
Context is worth 80 IQ points. ~ Alan Kay
Context
The last element of the communication process is the context in which the speech or
interaction takes place. In the 1980’s context was taught as the actual physical setting
where communication occurred, such as in a place of worship, an apartment, a
workplace, a noisy restaurant, or a grocery store. People communicate differently in
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each one of these places as there are unwritten
rules of communication (called norms) that govern
these settings. More recently the concept of context
has evolved and expanded to include the type of
relationships we have with others and the
communicative rules that govern those
relationships. So you do not speak the same way to
your best friend as you do to a small child, your CC-BY.

“Talking technique” by The U.S. Army.
parent, your boss, your doctor or a police officer.
And you may speak to your best friend differently in
your apartment than you do in your parents’ home, and your communication may also
change when you are both out with friends on the weekend. In sum, the context refers
to the norms that govern communication in different situations and relationships.
History.com. (2012). The Kennedy-Nixon Debates. History.com. Retrieved from
Introduction to Public
Speaking: Types of
Speeches and Speaking
Occasions
There are three general
purposes for speaking in
public. The general
purpose of a speech is
usually determined by
the occasion in which
the speech will be
presented. The first
general purpose is to
inform your audience. In
an informative speech,
the presenter will share information about a particular person, place, object, process,
concept, or issue by defining, describing, or explaining. Occasions for which an
informative speech “Insider Secrets of Public Speaking” by Nadine Dereza. CC-BY. would be
presented include a report presented to coworkers, a teacher presenting information to
his or her class, and a training session for a job. The second purpose for public speaking
16 | F u n
is to persuade. In a persuasive speech, the presenter will attempt to reinforce or change
their audiences’ beliefs, attitudes, feelings, or values. Several occasions where
persuasion is used include a sales pitch to potential customers, a politician’s campaign
speech, or a debate during a public forum. The last general purpose is to commemorate
or entertain. These types of speeches often strengthen the bonds between audience
members from recalling a shared experience or intend to amuse audiences through
humor, stories, or illustrations. Examples of this purpose include a toast, such as a best
man’s speech at a wedding reception; a eulogy to praise the dead; a commencement
speech at graduation; or presenting an award. It is important to note that these general
purposes may overlap one another. One might wish to use some forms of
entertainment while informing or persuading his or her audience.
A desire presupposes the possibility of action to achieve it; action presupposes a goal
which is worth achieving. ~ Ayn Rand
Introduction to Public Speaking: Speaking Competencies

We assume you are reading this book or chapter because you wish to improve your
speaking skills – a worthy goal. As Ayn Rand alludes to in her quote, a desire to succeed
is the first step in achieving this
objective. Nevertheless, you cannot
hit a target unless you know what it is.
Thus, the final portion of this chapter
is devoted to an overview of eleven
speaking competencies which we
consider to be the standards for
evaluating a variety of presentations
at every level of mastery. These are
based on the Public Speaking
Competence Rubric [PSCR].[1] A
complete copy of the rubric can be
found at Activities.
1. Useful topic. The first speaking competency is to select a topic that is appropriate to
the audience and the occasion. An advanced speaker selects a
“Untitled” by Krystle. CC-BY. worthwhile topic that engages the
audience. His topic also presents the audience with new information that they did not
know before the speech. A beginning speaker selects a topic that lacks originality or is
out of date. His topic provides no new information to the audience. An ineffective
speaker may give a speech in which a single topic cannot be deduced by the audience.
17 | F u n
2. Engaging introduction. To formulate an introduction that orients the audience to the
topic and the speaker is the second speaking competency. An advanced speaker
writes an introduction that contains an excellent attention-getter. She firmly
establishes her credibility. She provides a sound orientation to the topic, states her
thesis clearly, and previews her points in a cogent and memorable way. For the
beginning speaker, her attention-getter is mundane and she somewhat develops her
credibility. Her thesis is awkwardly composed and she provides little direction for the
audience. The ineffective speaker has no opening technique, no credibility statement
and provides no background on the topic. In addition she has no thesis statement and
no preview of her points.
3. Clear organization. Competency three is to use an effective organizational pattern.

An advanced speaker is very well organized and delivers a speech with clear main
points. His points are mutually exclusive and directly related to the thesis. Further, he
employs effective transitions and signposts to help the speech flow well. The
beginning speaker has main points that are somewhat organized, but the content of
these points may overlap. Transitions may also be present in his speech, but they are
not particularly effective. In the ineffective speaker’s speech, there is no clear
organizational pattern, there are no transitions, and it sounds as if the information is
randomly presented.
Don’t leave inferences to be

drawn when evidence can
be presented. ~ Richard Wright
4. Well-supported ideas.
Fourth on the list of speaking
competencies is to locate,
synthesize, and employ
compelling supporting
materials. In the advanced
speaker’s speech, her key
points are well supported with
a variety of credible materials,
and her sources provide
“Speaking Out – Public speaking made easy” by Christian excellent support for her thesis. Heilmann.
CC-BY.
In addition, all of her sources
18 | F u n
are clearly cited. A beginning speaker has points that are generally supported with a fair
mix of materials. Only some of her evidence supports her thesis, and her source
citations need to be clarified. An ineffective speaker gives a speech with no supporting
materials or no source citations.
5. Closure in conclusion. The fifth speaking competency is to develop a conclusion that

reinforces the thesis and provides psychological closure. The advanced speaker
provides a clear and memorable summary of his points, and he refers back to the
thesis or big picture. His speech also ends with a strong clincher or call to action. A
beginning speaker provides some summary of his points, but there is no clear
reference back to his thesis. The closing technique of his speech can also be
strengthened. In an ineffective speaker’s speech, there is no conclusion. His speech
ends abruptly and without closure.
6. Clear and vivid language. To demonstrate a careful choice of words is the sixth
speaking competency. An advanced speaker’s language is exceptionally clear,
imaginative and vivid. Her language is also completely free from bias, grammatical
errors and inappropriate usage. The beginning speaker selects language that is
adequate to make her point. She has some errors in grammar and occasionally uses
slang, jargon or awkward sentence structure. The ineffective speaker has many errors
in her grammar and syntax. She also mispronounces words and extensively uses
slang, jargon, and/or sexist or racist terms.
7. Suitable vocal expression. Competency number seven is to effectively use vocal

expression and paralanguage to engage the audience. Excellent use of vocal variation,
intensity and pacing are characteristics of the advanced speaker. His vocal expression
is also natural and enthusiastic, and he avoids fillers. Some vocal variation is evident
in the beginning speaker’s speech. He also enunciates clearly, speaks audibly, and
generally avoids fillers (e.g., “um,” “uh,” “like,” etc.). An ineffective speaker is
inaudible, enunciates poorly, and speaks in a monotone voice. His speech also has
poor pacing, and he distracts listeners with fillers.
8. Corresponding nonverbals. Eighth on the list of competencies is to demonstrate

nonverbal behavior that supports the verbal message. An advanced speaker has
posture, gestures, facial expression and eye contact that are natural, well developed,
and display high levels of poise and confidence. Some reliance on notes is seen with
the beginning speaker, but she has adequate eye contact. She also generally avoids
distracting mannerisms. The ineffective speaker usually looks down and avoids eye
19 | F u n
contact. She has nervous gestures and other nonverbal behaviors that distract from
or contradict the message.
Body language is a very powerful tool. We had body language before we had speech,
and apparently, 80% of what you understand in a conversation is read through the body,
not the words. ~ Deborah Bull
9. Adapted to the audience. The ninth

speaking competency is to
successfully adapt the presentation to
the audience. The advanced speaker
shows how information is important
to audience members, and his speech
is tailored to their beliefs, values and
attitudes. He may also make allusions
to culturally
shared experiences. A beginning “Space Apps NYC Hackathon-2014” by jonny speaker
assumes but does not articulate goldstein. CC-BY.
the importance of the topic. His presentation is minimally adapted to the audience, and
some of the ideas presented in the speech are removed from the audience’s frame of
reference or experiences. An ineffective speaker’s speech is contrary to the audience’s
beliefs, values and attitudes. His message may be generic or canned and no attempt is
made to establish common ground.
10. Adept use of visual aids. To skillfully make use of visual aids is the tenth
competency. Exceptional explanation and presentation of visual aids is characteristic
of the advanced speaker. Her speech has visuals that provide powerful insight into
the speech topic, and her visuals are of high professional quality. The beginning
speaker’s visual aids are generally well developed and explained, although there may
be minor errors present in the visuals. An ineffective speaker uses visual aids that
distract from her speech. Her visuals may not be relevant, or her visuals may be of
poor professional quality.
11. Convincing persuasion. The eleventh and final speaking competency is only for
persuasive speeches. It is to construct an effectual persuasive message with credible
evidence and sound reasoning. An advanced speaker articulates the problem and
solution in a clear, compelling manner. He supports his claims with powerful and
credible evidence while completely avoiding reasoning fallacies. His speech also
contains a memorable call to action. In the beginning speaker’s speech, the problem
20 | F u n
and solution are evident, and most claims are supported with evidence. He also has
generally sound reasoning and a recognizable call to action. For the ineffective
speaker, the problem and/or solution are not defined. His claims are not supported
with evidence, his speech contains poor reasoning, and there is no call to action.
Readers should note that the competencies listed above are not all inclusive.
Ultimately one must adjust, expand, and apply these competencies as best fits the
requirements of the speaking situation. But they do provide a starting point for new
or less experienced speakers to begin to understand all of the interrelated
components of a speech.
Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn. ~ Benjamin Franklin
Schreiber, L., Paul, G. & Shibley, L. R. (2012). The development and test of the Public
Speaking Competence Rubric. Communication Education,
Introduction to Public Speaking: Conclusion

Our capacity to communicate through systems of language differentiates us from other
species, but the use of that language to communicate effectively is actually harder than
anticipated, particularly in front of an audience. Fortunately, by reading this book, you
can learn the skills required to communicate more effectively one-on-one and in a
speaking situation.
The speeches you present will be given in a particular context. In your role as
communicator, you will encode and deliver a message which will then be decoded by
audience members (also communicators). At the same time you are speaking, you will
be receiving verbal and nonverbal feedback from the audience. The way that the
message is decoded will depend entirely on the amount of noise interfering with the
message as well as the worldviews of audience members.
Every new speaker should work to become skilled at the eleven core public speaking
competencies. These competencies include: selecting a useful topic, writing an engaging
introduction, organizing the points of the speech, finding effective supporting materials
for the points, adding a conclusion that provides closure, using clear and vivid language,
making sure that one’s vocal expression corresponds to the goals of the speech, using
nonverbals that complement the message, adapting the message to one’s audience,
using visual aids effectively, and using credible evidence and sound reasoning in
persuasive messages. Each one of the competencies just listed is covered in depth in
one or more chapters in this book.
21 | F u n
The authors of this textbook hope that
readers will find the chapters useful in
developing their own communication
competence. Whether you are new to
giving presentations, or a more
experienced speaker, it is important to
remember that the best way to improve
your public speaking skills is through
preparation and practice. Although it
may take time to learn effective
speaking skills, the effort is well worth
the benefits you will reap in your
“Untitled” by clarita. morgueFile. personal, professional, and public life.
An effective speaker knows that the success or failure of his talk is not for him to
decide—it will be decided in the minds and hearts of his hearers. ~Dale Carnegie
Introduction to Public Speaking: Review Questions and Activities

• What are the personal, professional and public benefits of enhancing your public
speaking skills?
• What is the difference between the linear and transactional model of
communication?
• Define and give an original example of each of the elements of the communication
process.
• Which of the elements of the communication process do you think has the greatest
impact on the way a message is interpreted. Explain.
• What are the three types of speeches? For each of the three types of speeches, give
two examples of an occasion or situation in which that type of speech might be given.
• List the eleven speaking competencies. For each competency listed, describe the
differences between the advanced speaker and the inexperienced speaker.
• Working in groups of 3–5, generate a list of the characteristics of ineffective speakers

you have seen. Next, generate a list of the characteristics of the effective speakers
you have seen. What three qualities do you believe are most important to be a
successful speaker? Explain.
• Locate a speech on YouTube. While watching the speech, identify the strengths and
weaknesses of the speaker’s content and delivery? What three things could the
22 | F u n
speaker improve on? What three things did you like about the speaker? If you were to
deliver the speech, how would you do things differently?
Locate a copy of the Public Speaking Competence Rubric. Read through each of the
levels of each of the competencies, and try to determine what your level of skill is for
each of the speaking competencies. If you are able, have a friend or colleague watch
one of your speeches and ask him or her to evaluate your level of skill for each of the
competencies. Compare your responses to see how much correspondence there is
between your responses and the evaluator’s responses. In what areas are you
strongest? What do you need to improve upon?
Glossary
Abstract Word
Words that refer to ideas or concepts that are removed from material reality.
Axiology
A part of worldview; refers to an individual or group’s value system.
Channel
The means through which the message travels.
Communicator
The people in the interaction or speech setting who encode and decode messages
simultaneously.
Concrete Word
A word that describes a tangible object that can be perceived through the senses.
Context
The communication rules that govern different physical settings and/or different types
of relationships.
Cosmology
A part of worldview; refers to the way individuals and groups see themselves in relation
to other people and their view of their place in the universe.
Cultural Noise
Differences in worldview that cause message interference.
23 | F u n
Decoding
The process of listening to words and interpreting the words so they are associated with
a mental image.
Encoding
The process of taking a mental image, associating the image with words, and then
speaking those words.
Epistemology
A part of worldview; refers to the way an individual or group acquires knowledge or
what counts as knowledge.
Listening
The psychological process of interpreting and making sense of the messages we receive.
Message
The words, nonverbal behavior, or other signals transmitted from one person to
another.
Noise
Any thing that interferes with the message transmission or the encoding and decoding
process.
Nonverbal Behavior
All of the messages we send — except for the words we say. Can include appearance,
eye behavior, kinesics (body movement), proxemics (use of space), touch, time, and
smell.
Norms
The verbal and nonverbal rules (usually unspoken) that govern communicative behavior.
Ontology
A part of worldview; refers to an individual’s or group’s belief system.
Praxeology
A part of worldview; refers to the way an individual or group goes about tasks or solving
problems.
Psychological Noise
Message interference that results from disturbed or excited mental states.
24 | F u n
Physiological Noise
Message interference that results from bodily discomfort.
Physical Noise
Message interference that results when the noise level (as measured in decibels) makes
it difficult to hear a message.
Public Speaking
The act of delivering a speech in front of a live audience.
Worldview
The overall framework through which an individual sees, thinks about, and interprets
the world and interacts with it.
Introduction to Public Speaking: References
Aras, K. (2012). The nuts and bolts of public speaking: Practical tools for powerful presentations. Retrieved
from http://www.thecommunicationfactory.com/seminars/skills/PublicSpeaking.php Barnlund,
D. C. (2008). A transactional model of communication. In. C. D. Mortensen (Eds.),
Communication theory (2nd Ed), pp. 47-57. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Transaction.
Farrell, R. (2011). Soft skills all great leaders should have. CareerBuilder.
http://www.careerbuilder.com/Article/CB-2335- Leadership-Management-Soft-skills-all-great-
leadersshould-have/
History.com. (2012). The Kennedy- Nixon Debates. History.com. Retrieved from
http://www.history.com/topics/kennedy-nixon-debates
Koncz, A. and Allen, C. (2012). Employers look for communication skills, ability to work in a team in new
college grads. www.naceweb.org/pressreleases/.
McKay, J. (2005). Employers complain about communication skills. Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
Rhodes, T. (Ed.) (2010). Assessing outcomes and improving achievement: Tips and tools for using rubrics.
Washington D. C.: Association of American Colleges and Universities.
Rockler-Gladen, N. (2009, March 21). Job skills that every college student needs: Writing, speaking,
professionalism, and other important knowledge. Suite 101.com. Retrieved from
http://studyskills.suite101.com/article.cfm/job_skills_that_every_college _student_needs
Schreiber, L., Paul, G. & Shibley, L. R. (2012). The development and test of the Public Speaking
Competence Rubric. Communication Education, 61 (3), 205 – 233.
Shannon, C. E., & Weaver, W. (1949). The mathematical theory of communication. Urbana: University of
Illinois Press
U.S. Department of Labor (2000). Skills and tasks for jobs: A SCANS report for America 2000. The
Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills. Washington, D.C.
photo credits
p. 1 The Dali Lama http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: Dalai-Lama-talking-to-KD.jpg By
25 | F u n
Wakan Foundation for the Arts
p. 2 Ronsenbaum talking to woman http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:
Michael_Rosenbaum_(4995506953).jpg By Vagueonthehow
p. 2 Alice Walker http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: Alice_Walker_(cropped)1.jpg By
Virginia Debolt
p. 5 The Kennedy / Nixon Debate 1960 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kenned
y_Nixon_Debat_(1960).jpg By the National Park Service
p. 6 FEMA worker talking to woman http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/co
mmons/1/17/FEMA_-_32747_-
_FEMA_Community_Relations_worker_talking_to_a_Ohio_resident.jpg Ficara / FEMA
p. 6 Superfans http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NFL_Superfans.jpg By HMJD02
p. 7 Hand cyclists at Warrior Games http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: Flickr_-
_The_U.S._Army_- _Talking_technique.jpg By U.S. Army
p. 9 Reasons not to like public speaking http://www.flickr.com/photos/codepo8/4 348896264/ by
Christian Heilmann
p. 9 Woman drawing http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonnygoldstein/3958
940167/sizes/m/in/photostream/ by Jonny Goldstein
26 | F u n
Chapter 2: Ethics
By Alyssa G. Millner, Ph.D. and Rachel D. Price, Ph.D.
University of Central Arkansas, University of Arkansas at Little Rock & University of Kentucky, and Southern
Illinois University & University of Kentucky
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• Define ethics and explain why ethics are important in public speaking.
• Differentiate between morality and ethical dilemma.
• Identify the three types of plagiarism and understand how to avoid them.
• Explain how to cite sources in written and oral speech materials.
• Develop responsible language use by avoiding hate language and using inclusive
language.
• Use a speech platform to promote diversity, raise social awareness, and
understand free speech.
• Employ ethical listening by readying both mind and body to avoid distractions.
• Develop patterns of ethical feedback through praise and constructive criticism.
• Apply ethical communication skills to public speaking situations.
• Apply module concepts in final questions and activities.
Ethics in Public Speaking: Introduction

Maggie is helping her older sister plan for her wedding. She loves event planning and
decides to give an informative speech to her classmates on “Selecting a Florist.” She
knows all the other women in class will adore the topic and her visual aids (an
assortment of flowers and a rose for everyone to take home). As Maggie begins the
speech, she creates a listener relevance link that relates mostly to the women in the
class. In fact, most of the speech is directed at female listeners.
27 | F u n
As she moves through the main points
of her speech, Maggie realizes that she
is running out of time and only has 1
minute left or the instructor will penalize
her. During her third main point, she
skips over some citations but shares the
statistics of saving money on a
trustworthy florist. The listeners don’t
notice that Maggie neglected to provide
oral source citations, so she feels
“Wedding Bouquet” by Ling Manh Nguyen confident of the “expertise” she has
Tran. CC-BY. derived. After Maggie finishes her final
main point, she concludes and reminds the ladies to find her later if they have any
questions about prices of quality of florists in the area.
When preparing for this speech, Maggie attempted an audience analysis, which we will
study in Ch. 4. However, she failed to adequately involve all audience members by
choosing a traditionally female topic and tailoring the language to females in the class. A
second unethical decision made by Maggie was to omit oral citations, thereby failing to
give credit to those who deserved it. Maggie’s practices in her speech are just a few
ways in which unethical public speaking can occur. The evolution of ethics is central to
public speaking because it is through communication that our ideas about right and
wrong or good and bad are formed.
Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right
to do. ~ Potter Stewart
Issues related to honesty, integrity, and morality are present in our everyday lives. We
recognize the need for ethical communication when leaders make deceitful statements.
For instance, we all remember President Clinton’s famous quote: “I did not have sexual
relations with that woman.” We recognize a crafty speaker when we hear one. Ethics,
however, aren’t just important for presidents and other public figures. Ethical concerns
arise in a variety of public speaking contexts, as this chapter portrays.
The National Communication Association (NCA) suggests that communicators should be

committed to following principles of ethical communication. The NCA Credo of Ethical
Communication claims that “ethical communication is fundamental to responsible
thinking, decision making, and the development of relationships and communities
within and across contexts, cultures, channels, and media.”[1] Ethical communication
also yields positive outcomes, such as truthfulness, respect, and accuracy of
28 | F u n
information. You can see that ethics is a very important part of the communication
process. Likewise, it is an important part of the public speaking process.
Unethical communication can lead to poor decision-making or a lack of respect for self
and others, and threaten the well-being of individuals and society. Early scholars of
ethical communication, most notably Nielsen[2] and Johannesen[3] began to incorporate
a discussion of ethics in all aspects of communication. These forerunners began
exploring ethics in the area of public speaking. Communication experts agree that
ethical communication is an important responsibility of the speaker.
1. National Communication Association. (1999). NCA credo for ethical communication. Retrieved from
http://www.natcom.org/uploaded%20Files/About_NCA/Leadership_and_Governance/Public_Policy_Platfor
2. Nielsen, T. R. (1966). Ethics of speech communication. Indianapolis, IN: Bobbs Merrill.

3. Johannesen, R. L. (1967). Ethics and persuasion: Selected readings. New York: Random House.
Ethics in Public Speaking: Defining Ethics

But I want to say one thing to the American people. I want you to listen to me. I’m going
to say this again: I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky. I
never told anybody to lie, not a single time; never. These allegations are false. And I
need to go back to work for the American people. Thank you. ~ President Bill Clinton,
1998
Some of the early leaders in philosophy—Aristotle, Socrates, and Plato—spoke

extensively about morality and ethical principles. Aristotle is frequently cited as a
central figure in the development of ethics as we discuss them today in the
communication discipline. Aristotle claimed that a person who had ethos, or credibility,
was not only able to convey good sense and good will, but also good morals. Great
philosophers have debated the merits of living well, doing good, and even
communicating skillfully. Smitter describes early Greeks and Romans as teachers of
public speaking; these philosophers argued that public communication is “a means of
civic engagement” and ethics are “a matter of virtue.” Ethics and ethical communication
are not only an important part of our lives and our decision-making but also are crucial
to the public speaking process. In 2011, when Representative Anthony Weiner faced
accusations of sending sexually explicit photographs to a woman, he vehemently denied
any wrongdoing and claimed that he had been set up. Shortly after, his denial turned to
an admission and apology. This scandal called into question the ethics of Rep. Weiner,
yet it was also his lack of ethical communication that exacerbated the situation.
29 | F u n
Moral excellence comes about as a result of habit. We become just by doing just acts,
temperate by doing temperate acts, brave by doing brave acts. ~ Aristotle
Ethics and Ethical Standards

Morality is the process of discerning between right and wrong. Ethics involves making
decisions about right and wrong within a dilemma. For example, you might claim that
stealing is morally wrong. But is stealing morally wrong when a mother steals a loaf of
bread to feed her four starving children? It’s this scenario that requires an
understanding of ethics. In a moral dilemma, we apply ethics to make choices about
what is good or bad, right or wrong. Sometimes, ethical dilemmas are simple. Other
times, they require complex choices, such as the decision to report your immediate boss
for misrepresenting expenses or the decision to move your grandmother into a
retirement community. These scenarios are more complex than simple choices between
right and wrong. Instead, these examples are ethical dilemmas because two “right”
choices are pitted against one another. It’s good to report an unethical supervisor, but
it’s also good to keep your job. It’s good that your grandmother feels independent, but
it’s also positive for her to receive extra assistance as her health deteriorates.
As public speakers, we make ethical choices when preparing and delivering a speech.
We can easily be faced with a moral dilemma over what information to provide or how
to accurately represent that information. Knowing the speaking setting, the audience,
and our knowledge of the topic, we are able to confront ethical dilemmas with a strong
moral compass. This process is made easier by our ethical standards. Ethical standards,
or moral principles, are the set of rules we abide by that make us “good” people and
help us choose right from wrong. The virtuous standards to which we adhere influence
our ethical understanding. For instance, followers of Buddha believe that
communication should be careful—good communication should exhibit restraint,
responsibility, and kindness.[1]
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice
compassion. ~ Dalai Lama
30 | F u n
This stance informs one’s ethical standards. In fact, Merrill
(2009) explains that the holy Dalai Lama, the Buddhist spiritual
leader, believes compassion is even more essential than truth.
Therefore, it is justifiable to be untruthful when the deception
is part of the process of caring for another. This example
illustrates how one’s belief system influences his or her ethical
standards. These ethical standards are the guidelines we use to
interpret rightness and wrongness in life, in relationships, and
in public speaking. Wallace claims that “ethical standards of
communication should place emphasis upon the means used to
secure the end, rather than upon achieving the end itself.”[2]
This argument suggests that speakers must consider moral
“Emerald Buddha” by standards through every step of the speech process.
WPPilot. CC-BY-SA.
“Questions of right and wrong arise whenever people
communicate.”[3] Once we have identified our ethical standards, we can apply these to
make sure that we are communicating ethically. Ethical communication is an exchange
of responsible and trustworthy messages determined by our moral principles. Ethical
communication can be enacted in written, oral, and non-verbal communication. In
public speaking, we use ethical standards to determine what and how to exchange
messages with our audience. As you read further in this chapter, you will begin to
understand the guidelines for how ethical communication should occur in the public
speaking process.
1. Merrill, J. C. (2009). Tenzin Gyatso, the Dalai Lama: Universal compassion. In C. Christians & J.
Merrill (Eds.), Ethical communication (pp. 11–17). Columbia, MO: University of Missouri Press.
2. Wallace, K. (1955). An ethical basis of communication. Speech Teacher,

3. National Communication Association. (1999). NCA credo for ethical communication. Retrieved
from
http://www.natcom.org/uploadedFiles/About_NCA/Leadership_and_Governance/Public_Policy_P
Ethics in Public Speaking: Ethical Speaking

In January, 2012, an Australian politician, Anthony Albanese, presented a speech to the
National Press Club. Several people criticized this speech, saying that he stole lines from
Michael Douglas’s character (the U.S. President) in the movie The American President.
Several specific lines from Albanese’s speech did seem to mirror Douglas’s monologue,
with only the names changed. The Liberal Party federal director, Brian Loughnane,
31 | F u n
claimed that this shows Albanese is “unoriginal and devoid of ideas.” Others stated that
he should be embarrassed and should apologize to the Parliament.[1]
What do you think about Albanese’s speech? Was this a simple mishap? A funny prank?
Something more serious? What do you think this says about Albanese’s character? His
reputation as a politician? Assessing your attitudes and values toward this situation is
the same as considering how ethics play a role in public speaking.
Ethical public speaking is not a one-time event. It does not just occur when you stand to
give a 5-minute presentation to your classmates or co-workers. Ethical public speaking is
a process. This process begins when you begin brainstorming the topic of your speech.
Every time you plan to speak to an audience—whether it is at a formal speaking event
or an impromptu pitch at your workplace—you have ethical responsibilities to fulfill.
The two most important aspects in ethical communication include your ability to remain
honest while avoiding plagiarism and to set and meet responsible speech goals.
Integrity is telling myself the truth. And honesty is telling the truth to other people. ~
Spencer Johnson
Be Honest and Avoid Plagiarism

Credible public speakers are open and honest with their audiences. Honesty includes
telling your audience why you’re speaking (thesis statement) and what you’ll address
throughout your speech (preview). For instance, one example of dishonest speech is
when a vacation destination offers “complimentary tours and sessions” which are really
opportunities for a sales person to pitch a timeshare to unsuspecting tourists. In
addition to being clear about the speech goal, honest speakers are clear with audience
members when providing supporting information.
One example of dishonest public communication occurs in the music industry where
many cases of illegal melody lifting exist. For example, a famous Beach Boys song titled
Surfin’ USA is actually a note-for-note rendition of a 1958 Chuck Berry song. Though it
may be common, the practice of not properly crediting an author for his or her work is
unethical. Other examples of deceitful communication include political speeches that
intentionally mislead the public. For instance, a former White House press aide, Scott
McClellan, claims that President Bush misled the American people about reasons for the
Iraqi war. McClellan claims that the President had manipulated sources in order to gain
support for the war. Such claims can be damaging to one’s reputation. Thus, responsible
public speakers must actively avoid plagiarism and remain committed to honesty and
integrity at all costs.
32 | F u n
Mimi & Eunice, “Thief” by Nina Paley. CC-BY-SA.
Identify Your Sources
The first step of ethical speech preparation is to take notes as you research your speech
topic. Careful notes will help you remember where you learned your information.
Recalling your sources is important because it enables speaker honesty. Passing off
another’s work as your own or neglecting to cite the source for your information is
considered plagiarism. This unethical act can result in several consequences, ranging
from a loss in credibility to academic expulsion or job loss. Even with these potential
consequences, plagiarism is unfortunately common. In a national survey, 87 percent of
students claimed that their peers plagiarized from the Internet at least some of the
time.[2] This statistic does not take into account whether or not the plagiarism was
intentional, occurring when the writer or speaker knowingly presented information as
his or her own; or unintentional, occurring when careless citing leads to information
being uncredited or miscredited. However, it is important to note that being unaware of
how to credit sources should not be an excuse for unintentional plagiarism. In other
words, speakers are held accountable for intentional and unintentional plagiarism. The
remainder of this section discusses how to ensure proper credit is given when preparing
and presenting a speech.
A liar should have a good memory. ~ Quintilian
There are three distinct types of plagiarism—global, patchwork, and incremental

plagiarism.[3] Global plagiarism, the most obvious form of plagiarism, transpires when a
speaker presents a speech that is not his or her own work. For example, if a student
finds a speech on the Internet or borrows a former speech from a roommate and recites
that speech verbatim, global plagiarism has occurred. Global plagiarism is the most
obvious type of theft. However, other forms of plagiarism are less obvious but still
represent dishonest public speaking.
If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything. ~ Mark Twain
33 | F u n
Sometimes a student neglects to cite a source simply
because she or he forgot where the idea was first
learned. Shi explains that many students struggle with
plagiarism because they’ve reviewed multiple texts and
changed wording so that ideas eventually feel like their
own. Students engage in “‘patchwriting’ by copying
from a source text and then deleting or changing a few
words and altering the sentence structures.”[4]
Patchwork plagiarism is plagiarism that occurs when
one “patches” together bits and pieces
“Rainbow Dahlia quilt” by Holice E.
Turnbow. CC-BY-SA. from one or more sources and represents the end
result as his or her own. Michael O’Neill also coined the
term “paraplaging”[5] to explain how an author simply uses partial text of sources with
partial original writing. An example of patchwork plagiarism is if you create a speech by
pasting together parts of another speech or author’s work. Read the following
hypothetical scenario to get a better understanding of subtle plagiarism. Three months
ago, Carley was talking to her coworkers about expanding their company’s client base.
Carley reported some of the ideas she’d been pondering with Stephen and Juan. The
three employees shared ideas and provided constructive criticism in order to perfect
each notion, and then mentioned they’d revisit the conversation over lunch sometime
soon. A week later, Carley shared one of her ideas during the company’s Monday
morning staff meeting. Carley came up with the idea, but Stephen and Juan helped her
think through some of the logistics of bringing in more clients. Her peers’ input was key
to making Carley’s client-building idea work. When Carley pitched her idea at the
company staff meeting, she didn’t mention Stephen or Juan. She shared her idea with
senior management and then waited for feedback.
Did Carley behave unethically? Some would say: “No!” since she shared her own idea.
Did Carley speak honestly? Perhaps not because she didn’t account for how her idea
took shape—with the help of Stephen and Juan. This scenario is an example of how
complicated honesty becomes when speaking to an audience.
The third type of plagiarism is incremental plagiarism, or when most of the speech is
the speaker’s original work, but quotes or other information have been used without
being cited. Incremental plagiarism can occur if, for example, you provide a statistic to
support your claim, but do not provide the source for that statistic. Another example
would be if a student included a direct quote from former president Ronald Reagan
without letting the audience know that those were Reagan’s exact words.
34 | F u n
Understanding the different types of plagiarism is the first step in ensuring that you
prepare an honest speech.
Table 3.1: Purdue OWL APA Guide for Citing Sources[6]
Cite Don’t Cite
Writing your own lived

Words or ideas presented in a magazine, experiences, your own book, newspaper,
song, TV program, movie, observations and insights, your
Web page, computer program, letter, own thoughts, and your own
advertisement, or any other medium. conclusions about a subject.
Information you gain through interviewing When you are writing up your or
conversing with another person, face to own results obtained through face,
over the phone, or in writing. lab or field experiments.
When you use your own

When you copy the exact words or a unique artwork, digital photographs,
phrase. video, audio, etc.
When you are using common

knowledge—things like
When you reprint any diagrams,
folklore, common sense
illustrations, charts, pictures, or other visual observations, myths, urban
materials.
legends, and historical events
(but not historical documents).
When you reuse or repost any electronically When you are using generally
available media, including images, audio, accepted facts, e.g. pollution is video,
or other media. bad for the environment.
Decide When to Cite

When speaking publicly you must orally cite all information that isn’t general
knowledge. For example, if your speech claims that the sun is a star, you do not have to
35 | F u n
cite that information since it’s general knowledge. If your speech claims that the sun’s
temperature is 15.6 million Kelvin,[7] then you should cite that source aloud. Ethical
speakers are not required to cite commonly known information (e.g., skin is the largest
human organ; Barack Obama was elected President of the U.S. in 2008). However, any
information that isn’t general knowledge must be orally cited during a speech. The same
is true in the text of a speech outline: cite all non-general information.
The OWL, an online writing lab at Purdue University, provides an excellent guide for
when you need to cite information (see Table 3.1). Understanding when to include
source material is the first step in being able to ethically cite sources. The next step in
this process is to determine how to appropriately cite sources orally and in written
materials.
Cite Sources Properly

You’ve learned the importance of citing sources. Now that you know why written and
oral citations are important to the ethical process of public speaking, let’s focus on how
to cite supporting speech material. Studies show that oftentimes students do not cite a
source because they’re unsure of how or when to cite a reference. Shi’s study describes
some typical responses for why students did not cite sources, such as “I couldn’t
remember where I learned the information,” or “I had already cited that author and
didn’t want the audience to think all of my information was from some outside source.”
Though these rationales are understandable, they are not ethical.
Understand Paraphrasing and Direct Quotations

Next, it is important to understand the process for paraphrasing and directly quoting
sources in order to support your speech claims. First, what is the difference between
paraphrasing and directly quoting a source? If you research and learn information from
a source—the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), for instance— and
then share that information in your own words; you don’t use quotation marks; but you
do credit the CDC as your source. This is known as a paraphrase—a sentence or string of
sentences that shares learned information in your own words. A direct quote is any
sentence or string of sentences that conveys an author’s idea word-for-word. According
to the APA (American Psychological Association), when writing speech content, you
must include quotation marks around an author’s work when you use his or her
keywords, phrases, or sentences. This would be relevant for a speech outline, a
handout, or a visual aid. It is also important to specify a direct quote when you are orally
citing during your speech. This indicates to the audience that you are using the original
author’s exact words. While it is acceptable to use the phrases “begin quote” and “end
quote” to indicate this to your audience, such phrases can be distracting to the
36 | F u n
audience. One way to clearly and concisely indicate a direct quote is to take a
purposeful pause right before and after the quoted material. This differentiates
between your words and the source material’s words. See Table 3.2 for examples of
how to paraphrase and directly quote an author, both in written speech materials and
for an oral citation.
37 | F u n
Table 3.2: Written and Oral Source Citations[8][9]
Written Citations Oral Citations
Your best defense against

You cannot do a nonstop flight influenza—and its possible
to the second half of life by complications—is to receive an
Original Text reading lots of books about it, annual vaccination. In fact, CDC
including this one. Grace must recommends that everyone 6
and will edge you forward. months and older get an annual flu
vaccination.
It is through the practice of

Paraphrase for The CDC (2008) suggests that people
showing grace that we grow and
Written Speech get a vaccination at least once a
develop as individuals (Rohr,
Materials year to avoid the flu.
2011).
There is something you can do to

avoid the flu. The CDC states that,
Direct Quote for According to Rohr (2011), “Grace
“Your best defense against
Written Speech must and will edge you forward”
influenza—and its possible
Materials (p. 2).
complications—is to receive an
annual vaccination” (para. 6).
In Rohr’s 2011 book, Falling

According to the Centers for
upward: A spirituality for the
Disease Control and Prevention
Oral Citation for halves of life, he discussed how
website (2008), people should get
Paraphrase we show grace to others which
a preventative vaccination at least
allows us to grow and develop as
once a year to avoid the flu.
individuals.
On their website, the Centers for

Rohr (2011), in his book Falling Disease Control and Prevention
upward: A spirituality for the two (2008) states that, [pause] “your
Oral Citation for
halves of life, stated that [pause] best defense against influenza—
Direct Quote
“Grace must and will edge you and its possible complications—is
forward” [pause]. to receive an annual vaccination”
[pause].
38 | F u n
Develop Accurate Citations
Ethical speakers share source information with the audience. On written materials, such
as handouts or speech outlines, citations are handled much like they would be in any
essay. In addition to written citations, oral citations provide source information to
audience members who may not see your written speech. In all citations, enough
information should be given so that the audience can easily find the source.
You may choose to briefly describe the author before citing him or her to lend credibility
to your supporting information. Writing style guidebooks, such as APA or MLA (Modern
Language Association), teach that a source’s credentials are not necessary in the text of
your paper. We can interpret that the same is true for providing oral citations in a
speech–the author’s occupation, the source website, or the journal name are not
required but may be helpful verbal cues to explain the legitimacy of your chosen source.
You should provide enough information so that an audience member can locate the
source. For instance, it might be useful to describe the doctor as a leading pediatrician–
after which you would state the doctor’s last name, year of publication, and the quote
or paraphrase. To orally paraphrase a Langer quote (see example poster in Figure 3.1),
you might say to your audience:
I really agree with Langer (1989), who wrote in her book Mindfulness, that our world is
constructed from the categories we build in our mind. I find that I interpret the world
based on my initial understanding of things and have to mindfully force myself to
question the categories and biases I’ve formally created in my head.
[Poster Title] “We experience the world by creating categories and making distinctions
among them” (Langer, 1989, p. 11).
[Main Point 1 Content] [Main Point 2 Content]
Figure 3.1: Sample Poster with Key Quote[10]
Note, the Langer paraphrase provides the author’s last name, year of publication, and
the title of the book should an audience member want to find the orally cited source.
Ethical speakers provide written, oral, and visual citations. Visual aids, discussed in
Chapter 13, include posters, objects, models, PowerPoints, and handouts. Visual aids
are used to enhance your speech message. Visual aids, just like speech content, must be
displayed ethically for the audience. In other words, if you use a poster to display a
39 | F u n
famous quote, then you should cite the author on your poster (see Figure 3.1). Similarly,
you should cite sources on your PowerPoint throughout the presentation. It is not
sufficient to include a “Sources” or “References” slide at the end of your PowerPoint
because that does not accurately link each author to his or her work. Instead, ethical
presenters provide an author reference on the slide in which the cited content is shown
(see Figure 3.2).
Speakers should also carefully select and correctly cite images displayed in their visual
aid. Images should be relevant to the keywords used on your PowerPoint slide. In other
words, captions are not necessary because the image can stand alone; images you
display should obviously correlate with your speech content (a caption is typically used
because the picture needs explanation). In other words, the presence of a caption
typically means your image does not directly correspond with the verbal speech
material. Images should support, not distract, from the verbal or visual message. Hence,
there is no need for blinking, rotating, or otherwise distracting visual aids.[11] Images
should be simple and relevant. All pictures should be cited, unless the presenter uses a
personal, clipart, or purchased stock image. To cite an image, simply include the credit
(or web link) to that picture; note, however, the font size of the link should be reduced
so that it is visible to the audience without distracting from the content in your visual
aid. Seeing an image link should not be distracting to audience members.
It’s also important to understand how copyright law might affect

what and how you include information in your speech and on your
visual aid. The fair use provision allows for copyrighted
information to be shared if it is used for educational benefits,
news reporting, research, and in other situations. Nolo explains,
“In its most general sense, a fair use is any copying of copyrighted
material done for a limited and ‘transformative’ purpose, such as
to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such
uses can be done without permission from the copyright
owner.”[12] In order to determine if the use of content falls under
“Question copyright” by
Ttog~commonswiki. CC-BY- the fair use provision, there are four factors to consider:
SA.
1. How will this be used?

2. What is to be used?
3. How much will be used?
4. What effect does this have?[13]
40 | F u n
You can find more about these four factors at the U.S. Copyright website.
Ethical citing includes crediting authors in the text of your written speech materials,
acknowledging authors aloud during your speech, and citing images and sources on your
visual aid. However, ethics in public speaking encompass more than crediting source
material. It’s also necessary to strive for responsible speech goals.
Ethics and equity and the principles of justice do not change with the calendar. ~ David
Herbert Lawrence
Set Responsible Speech Goals

Jensen coined the term “rightsabilities” to explain how a communicator must balance
tensions between speaker rights and responsibility to others. Ensuring that you have
responsible speech goals is one way to achieve ethical communication in public
speaking. There are several speech goals that support this mission. This section will
focus on five goals: 1) promote diversity, 2) use inclusive language, 3) avoid hate speech,
4) raise social awareness, and 5) employ respectful free speech.
Promote Diversity
One important responsibility speakers
have is fostering diversity, or an
appreciation for differences among
individuals and groups. Diversity in
public speaking is important when
considering both your audience and
your speech content. Promoting
diversity allows audience members who
may be different from the speaker to
“U.S. Air Force” by Tech. Sgt. Keith Brown. Public domain. feel included and can present a perspective to
which audience members had not previously been exposed. Speakers may choose a
speech topic that introduces a multicultural issue to the audience or can promote
diversity by choosing language and visual aids that relate to and support listeners of
different backgrounds. Because of the diversity present in our lives, it is necessary to
consider how speakers can promote diversity.
One simple way of promoting diversity is to use both sexes in your hypothetical
examples and to include co-cultural groups when creating a hypothetical situation. For
example, you can use names that represent both sexes and that also stem from
different cultural backgrounds. In the story about Carley and her co-workers, her
41 | F u n
coworkers were deliberately given male names so that both sexes were represented.
Ethical speakers also encourage diversity in races, socioeconomic status, and other
demographics. These choices promote diversity. In addition, ethical speakers can strive
to break stereotypes. For instance, if you’re telling a hypothetical story about a top
surgeon in the nation, why not make the specialized surgeon a female from a rural
area? Or make the hypothetical secretary a man named Frank? You could also include a
picture in your visual aid of the female surgeon or the male secretary at work. Ethical
speakers should not assume that a nurse is female or that a firefighter is male. Sexist
language can alienate your audience from your discussion.[14]
Another way that sexist language occurs in speeches is when certain statements or
ideas are directed at a particular sex. For example, the “Selecting a Florist” speech
described at the beginning of this chapter may be considered sexist by many audience
members. Another example is the following statement, which implies only males might
be interested in learning how to fix a car: “I think that fixing a car is one of the most
important things you can learn how to do. Am I right, guys?” Promoting diversity is
related to using inclusive language, discussed in the following sections.
Excellence is the best deterrent to racism or sexism. ~Oprah Winfrey
Use Inclusive Language

Avoiding sexist language is one way to use inclusive language. Another important way
for speakers to develop responsible language is to use inclusionary pronouns and
phrases. For example, novice speakers might tell their audience: “One way for you to
get involved in the city’s Clean Community Program is to pick up trash on your street
once a month.” Instead, an effective public speaker could exclaim: “One way for all of us
to get involved in our local communities is by picking up trash on a regular basis.” This
latter statement is an example of “we” language—pronouns and phrases that unite the
speaker to the audience. “We” language (instead of “I” or “You” language) is a simple
way to build a connection between the speaker, speech content, and audience. This is
especially important during a persuasive speech as “we” language establishes trust,
rapport, and goodwill between the speaker and the audience. Take, for example, the
following listener relevance statements in a persuasive speech about volunteering:
“You” language: You may say that you’re too busy to volunteer, but I don’t agree. I’m
here to tell you that you should be volunteering in your community.
“We” language: As college students, we all get busy in our daily lives and sometimes
helpful acts such as volunteering aren’t priorities in our schedules. Let’s explore how we
can be more active volunteers in our community.
42 | F u n
In this exchange, the “you” language sets the speaker apart from the audience and
could make listeners defensive about their time and lack of volunteering. On the other
hand, the “we” language connects the speaker to the audience and lets the audience
know that the speaker understands and has some ideas for how to fix the problem. This
promotes a feeling of inclusiveness, one of the responsible speech goals.
Avoid Hate Speech

Another key aspect of ethical speaking is to develop an awareness of spoken words and
the power of words. The NCA Credo of Ethical Communication highlights the
importance of this awareness: “We condemn communication that degrades individuals
and humanity through distortion, intimidation, coercion, and violence, and through the
expression of intolerance and hatred.”[15] Words can be powerful—both in helping you
achieve your speech goal and in affecting your audience in significant ways. It is
essential that public speakers refrain from hate or sexist language. Hate speech,
according to Verderber, Sellnow, and Verderber, “is the use of words and phrases not
only to demean another person or group but also to express hatred and prejudice.”[16]
Hate language isolates a particular person or group in a derogatory manner. Michael
Richards, famous for the role of Cosmo Kramer on Seinfeld, came under fire for his hate
speech during a comedy routine in 2006. Richards used several racial epithets and
directed his hate language towards African-Americans and Mexicans.[17] Richards
apologized for his outbursts, but the damage to his reputation and career was
irrevocable. Likewise, using hate speech in any public speaking situation can alienate
your audience and take away your credibility, leading to more serious implications for
your grade, your job, or other serious outcomes. It is your responsibility as the speaker
to be aware of sensitive material and be able to navigate language choices to avoid
offending your audience.
No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world. ~ Robin Williams
43 | F u n
Raise Social Awareness
Speakers should consider it their ethical responsibility to educate listeners by
introducing ideas of racial, gender, or cultural diversity, but also by raising social
awareness, or the recognition of important issues that affect societies. Raising social
awareness is a task for ethical speakers because educating peers on important causes
empowers others to make a positive change in the world. Many times when you present
a speech, you have the opportunity to raise awareness about growing social issues. For
example, if you’re asked to present an informative speech to your classmates, you could
tell them about your school’s athletic
tradition or you could discuss Peace One
Day—a campaign that promotes a single
day of worldwide cease-fire, allowing
crucial food and medicine supplies to be
shipped into warzone areas.[18] If your
assignment is to present a persuasive
speech, you could look at the
assignment as an opportunity to
“Raising John T. Williams Memorial Totem Pole” by Joe
Mabel. CC-BY-SA. convince your classmates to (a) stop
texting while they drive, (b) participate in a program that supports US troops by writing
personal letters to deployed soldiers or (c) buy a pair of TOMS (tomsshoes.com) and
find other ways to provide basic needs to impoverished families around the world. Of
course, those are just a few ideas for how an informative or persuasive speech can be
used to raise awareness about current social issues. It is your responsibility, as a person
and speaker, to share information that provides knowledge or activates your audience
toward the common good.[19]
One way to be successful in attaining your speech goal while also remaining ethical is to
consider your audience’s moral base. Moon identifies a principle that allows the speaker
to justify his or her perspective by finding common moral ground with the audience.[20]
This illustrates to the audience that you have goodwill but allows you to still use your
moral base as a guide for responsible speech use. For example, even though you are a
vegetarian and believe that killing animals for food is murder, you know that the
majority of your audience does not feel the same way. Rather than focusing on this
argument, you decide to use Moon’s principle and focus on animal cruelty. By
highlighting the inhumane ways that animals are raised for food, you appeal to the
audience’s moral frame that abusing animals is wrong—something that you and your
audience can both agree upon.
If we lose love and self-respect for each other, this is how we finally die. ~ Maya Angelou
44 | F u n
Employ Respectful Free Speech
We live in a nation that values freedom of speech. Of course, due to the First
Amendment, you have the right and ability to voice your opinions and values to an
audience. However, that freedom of speech must be balanced with your responsibility
as a speaker to respect your audience. Offending or degrading the values of your
audience members will not inform or persuade them. For example, let’s say you want to
give a persuasive speech on why abortion is morally wrong. It’s your right to voice that
opinion. Nevertheless, it’s important that you build your case without offending your
audience members— since you don’t know everyone’s history or stance on the subject.
Showing disturbing pictures on your visual aid may not “make your point” in the way
you intended. Instead, these pictures may send audience members into an emotional
tailspin (making it difficult for them to hear your persuasive points because of their own
psychological noise). Freedom of speech is a beautiful American value, but ethical
speakers must learn to balance their speech freedom with their obligation to respect
each audience member.
Fortunately for serious minds, a bias recognized is a bias sterilized. ~ Benjamin Haydon
1. ABC News. (2012, January 25). Albanese accused of plagiarising Hollywood speech. Retrieved from
2. Cruikshank, B. (2004). Plagiarism: It’s Alive! Texas Library Journal,

3. Lucas, S. E. (2001). The art of public speaking (7th ed.). New York: McGraw-
4. Shi, L. (2010). Textual appropriation and citing behaviors of university undergraduates. Applied
Linguistics, 31
5. O’Neill, M. T. (1980). Plagiarism: Writing Responsibly. Business Communication Quarterly, 43, 34–
6. Stolley, K., & Brizee, A. (2011, August 24). Avoiding plagiarism. Retrieved from
7. Nine Planets. (2011). The Sun. Retrieved from

8. Rohr, R. (2011). Falling upward: A spirituality for the two halves of life. San Francisco, CA:
JosseyBass.
9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). Are you at high risk for serious illness from flu?
Retrieved from
10. Langer, E. J. (1989). Mindfulness.
11. Danoff-Burg, J. (2002). PowerPoint writing guide. Retrieved from
- -
12. Nolo. (2010). What is fair use? Copyright and fair use, Stanford University Libraries. Retrieved from
http://fairuse.stanford.edu/Copyright_and_Fair_Use_Overview/chapter9/9
45 | F u n
- 13.
Harper, G. K. (2007). Copyright Crash Course. Retrieved from
14. Driscoll, D. L., & Brizee, A. (2010, July 13). Stereotypes and biased language. Retrieved from
from
16. Verderber, R. F., Sellnow, D. D., & Verderber, K. S. (2012). The challenge of effective speaking (15th
ed.). Boston, MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
17. Farhi, P. (2006, November 21). ‘Seinfeld’ comic Richards apologizes for racial rant. The Washington
Post. Retrieved from
19. Mill, J.S. (1987). Utilitarianism. In A. Ryan (Ed.), Utilitarianism and other essays (pp. 272–338). New
York: Penguin Classics.
20. Moon, J. D. (1993). Theory, citizenship, and democracy. In G. E. Marcus & R. L. Hanson,
Reconsidering the democratic public (pp. 211–222). University Park, PA: The Pennsylvania State
University Press.
Ethics in Public Speaking: Ethical Listening

Just as you hope others are attentive to your speech, it is important to know how to
listen ethically—in effort to show respect to other speakers. Jordan stood to give his
presentation to the class. He knew he was knowledgeable about his chosen topic, the
Chicago Bears football team, and had practiced for days, but public speaking always
gave him anxiety. He asked for a show of hands during his attention getter, and only a
few people acknowledged him.Jordan’s anxiety worsened as he continued his speech. He
noticed that many of his classmates were texting on their phones. Two girls on the right
side were passing a note back and forth. When Jordan received his peer critique forms,
most of his classmates simply said, “Good job” without giving any explanation. One of
his classmates wrote, “Bears SUCK!”
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As we can see from the example above, communicating is not a one-way street.
Jordan’s peers were not being ethical listeners. All individuals involved in the
communication process have ethical responsibilities. An ethical communicator tries to
“understand and respect other communicators before evaluating and responding to
their messages.”[1] As you will learn in Chapter 4, listening is an important part of the
public speaking process. Thus, this chapter will also outline the ethics of ethical
listening. This section explains how to improve your listening skills and how to provide
ethical feedback. Hearing happens physiologically, but listening is an art. The
importance of ethical listening will be discussed first.
Develop Ethical Listening Skills

The act of hearing is what our body does physically; our ear takes in sound waves.
However, when we interpret (or make sense of) those sound waves, that’s called
listening. Think about the last time you gave a speech. How did the audience members
act? Do you remember the people that seemed most attentive? Those audience
members were displaying traits of ethical listening. An ethical listener is one who
actively interprets shared material and analyzes the content and speaker’s
effectiveness. Good listeners try to display respect for the speaker. Communicating
respect for the speaker occurs when the listener: a) prepares to listen and b) listens
with his or her whole body.
One way you can prepare yourself to

listen is to get rid of distractions.[2] If
you’ve selected a seat near the radiator
and find it hard to hear over the noise,
you may want to move before the
speaker begins. If you had a fight with
your friend before work that morning,
you may want to take a moment to
collect your thoughts and put the
argument out of your mind—so that you
can prevent internal distraction during
the staff meeting presentation. As a
professional, you are aware of the types
of things and behaviors that distract you
“Bored Students” by cybrarian77. CC-BY-NC. from
the speaker; it is your obligation to
manage these distractions before the speaker begins.
In order to ethically listen, it’s also imperative to listen with more than just your ears—
your critical mind should also be at work. According to Sellnow,[3] two other things you
47 | F u n
can do to prepare are to avoid prejudging the speaker and refrain from jumping to
conclusions while the speaker is talking. Effective listening can only occur when we’re
actually attending to the message. Conversely, listening is interrupted when we’re
prejudging the speaker, stereotyping the speaker, or making mental counterarguments
to the speaker’s claims. You have the right to disagree with a speaker’s content, but
wait until the speaker is finished and has presented his or her whole argument to draw
such a conclusion.
Ethical listening doesn’t just take place inside the body. In order to show your
attentiveness, it is necessary to consider how your body is listening. A listening posture
enhances your ability to receive information and make sense of a message.[4] An
attentive listening posture includes sitting up and remaining alert, keeping eye contact
with the speaker and his or her visual aid, removing distractions from your area, and
taking notes when necessary. Also, if you’re enjoying a particular speaker, it’s helpful to
provide positive nonverbal cues like head-nodding, occasional smiling, and eye-contact.
These practices can aid you in successful, ethical listening. However, know that listening
is sometimes only the first step in this process—many times listeners are asked to
provide feedback.
Constructive criticism is about finding something good and positive to soften the blow to
the real critique of what really went on. ~ Paula Abdul
Provide Ethical Feedback

Ethical speakers and listeners are able to provide quality feedback to others. Ethical
feedback is a descriptive and explanatory response to the speaker. Brownell explains
that a response to a speaker should demonstrate that you have listened and considered
the content and delivery of the message.[5] Responses should respect the position of the
speaker while being honest about your attitudes, values, and beliefs. Praising the
speaker’s message or delivery can help boost his or her confidence and encourage good
speaking behaviors. However, ethical feedback does not always have to be positive in
nature. Constructive criticism can point out flaws of the speaker while also making
suggestions. Constructive criticism acknowledges that a speaker is not perfect and can
improve upon the content or delivery of the message. In fact, constructive criticism is
helpful in perfecting a speaker’s content or speaking style. Ethical feedback always
explains the listener’s opinion in detail. Figure 3.3 provides examples of unethical and
ethical feedback.
48 | F u n
Figure 3.3: Unethical and Ethical Feedback
● I really enjoyed your speech.

Unethical
● Your speech lacks supportive information.
Feedback
● You are the worst public speaker ever.
● I really enjoyed your speech because your topic was personally

interesting to me.
● Your speech lacked supportive information. You didn’t cite any
Ethical Feedback
outside information. Instead, your only source was you.
● I believe your speech was ineffective because you were clearly
unprepared and made no eye contact with the audience.
As you can see from the example feedback statements (Figure 3.3), ethical feedback is
always explanatory. Ethical statements explain why you find the speaker effective or
ineffective. Another guideline for ethical feedback is to “phrase your comments as
personal perceptions” by using “I” language (Sellnow, 2009, p. 94). Feedback that
employs the “I” pronoun displays personal preference regarding the speech and
communicates responsibility for the comments. Feedback can focus on the speaker’s
delivery, content, style, visual aid, or attire. Be sure to support your claims—by giving a
clear explanation of your opinion—when providing feedback to a speaker. Feedback
should also support ethical communication behaviors from speakers by asking for more
information and pointing out relevant information.[6] It is clear that providing ethical
feedback is an important part of the listening process and, thus, of the public speaking
process.
A man without ethics is a wild beast loosed upon this world. ~ Albert Camus
from
2. Sellnow, D. D. (2009). Confident public speaking: COM 181 at University of Kentucky. Mason, OH:
Cengage Learning.
3. Sellnow 2009
4. Jaffe, C. (2010). Public speaking: Concepts and skills for a diverse society (6th Ed.). Boston, MA:
Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
5. Brownell, J. (2006). Listening: Attitudes, principles and skills (3rd Ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon
6. Jensen, J. V. (1997). Ethical issues in the communication process. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
49 | F u n
Ethics in Public Speaking: Conclusion
This chapter addresses ethics in public speaking. As ethics is an important part of our
daily lives, it also plays a significant role in any public speaking situation. This chapter
defines ethics and provides guidelines for practicing ethics in public speaking and
listening. An ethical public speaker considers how to be honest and avoid plagiarism by
taking notes during the research process, identifying sources, and deciding when it is
appropriate to cite sources. Ethical public speakers also cite sources properly by
understanding how to paraphrase and directly quote sources. In addition, they know
how to cite in written speech materials, during oral presentations, and on visual aids.
Ethical speakers strive to achieve responsible speech goals by promoting gender, racial,
and cultural diversity, using inclusive language, refraining from using hate speech,
raising social awareness about important issues when possible, and understanding the
balance of free speech with responsibility to audience members. Lastly, this chapter
discusses ethical listening. Listening is an important part of the public speaking
situation. Ethical listeners consider their responsibilities when both listening and
providing feedback to speakers. Ethical listeners should prepare to listen by removing
distractions, avoiding prejudging the speaker, and listen with the whole body by giving
supportive nonverbal feedback to the speaker. Ethical feedback is explanatory and
descriptive. Ethical feedback can include both praise and constructive criticism. With
this improved understanding of how to prepare and present a speech ethically, you can
accomplish the goal of ethical public speaking. Consider ethics as you learn about the
public speaking process in
upcoming chapters. Ethics in
Public Speaking: Review
Questions and Activities
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Where did ethics
originate? How are ethics
used in public speaking?
2. What is plagiarism? What
is the difference between
global and patchwork
plagiarism?
3. What is the difference “Shimer College conversation with students 2010” by Shimer College. CC-BY.
50 | F u n
between paraphrasing and directly quoting a source?
4. What free speech rights are granted to a speaker?
5. Why is raising social awareness an ethical concern when preparing a speech?
6. What are some ways to use language ethically in presentations?
7. How is listening used in the public speaking setting? What are some guidelines
for being an ethical listener?
Glossary
Direct Quote
A direct quote is any sentence that conveys the primary source’s idea word-for-word.
Diversity
Diversity is an appreciation for differences among individuals and groups.
Ethical Feedback
Ethical feedback is descriptive and explanatory feedback for a speaker. Ethical feedback
can be positive praise or constructive criticism.
Ethical Listener
A listener who actively interprets shared material and analyzes the speech content and
speaker’s effectiveness.
Ethical Communication
Ethical communication is an exchange of responsible and trustworthy messages
determined by our moral principles.
Ethical Standards
Rules of acceptable conduct, that when followed, promote values such as trust, good
behavior, fairness and/or kindness.
Ethics
Ethics is the process of determining what is good or bad, right or wrong in a moral
dilemma.
Global Plagiarism
Global plagiarism is plagiarism that occurs when a speaker uses an entire work that is
not his/her own.
Hate Language
51 | F u n
Hate language is the use of words or phrases that isolate a particular person or group in
a derogatory manner.
Incremental Plagiarism
Incremental plagiarism is plagiarism that occurs when most of the speech is the
speaker’s original work, but quotes or other information have been used without being
cited.
Listening
Listening is the process of interpreting, or making sense of, sounds.
Morality
Morality is the process of discerning between right and wrong.
Paraphrase
A paraphrase is any sentence that shares learned information in the speaker’s own
words.
Patchwork Plagiarism
Patchwork plagiarism is plagiarism that occurs when one patches together bits and
pieces from one or more sources and represents the end result as his or her own.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is when one passes off another’s work as his/her own or neglects to cite a
source for his/her information.
Social Awareness
Social awareness is the recognition of important issues that affect societies.
“We” Language
“We” Language includes the use of pronouns and phrases that unite the speaker to the
audience.
Ethics in Public Speaking: References

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http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012 -01-25/albanese-accused-of- plagiarising-speech/3793486 American
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Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
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DuPre, A. (1998). Humor and the healing arts: A multimethod analysis of humor use in health care. Mahwah,
NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Farhi, P. (2006, November 21). ‘Seinfeld’ comic Richards apologizes for racial rant. The Washington Post.
Retrieved from
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Fisher, W. R. (1984). Narration as a human communication paradigm: The case of public moral argument.
Communication Monographs, 51, 1-22.
Harper, G. K. (2007). Copyright Crash Course. Retrieved from http://copyright.lib.utexas.edu/copypol2.html
Iannarino, N. T. (2011, November). Shangri-Lost in the international house of cancer: An analysis of Julia
Sweeney’s humorous illness narrative [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from author [slide adapted and used
via permission of N. Iannarino].
Jaffe, C. (2010). Public speaking: Concepts & skills for a diverse and society (6 Ed.). Boston, MA: Wadsworth
Cengage Learning.
Jensen, J. V. (1997). Ethical issues in the communication process. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Johannesen, R. L. (1967). Ethics and persuasion: Selected readings. New York: Random House.
Langer, E. J. (1989). Mindfulness. Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Press.
Lucas, S. E. (2001) . The art of public speaking (7th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Merrill, J. C. (2009). Tenzin Gyatso, the Dalai Lama: Universal compassion. In C. Christians & J. Merrill (Eds.),
Ethical communication (pp. 11-17). Columbia, MO: University of Missouri Press.
Mill, J.S. (1987). Utilitarianism. In A. Ryan (Ed.), Utilitarianism and other essays (pp. 272-338). New York:
Penguin Classics.
Moon, J. D. (1993). Theory, citizenship, and democracy. In G. E. Marcus & R. L. Hanson, Reconsidering the
democratic public (pp. 211-222). University Park, PA: The Pennsylvania State University Press.
National Communication Association. (1999). NCA credo for ethical communication. Retrieved from
http://www.natcom.org/uploaded
Files/About_NCA/Leadership_and_Governance/Public_Policy_Platform/PDF-
PolicyPlatformNCA_Credo_for_Ethical_Communication.pdf
NBC News and news services. (2011, June 16). New York Rep. Anthony Weiner resigns. Retrieved from
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43425251/ns/politics-capitol_hill/#.T-VdoJErviE.
Nielsen, T. R. (1966). Ethics of speech communication. Indianapolis, IN: Bobbs Merrill.
Nine Planets. (2011). The Sun. Retrieved from http://nineplanets.org/sol.html
Nolo. (2010). What is fair use? Copyright and fair use, Stanford University Libraries. Retrieved from
http://fairuse.stanford.edu/Copyright_and_Fair_Use_Overview/chapter9/9-a.html
O’Neill, M. T. (1980). Plagiarism: Writing Responsibly. Business Communication Quarterly, 43, 34-36.
Peace One Day. (n.d.). Introduction. Retrieved from http://www.peaceoneday.org/en/about/Introduction
Pegg, B. (2000, February 15). Chuck Berry biography. Retrieved from
http://departments.colgate.edu/diw/pegg/CBBiography.html
Rohr, R. (2011). Falling upward: A spirituality for the two halves of life. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
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weinersexting-twitter_n.htm
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Sellnow, D. D. (2009). Confident public speaking: COM 181 at University of Kentucky. Mason, OH: Cengage
Learning. Photo credits
p.1 Occupy Bay Street by Kelly Finnamore
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Woman_speaking_about_ending_war.jpg
p.2 President Bill Clinton Jan 26 1998 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBe_guezGGc
p. 3 Thai Buddha by Lisa Schreiber
p. 4 Copy without permission by Nina Paley http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ME_109_Thief.png
p. 5 Rainbow dahlia by Holice Turnbow http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:RainbowDhalia_quilt.jpg
p. 8 Copyrightquestion by Stephan Baum
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Question_copyright.svg p. 8 U.S. F15 Jet Pilots by Tech.
Sgt. Keith Brown http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:F-15_pilots_Elmendorf.jpg p. 9 Rise
above the hate by RealDealDougR http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rise_Above_Hate.jpg p.
10 Older man speaking by Joe Mabel
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Raising_John_T._Williams_Memorial_Totem_Pole_300.jp
g
Chapter 3: Speaking With Confidence

By Ronald P. Graspy, Ph.D.
Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA
Speaking With Confidence: Objectives and Outline After

reading this chapter, you should be able to:
• Understand the nature of communicative apprehension (CA), and be in a better position to deal
with your particular “brand” of CA
• Analyze objectively the formation of your habitual frame of reference
• Apply cognitive restructuring (CR) techniques to create a more positive frame of reference
• Understand the importance of customized practice to become conversant in your topic
• Create a personal preparation routine to minimize your apprehension Chapter Outline:
• Introduction
• Classifying Communication Apprehension (CA)
54 | F u n
o Trait-anxiety o
State-anxiety o
Scrutiny Fear
• Frames of Reference o Habitual
Frame of Reference o Personal
Frame of Reference
• Cognitive Restructuring (CR) o
Sources of Apprehension o Impact
of Apprehension o Learning
Confidence
• Techniques for Building
Confidence o Prepare Well o
Visualize Success o Avoid
Gimmicks o Breathe and Release
o Minimize What You Memorize o
Practice Out Loud o Customize
Your Practice
• Conclusion
• Chapter Activities and Exercises
• Glossary
• References
Rebiya Kadeer is licensed under the Creative Commons

Attribution 2.0
Speaking With Confidence: Introduction

“I have to do what?”
You receive your syllabus on the first day of history class, and you see that a significant
percentage of your overall grade for the semester depends upon one, ten-minute oral
55 | F u n d a m e n t a l s o f P u b l i c S p e a
king-CollegeoftheCanyons
presentation in front of the class. The presentation is to be based on an original
research project and is due in eight weeks.
You are excited to get an email after a very positive job interview. They ask you to come
to a second interview prepared to answer a number of questions from a panel made up
of senior management. The questions are contained in an attachment. “Please be ready
to stand in the front of the room to answer,” the email reads; ending with “See you next
week!”
The plans are finalized: You will have dinner to meet your new fiancé’s family on
Saturday night – just days away. But, then you are told that your fiancé’s father, a
former Marine and retired police officer, will want to talk about politics and current
events – and that he will likely judge what sort of person you are based on how well you
can defend your ideas.
In this chapter, you will learn about dealing with one of the most common fears in our
society: the fear of public speaking, which is referred to as communication
apprehension (CA). If you are one of those folks – take comfort in the fact that you are
not alone! Research indicates that 20% or more of the U.S. population has a high degree
of communicative apprehension (McCroskey, 1976). CA is an isolating phenomenon;
something that makes one feel alone in the struggle. This is true even as programs
designed to help people overcome it – like this program and this chapter, for instance –
are spreading nationwide. CA is a real phenomenon that represents a well-documented
obstacle not only to academic, but also to professional success. CA can impact many
diverse areas; from one’s level of self-esteem (Adler, 1980) and how you are perceived
by others (Dwyer & Cruz, 1998),to success in school, achieving high grade-point
averages, and even landing job interview opportunities (Daly & Leth, 1976). People with
higher levels of CA have demonstrated that they will avoid communicative interaction in
personal and professional relationships, social situations, and importantly, classrooms.
Such avoidance can result in miscom-munication and misunderstanding, which only
becomes compounded by further avoidance. CA left unaddressed can even lead to a
negative disposition toward public interaction, which leads to a lesser degree of
engagement, thus perpetuating the fear and further compounding the situation (Menzel
& Carrell, 1994). The anxiety creates a vicious cycle and becomes a self-fulfilling
prophecy. But it is a cycle that need not continue.
By reading this chapter, you will learn about CA; not necessarily how it develops, as that
can be different in every individual, but rather about how people can deal with it
effectively. You will learn how therapies employed by psychologists to help people deal
with phobias can be translated into effective techniques to deal with CA. You will learn
the differences between trait-anxiety, state-anxiety, and scrutiny fear, and how
56 | F u n d a m e n t a l s o f P u b l i c S p e a k i n g - C o l l e g e o f t h e C a n y o n s
understanding the differences between them can help a person deal with their
“personal brand” of CA. You will learn about how people develop habitual frames of
reference that come to define the way they approach an anticipated experience – and
how anyone can employ cognitive restructuring to help change habits that are
counterproductive to delivering effective presentations. Habits can be very difficult to
break, but the first step is becoming aware and wanting to succeed. Going into any
activity with a positive attitude is one of the basic ways of maximizing performance. CA
is not something that can easily be eliminated – turned “off” as if controlled by an
internal toggle switch. But it doesn’t have to remain an obstacle to success either.
Effective public speaking is not simply about learning what to say, but about developing
the confidence to say it. For many, it all comes down to overcoming those nerves and
convincing yourself that you can actually get up there and speak! Each individual deals
with CA most effectively through increased self-awareness and a willingness to work on
reducing its impact. To conquer the nervousness associated with public speaking, one
must identify the factors that lead to this anxiety, and then take specific steps to
overcome this apprehension.
Classifying Communication Apprehension (CA)
CA is not the result of a single cause, and so the phenomenon itself comes in many
forms. It is important for each person to recognize that their particular sort of CA (we’ll
call it a “personal brand”) is a phenomenon that has developed uniquely through each
of their lives and experiences. Just as each individual is different, so too is each case of
CA. There are specific distinctions between “stage fright” – a term reserved for the
common, virtually universal nervousness felt by everyone – and CA – which is essentially
“stage fright” with a corresponding emotional trauma attached. Scholars are somewhat
divided, however, on whether CA is something inherent in the individual, or if it is the
result of experience. In most people, it is very likely a combination of factors.
Trait-anxiety
Some researchers (McCroskey, et al. 1976) describe CA as trait-anxiety, meaning that it
is a type of anxiety that is aligned with an individual’s personality. People who would
call themselves “shy” often seek to avoid interaction with others because they are
uncertain of how they will be perceived. Avoiding such judgment is generally not
difficult, and so becomes a pattern of behavior. These folks, according to researchers,
are likely view any chance to express themselves publicly with skepticism and
hesitation. This personal tendency is what is known as trait-anxiety.
State-anxiety
Other researchers (Beatty, 1988) describe CA as state-anxiety, meaning that it is a type
of anxiety that is derived from the external situation which individuals find themselves.
While some may fear public speaking due to some personal trait or broader social
anxiety, researchers have found that CA more often stems from the fear associated with
scrutiny and negative evaluation. Some people may have had a negative experience in
public at an early age – they forgot a line in a play, they lost a spelling bee, they did
poorly when called on in front of their class – something that resulted in a bit of public
embarrassment. Others may have never actually experienced that stress themselves,
but may have watched friends struggle and thus empathized with them. These sorts of
experiences can often lead to the formation of a state-anxiety in an individual.
Scrutiny Fear
Still other researchers (Mattick et al., 1989) discuss CA as what is called a scrutiny fear;
which stems from an activity that does not necessarily involve interacting with other
people, but is simply the fear of being in a situation where one is being watched or
observed, or one perceives him or herself as being watched, while undertaking an
activity. When asked to categorize their own type of CA, many people will identify with
this phenomenon.
In order for anybody to effectively deal with CA, the first step is to consider what may
be its primary cause. CA is what is known as a resultant condition; and those who are
dealing with the challenge will recognize different intensities associated with different
situations or triggers. This means that overcoming the condition requires first that you
recognize, and then minimize, the cause. Each person is different, and so each case of
CA is personal and unique. Trait-anxiety can be one contributing factor to CA, but is
often part of a much larger condition. It is important to understand that, while the
techniques discussed here would help in improving an individual’s approach to public
speaking opportunities, we do not claim that these techniques would work with more
significant personality disorders. However, both the presence of state-anxiety, and the
appearance of scrutiny fear, can be effectively addressed through the application of
cognitive restructuring (CR) and careful, deliberate experience.
Frames of Reference
Many popular movies are now based on multiple-book series like the “Harry Potter” or
“Lord of the Rings” movies. If you are a fan of these book series, you know about the
anticipation you felt as the next film was ready to be released – you get swept away by
the memories, you look forward to seeing the characters again. Before you even enter
the theatre and take your seat, you are in a very positive mood and you are looking
forward to being entertained. Perhaps you are even familiar with the details of the story
you are about to watch on film; and this only adds to your feelings of anticipation.
Because of your previous experiences, you have developed a frame of reference toward
future events. One’s frame of reference is the context, viewpoint, or set of
presuppositions or evaluative criteria within which a person's perception and thinking
seem always to occur; and which constrains selectively the course and outcome of these
activities. Once your anticipation is rewarded, this frame of reference becomes how you
“approach” the release of each new film in the series – your frame of reference
becomes “habitual.” Evidence for this can be seen in the consistent success of the serial
movies – even if critics’ opinions are harsh, fans will go see the film.
Habitual Frame of Reference

Developing the habitual frame of reference with regard to public speaking usually
comes from a combination of personal experiences and what has been witnessed.
Formal public speaking opportunities are most prevalent within the context of formal
education – thus, public presentations are generally student-oriented experiences
which are strongly associated with being evaluated or judged. Because there is such a
focus upon the grade that results from the assignment, there is much less focus upon
the integrity of the presentation itself. Studies have even shown that the possibility of a
negative experience can lead to many students to skip assignments or drop a class –
even when that class is required for graduation (Pelias, 1989). Students will often worry
more about their grade rather than what is contained in their presentation. Thus, the
act of public speaking takes on the pressure of taking a final exam with everyone
watching. It’s no wonder so many students report that they are stressed out by public
speaking!
Personal Frame of Reference

We can all recall a time when we’ve met a group of friends for lunch. Try to recall an
instance when the conversation centered on the latest popular movie – and you happen
to be the person in the group who saw it the night before. Was it fun? Was it worth the
money? Should we go see it too? Everyone else around the table would look at you and
wait to hear what you had to say. And what happened when you were faced with all
these questions? Well, probably you focused on your favorite parts; probably you told
the story in some sort of organized manner; probably you asked your friends whether or
not they wanted you to give away the ending; and probably you were fine with any of
your friends interrupting while you were talking. In short, you presented to your
audience. But, since the action of public presentation was not undertaken within the
stressful context of a “graded assignment,” but rather within the positive context of
“lunch with friends,” you did not feel the same level of CA as with other presentations.
The action was essentially the same, but the way you approached the action was
completely different – solely because you perceived of yourself engaging in a fun
activity (lunch with friends), and not a stressful one (public speaking). Think about how
many different experiences have prompted the formation of a habitual frame of
reference in you: social events with friends, holidays with family, the weekly staff
meeting at work. Consider whether the way you approach the situation has anything at
all to do with the sort of experience that follows. Is there a correlation between positive
mood and positive outcome? Think of all the motivational aphorisms and advice you’ve heard:
“Think Positive!” or “Expect Success!” all of which are based on the idea that approaching an activity
with a positive attitude about your potential success is the best strategy. We need to build a positive
attitude about doing something we are afraid to do.
Cognitive Restructuring
Since the major difference between “presenting” to a public audience versus
“presenting” to a small group of close friends involves one’s attitude about the
situation. Overcoming CA is as much a matter of changing one’s attitude as it is
developing one’s skills as a speaker. A change in attitude can be fostered through a
selfreflective regimen called cognitive restructuring (CR), which is an internal process
through which individuals can deliberately adjust how they perceive an action or
experience (Mattick et al., 1989).
Cognitive Restructuring is a three-step, internal process:

1. Identify objectively what you think
2. Identify any inconsistencies between perception and reality
3. Replace destructive thinking with supportive thinking
These steps are easy to understand, but perhaps may be a bit difficult to execute! The
first step is to identify objectively what you are thinking as you approach a public
speaking opportunity. Recall your habitual frame of reference. The first step in CR is to
shine a bright light directly on it. This will be different for each student undertaking the
process.
Sources of Apprehension
After years of interviewing students from my classes, the two concerns most often
described are the feeling of being the center of attention – as if you are under some
collective microscope with everybody’s eyes on you; and the feeling that the audience is
just waiting for you to make a mistake or slip up somehow – and that their disapproval
will be swift, immediate, and embarrassing. Let’s discuss how CR might be applied to
each of these widely-held perceptions.
Impact of Apprehension
Probably the most common concern people have is being the “center of attention.”
When people describe this specific scrutiny fear, they use phrases like “everyone just
stares at me,” or “I don’t like having all eyes on me.” Consider for a moment what your
experiences have been like when you have been a member of the audience for another
speaker. Where did you look while the person spoke? Did you look at the speaker?
Direct eye contact can mean different things in different cultures, but in U.S. culture,
eye contact is the primary means for an audience to demonstrate that they are listening
to a speaker. Nobody likes to be ignored, and most members of an audience would not
want to be perceived as ignoring the speaker – that would be rude! Compare: before
CR, the frame of reference reflects the idea that “everyone is staring at me”; after CR,
the perception is altered to “the audience is looking at me to be supportive and polite –
after all, I’m the one doing the talking.”
Another common concern is the fear of being judged harshly or making an embarrassing
mistake. Go back to that memory of you as a member of the audience, but this time
reflect on what sort of expectations you had at the time. Did you expect the speaker to
be flawless and riveting? Did you have in mind some super-high level of performance –
below which the speaker would have disappointed you? Probably you did not (unless
you had the chance to watch some prominent speaker). Think back to any experiences
you may have had watching another speaker struggle – perhaps a classmate during one
of their presentations. Witnessing something like that can be uncomfortable. Did you
feel empathy for the person struggling? Isn’t it a much more pleasant experience when
the speaker does well? Again, the vast majority of people empathize with the speaker
when it comes to the quality of the presentation. They are willing to give the speaker a
chance to say what they want to say. Thus: before CR, the frame of reference reflects
the idea that “everyone is judging me harshly”; and after CR, the perception is altered to
“the audience is willing to listen to what I have to say because it’s a more pleasant
experience for them if the speaker is successful.”
Learning Confidence
Consider what comes into your mind if you are to deliver a public presentation. Are your
thoughts consumed with many uncertainties. What if I make a mistake? What if they
don’t like what I’m talking about? What if? Try your own version of CR. Put yourself in
the role of audience member and ask yourself whether your fears as a speaker are
consistent with your expectations as an audience member. Remember that, just like
you, the audience wants the speaker to succeed. Of course CR, unfortunately, is always
easier said than done. It is a process that takes time, patience, and practice. The most
important thing to remember is that you are trying CR as a means of breaking a habit,
and habits are formed over periods of time, never instantaneously. The breaking of a
habit, similarly, cannot be done instantaneously, but gradually, over time and with
deliberate effort.
Changing your attitude is only one element in overcoming CA. The other involves
improving your skills as a speaker. The presence of CA in any student brings with it the
need to prepare more deliberately and more diligently. The other chapters in this book
deal with the importance of preparation in all areas of public presentation. Readers
should consider how the challenges involved with overcoming CA can impact the
preparation process.
Techniques for Building Confidence

Prepare Well
The correlation between preparation and nervousness is consistent. More practice
results in less nervousness. The best, most consistent and direct way to minimize the
level of nervousness you feel is through effective preparation. This is always true.
Importantly, the best sort of practice is the kind that prepares you properly.
Michael Jordan was once asked the best way to learn how to shoot free throws. He said
that you cannot learn to shoot free throws by walking into a gym with a ball, walking up
to the line, and shooting. Instead, he described how the first step in learning to shoot
free throws is to run sprints. Most importantly, his advice was to run until your body
was under the same stress as it would be in a game when you needed to make those
free throws – because only under those conditions would your practice become truly
productive. Only then do you pick up the ball and shoot. And when you managed to
catch your breath? All types of preparation and practice yield some benefits, but there
is a significant difference between practice that is merely helpful and practice that is
sufficient. There is a difference between “knowing what you are talking about,” and
“knowing what you are going to say.” Thinking about your presentation can be helpful,
but that sort of preparation will not give you a sense of what you are actually going to
say. Athletes know that the best practices will re-create game conditions and test their
abilities to perform in real-life scenarios. Studying a playbook? This is helpful, but not
sufficient. Going over a speech in your mind? Again, it is helpful, but not sufficient.
Many students do not practice effectively, and this can result in the wrong idea that
practice isn’t helpful. Unfortunately, these same students usually have had little, if any,
training in how one might prepare for a presentation, and so they employ the scholastic
training they are most familiar with – how to write a paper. This is not the same activity
as presenting, and so the lack of proper preparation only contributes to the lack of
confidence. Let’s look at a few elements of effective practice.
Visualize Success
Athletes and performers are often coached to visualize what they are trying to do as a
way to perform correctly. Baseball players need to anticipate what they will do if the
ball is hit their way so that they are ready to perform without having to make
splitsecond choices. Football and basketball players must envision how each member of
the team will move during a particular play because team success depends on speedy
and flawless coordination between individuals. Dancers and divers are trained to
visualize the form and positioning of their bodies as they execute their moves. Golfers
are coached to visualize the flight and arc of the shot they are about to attempt.
Engaging the imagination in this way can be beneficial to performance.
Speakers too, should visualize success. As you practice, visualize yourself presenting
with confidence to a receptive audience. “See” your relaxed facial expressions and
“hear” your confident vocal tone. Imagine yourself moving gracefully, complementing
what you say with expressive gestures. Imagine the audience reacting appropriately –
nodding appreciatively and giving thoughtful consideration to your points. Imagine the
gratification of watching the audience really “get it.” When you can honestly envision
yourself performing at this level, you are taking an important step toward achieving that
goal.
Avoid Gimmicks
Some acting coaches (and speech teachers) encourage their students to practice in front
of mirrors, so that they can watch themselves perform and evaluate how they move. In
acting, this can be very useful; but in speaking, it is less so. When you practice your
presentation, the most important element is expressiveness. You want to become more
familiar with the volume of material, the order in which you plan to present it, and the
phrasing you think would be most effective to express it. Watching yourself perform in a
mirror will focus your attention on your appearance first – and on what you express
second. This makes using a mirror during practice a distraction from what the practice
ought to achieve.
Plus, consider what you are seeing in the mirror as you practice. Obviously, it is you! But
more to the point, what you see in the mirror (your reflection) will not resemble, in any
way, the audience that you would see while delivering your presentation. Just as you
want to visualize success in yourself as part of your preparation; you also want to
visualize success in your audience – which means that you want to imagine the
members of your audience reacting positively to your presentation, paying close
attention and nodding their heads as you make your points.
For some reason, the myth persists that imagining your audience in their pajamas – or
something similarly silly – is an effective way to make standing in front of them seem
less scary. Many of my students have discussed hearing “tips” like imagining the
audience wearing pink bunny-ears as a way to make them less intimidating. These sorts
of gimmicks don’t work! In fact, concentrating on anything other than what you are
doing is distracting and not beneficial at all. Do your best to avoid such advice. Visualize
success!
Breathe and Release

One type of pre-presentation exercise that might be helpful is based on a therapeutic
idea called systematic de-sensitization, which is a multi-stage regimen to help patients
deal with phobias through coping mechanisms. Going through both the cognitive and
behavioral aspects of systematic desensitization often requires weeks of concerted
effort to overcome the body’s involuntary reactions to stress. That sort of psychological
therapy involves gradual exposure to what produces the anxiety, long-term
selfreflection, and mental discipline. Here, we will discuss a shortened version called
“breathe and release.” This is a short-cut relaxation technique that could be useful for
nervous speakers – especially those who are concerned with the physical manifestations
of nervousness, such as shaky hands or knees.
The key to “breathe and release” is to understand that when nervous tension results in
minor trembling, the effort of trying to keep one’s hands from shaking can contribute to
the whole situation – that is, trying to stop literally can make it worse! Therefore, the
best approach is through relaxation.
“Breathe and Release” involves three steps:
1. Imagine the nervousness within your body. Imagine that energy bubbling inside you,
like liquid being cooked.
2. Draw that energy to a high point within your body with a deep, cleansing breath.
Imagine this cleansing breath to be acting like a vacuum – drawing up all of the bubbling
liquid.
3. Release the energy by deliberately relaxing the entirety of your upper extremities –
not just your hands, or even your hands and arms – but all the way from your
fingertips to the bottom edges of your shoulder blades. Imagine how keeping any part
of your upper extremities tense would result in a “kink” in the release valve, and so
complete relaxation is the key to success. Remember: Relax everything from the
fingertips to the very bottom edges of your shoulder blades.
“Breathe and Release” is something that can be done even as one walks to the front of
the classroom or boardroom to begin speaking. Many speakers, especially those who
are concerned about the physical manifestations of nervousness, have used this
relaxation technique effectively.
Minimize What You Memorize

One important hint for speech preparation involves avoiding the writing of an entirely
scripted version of the presentation. Many people have the impression that writing a
script of the entire speech is the necessary first step in preparation; that practicing can
only happen after you are done writing the entire speech. Unfortunately, this common
impression is mistaken. Remember that lunch with your friends? When you were
describing the movie plot, you were being conversant in a prepared way. This means
that you knew what you were describing, but you were not concerned with the specific
words you were using. Being conversant is the condition of being prepared to discuss an
issue intelligently. Fans of sports are conversant about their favorite teams. Experts are
conversant in their fields. A well-prepared speaker is with regard to her topic. Consider
how being conversant in this manner allows freer, more fluid communication, with no
stress associated with your ability to remember what words you wanted to use. Being
conversant also gives the speaker the best chance to recognize and react to audience
feedback. If you are completely focused on the integrity of scripted comments, then you
will be unable to read and react to your audience in any meaningful way. Imagine how
frustrating it would be for your friends at that lunch if you would not respond to any of
their questions until you were finished reading a few descriptive paragraphs about the
movie. They would probably just wait until you were done reading and then try to
engage you in a conversation!
Many people have had experience being in a stage play or some other type of
performance that involved memorized recitation of a script. Many of us might recall
moments during rehearsals when our minds would “freeze” and we might need just a
quick reminder – the next word or phrase, the next few notes – to get back on track.
This is because people do not memorize in units, but in phrases or chunks. The mind
attaches to a rhythm – not to each individual unit, word, or note. This is why it is best to
minimize what you memorize. Prepare your opening carefully so that you start
smoothly. Prepare your closing comments so that you can end sharply and with style.
But avoid preparing and then memorizing an entire script.
Preparing for a speech by memorizing a written script engages your mind at a different
level from that of a conversant speaker. Concentrating on remembering words is
different from paying attention to how one’s audience is reacting. The pressure that
arises from trying to remember the next word can be considerable, yet that pressure is
entirely avoidable. The goal of public speaking should never be about loyal recreation of
a script – it is about getting the appropriate response from your audience. Trying to
remember an entirely scripted speech can result in the rather ironic situation of a
person being able confidently and smoothly to discuss the topic in casual conversation,
but still quite stressed about their ability to remember their scripted comments.
Many students forget their lines while discussing topics like their families and
hometowns. Of course they knew what they were talking about, but their minds were
focused on the task of remembering specific words – a task different from effective
speaking. So, should you write any prepared comments at all? Yes, of course, you
should. Specifically, the feedback you should be most concerned with will happen
during the body of the speech – when you are discussing the substance of your
presentation. It is during the body of the speech when you need especially to retain the
ability to adjust to how your audience reacts. Thus, memorizing your entire speech is
ultimately detrimental to your ability to react to your audience. However, during the
introduction and conclusion of your speech, the primary concerns are about connecting
with your audience personally; which is something best assured through consistent eye
contact. So, carefully preparing the introduction and the conclusion of your speech is a
smart strategy – but don’t make the mistake of scripting everything that you plan to say.
The best rule here: Minimize what you memorize – familiarize instead!
Practice Out Loud

Remember the very first time you tried to do anything – a game, a sport, an activity,
anything at all. How good were you out of the gate? Perhaps you had talent or were
gifted with a “feel” for what you were doing. But even then, didn’t you get better with
more experience? Nobody does anything the very best they can on their very first
attempt, and everyone – even the most talented among us – will benefit from effective
practice.
Speaking in public is no different from any other activity in this way. To maximize the
chance that your presentation will come out smooth and polished, you will need to hear
it all the way through. By practicing out loud, from the beginning to the ending, you will
be able to listen to your whole speech and properly gauge the flow of your entire
presentation. Additionally, without at least one complete out-loud practice, there will
be no way to accurately estimate the length of your speech and your preparation will
remain insufficient. When dealing with CA, the last thing you want is to leave some
questions unanswered in your own mind! The out-loud “dress rehearsal” is the single,
most important element to your preparation. Without it, you will be delivering your
presentation in full for the first time when it counts the most. Putting yourself at that
sort of disadvantage isn’t wise, and is easily avoided.
Consider your current method of preparing a public presentation. At some point, you
will have gathered notes and information together. That represents an opportune
moment for your first out-loud practice. You might even consider trying that initial
practice without the benefit of any notes. Stand up; start speaking; see what comes out!
Such a practice can serve as an “oral first draft” in the same vein as any written first
draft of a paper, and can answer a number of questions for you:
1. Where, during your presentation, are you most – and least – conversant?
2. Where, during your presentation, are you most in need of supportive notes?
3. What do your notes need to contain?
Prepare for your public presentation by speaking and listening to yourself, rather than
by writing, editing, and rewriting. Remember that when you are having a conversation,
you never use the same sort of language and syntax as you do when you are writing a
formal paper. Practice with the goal of becoming conversant in your topic, not fluent
with a script.
Customize Your Practice

We’ve discussed a variety of techniques in this chapter; from the importance of outloud
practice to suggestions of when, during your preparation, you should start the outloud
practice. We’ve discussed Cognitive Restructuring as a means of changing your attitude
about presenting in a positive way. Depending on your personal brand of CA, you may
choose to implement these hints in different ways. Take a moment to reflect on what
causes your CA. Do you dislike the feeling of being the center of attention? Are you
more concerned with who is in the audience and what they might think of you? Or are
you worried about “freezing” in front of the audience and forgetting what you wanted
to say? Write some of these concerns down and put them into a priority order. If you
are worried about a particular issue or problem, how might you prepare to minimize the
chance of that issue arising?
Then consider your current method of preparation. Do you prepare more for a written
paper than for an oral presentation? Do you have the goal of presenting a scripted
message? Do you practice out loud? When, during your process, do you practice aloud?
Do you practice at all before you begin to compose your speaking notes; or do you only
practice after? Remember that dealing with CA often involves the breaking of a mental
habit. It is a good idea to change what you have done previously. Be deliberate. Observe
what works for your situation.
Recall what was discussed at the beginning of this chapter: CA is a condition unique to
each person dealing with it. CA is the result of many varied causes – some internal and
personal, some external and experiential. Dealing with anxiety may be as much dealing
with your attitude as with your skills, as much a struggle with perception as with ability.
Because of this, you are in the best position to know how to deal with your particular
brand of CA. As stated earlier in the chapter: Each individual deals with CA most
effectively through increased self-awareness and a willingness to take each of the steps
in the entire process. After you acknowledge your reality, then you take the steps
necessary to overcome apprehension. When you’ve read about the ways to overcome
the debilitating impact of CA, the next steps in your process involve seeing what works
best for you. Do not continue to prepare in exactly the same way as before. Speak
more; write and revise less. Be sure to practice out-loud at least once during your
preparation, in order to prepare yourself sufficiently. Reflect on your personal concerns
and try Cognitive Restructuring on those concerns. Take your time. Do the work. Have
confidence that your preparation will yield positive results.
Conclusion
In this chapter, we’ve discussed Communication Apprehension or CA. This difficult
condition can be the result of many, varied causes. Even professional researchers don’t
always agree on whether CA is inherent in the person, or the result of what the person
experiences or perceives – with some calling it “trait-anxiety;” others “state-anxiety;”
and still others classifying it as “scrutiny fear.” The first step for any person to address
this condition is self-reflection. Try to identify what has caused you to feel the way you
do about public speaking. Careful introspection can result in a more productive level of
self-awareness.
Whatever the root cause of CA might be for any particular individual, the first step in
addressing CA is to objectively view the habitual frame of reference that has emerged in
your mind regarding public speaking. Consider all those “what-if’s” that keep cropping
up in your mind and how you might begin to address them productively, rather than
simply to ignore them and hope they go away. Go through the steps of Cognitive
Restructuring or CR. Consider how many of those “what-if’s” are nothing more than
invented pressure that you place upon yourself.
Relaxation techniques, such as “Breathe and Release,” have proven to be effective for
many speakers, especially those concerned with the physical manifestations of
nervousness like trembling hands or shaky knees. Remember that those sorts of tremors
can often be exacerbated by efforts to hold still. Don’t force yourself to hold still! Relax
instead.
Lastly, we discussed the most effective means to prepare – which is toward the goal of
becoming conversant in your topic, rather than being able to recite a memorized script.
By familiarizing yourself with your topic, you become better able to consider the best
way to talk to your audience, rather than becoming “married to your script” and
ultimately consumed with saying the words in the right order. Practicing out-loud,
without a mirror to distract you, is the best way to prepare yourself.
CA is a real issue, but it need not be an obstacle to success. Take the time to become
more aware of your personal brand of CA. Take positive steps to minimize its impact.
Your willingness to work and your positive attitude are the keys to your success.
Review Questions and Activities
Review Questions
1. What percentage of the general population is likely dealing with CA?
2. What are some of the potential issues or problems that can result from CA?
3. What are some of the different ways researchers classify CA? What are the
differences between these ideas?
4. What are some of your sources of CA? Would you classify these as examples of
traitanxiety or state-anxiety?
5. How does Cognitive Restructuring work? Does it work the same for every person who
tries it?
6. What does it mean to become conversant in your topic?
7. Why is memorizing a presentation a risky move? Is there any part of your

presentation that should be memorized?
Activities
1. Prior to a speech, practice the following relaxation technique from Williams College
(from http://wso.williams.edu/orgs/peerh/stress/relax.html):
a) Tighten the muscles in your toes. Hold for a count of 10. Relax and enjoy the
sensation of release from tension.
b) Flex the muscles in your feet. Hold for a count of 10. Relax.
c) Move slowly up through your body- legs, abdomen, back, neck, face- contracting and
relaxing muscles as you go.
d) Breathe deeply and slowly.
After your speech, evaluate the technique. Did you find that this exercise reduced your
nervousness? If so, why do you think it was effective? If not, what technique do you
think would have been more effective?
2. Together with a partner or in a small group, generate a list of relaxation

techniques that you currently use to relieve stress. Once you have run out of ideas,
review the list and eliminate the techniques that would not work for helping you cope
with nervousness before a speech. Of the remaining ideas, select the top three that you
believe would help you personally and that you would be willing to try.
3. The author of this chapter says that one of the keys to overcoming nervousness is
preparation. Make a list of the barriers to your own preparation process (e.g. “I don’t
know how to use the library,” or “I have young children at home who make demands on
my time”). Having identified some of the things that make it difficult for you to prepare,
now think of at least one way to overcome each obstacle you have listed. If you need to,
speak with other people to get their ideas too.
Glossary
“Breathe and Release”

This is a short-cut version of systematic de-sensitization appropriate for public speaking
preparation.
Cognitive Restructuring (CR)

CR is an internal process through which individuals can deliberately adjust how they
perceive an action or experience.
Communication Apprehension
CA is the anxiety resulting from fear of public speaking.
Conversant
Being conversant is the condition of being able to discuss an issue intelligently with
others.
Frame of Reference
A frame of reference refers to the context, viewpoint, or set of presuppositions or of
evaluative criteria within which a person's perception and thinking seem always to
occur; and which constrains selectively the course and outcome of these activities.
Scrutiny Fear
Anxiety resulting from being in a situation where one is being watched or observed, or
where one perceives themselves as being watched, is known as scrutiny fear. This sort
of anxiety does not necessarily involve interacting with other people.
State-Anxiety
State-anxiety is derived from the external situation within which individuals find
themselves.
Systematic De-sensitization
Systematic de-sensitization is a multi-stage, therapeutic regimen to help patients deal
with phobias through coping mechanisms.
Trait-Anxiety
Trait-anxiety is anxiety that is aligned with, or a manifestation of, an individual’s
personality.
References
Adler, R. B., (1980). Integrating reticence management into the basic communication
curriculum. Communication Education, 29, 215-221.
Beatty, M.J. (1988). Public speaking apprehension, decision-making errors in the

selection of speech introduction strategies and adherence to strategy. Communi-cation
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Daly, J. A. & Leth, S. A., (1976), Communication Apprehension and the Personnel
Selection Decision, Paper presented at the International Communication Association
Convention, Portland, OR.
Dwyer, K. & Cruz, A (1998), Communication Apprehension, Personality, and Grades in

the Basic Course: Are There Corre-lations? Communication Research Reports, 15(4), 436
- 444.
Mattick, R. P., Peters, L., & Clarke, J. C., (1989) Exposure and cognitive restructuring for
social phobia: A controlled study. Behavior Therapy, 20, 3-23.
McCroskey, J. C., & Anderson, J. (1976). The relationship between communication

apprehension and academic achievement among college students, Human
Communication Research, 3, 73-81.
McCroskey, J. C. (1977). Oral Communication Apprehension: A summary of recent
theory and research. Human Communication Research, 4, 78-96
McCroskey, J. C. (1984). The communication apprehensive perspective. In J. A. Daly & J.

C. McCroskey (Eds.), Avoiding communication: Shyness, reticence, and communication
apprehension. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.
McCroskey, J. C. (1976) The Problem of Communication Apprehension in the Classroom,

Paper prepared for the special edition of Communication, Journal of the Communication
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performance in public speaking, Communication Education, 43, 17-26.
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Photo Credits
p.. 1 Rebiya Kadeer

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rebiya_Kadeer_Speaking_at_UN_Geneva_(3).j
pg
By United States Mission Geneva p. 5 Tuvalu woman speaking
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eat_her_culture_and_nation_face.jpg
By Takver
p. 6 Michael Jordan
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By Steve Lipofsky
p. 6 Woman in wheelchair
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5a/USMC-111028-M-ZU667-
58.jpg By Cpl. Andrew D. Thorburn p. 7 Man speaking
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Middle_age.jpg
By Måns Sandström
p. 8 98 year-old mother of neuroscience
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By Audrey_sel
p. 9 Kellee Santiago
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Conference_2010_-_Day_1.jpg By Official GDC p. 9 Two
men
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kellee_Santiago_
_Game_Developers_Conference
_2010_-_Day_1.jpg
By Official GDC
p. 10. Patrick Norton & Veronica Belmont
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g
By Tyler Howarth
Chapter 4: Listening Effectively

By Jenn Q. Goddu, M.A.
Queens University of Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
Listening Effectively: Objectives and Outline

• explain the difference between listening and hearing
• understand the value of listening
• identify the three attributes of active listeners
• recognize barriers to effective listening
• employ strategies to engage listeners
• provide constructive feedback as a listener
Listening Effectively: Introduction

“You’re not listening!” An unhappy teen shouts this at a concerned parent. A frustrated
parent yells this as a toddler runs through a parking lot. A teacher says it while flicking
the overheard lights on and off, trying to get her unruly students to heed her. A woman
offers these three words as a parting shot before hanging up on her significant other. A
man complains of this to his spouse during a couple’s counseling session. We can
imagine all these scenarios and more; all of them rooted in a speaker wondering if his or
her audience is truly listening.
Public speaking requires an audience to hear. Otherwise it’s private speaking, and
anyone overhearing you might wonder if you’ve lost your wits. What makes public
speaking truly effective is when the audience hears and listens. You might think the two
are synonymous. But they aren’t, as you will soon understand. In a classic listening text,
Adler notes, “How utterly amazing is the general assumption that the ability to listen
well is a natural gift for which no training is required.”[1] Since listening requires great
effort, this chapter offers the skills needed to listen effectively.
Developing your listening skills can have applications throughout your educational,
personal, and professional lives. You will begin by examining the difference between
hearing and listening. This module will also help you understand your role as a listener,
not only in a public speaking class, but also in the world. You’ll read about attributes of
an active listener, barriers to listening, and strategies to listen better. Finally, building
on valuable lessons regarding listening, this chapter concludes with suggestions public
speakers can use to encourage audiences to listen more attentively.
We have two ears and one tongue so that we would listen

more and talk less. ~ Diogenes
Adler, M. J. (1983). How to speak, how to listen. New York:

Macmillan.
Listening Effectively: Hearing Versus Listening
A mother takes her four-year-old to the pediatrician

reporting she’s worried about the girl’s hearing. The doctor
runs through a battery of tests, checks in the girl’s ears to
be sure everything looks good, and makes notes in the
child’s folder. Then, she takes the mother by the arm. They
move together to the far end of the room, behind the girl.
“Listen to your kids” by Bindaas The doctor whispers in a low voice to the concerned
Madhavi. CC-BY-NC-ND. parent: “Everything looks fine. But, she’s been through a lot
of tests today. You might want to take her for ice cream after this as a reward.” The
daughter jerks her head around, a huge grin on her face, “Oh, please, Mommy! I love ice
cream!” The doctor, speaking now at a regular volume, reports, “As I said, I don’t think
there’s any problem with her hearing, but she may not always be choosing to listen.”
Hearing is something most everyone does without even trying. It is a physiological
response to sound waves moving through the air at up to 760 miles per hour. First, we
receive the sound in our ears. The wave of sound causes our eardrums to vibrate,
which engages our brain to begin
processing. The sound is then
transformed into nerve impulses so that
we can perceive the sound in our brains.
Our auditory cortex recognizes a sound
has been heard and begins to process
the sound by matching it to previously
encountered sounds in a process known
as auditory association.[1] Hearing has
kept our species alive for centuries.
When you are asleep but wake in a
panic having heard a noise downstairs,
an age-old selfpreservation response is
kicking in. You were asleep. You weren’t listening for the noise—unless perhaps you
are a
“Doctor Aunt” by Eden, Janine and Jim. CC-BY.
parent of a teenager out past curfew— but you hear it. Hearing is unintentional, whereas
listening (by contrast) requires you to pay conscious attention. Our bodies hear, but we
need to employ intentional effort to actually listen.
We regularly engage in several different types of listening. When we are tuning our
attention to a song we like, or a poetry reading, or actors in a play, or sitcom antics on
television, we are listening for pleasure, also known as appreciative listening. When we
are listening to a friend or family member, building our relationship with another
through offering support and showing empathy for her feelings in the situation she is
discussing, we are engaged in relational listening. Therapists, counselors, and conflict
mediators are trained in another level known as empathetic or therapeutic listening.
When we are at a political event, attending a debate, or enduring a salesperson touting
the benefits of various brands of a product, we engage in critical listening. This requires
us to be attentive to key points that influence or confirm our judgments. When we are
focused on gaining information whether from a teacher in a classroom setting, or a
pastor at church, we are engaging in informational listening.[2]
Yet, despite all these variations, Nichols called listening a “lost art.”[3] The ease of
sitting passively without really listening is well known to anyone who has sat in a boring
class with a professor droning on about the Napoleonic wars or proper pain medication
regimens for patients allergic to painkillers. You hear the words the professor is saying,
while you check Facebook on your phone under the desk. Yet, when the exam question
features an analysis of Napoleon’s downfall or a screaming patient fatally allergic to
codeine you realize you didn’t actually listen. Trying to recall what you heard is a
challenge, because without your attention and intention to remember, the information
is lost in the caverns of your cranium.
Listening is one of the first skills infants gain, using it to acquire language and learn to
communicate with their parents. Bommelje suggests listening is the activity we do most
in life, second only to breathing.[4] Nevertheless, the skill is seldom taught.
• Brownell, J. (1996). Listening: Attitudes, principles, and skills. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
• Ireland, J. (2011, May 4). The kinds of listening skills. Livestrong.com. Retrieved from
http://www.livestrong.com/article/82419-kinds-listening-skills/
• Nichols, R. G. (1957). Listening is a 10 part skill. Chicago, IL: Enterprise Publications. Retrieved from
http://d1025403.site.my hosting.com/files.listen.org/Nichol sTenPartSkill/Mr39Enf4.html Bommelje,
R. (2011). LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN. In The top 10 ways to strengthen your selfleadership. International
Listening Leadership Institute. Retrieved from
Listening Effectively: The Value of Listening

Listening is a critical skill. The strategies endorsed in this chapter can help you to be a
more attentive listener in any situation.
Academic Benefits
Bommelje, Houston, and Smither studied effective listening among 125 college students
and found a strong link between effective listening and school success, supporting
previous research in the field linking listening skills to grade point average.[1] This
finding is unsurprising as the better you listen while in class, the better prepared you
will be for your assignments and exams. It is quite simple really. When students listen,
they catch the instructions, pointers, feedback, and hints they can use to make the
assignment better or get a better score on the test.
Learning is a result of listening, which in turn leads to even better listening and
attentiveness to the other person. ~ Alice Miller
Professional Benefits
Connecting listening skills to better leadership, Hoppe lists many professional
advantages of active listening, indicating that it helps us: better
understand and make connections between ideas and
information; change perspectives and challenge assumptions;
empathize and show respect or appreciation, which can enhance
our relationships; and build selfesteem.[2] When people aren’t
listening, it becomes much more difficult to get things done
effectively and trust is broken while fostering resentments. Bell
and Mejer, identifying poor listening as a “silent killer of
productivity and profit,” state change becomes extremely difficult
to implement in a work environment when people are not
listening.[3]
Effective listening can also help you to make a better impression

“The SEIU family listens on employers. This can begin at the interview. You really want the
to Sen. Joe Biden” by
job, but you are really nervous. As a result, you are having trouble
SEIU Walk a Day in My
Shoes 2008. CC-BY. paying attention to what the CEO of the company is saying in your
final interview. She asks you if you have any questions, and you
ask something you were wondering about in the elevator on the way up to this
penthouse office. You’re unlikely to get the job if you ask something she’s just talked
about. Even if you, somehow, convince her to hire you, you will make little progress at
the firm if your supervisors often have to tell you things again, or you make decisions
that cost the company in lost profits because you weren’t listening effectively in a team
meeting.
Ferrari identifies listening as the “most critical business skill of all.” He notes, “listening
can well be the difference between profit and loss, between success and failure,
between a long career and a short one.”[4]
Personal Benefits
If listening is done well, the communication loop is effectively completed between
speaker and receiver. The speaker shares a message with the receiver, having selected a
particular method to communicate that message. The
receiver aims to interpret the message and share
understanding of the message with the speaker.
Communication effectiveness is determined by the level
of shared interpretation of the message reached
through listener response and feedback. When done
successfully, the loop is complete, and both sender and
receiver feel connected. The active listener who employs
the positive attributes detailed in this chapter is more
likely to be better liked, in turn increasing her self-
esteem. She is also likely to be better able to reduce
tension in situations and resolve conflict.[5] After all, the
symbols
for ears, eyes, undivided attention, and heart comprise “To Listen” by U.S. Department of
the Chinese character for “to listen.”[6] Truly listening to State. Public domain.
the words of a speaker is sure to make a positive difference in your interactions
whether they are academic, professional, or personal.
• Bommelje, R., Houston, J. M., & Smither, R. (2003). Personality characteristics of effective listening: A
five factor perspective. International Journal of Listening,
• Hoppe, M. H. (2006). Active listening: Improve your ability to listen and lead [ebook]. Greensboro, NC:
Center for Creative Leadership.
• Bell, C. & Mejer, C. (2011, February 13). The silent killers of productivity and profit. ASTD.com. Retrieved
from https://www.td.org/Publications/Magazines/TD/TD-Archive/2011/02/The-
- -of- -and-
• Ferrari, B. (2012). Power listening: Mastering the most critical business skill of all. New York: Penguin.
• Wobser, A. (2004). Developing positive listening skills: How to really listen. Huntsville, TX. Educational
Video Network.
McFerran, J. (2009, August 29). Open-door policy not enough to be a leader who can listen. Winnipeg Free
Press. doi:7BS2732928311 p. G1
Listening Effectively: Three A’s of Active Listening
Effective listening is about self-awareness. You must pay attention to whether or not
you are only hearing, passively listening, or actively engaging. Effective listening
requires
concentration and a focused
effort that is known as
active listening. Active
listening can be broken
down into three main
elements.
Know how to listen, and you

will profit even from those
who talk badly. ~ Plutarch
“Conversation” by Daniel. CC-BY-ND.
Attention
We know now that attention is the fundamental difference between hearing and
listening. Paying attention to what a speaker is saying requires intentional effort on your
part. Nichols, credited with first researching the field of listening, observed, “listening is
hard work. It is characterized by faster heart action, quicker circulation of the blood, a
small rise in bodily temperature.”[1] Consider that we can process information four
times faster than a person speaks. Yet, tests of listening comprehension show the
average person listening at only 25% efficiency. A typical person can speak 125
wordsper-minute, yet we can process up to three times faster, reaching as much as 500
words-per-minute. The poor listener grows impatient, while the effective listener uses
the extra processing time to process the speaker’s words, distinguish key points, and
mentally summarize them.[2]
Hoppe[3] advises active listening is really a state of mind requiring us to choose to focus
on the moment, being present and attentive while disregarding any of our anxieties of
the day. He suggests listeners prepare themselves for active attention by creating a
listening reminder. This might be to write “Listen” at the top of a page in front of you in
a meeting.
While reading a book, or having a discussion with an individual, you can go back and
reread or ask a question to clarify a point. This is not always true when listening.
Listening is of the moment, and we often only get to hear the speaker’s words once.
The key then is for the listener to quickly ascertain the speaker’s central premise or
controlling idea. Once this is done, it becomes easier for the listener to discern what is
most important. Of course, distinguishing the speaker’s primary goal, his main points,
and the structure of the speech are all easier when the listener is able to listen with an
open mind.
Attitude
Even if you are paying attention, you could be doing so with the wrong attitude, the
second A. Telling yourself this is all a waste of time is not going to help you to listen
effectively. You’ll be better off determining an internal motivation to be attentive to the
person speaking. Approaching the task of listening with a positive attitude and an
openmind will make the act of listening much easier. Bad listeners make snap
judgments that justify the decision to be inattentive. Yet, since you’re already there,
why not listen to see what you can learn? Kaponya warns against psychological deaf
spots which impair our ability to perceive and understand things counter to our
convictions. It can be as little as a word or phrase that might cause “an emotional
eruption” causing communication efficiency to drop rapidly.[4] For instance, someone
who resolutely supports military action as the best response to a terrorist action may be
unable to listen objectively to a speaker endorsing negotiation as a better tool. Even if
the speaker is effectively employing logic, drawing on credible sources, and appealing to
emotion with a heartrending tale of the civilian casualties caused by bombings, this
listener would be unable to keep an open mind. Failing to acknowledge your deaf spots
will leave you at a deficit when listening.
You will always need to make up your own mind about where you stand—whether you
agree or disagree with the speaker—but it is critical to do so after listening. Adler
proposes having four questions in mind while listening: “What is the whole speech
about?” “What are the main or pivotal ideas, conclusions, and arguments?” “Are the
speaker’s conclusions sound or mistaken?” and “What of it?” Once you have an overall
idea of the speech, determine the key points, and gauge your agreement, you can
decide why it matters, how it affects you, or what you might do as a result of what you
have heard. Yet, he notes it is “impossible” to answer all these questions at the same
time as you are listening.[5] Instead, you have to be ready and willing to pay attention
to the speaker’s point of view and changes in direction, patiently waiting to see where
she is leading you.
There are things I can’t force. I must adjust. There are times when the greatest change
needed is a change of my viewpoint. ~ Denis Diderot
Adjustment
To do this well, you need the final of the three A’s: adjustment. Often when we hear
someone speak, we don’t know in advance what he is going to be saying. So, we need
to be flexible, willing to follow a speaker along what seems like a verbal detour down a
rabbit hole, until we are rewarded by the speaker reaching his final destination while his
audience marvels at the creative means by which he reached his important point. If the
audience members are more intent on reacting to or anticipating what is said, they will
be poor listeners indeed.
Take time now to think about your own listening habits by completing the listening
profile, adapted from Brownell.[6] The next section will consider ways to address the
challenges of listening effectively.
Listening Profile
The questions below correspond to each of the six listening components in HURIER: Hearing, Understanding,
Remembering, Interpreting, Evaluating, and Responding. Before answering the questions, first guess which
of the six you will do best at. In which area will you likely score lowest? Now respond to the following
prompts gauging your listening behavior on a five-point scale (1 = almost never, 2 = infrequently, 3 =
sometimes, 4 = often, 5 = almost always).
_____ 1. I am constantly aware that people and circumstances change over time.
_____ 2. I take into account the speaker’s personal and cultural perspective when listening to him or her.
_____ 3. I pay attention to the important things going on around me.
_____ 4. I accurately hear what is said to me.
_____ 5. I understand the speaker’s vocabulary and recognize that my understanding of a work is likely to be
somewhat different from the speaker’s.
_____ 6. I adapt my response according to the needs of the particular situation.
_____ 7. I weigh all evidence before making a decision.
_____ 8. I take time to analyze the validity of my partner’s reasoning before arriving at my own conclusion.
_____ 9. I can recall what I have heard, even when in stressful situations.
_____ 10. I enter communication situations with a positive attitude.
_____ 11. I ask relevant questions and restate my perceptions to make sure I have understood the speaker
correctly.
_____ 12. I provide clear and direct feedback to others.
_____ 13. I do not let my emotions interfere with my listening or decision-making.
_____ 14. I remember how the speaker’s facial expressions, body posture, and other nonverbal behaviors
relate to the verbal message.
_____ 15. I overcome distractions such as the conversation of others, background noises, and telephones,
when someone is speaking.
_____ 16. I distinguish between main ideas and supporting evidence when I listen.
_____ 17. I am sensitive to the speaker’s tone in communication situations.
_____ 18. I listen to and accurately remember what is said, even when I strongly disagree with the speaker’s
viewpoint.
Add your scores for 4 + 10 + 15. This is your hearing total.
Add your scores for 5 + 11 + 16. This is your understanding total.
Add your scores for 1 + 7 + 8. This is your evaluating total.
Add your scores for 3 + 9 + 18. This is your remembering total.
Add your scores for 2 + 14 + 17. This is your interpreting total.
Add your scores for 6 + 12 + 13. This is your responding total.
In which skill area do you score highest? Which is your lowest? How would these listening behaviors affect
your interactions with peers, parents, instructors, or professional coworkers?
• Nichols, R. G. (1957). Listening is a 10 part skill. Chicago, IL: Enterprise Publications. Retrieved from
http://d1025403.site.myhosting.com/files.listen.org/NicholsTenPartSkill/Mr39Enf4.html
• Nichols 1957
• Hoppe, M. H. (2006). Active listening: Improve your ability to listen and lead [ebook]. Greensboro, NC:
Center for Creative Leadership.
• Kaponya, P. J. (1991). The human resource professional: Tactics and strategies for career success. New
York: Praeger Publishers.
• Adler, M. J. (1983). How to speak, how to listen. New York: Macmillan.
• Brownell, J. (1996). Listening: Attitudes, principles, and skills. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Listening Effectively: Barriers to Effective Listening

We get in our own way when it comes to effective listening. While listening may be the
communication skill we use foremost in formal education environments, it is taught the
least (behind, in order, writing, reading, and speaking).[1] To better learn to listen it is
first important to acknowledge strengths and weaknesses as listeners. We routinely
ignore the barriers to our effective listening; yet anticipating, judging, or reacting
emotionally can all hinder our ability to listen attentively.
Anticipating
Anticipating, or thinking about what the
listener is likely to say, can detract from
listening in several ways. On one hand,
the listener might find the speaker is
taking too long to make a point and try
to anticipate what the final conclusion is
going to be. While doing this, the
listener has stopped actively listening to
the speaker. A listener who knows too
much, or thinks they do, listens poorly.
The only answer is humility, and
“Visitors NAO Rozhen Telescope” by Daniel. CC-BY- recognizing there is always something
SA.
new to be learned.
Anticipating what we will say in response to the speaker is another detractor to

effective listening. Imagine your roommate comes to discuss your demand for quiet
from noon to 4 p.m. every day so that you can nap in complete silence and utter
darkness. She begins by saying, “I wonder if we could try to find a way that you could
nap with the lights on, so that I could use our room in the afternoon, too.” She might go
on to offer some perfectly good ideas as to how this might be accomplished, but you’re
no longer listening because you are too busy anticipating what you will say in response
to her complaint. Once she’s done speaking, you are ready to enumerate all of the
things she’s done wrong since you moved in together. Enter the Resident Assistant to
mediate a conflict that gets out of hand quickly. This communication would have gone
differently if you had actually listened instead of jumping ahead to plan a response.
An expert is someone who has succeeded in making decisions and judgments simpler
through knowing what to pay attention to and what to ignore. ~ Edward de Bono
Judging
Jumping to conclusions about the speaker is another barrier to effective listening.
Perhaps you’ve been in the audience when a speaker makes a small mistake; maybe it’s
mispronouncing a word or misstating the hometown of your favorite athlete. An
effective listener will overlook this minor gaffe and continue to give the speaker the
benefit of the doubt. A listener looking for an excuse not to give their full attention to
the speaker will instead take this momentary lapse as proof of flaws in all the person
has said and will go on to say.
This same listener might also judge the speaker based on superficialities. Focusing on
delivery or personal appearance—a squeaky voice, a ketchup stain on a white shirt,
mismatched socks, a bad haircut, or a proclaimed love for a band that no one of any
worth could ever profess to like—might help the ineffective listener justify a choice to
stop listening. Still, this is always a choice. The effective listener will instead accept that
people may have their own individual foibles, but they can still be good speakers and
valuable sources of insight or information.
Reacting Emotionally
When the speaker says an emotional trigger, it can be even more difficult to listen
effectively. A guest speaker on campus begins with a personal story about the loss of a
parent, and instead of listening you become caught up grieving a family member of your
own. Or, a presenter takes a stance on drug use, abortion, euthanasia, religion, or even
the best topping for a pizza that you simply can’t agree with. You begin formulating a
heated response to the speaker’s perspective, or searing questions you might ask to
show the holes in the speaker’s argument. Yet, you’ve allowed your emotional response
to the speaker interfere with your ability to listen effectively. Once emotion is involved,
effective listening stops.
Bore, n. A person who talks when you wish him to listen. ~ Ambrose Bierce
Brownell, J. (1996). Listening: Attitudes, principles, and skills. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Listening Effectively: Strategies to Enhance Listening
Keep an Open Mind

Thinking about listening might make you feel tense in the moment. The effective
listener is instead calm with a focused and alert mind. You are not waiting to hear what
you want to hear, but listening to “what is said as it is said.”[1] Effective listeners keep
an open mind. Remember that listening to a point of view is not the same as accepting
that point of view. Recognizing this can help you to cultivate a more open perspective,
helping you to better adjust as you listen actively to a speaker. Also, it might help you to
curtail your emotions. If you do encounter a point that incenses you, write it down to
return to later. For now, you should keep on listening.
Identify Distractions
In any setting where you are expected to listen, you encounter numerous distractions.
For instance, the father sitting in the living room
watching television, might want to turn off the
television to better enable him to listen to his son when
he comes into the room saying, “Dad, I have a
problem.” In the classroom setting, you might be
distracted sitting beside friends who make sarcastic
comments throughout the class. In a new product
meeting with the sales team, you could be unnerved by
“Esther Brimmer Listens to Debate at the constant beep
of your phone identifying another
HRC emergency session on Syria” by text, email, or phone message has arrived.
Identifying United States Mission Geneva. CC-BY. the things that will interrupt your attention,
and making a conscious choice to move to a different seat or turn off your phone, can
help position you to listen
more effectively.
Come Prepared
Another useful strategy is to come prepared when you can. Any time you enter a
listening situation with some advance working knowledge of the speaker and what
might be expected of you as a listener, you will be better able to adjust and engage
more deeply in what is being said. For instance, you might read the assigned readings
for class, do the lab work before the lecture writing up the results, read a biography of a
guest speaker before you go to an event, review the agenda from the previous staff
meeting, or consult with a colleague about a client before going on-site to make a sale.
Take Notes
Taking notes can also advance your ability to be actively engaged in the speaker’s
words. You need not write down everything the speaker is saying. First, this is quite
likely to be impossible. Second, once you are caught up in recording a speaker’s every
word, you are no longer listening. Use a tape recorder instead—having asked the
speaker’s permission first—if you feel you really must capture every word the speaker
utters. You want to focus your efforts on really listening with an active mind. Learning
to focus your attention on main points, key concepts, and gaining the overall gist of the
speaker’s talk is another skill to develop. You might endeavor to do this by jotting down
a few notes or even drawing visuals that help you to recall the main ideas. The manner
in which you take the notes is up to you; what is important is the fact that you are
listening and working to process what is being said. Writing down questions that come
to mind and asking questions of the speaker when it is possible, are two more ways to
guarantee effective listening as you have found an internal motivation to listen
attentively.
Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your
self-confidence. ~ Robert Frost
• Ramsland, K. M. (1992). The art of learning: A self-help manual for students. Albany: SUNY UP.
Listening Effectively: Providing Feedback to Speakers

There are many ways in which a listener can offer feedback to a speaker, sometimes
even wordlessly. Keeping an open mind is something you do internally, but you can also
demonstrate openness to a speaker through your nonverbal communication.
Nonverbal Feedback
Boothman recommends listening with your whole body, not just your ears.[1] Consider
how confident you would feel speaking to a room full of people with their eyes closed,
arms and legs crossed, and bodies bent in slouches. These listeners are presenting
nonverbal cues that they are uninterested and unimpressed. Meanwhile, a listener
sitting up straight, facing you with an intent look on his face is more likely to offer
reassurance that your words are being understood.
Eye contact is another nonverbal cue to the speaker that you are paying attention. You
don’t want to be bug-eyed and unblinking; the speaker might assume there is a tiger
behind her and begin to panic as you seem to be doing. However, attentive eye contact
can indicate you are listening, and help you to stay focused too. There are some
cultures where maintaining eye contact would cause discomfort, so keep that in mind.
Also, you may be someone who listens better with eyes closed to visualize what is being
said. This can be difficult for a speaker to recognize, so if this is you consider
incorporating one of the following nonverbals while you listen with eyes closed.
Nodding your head affirmatively, making back-channel responses such as “Yes,”

“Umhum,” or “OK” can help the speaker gauge your interest. Even the speed of your
head nod can signal your level of patience or understanding.[2] Leaning in as a listener
is far more encouraging than slumping in your seat. Miller suggests the “listener’s lean”
demonstrates “ultimate interest. This joyous feedback is reflexive. It physically endorses
our communiqué.”[3] Nevertheless, sending too many nonverbal responses to the
speaker can go wrong too. After all, a conference room full of people shifting in their
seats and nodding their heads may translate as a restless audience that the speaker
needs to recapture.
The only way to entertain some folks is to listen to them. ~ Kin Hubbard
Verbal Feedback
While speakers sometimes want all questions held until the end of a presentation,
asking questions when the opportunity presents itself can help you as a listener. For
one, you have to listen in order to be able to ask a question. Your goal should be to ask
open-ended questions (“What do you think about….?” rather than “We should do ….,
right?”). You can use
questions to confirm
your understanding of
the speaker’s message. If
you’re not entirely sure
of a significant point,
you might ask a
clarifying question.
These are questions such
as “What did you
mean?” “Can you be
more specific?” or
“What is a concrete
“Conversation in the Park” by sswj. CC-BY-NC-ND. example of your point?”
These can help your
comprehension, while also offering the speaker feedback. When asking questions,
approach the speaker in a positive, non-threatening way. A good listener doesn’t seek
to put the speaker on the defensive. You want to demonstrate your objectivity and
willingness to listen to the speaker’s response.
Finally, paraphrasing what has been said in your interactions with the speaker can be
another useful tool for a good listener. Imagine the difference if, before you respond to
an upset colleague, you take a moment to say, “I understand you are disappointed we
didn’t consult you before moving forward with the product release…” before you say,
“we didn’t have time to get everyone’s input.” Reflecting back the speaker’s point of
view before you respond allows the speaker to know you were listening and helps
foster trust that everyone’s voice is being heard.
• Boothman, N. (2008). How to make people like you in 90 seconds or less. NY: Workman Publishing.
• Pease, A., & Pease, B. (2006). The definitive book of body language. New York: Bantam Books. Miller,
C. (1994). The empowered communicator: Keys to unlocking an audience. Nashville: Broadman &
Holman Publishers.
Listening Effectively: Encouraging Effective
Listening
William Henry Harrison was the ninth President of
the United States. He’s also recognized for giving the
worst State of the Union address—ever. His twohour
speech delivered in a snowstorm in 1841 proves that
a long speech can kill (and not in the colloquial “it
was so good” sense). Perhaps it was karma, but after
the President gave his meandering speech discussing
ancient Roman history more than campaign issues,
he died from a cold caught while blathering on
standing outside without a hat or coat.[1]
Now, when asked what you know about Abraham

“William Henry Harrison” by James Reid Lincoln, you’re likely to have more answers to offer.
Lambdin. Public domain.
Let’s focus on his Gettysburg Address. The speech is a
model of brevity. His “of the people, by the people,
for the people” is always employed as an example of parallelism, and he kept his words
simple. In short, Lincoln considered his listening audience when writing his speech.
The habit of common and continuous speech is a symptom of mental deficiency. It
proceeds from not knowing what is going on in other people’s minds. ~ Walter Bagehot
When you sit down to compose a speech, keep in mind that you are writing for the ear
rather than the eye. Listeners cannot go back and reread what you have just said. They
need to grasp your message in the amount of time it takes you to speak the words. To
help them accomplish this, you need to give listeners a clear idea of your overarching
aim, reasons to care, and cues about what is important. You need to inspire them to
want to not just hear but engage in what you are saying.
Make Your Listeners Care

Humans are motivated by ego; they always want to know “what’s in it for me?” So,
when you want to want to get an audience’s attention, it is imperative to establish a
reason for your listeners to care about what you are saying.
Some might say Oprah did this by giving away cars at the end of an episode. But, that
only explains why people waited in line for hours to get a chance to sit in the audience
as her shows were taped. As long as they were in the stands, they didn’t need to listen
to get the car at the end of the show. Yet Oprah had audiences listening to her for 25
years before she launched her own network. She made listeners care about what she
was saying. She told them what was in that episode for them. She made her audience
members feel like she was talking to them about their problems, and offering solutions
that they could use—even if they weren’t multibillionaires known worldwide by first
name alone.
Audiences are also more responsive when you find a means to tap their intrinsic
motivation, by appealing to curiosity, challenging them, or providing
contextualization.[2] You might appeal to the audience’s curiosity if you are giving an
informative speech about a topic they might not be familiar with already. Even in a
narrative speech, you can touch on curiosity by cueing the audience to the significant
thing they will learn about you or your topic from the story. A speech can present a
challenge too. Persuasive speeches challenge the audience to think in a new way.
Special Occasion speeches might challenge the listeners to reflect or prompt action.
Providing a listener with contextualization comes back to the what’s in it for me
motivation. A student giving an informative speech about the steps in creating a mosaic
could simply offer a step-by-step outline of the process, or she can frame it by saying to
her listener, “by the end of my speech, you’ll have all the tools you need to make a
mosaic on your own.” This promise prompts the audience to sit further forward in their
seats for what might otherwise be a dry how-to recitation.
Cue Your Listeners
Audiences also lean in further when
you employ active voice. We do this in
speaking without hesitation. Imagine
you were walking across campus and
saw the contents of someone’s room
dumped out on the lawn in front of
your dorm. You’d probably tell a
friend: “The contents of Jane’s room
were thrown out the window by Julie.”
Wait,
that doesn’t sound right. You’re more “Make way for ducklings” by lee. CC-BY-NC-ND likely
to say: “Julie threw Jane’s stuff out the window!” The latter is an example of active
voice. You put the actor (Julie) and the action (throwing Jane’s stuff) at the beginning.
When we try to speak formally, we can fall into passive voice. Yet, it sounds stuffy,
and so unfamiliar to your listener’s ear that he will struggle to process the point while
you’ve already moved on to the next thing you wanted to say.
Twice and thrice over, as they say, good is it to repeat and review what is good. ~ Plato
Knowing that your audience only hears what you are saying the one time you say it,
invites you to employ repetition. Listeners are more likely to absorb a sound when it is
repeated. We are often unconsciously waiting for a repetition to occur so we can
confirm what we thought we heard.[3] As a result, employing repetition can emphasize
an idea for the listener. Employing repetition of a word, words, or sentence can create a
rhythm for the listener’s ear. Employing repetition too often, though, can be tiresome.
If you don’t want to repeat things so often you remind your listener of a sound clip on
endless loop, you can also cue your listener through vocal emphasis. Volume is a tool
speakers can employ to gain attention. Certainly parents use it all of the time. Yet, you
probably don’t want to spend your entire speech shouting at your audience. Instead,
you can modulate your voice so that you say something important slightly louder. Or,
you say something more softly, although still audible, before echoing it again with
greater volume to emphasize the repetition. Changing your pitch or volume can help
secure audience attention for a longer period of time, as we welcome the variety.
Pace is another speaker’s friend. This is not to be confused with the moving back and
forth throughout a speech that someone might do nervously (inadvertently inducing
motion sickness in his audience). Instead it refers to planning to pause after an
important point or question to allow your audience the opportunity to think about what
you have just said. Or, you might speak more quickly (although still clearly) to
emphasize your fear or build humor in a long list of concerns while sharing an anecdote.
Alternately, you could slow down for more solemn topics or to emphasize the words in
a critical statement. For instance, a persuasive speaker lobbying for an audience to stop
cutting down trees in her neighborhood might say, “this can’t continue. It’s up to you to
do something.” But imagine her saying these words with attention paid to pacing and
each period representing a pause. She could instead say, “This. Can’t. Continue. It’s up
to you. Do something.”
Convince Them to Engage

Listeners respond to people. Consider this
introduction to a speech about a passion for
college football:
It’s college football season! Across the nation,

the season begins in late summer. Teams play
in several different divisions including the SEC,
the ACC, and Big Ten. Schools make a lot of
money playing in the different divisions,
because people love to watch football on TV.
College football is great for the fans, the
players, and the schools.
Now, compare it to this introduction to

another speech about the same passion:
When I was a little boy, starting as early as

four, my father would wake me up on Fall
Saturdays with the same three words: “It’s
Game Day!” My dad was a big Clemson Tigers
fan, so we might drive to Death Valley to see
a game. Everyone would come: my mom, my grandparents, and friends who went to
Clemson too. We would all tailgate before the game—playing corn hole, tossing a foam
football, and watching the satellite TV. Even though we loved Clemson football best, all
college football was worth watching. You never knew when there would be an upset.
You could count on seeing pre-professional athletes performing amazing feats. But, best
of all, it was a way to bond with my family,
and later my friends.
“Clemson Tigers football running down the hill” by Jim Ferguson. CC-BY. Both introductions set
up the topic and even give an idea of how the speech will be
organized. Yet, the second one is made more interesting by the human element. The
speech is personalized.
The college football enthusiast speaker might continue to make the speech interesting
to his listeners by appealing to commonalities. He might acknowledge that not
everyone in his class is a Clemson fan, but all of them can agree that their school’s
football team is fun to watch. Connecting with the audience through referencing things
the speaker has in common with the listeners can function as an appeal to ethos. The
speaker is credible to the audience because he is like them. Or, it can work as an appeal
to pathos. A speaker might employ this emotional appeal in a persuasive speech about
Habitat for Humanity by asking her audience to think first about the comforts of home
or dorm living that they all take for granted.
If you engage people on a vital, important level, they will respond. ~ Edward Bond
In speaking to the audience about the comforts of dorm living, the speaker is unlikely to
refer to the “dormitories where we each reside.” More likely, she might say, “the dorms
we live in.” As with electing to use active voice, speakers can choose to be more
conversational than they might be in writing an essay on the same topic.
The speaker might use contractions, or colloquialisms, or make comparisons to popular

television shows, music, or movies. This will help the listeners feel like the speaker is in
conversation with them—admittedly a one-sided one—rather than talking at them. It
can be off-putting to feel the speaker is simply reciting facts and figures and rushing to
get through to the end of their speech, whereas listeners respond to someone talking to
them calmly and confidently. Being conversational can help to convey this attitude even
when on the inside the speaker is far from calm or confident. Nevertheless, employ this
strategy with caution. Being too colloquial, for instance using “Dude” throughout the
speech, could undermine your credibility. Or a popular culture example that you think is
going to be widely recognized might not be the common knowledge you think it is, and
could confuse audiences with non-native listeners.
Choice of attention—to pay attention to this and ignore that—is to the inner life what
choice of action is to the outer. In both cases, a man is responsible for his choice and
must accept the consequences, whatever they may be. ~ W. H. Auden
• William Henry Harrison: Inaugural Address. (1989). U. S. Inaugural Addresses. Bartleby.com. Accessed
Sept. 2, 2012.
• VanDeVelde Luskin, C. (2003, September). Mark Lepper: Intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation and
the process of learning. In Bing Times Online, Stanford University, retrieved from
http://web.stanford.edu/dept/bingschool/cgi-bin/bt/sep2003/mark-lepper-intrinsic-
Listening Effectively: Conclusion Admittedly, this discussion of listening may add a layer
of intimidation for public speakers. After all, it can be daunting to think of having to get
an audience to not only hear, but also truly listen.
Nevertheless, once we recognize the difference and become aware of active listening
and its barriers, we can better tailor our spoken “Defense.gov photo essay” by Elaine
Wilson. Public domain. words to captivate and engage an audience. A broader awareness
of the importance of effective listening is another weapon in your arsenal as a public
speaker. At the same time, building up your own effective listening skills can enhance
your academic, professional, and personal success. Being heard is one thing, but
speakers need listeners to complete the communication loop. Reap the rewards:
Instead of saying “I hear you,” try out “I’m listening.”
Listening Effectively: Review Questions

• What distinguishes listening from hearing?
• What are some benefits for you personally from effective listening?
• Name and give an example of each of the three A’s of active listening.
• Identify the three main barriers to listening. Which of these barriers is most
problematic for you? What  can you do about it?
• What does an effective listener do with the extra thought process time while a
speaker is speaking only  150 words-per-minute?
• How can you communicate non-verbally that you are listening?
• What are some considerations in offering constructive feedback?
• What are strategies that help hold your listeners’ attention during your speech?
IVITIES
Glossary
Appreciative Listening
Listening for entertainment or pleasure purposes. This is the type of listening we might
employ listening to music, watching television, or viewing a movie.
Auditory Association
The process by which the mind sorts the perceived sound into a category so that heard
information is recognized. New stimuli is differentiated by comparing and contrasting
with previously heard sounds.
Communication Loop
A traditional communication model that has both sender and receiver sharing
responsibility for communicating a message, listening, and offering feedback. The
sender encodes a message for the receiver to decode. Effectiveness of the
communication depends on the two sharing a similar interpretation of the message and
feedback (which can be verbal or nonverbal).
Constructive Feedback
Focuses on being specific, applicable, immediate, and intends to help the speaker to
improve. The feedback should be phrased as “The story you told about you and your
sister in Disneyland really helped me to understand your relationship…” rather than
“that was great, Jane.”
Critical Listening
When we are listening, aiming to gain information with which we will evaluate a
speaker, or the product or proposal the speaker is endorsing. This is often employed
when we are looking to make choices, or find points of disagreement with a speaker.
“Deaf Spots”
The preconceived notions or beliefs a listener might hold dear that can interfere with
listening effectively. These are barriers to having an open mind to receive the sender’s
message.
Emotional Trigger
A word, concept, or idea that causes the listener to react emotionally. When listeners
react to a speaker from an emotional perspective, their ability to listen effectively is
compromised.
Empathetic (Therapeutic) Listening
A level of relationship listening that aims to help the speaker feel heard and understand,
also appreciated. This is also known as therapeutic listening as it is employed most
often by counselors, conflict mediators, or religious representatives.
Ethos
A speaker aims to establish credibility on the topic at hand with her audience by
appealing to ethos. This reflects the speaker’s character, her ability to speak to the
values of the listener, and her competence to discuss the topic.
Hearing
Hearing is a three-step process. It involves receiving sound in the ear, perceiving sound
in the brain, and processing the information offered by the sound to associate and
distinguish it.
Informational Listening
Listening to learn information. For instance, this is the kind of listening students employ
in classroom settings to gain knowledge about a topic.
Intrinsic Motivation
Effective listeners will find a reason within themselves to want to hear, understand,
interpret, and remember the speaker’s message. Wanting to pass a possible quiz is an
extrinsic motivation, while wanting to learn the material out of curiosity about the topic
is intrinsic motivation.
“Listener’s Lean”
Audience members who are intent on what is being said will lean forward. This is a
nonverbal endorsement of the listener’s attention and the effect of the speaker’s
message.
Listening
This is the conscious act of focusing on the words or sounds to make meaning of a
message. Listening requires more intentional effort than the physiological act of
hearing.
Listening Reminder
A note made by a listener acknowledging intent to focus on the speaker’s message and
tune out distractions. A reminder might also encourage a listener to keep an open mind,
or to provide open and encouraging body language.
Nonverbal Communication
Physical behaviors that communicate the message or the feedback from the listener.
These include leaning in, nodding one’s head, maintaining eye contact, crossing arms in
front of the body, and offering sounds of agreement or dissent.
Pathos
An appeal to the audience’s emotions, trying to trigger sympathy, pity, guilt, or sorrow.
Pathos, along with ethos, and logos, make up the rhetorical triangle of appeals,
according to Aristotle. An effective speaker will appeal to all three.
Relational Listening
The active and involved listening we do with people we love and care about. This is
listening where we acknowledge our sympathy for the speaker, encourage them to tell
more, and build trust with friends or family members by showing interest in their
concerns.
Writing for the Ear

Keeping in mind, when writing a speech, that you must use language, pace, repetition,
and other elements to help your audience to hear and see what you are speaking about.
Remember, the listener must hear and understand your message as you speak it.
Listening Effectively: References
Adler, M. J. (1983). How to speak, how to listen. New York: Macmillan.

Bell, C. & Mejer, C. (2011, February 13). The silent killers of productivity and profit. ASTD.com. Retrieved from
http://www.astd.org/Publications/ Magazines/TD/TD- Archive/2011/02/The-Silent- Killers-of-Productivity-and-Profit
Bommelje, R. (2011). LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN. In The top 10 ways to strengthen your selfleadership. International
Listening Leadership Institute. Retrieved from http://www.listening leaders.com/Articles.html
Bommelje, R., Houston, J. M., & Smither, R. (2003). Personality characteristics of effective listening: A five factor
perspective. International Journal of Listening, 17, 32- 46.
Boothman, N. (2008). How to make people like you in 90 seconds or less. NY: Workman Publishing.
Ellis, D. (1998). Becoming a master student. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Ferrari, B. (2012). Power listening: Mastering the most critical business skill of all. New York: Penguin.
Hoppe, M. H. (2006). Active listening: Improve your ability to listen and lead [ebook]. Greensboro, NC: Center for Creative
Leadership.
Ireland, J. (2011, May 4). The kinds of listening skills. Livestrong.com. Retrieved from
http://www.livestrong.com/article/ 82419-kinds-listening-skills/
Kaponya, P. J. (1991). The human resource professional: Tactics and strategies for career success. New York: Praeger Publishers.
McFerran, J. (2009, August 29). Open-door policy not enough to be a leader who can listen. Winnipeg Free Press.
doi:7BS2732928311
Miller, C. (1994). The empowered communicator: Keys to unlocking an audience. Nashville: Broadman & Holman
Publishers.
Nichols, R. G. (1957). Listening is a 10 part skill. Chicago, IL: Enterprise Publications. Retrieved from
http://d1025403.site.my hosting.com/files.listen.org/Nichol sTenPartSkill/Mr39Enf4.html Nichols,
M. P. (1995). The lost art of listening. New York: Guilford.
Pease, A., & Pease, B. (2006). The definitive book of body language. New York: Bantam Books.
Ramsland, K. M. (1992). The art of learning: A self-help manual for students. Albany: SUNY UP.
VanDeVelde Luskin, C. (2003, September). Mark Lepper: Intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation and the process of
learning. In Bing Times Online, Stanford University, retrieved from http://www.stanford.edu/dept/bings
chool/cgibin/bt/sep2003/mark- lepper-intrinsic-motivation- extrinsic-motivation-and-the- process-of-learning/
William Henry Harrison: Inaugural Address. (1989). U. S. Inaugural Addresses. Bartleby.com. Accessed Sept. 2, 2012.
Wobser, A. (2004). Developing positive listening skills: How to really listen. Huntsville, TX. Educational Video Network
photo credits
p. 2 Hearing mechanics http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hearing_mechanics.jpg By
Zina Deretsky
P. 3 Senator Joe Biden http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_SEIU_family_listens_to_ Sen._Joe_Biden.jpg by
SEIU Walk a Day in My Shoes
p. 3 Chinese symbol for listening http://www.state.gov/m/a/os/65759.htm
p. 4 Navy class http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_Navy_061007-N-4399G-
029_Sailors_aboard_the_dock_landing_ship_USS_Harpers_Ferry_(LS
D_49)_listen_attentively_to_Wayne_Guillory_give_an_American_Gov ernment_class_lecture.jpg
By U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Charles Thomas Green
p. 5 A public lecture at NAO Rozhen http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lecture_Rozhen.jpg by
Daniel Chanliev
p. 6 Esther Brimmer http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Esther_Brimmer_Listens_to_
Debate_at_HRC_emergency_session_on_Syria.jpg by United States Mission Geneva
p. 7 Dachau concentration camp lecture http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Visitors_Listen_to_Lecture_in
_Reconstructed_Barracks_-_Dachau_Concentration_Camp_Site_- _Dachau_-_Bavaria_-_Germany.jpg by Adam Jones,
Ph.D.
p. 8 William Henry Harrison
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_Henry_Harrison_by_James_Reid_Lambdin,_1835.jpg by
The White House Historical Association
p. 9 Clemson Tigers http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Clemson_Tigers_football_running_down_the_hill.jpg by
Jim Ferguson
p. 10 Audience members listen to Trevor Romain,
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Defense.gov_photo_essay_090 902-D-4894W-008.jpg by
Elaine Wilson
Listening Effectively: Appendix A Listening Profile

The questions below correspond to each of the six listening components in HURIER:
Hearing, Understanding, Remembering, Interpreting, Evaluating, and Responding.
Before answering the questions, first guess which of the six you will do best at. In which
area will you likely score lowest? Now, respond to the following prompts gauging your
listening behavior on a five-point scale (1= almost never, 2=infrequently, 3= sometimes,
4= often, 5= almost always).
____ 1. I am constantly aware that people and circumstances change over time.
____ 2. I take into account the speaker’s personal and cultural perspective when
listening to him or her.
____ 3. I pay attention to the important things going on around me.
____ 4. I accurately hear what is said to me.
____ 5. I understand the speaker’s vocabulary and recognize that my understanding of a
work is likely to be somewhat different from the speaker’s.
____ 6. I adapt my response according to the needs of the particular situation.
____ 7. I weigh all evidence before making a decision.
____ 8. I take time to analyze the validity of my partner’s reasoning before arriving at
my own conclusion.
____ 9. I can recall what I have heard, even when in stressful situations.
____ 10. I enter communication situations with a positive attitude.
____ 11. I ask relevant questions and restate my perceptions to make sure I have
understood the speaker correctly.
____ 12. I provide clear and direct feedback to others.
____ 13. I do not let my emotions interfere with my listening or decision-making.
____ 14. I remember how the speaker’s facial expressions, body posture, and other
nonverbal behaviors relate to the verbal message.
____ 15. I overcome distractions such as the conversation of others, background noises,
and telephones, when someone is speaking.
____ 16. I distinguish between main ideas and supporting evidence when I listen.
____ 17. I am sensitive to the speaker’s tone in communication situations.
____ 18. I listen to and accurately remember what is said, even when I strongly disagree
with the speaker’s viewpoint.
Add your scores for 4 + 10 + 15. This is your hearing total.
Add your scores for 5 + 11 + 16. This is your understanding total.
Add your scores for 1 + 7 + 8. This is your evaluating total.
Add your scores for 3 + 9 + 18. This is your remembering total.
Add your scores for 2 + 14 + 17. This is your interpreting total.
Add your scores for 6 + 12 + 13. This is your responding total.
In which skill area do you score highest? Which is your lowest? How would these listening
behaviors affect your interactions with peers, parents, instructors, or professional co-workers?
Source: Adapted from J. Brownell, (1996), Listening: Attitudes, Principles and Skills, pp. 29 – 31, Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Chapter 5: Audience Analysis

By Lisa Schreiber, Ph.D. and Morgan Hartranft
Audience Analysis: Objectives and Outline
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
● List techniques for analyzing a specific target  audience.

● Explain audience analysis  by direct observation.
● Describe audience analysis  by inference.
● Identify the purpose of a  basic questionnaire.
● Recognize and apply data  sampling.
● Determine when to use a  Likert-type test.
● Define the five categories  of audience analysis.
● Summarize the purpose of the situational analysis.
● Explain audience analysis by demography.
● Recognize the difference between beliefs, attitudes and values.
● Identify reasons for sampling a multicultural audience.
● Apply the chapter concepts in final questions and activities.
Audience Analysis: Introduction Robert

E. Mullins, a well-known local bank
officer, was preparing a speech for the
Rotary Club in Dallas, Texas on the topic
of “finding the right loan” for a rather
diverse audience. He knew his topic
extremely well, had put a lot of hard
work into his research, and had his
visual aids completely in order. One of
the things he had not fully considered,
however, was the audience to which he
would be speaking. On the day of the
“RZA Audience Shankbone 2009 Tao of Wu” by David
presentation, Mr. Mullins delivered a Shankbone. CC-BY.
flawless speech on “secured” car and home loans, but the speech was not received
particularly well. You see, on this particular week, a major segment of the audience
consisted of the “Junior Rotarians” who wanted to hear about “personal savings
accounts” and “college savings plans.” It was a critical error. Had Mr. Mullins considered
the full nature and demographic makeup of his audience prior to the event, he might not
have been received so poorly.
In contemporary public speaking, the audience that you are addressing is the entire
reason you are giving the speech; accordingly, the audience is therefore the most
important component of all speechmaking. It cannot be said often or more forcefully
enough: know your audience! Knowing your audience—their beliefs, attitudes, age,
education level, job functions, language, and culture—is the single most important
aspect of developing your speech strategy and execution plan. Your audience isn’t just a
passive group of people who come together by happenstance to listen to you. Your
audience is assembled for a very real and significant reason: they want to hear what you
have to say. So, be prepared.
Spectacular achievement is always preceded by unspectacular preparation.

~ Robert H. Schuller
We analyze our audience because we want to discover information that will help create
a bond between the speaker and the audience. We call this bond “identification.”
Aristotle loosely called it “finding a common ground.” This isn’t a one-way process
between the speaker and the audience; rather, it is a two-way transactional process.
When you ask an audience to listen to your ideas, you are inviting them to come
partway into your personal and professional experience as an expert speaker. And, in
return, it is your responsibility and obligation to go partway into their experience as an
audience. The more you know and understand about your audience and their
psychological needs, the better you can prepare your speech and your enhanced
confidence will reduce your own speaker anxiety.[1]
This chapter is dedicated to understanding how a speaker connects with an audience

through audience analysis by direct observation, analysis by inference, and data
collection.[2] In addition, this chapter explores the five categories of audience analysis:
(1) the situational analysis, (2) the demographic analysis, (3) the psychological analysis,
(4) the multicultural analysis, and (5) the topic interest and prior knowledge analysis.
1. Dwyer, K.K. (2005) Conquer your speech anxiety: Second Edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. 2.
Clevenger, T. (1966). Audience analysis. Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill.
Audience Analysis: Approaches to Audience

Analysis
Whenever thinking about your speech, it is always a good idea to begin with a thorough
awareness of your audience and the many factors comprising that particular audience.
In speech communication, we simply call this “doing an audience analysis.” An audience

analysis is when you consider all of the pertinent elements defining the makeup and
demographic characteristics (also known as demographics) of your audience.[1] From
the Greek prefix demo (of the people), we come to understand that there are detailed
accounts of human population characteristics, such as age, gender/sec, education and
intellect levels, occupation, socio-economic class, religion, political affiliation, language,
ethnicity, culture, background knowledge, needs and interests, and previously held
attitudes, beliefs, and values. Demographics are widely used by advertising and public
relations professionals to analyze specific audiences so that their products or ideas will
carry influence. However, all good public speakers consider the demographic
characteristics of their audience, as well. It is the fundamental stage of preparing for
your speech. Table 5.1 shows some examples of demographics and how they may be
used when developing your speech. Of course, this is not an all-inclusive list. But, it does
help you get a good general understanding of the demographics of the audience you
will be addressing.
Table 5.1: Tailoring a Speech to Demographic Characteristics
Demographic
Do’s and Don’ts
Characteristics
Don’t try to use words or phrases to “cuddle up” to one race or another.
You would lose some credibility if you made a point in your speech and
Ethnicity
then said, “So get jiggy with it” or “You could enjoy that with your
afternoon tea ceremony.”[2]
Stay away from jargon from one age range or another, like “OMG” or
Age
“the cat’s pajamas”[3]
Use words that are not sex/gender-specific. Instead of policeman,

fireman, and stewardess, use police officer, firefighter, and flight
Sex/Gender
attendant. Do not use one sex/gender pronouns, like assuming a teacher
is a “she” and a dentist is a “he.”[4]
Some people in your audience will have more money than others. So if
you keep fit by maintaining membership in a prominent gym and you
take classes there also, don’t assume everyone else can afford to do so.
Income
You can tell your audience what you do, but give them options like
parking far from the store and working out with a yoga or pilates CD at
home.
Unless you are speaking at a convention where everyone in your

audience works in the same field, make your speech more explanatory.
Occupation
Your audience has not had extensive training in medical terms nor legal
terms. So you need to explain what you are talking about, without using
the big words which would make your audience feel confused, stupid,
and put down.
Realize that your audience will likely have a wide variety of religions
represented, an some people may have no religious or spiritual beliefs. So
Religion you can say that you read the Bible every night for 10 minutes, but that
you are suggesting that everyone choose a religious or inspirational
reading for presleep relaxation.[5]
Even if you are speaking to an audience of college freshmen, not
everyone has had the same educational experiences. For example, some
of the people in your class may have completed a high school equivalency
program like the GED, some may be high school students who are taking
a college class, some may have gone to secondary school in another
Education Level
country, some may have been homeschooled, and some may have gone
to a private honors-based prep school. You need to be careful not to talk
down to your audience and not to use fancy sentences and words to try
to impress your audience. Gauging the right level of communication for
your speech is an important challenge.
So now you may be saying to yourself: “Gee, that’s great! How do I go about analyzing
my particular audience?” First, you need to know that there are three overarching
methods (or “paradigms”) for doing an audience analysis: audience analysis by direct
observation, audience analysis by inference, and audience analysis through data
collection. Once you get to know how these methods work, you should be able to select
which one (or even combination of these methods) is right for your circumstances.
Nothing has such power to broaden the mind as the ability to investigate systematically
and truly all that comes under thy observation in life. ~ Marcus Aurelius
Direct Observation
Audience analysis by direct observation, or direct experience, is, by far, the most simple
of the three paradigms for “getting the feel” of a particular audience. It is a form of
qualitative data gathering. We perceive it through one or more of our five natural
senses—hearing, seeing, touching, tasting, and smelling. Knowledge that we acquire
through personal experience has more impact on us than does knowledge that we learn
indirectly. Knowledge acquired from personal experience is also more likely to affect our
thinking and will be retained for a longer period of time.
We are more likely to trust what we hear, see, feel, taste, and smell rather than what
we learn from secondary sources of information.[6]
All you really need to do for this method of observation is to examine your audience. If
you are lucky enough to be able to do this before speaking to your audience, you will be
able to gather some basic reflective data (How old are they? What racial mix does this
audience have? Does their non-verbal behavior indicate that they are excited to hear
this speech?) that will help you arrange your thoughts and arguments for your speech.[7]
One excellent way to become informed
about your audience is to ask them
about themselves. In its most basic
form, this is data collection. Whenever
possible, have conversations with
them—interact with members of your
audience—get to know them on a
personal level (Where did you go to
school? Do you have siblings/pets?
What kind of car do you drive?) Through
these types of conversations, you will be
able to get to know and appreciate each
“MobileHCI 2008 Audience” by Nhenze. CC-BY-SA. audience member as both a human
being and as an audience member. You will come to understand what interests them,
convinces them, or even makes them laugh. You might arouse interest and curiosity in
your topic while you also gain valuable data.
For example, you want to deliver a persuasive speech about boycotting farm-raised fish.
You could conduct a short attitudinal survey to discover what your audience thinks
about the topic, if they eat farm-raised fish, and if they believe it is healthy for them.
This information will help you when you construct your speech because you will know
their attitudes about the subject. You would be able to avoid constructing a speech that
potentially could do the opposite of what you intended.
Another example would be that you want to deliver an informative speech about your
town’s recreational activities and facilities. Your focus can be aligned with your audience
if, before you begin working on your speech, you find out if your audience has senior
citizens and/or high school students and/or new parents.
Clearly this cannot be done in every speaking situation, however. Often, we are required
to give an unacquainted-audience presentation. Unacquainted-audience presentations
are speeches when you are completely unfamiliar with the audience and its
demographics. In these cases, it is always best to try and find some time to sit down and
talk with someone you trust (or even several people) who might be familiar with the
given audience. These conversations can be very constructive in helping you understand
the context in which you will be speaking.
Not understanding the basic demographic characteristics of an audience, or further, that

audience’s beliefs, values, or attitudes about a given topic makes your presentation
goals haphazard, at best. Look around the room at the people who will be listening to
your speech. What types of gender, age, ethnicity, and educational- level characteristics
are represented? What are their expectations for your presentation? This is
allimportant information you should know before you begin your research and drafting
your outline. Who is it that I am going to be talking to?
If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it? ~ Albert
Einstein
Inference
Audience analysis by inference is merely a logical extension of your observations drawn
in the method above. It is a form of critical thinking known as inductive reasoning, and
another form of qualitative data gathering. An inference is when you make a reasoned
tentative conclusion or logical judgment on the basis of available evidence. It is best
used when you can identify patterns in your evidence that indicate something is
expected to happen again or should hold true based upon previous experiences. A good
speaker knows how to interpret information and draw conclusions from that
information. As individuals we make inferences—or reasonable assumptions—all the
time. For example, when we hear someone speaking Arabic, we infer that they are from
the Middle East. When we see this person carrying a copy of The Koran, we infer that
they are also a follower of the Muslim faith. These are reasoned conclusions that we
make based upon the evidence available to us and our general knowledge about people
and their traits.
When we reason, we make connections, distinctions, and predictions; we use what is

known or familiar to us to reach a conclusion about something that is unknown or
unfamiliar for it to make sense. Granted, of course, inferences are sometimes wrong.
Here’s a familiar example: You reach into a jar full of jelly beans, and they turn out to be
all black. You love black jelly beans. You reach back into the jar and take another hand
full, which turn out to be, again, all black. Since you can’t see the jelly beans inside the
jar you make an assumption based on empirical evidence (two handfuls of jelly beans)
that all of the jelly beans are black. You reach into the jar a third time and take a hand
full of jelly beans out, but this time they aren’t any black jelly beans, but white, pink,
and yellow. Your conclusion that all of the jelly beans were black turned out to be
fallacious.
Data Sampling
Unlike audience analysis by direct observation and analysis by inference, audience
analysis by data sampling uses statistical evidence to quantify and clarify the
characteristics of your audience. These characteristics are also known as variables,[8]
and are assigned a numerical value so we can systematically collect and classify them.
They are reported as statistics, also known as quantitative analysis or quantitative data
collection. Statistics are numerical summaries of facts, figures, and research findings.
Audience analysis by data sampling requires you to survey
“Here’s a Jellybean for You” by

KaCey97078. CC-BY.
your audience before you give your speech. You need to know the basics of doing a
survey before you actually collect and interpret your data.
If you make listening and observation your occupation, you will gain much more than
you can by talk. ~ Robert Baden-Powell
Basic Questionnaire
There are a great number of survey methods available to the speaker. However, we will
cover three primary types in this section because they are utilized the most. The first
type of survey method you should know about is the basic questionnaire, which is a
series of questions advanced to produce demographic
and attitudinal data from your audience.
Clearly, audience members should not be required to

identify themselves by name on the basic
questionnaire. Anonymous questionnaires are more
likely to produce truthful information. Remember, all
you are looking for is a general read of your audience;
you should not be looking for specific information
about any respondent concerning your questionnaire in
particular. It is a bulk sampling tool, only.
While you can easily gather basic demographic data

(examples of demographic questions are shown in the
chart following this section), we need to adjust our
“Man With a Clipboard” by questions a bit more tightly, or ask more focused
Elizabeth M. CC-BY. questions, in order to understand the audience’s
“predispositions” to think or act in certain ways. For example, you can put an attitudinal
extension on the basic questionnaire (examples of attitudinal questions are shown in
Figure 5.1).
These questions probe more deeply into the psyche of your audience members, and will
help you see where they stand on certain issues. Of course, you may need to tighten
these questions to get to the heart of your specific topic. But, once you do, you’ll have a
wealth of data at your disposal that, ultimately, will tell you how to work with your
target audience.
Ordered Categories
Another method of finding out your audience’s value set is to survey them according to
their value hierarchy. A value hierarchy is a person’s value structure placed in
relationship to a given value set.[9] The way to determine a person’s value hierarchy is to
use the ordered categories sampling method. Here, each audience member is given a
list of values on a piece of paper, and each audience member writes these values on
another piece of paper in order according to their importance to him/her. Each
response is different, of course, because each audience member is different, but when
analyzed by the speaker, common themes will present themselves in the overall data.
Accordingly, the speaker can then identify with those common value themes. (Examples
of an Ordered Value Set appear in Figure 5.1).
Likert-type Testing
Figure 5.1: Examples of Survey Questions
Demographic Questions Attitudinal Questions

1. Academic level in college 1. I regard myself as
1. freshman 1. conservative
2. sophomore 2. liberal
3. junior 3. socialist
4. senior 4. independent
2. Marital status 2. I believe that abortion
1. single 1. should be illegal
2. married 2. should remain legal
3. divorced 3. should be legal only in cases of
4. widowed rape
3. Age 4. not sure
1. less than 18 years old 3. I think that prayer should be permitted in

public schools
2. 18–30 years old
1. yes
3. 31–45 years old
2. no
4. over 46 years of age
3. undecided
Value Ordered Questions Likert-Type Questions
Place the following list of values in Indicate the degree to which you agree
order of importance, from most or disagree with each question.
important (1) to least important
(5). 1. Unsolicited email should be illegal.
Strongly
Freedom Agree 1 2 3 4 5 Strongly
Liberty Disagree
Justice
2. Making unsolicited email illegal
Democracy
would be fundamentally unfair to
Safety
businesses.
1. __________ Strongly Agree 1 2 3 4 5 Strongly
Disagree
2. __________
3. I usually delete unsolicited email
3. __________ before even opening it.
Strongly Agree 1 2 3 4 5 Strongly
4. __________
Disagree
5. __________
The final method of asserting your audience’s attitudes deals with Likert-type testing.
Likert-type testing is when you make a statement, and ask the respondent to gauge the
depth of their sentiments toward that statement either positively, negatively, or
neutrally. Typically, each scale will have 5 weighted response categories, being +2, +1, 0,
-1, and -2. What the Likert-type test does, that other tests do not do, is measure the
extent to which attitudes are held. See how the Likert-type test does this in the example
on “unsolicited email” in Figure 5.1.
A small Likert-type test will tell you where your audience, generally speaking, stands on
issues. As well, it will inform you as to the degree of the audience’s beliefs on these
issues. The Likert-type test should be used when attempting to assess a highly charged
or polarizing issue, because it will tell you, in rough numbers, whether or not your
audience agrees or disagrees with your topic.
No matter what kind of data sampling you choose, you need to allow time to collect the
information and then analyze it. For example, if you create a survey of five questions,
and you have your audience of 20 people complete the survey, you will need to deal
with 100 survey forms. At high levels such as political polling, the audience members
quickly click on their answers on a webpage or on a hand-held “clicker,” and the specific
survey software instantly collects and collates the information for researchers. If you are
in a small community group or college class, it is more likely that you will be doing your
survey “the old-fashioned way”–so you will need some time to mark each individual
response on a “master sheet” and then average or summarize the results in an effective
way to use in your speech-writing and speech-giving.
1. McQuail, D. (1997). Audience analysis. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

2. Pearson, J.C., Nelson, P.E., Titsworth, S. & Harter, L. (2011). Human communication (4th Ed.).
Boston: McGraw-
3. Gamble, T.K. & Gamble, M. (2013). Communication works. New York: McGrawHill.
4. Eisenberg, I. & Wynn, D. (2013) Think communication. Boston: Pearson.
5. Gamble & Gamble 2013
6. Pressat, R. (1972). Demographic analysis; methods, results, applications. Chicago: Aldine-Atherton.
7. Nierenberg, G.I. & Calero, H.H. (1994) How to read a person like a book. New York: Barnes and
Noble Books.
8. Tucker, K.T.; Weaver, II, R.L.; Berryman-Fink, C. (1981). Research in speech communication.
Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-
9. Rokeach, M. (1968). Beliefs, attitudes, and values; a theory of organization and change (1st ed.).
San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Audience Analysis: Categories of Audience Analysis

No matter which of the above inquiry methods you
choose to do your audience analysis, you will, at
some point, need to direct your attention to the five
“categories” of audience analysis. These are the five
categories through which you will learn to better
appreciate your audience. Let’s now examine these
categories and understand the variables and
constraints you should use to estimate your Untitled by Konrad-
audience’s information requirements. AdenauerGemeinschaftshauptschule
Wenden.
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ndamentalsofPublicSpeaking-CollegeoftheCanyons
CC-BY-NC-SA.
Situational Analysis
The situational audience analysis category considers the situation for which your
audience is gathered. This category is primarily concerned with why your audience is
assembled in the first place.[1] Are they willingly gathered to hear you speak? Have your
audience members paid to hear you? Or, are your audience members literally “speech
captives” who have somehow been socially or systematically coerced into hearing you?
These factors are decisively important because they place a major responsibility upon
you as a speaker, whichever is the case. The entire tone and agenda of your speech
rests largely upon whether or not your audience even wants to hear from you.
Many audiences are considered captive audiences in that they have no real choice
regarding the matter of hearing a given speech. In general, these are some of the most
difficult audiences to address because these members are being forced to listen to a
message, and do not have the full exercise of their own free will. Consider for a moment
when you have been called to a mandatory work meeting. Were you truly happy to
listen to the speaker, in all honesty? Some might say “yes,” but usually most would
rather be doing something else with their time. This is an important factor to keep in
mind when preparing your speech: some people simply do not want to listen to a
speech they believe is compulsory.
The voluntary audience situation, in stark contrast, is completely different. A voluntary

audience is willingly assembled to listen to a given message. As a rule, these audiences
are much easier to address because they are interested in hearing the speech. To
visualize how this works, reflect upon the last speech, concert, or show you’ve chosen
to attend. While the event may or may not have lived up to your overall expectations,
the very fact that you freely went to the occasion speaks volumes about your
predisposition to listen to—and perhaps even be persuaded by—the information being
presented.
Sometimes audiences are mixed in their situational settings, too. Take the everyday
classroom situation, for instance. While students choose to attend higher education,
many people in the college classroom environment sadly feel as if they are still
“trapped” in school and would rather be elsewhere. On the other hand, some students
in college are truly there by choice, and attentively seek out knowledge from their
teacher-mentors. What results from this mixed audience situation is a hybrid
captivevoluntary audience, with those who are only partially interested in what is going
on in the classroom and those who are genuinely involved. You literally get to hone your
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speech skills on both types of audiences, thereby learning a skill set that many never get
to exercise. You should begin this wonderful opportunity by considering ways to inform,
persuade, and humor a mixed situation audience. Think of it as a learning occasion, and
you’ll do just fine.
Being popular with an audience is a very rickety ladder to be on. ~ Louis C. K.
Demographic Analysis
The second category of audience analysis is demography. As mentioned before,
demographics are literally a classification of the characteristics of the people. Whenever
addressing an audience, it is generally a good idea to know about its age, gender/sex,
major, year in school, race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, income levels, et cetera. There
are two steps in doing an accurate demographic analysis: gathering demographic data
and interpreting this data.[2]
Sometimes, this information is gathered by the questionnaire sampling method, and is

done formally. On other occasions, this information is already available in a database
and is made available to the speaker. Some noteworthy speakers even have “scouts”
who do demographic research on an audience prior to a speaking event, and make
interpretations on that audience based upon key visual cues. For example,
congresspersons and senators frequently make public appearances where they use
stock speeches to appeal to certain audiences with specific demographic uniqueness. In
order to know what type of audience he or she will be addressing, these politicians
dispatch staff aides to an event to see how many persons of color, hecklers, and
supporters will be in attendance. Of course, studying demographic characteristics is,
indeed, more an art form than a science. Still, it is a common practice among many
professional speakers.
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Consider for a moment how valuable
it would be to you as a public speaker to
know that your audience will be mostly
female, between the ages of 25 and 40,
mostly married, and Caucasian. Would
you change your message to fit this
demographic? Or, would you keep your
message the same, no matter the
audience you were addressing? Chances
are you would be more inclined to talk
to issues bearing upon those gender,
age, and race qualities. Frankly, the “Wiki
Conference 2011” by Sucheta Ghoshal. CC-BY-
SA. smart speaker would shift his or her message to adapt to the audience. And, simply,
that’s the purpose of doing demographics: to embed within your message the
acceptable parameters of your audience’s range of needs.
This, of course, raises an extremely important ethical issue for the modern speaker.
Given the ability to study demographic data and therefore to study your audience, does
a speaker shift his or her message to play to the audience entirely? Ethically, a speaker
should not shift his or her message and should remain true to his or her motives. Only
you will be able to alleviate the tension between a speaker’s need to adapt to an
audience and his or her need to remain true to form.[3]
My greatest challenge has been to change the mindset of people. Mindsets play strange
tricks on us. We see things the way our minds have instructed our eyes to see. ~
Muhammad Yunus
Psychological Analysis
Unless your selected speech topic is a complete mystery to your audience, your listeners
will already hold “attitudes, beliefs, and values” toward the ideas you will inevitably
present. As a result, it is always important to know where your audience stands on the
issues you plan to address ahead of time. The best way to accomplish this is to sample
your audience with a quick questionnaire or survey prior to the event. This is known as
the third category of audience analysis, or psychological description. When performing
a description you seek to identify the audience’s attitudes, beliefs, and values.[4] They
are your keys to understanding how your audience thinks.
Attitudes
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In basic terms, an attitude is a learned disposition to respond in a consistently favorable
or unfavorable manner with respect to a person, an object, an idea, or an event.[5]
Attitudes come in different forms. You are very likely to see an attitude present itself
when someone says that they are “pro” or “anti” something. But, above all else,
attitudes are learned and not necessarily enduring. Attitudes can change, and
sometimes do, whereas beliefs and values do not shift as easily. A sample list of
attitudes can be found in Table 5.2.
Table 5.2: Examples of Attitudes
Pro-/Anti-war
Pro-diversity
Anti-affirmative action
Pro-choice
Pro-life
Pro-/Anti-gambling
Pro-/Anti-prostitution
Pro-/Anti-capital punishment
Pro-/Anti-free trade
Pro-/Anti-outsourcing
Pro-/Anti-welfare
Pro-/Anti-corporate tax cuts
Pro-/Anti-censorship
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These are just a small range of issues that one can either be “for” or “against.” And,
while we are simplifying the social scientific idea of an attitude considerably here, these
examples serve our purposes well. Remember, attitudes are not as durable as beliefs
and values. But, they are good indicators of how people view the persons, objects,
ideas, or events that shape their world.
Other people’s beliefs may be myths, but not mine. ~ Mason Cooley
Beliefs
Beliefs are principles[6] or assumptions about the universe.
Beliefs are more durable than attitudes because beliefs are hinged to ideals and not
issues. For example, you may believe in the principle: “what goes around comes
around.” If you do, you believe in the notion of karma. And so, you may align your
behaviors to be consistent with this belief philosophy. You do not engage in unethical or
negative behavior because you believe that it will “come back” to you. Likewise, you
may try to exude behaviors that are ethical and positive because you wish for this
behavior to return, in kind. You may not think this at all, and believe quite the opposite.
Either way, there is a belief in operation driving what you think. Some examples of
beliefs are located in Table 5.3.
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Table 5.3: Examples of Beliefs
The world was created by God.
Marijuana is an addictive gateway drug.
Ghosts are all around us.
Smoking causes cancer.
Anyone can acquire HIV.
Evolution is fact, not fiction.
Marijuana is neither addictive or harmful.
Ghosts are products of our imagination.
Smoking does not cause cancer.
Only high-risk groups acquire HIV.
Values
A value, on the other hand, is a guiding belief that regulates our attitudes.[7] Values are
the core principles driving our attitudes. If you probe into someone’s attitudes and
beliefs far enough, you will inevitably find an underlying value. Importantly, you should
also know that we structure our values in accordance to our own value hierarchy, or
mental schema of values placed in order of their relative individual importance. Each of
us has our own values that we subscribe to and a value hierarchy that we use to
navigate the issues of the world. But we really aren’t even aware that we have a value
hierarchy until some of our values come in direct conflict with each other. Then, we
have to negotiate something called cognitive dissonance, or the mental stress caused
by the choice we are forced to make between two considerable alternatives.
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For example, let’s assume that you value “having fun” a great deal. You like to party
with your friends and truly enjoy yourself. And, in this day and age, who doesn’t?
However, now that you are experiencing a significant amount of independence and
personal freedom, you have many life options at your disposal. Let’s also say that some
of your close personal friends are doing drugs. You are torn. Part of you wants to
experience the “fun” that your close friends may be experiencing; but, the more sane
part of you wants to responsibly decline. In honesty, you are juxtaposed between two of
your own values—having “fun” and being responsible. This real life example is
somewhat exaggerated for your benefit. Realize that we make decisions small and
grand, based on our value hierarchies. Some basic values common to people around the
world can be found in Table 5.4.
Table 5.4: Examples of Values
Inner harmony Enjoyment Belonging
Friendship Trust Equality
Control Family Security
Peace Wisdom Tradition
Unity Achievement Power
Generosity Conformity Intelligence
Leadership Creativity Responsibility
Health Independence Loyalty
Values aren’t buses… They’re not supposed to get you anywhere. They’re supposed to
define who you are. ~ Jennifer Crusie
Multicultural Analysis
Demography looks at issues of race and ethnicity in a basic sense. However, in our
increasingly diverse society, it is worthy to pay particular attention to the issue of
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speaking to a multicultural audience (as discussed in Chapter 14 Speaking to a Global
Audience). Odds are that any real world audience that you encounter will have an
underlying multicultural dimension. As a speaker, you need to recognize that the
perspective you have on any given topic may not necessarily be shared by all of the
members of your audience.[8] Therefore, it is imperative that you become a culturally
effective speaker. Culturally effective speakers develop the capacity to appreciate other
cultures and acquire the necessary skills to speak effectively to people with diverse
ethnic backgrounds. Keep these factors in mind when writing a speech for a diverse
audience.
Language
Many people speak different languages, so if you are translating words, do not use slang
or jargon, which can be confusing. You could add a visual aid (a poster, a picture, a
PowerPoint slide or two) which would show your audience what you mean – which
instantly translates into the audience member’s mind.[9]
Cognition
Realize that different cultures have different
culturalcognitive processes, or ways of looking at the
very concept of logic itself. Accordingly, gauge your
audience as to their diverse ways of thinking and be
sensitive to these differing logics.
Ethnocentricity
Remember that in many cases you will be appealing
“Audience Applause at MIT meeting in to people from other cultures. Do not assume that
Beijing” by Philip McMaster. CC-BY-NC. your culture is dominant or better than other
cultures. That assumption is called ethnocentrism, and ethnocentric viewpoints have
the tendency to drive a wedge between you and your audience.[10]
Christian, Jew, Muslim, shaman, Zoroastrian, stone, ground, mountain, river, each has a
secret way of being with the mystery, unique and not to be judged. ~ Rumi
Values
Not only do individuals have value systems of their own, but societies promote value
systems, as well. Keep in mind the fact that you will be appealing to value hierarchies
that are socially-laden, as well as those that are individually-borne.
Communication Styles
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While you are trying to balance these language, cognition, cultural, and value issues, you
should also recognize that some cultures prefer a more animated delivery style than do
others. The intelligent speaker will understand this, and adapt his or her verbal and
nonverbal delivery accordingly.
Interest and Knowledge Analysis

Finally, if the goal of your speech is to
deliver a unique and stirring
presentation (and it should be), you
need to know ahead of time if your
audience is interested in what you have
to say, and has any prior knowledge
about your topic. You do not want to
give a boring or trite speech. Instead,
you want to put your best work
forward, and let your audience see your
confidence and preparation shine “25th March 2011” by Grace Flora. CC-BY-NC-ND. through.
And, you don’t want to make a speech that your audience already knows a lot about.
So, your job here is to “test” your topic by sampling your audience for their topic
interest and topic knowledge. Defined, topic interest is the significance of the topic to a
given audience; often related to the uniqueness of a speaker’s topic. Likewise, topic
knowledge is the general amount of information that the audience possesses on a
given topic. These are not mere definitions listed for the sake of argument; these are
essential analytical components of effective speech construction.
Anyone who teaches me deserves my respect, honoring and attention. ~ Sonia Rumzi
Unlike multicultural audience analysis, evaluating your audience’s topic interest and
topic knowledge is a fairly simple task. One can do this through informal question and
answer dialogue, or through an actual survey. Either way, it is best to have some
information, rather than none at all. Imagine the long list of topics that people have
heard over and over and over. You can probably name some yourself, right now,
without giving it much thought. If you started listing some topics to yourself, please
realize that this is the point of this section of this module; your audience is literally
thinking the same exact thing you are. Given that, topic preparation is strategically
important to your overall speech success.
Again, do not underestimate the power of asking your audience whether or not your
topic actually interests them. If you find that many people are not interested in your
topic, or already know a lot about it, you have just saved yourself from a potentially
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mind- numbing exercise. After all, do you really want to give a speech where your
audience could care less about your topic—or even worse— they know more about the
topic than you do yourself? Not at all! The purpose of this section is to help you search
for the highly sought-after public speaking concept called uniqueness, which is when a
topic rises to the level of being singularly exceptional in interest and knowledge to a
given audience.
We know that you wish to excel in giving your speech, and indeed you shall. But first,
let’s make sure that your audience is engaged by your topic and hasn’t already heard
the subject matter so much that they, themselves, could give the speech without much
(if any) preparation.
One final note: There’s an old adage in communication studies that reasons: “know
what you know; know what you don’t know; and, know the difference between the
two.” In other words, don’t use puffery to blind your audience about your alleged
knowledge on a particular subject. Remember, there is likely to be someone in your
audience who knows as much about your topic, if not more, than you do. If you get
caught trying to field an embarrassing question, you might just lose the most important
thing you have as a speaker: your credibility. If you know the answer, respond
accordingly. If you do not know the answer, respond accordingly. But, above all, try and
be a resource for your audience. They expect you to be something of an expert on the
topic you choose to address.
Given the choice between trivial material brilliantly told versus profound material badly
told, an audience will always choose the trivial told brilliantly. ~ Robert McKee
1. Caernarven-Smith, P. (1983). Audience analysis & response (1st Ed.). Pembroke, MA: Firman
Technical Publications.
2. Benjamin, B. (1969). Demographic analysis. New York: Praeger.
3. Natalle, E.J. & Bodenheimer, F.R. (2004) The woman’s public speaking handbook. Belmont, CA:
Wadsworth.
4. Campbell, K.K. & Huxman, S.S. The Rhetorical Act: Thinking, Speaking, and Writing Critically (3rd
Ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
5. Jastrow, J. (1918). The psychology of conviction: A study of beliefs and attitudes. New York:
Houghton Mifflin.
6. Bem, D. J. (1970). Beliefs, attitudes, and human affairs. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole Pub. Co.
7. Rokeach, M. (1968). Beliefs, attitudes, and values; a theory of organization and change (1st ed.).
San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
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8. Ting-Toomey. S & Chung, L.C. (2005). Understanding intercultural communication. Los Angeles:
Roxbury Publishing.
9. Klopf, D.W. & Cambra, R.E. (1991) Speaking skills for prospective teachers (2nd Ed.). Englewood,
CO: Morton Publishing Company. Tauber, R.T. & Mester, C.S. Acting Lessons for Teachers, Using
Performance Skills in the Classroom. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers.
10. Pearson, J.C., Nelson, P.E., Titsworth, S. & Harter, L. (2011). Human communication (4th Ed.).
Boston: McGraw-
Audience Analysis: Conclusion When

considering topics for your speech, it is
critical for you to keep your audience in
mind. Not doing so will put your speech
at risk of not corresponding with the
information needs of your audience,
and further jeopardize your credibility
as a speaker. This chapter examined
methods of conducting an audience
analysis and five categories of
“Philip Levy spoke at the U.S. Embassy” by US Embassy. CC-BY-ND. audience
analysis. In sum, this information
equips you with the
foundational knowledge and skill-set required to ensure that your topic complements
your audience. And, after all, if we are not adapting to meet the needs of our audience,
we are not going to be informative or convincing speakers.
Winston Churchill is credited with the origin of the saying: “Fail to plan, plan to fail.”[1]
We, your authors, believe that if you have failed to fully consider the nature, make-up,
and characteristics of your audience, you are—for all intents and purposes—neglecting
the spirit of the public speaking exercise. Confidently speaking to audiences can be
somewhat addictive. The experience, when properly executed, can be empowering and
help you succeed personally and professionally throughout your life. But, you must first
consider the audience you will be addressing and take their every requirement into
account.[2] We are linked to, joined with, if not bound by, our audiences. Your main
speaking ambition should be to seek identification with them, and for them to seek
identification with you.
1. Lakein, A. (1989) How to get control of your time and your life. New York: Signet.
2. Lewis, D. (1989) The secret language of success. New York: Galahad Books.
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Audience Analysis: Review Questions and Activities
1. REVIEW QUESTIONS
2. Why is it important to conduct an audience analysis prior to developing your
speech?
3. What is the purpose of performing a demographics survey?
4. Why is audience analysis by direct observation the most simple of the three
paradigms?
5. What are some the problems a speaker faces when delivering an
unacquaintedaudience presentation?
6. Under what circumstances would a speaker make inferences about an audience
during the course of an audience analysis??
7. What is a variable, and how is it used in data sampling?
8. Why are statistics considered to be a form of quantitative analysis and not
qualitative analysis?
9. How does conducting a value hierarchy help the speaker when developing a
speech?
10. What value does performing a Likert-type testing of attitudes give the speaker?
11. Which of the Five Categories of Audience Analysis is the most effective, and why
do you think that?
12. What are the differences between beliefs, attitudes, and values?
13. What challenges does a speaker face when delivering a speech to a multicultural
audience?
Glossary
Attitude
An attitude is a learned disposition to respond in a consistently favorable or unfavorable
manner with respect to a person, an object, an idea, or an event.
Audience Analysis
A speaker analyzes an audience for demographics, dispositions and knowledge of the
topic.
Beliefs
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Beliefs are principles and are more durable than attitudes because beliefs are hinged to
ideals and not issues.
Cognitive Dissonance
The psychological discomfort felt when a person is presented with two competing ideas
or pieces of evidence.
Demographics
Demographics are the most recent statistical characteristics of a population.
Demographic Characteristics
Demographic characteristics are facts about the make-up of a population.
Demography
Demographics are literally a classification of the characteristics of the people.
Inference
Making an inference is the act or process of deriving logical conclusions from premises
known or assumed to be true.
Ordered category
An ordered category is a condition of logical or comprehensible arrangement among the
separate elements of a group.
Paradigm
A paradigm is a pattern that describes distinct concepts or thoughts in any scientific
discipline or other epistemological context.
Psychological Description
A psychological description is a description of the audience’s attitudes, beliefs, and
values.
Quantitative Analysis
A quantitative analysis is the process of determining the value of a variable by
examining its numerical, measurable characteristics.
Statistics
Statistics is the study of the collection, organization, analysis, and interpretation of data.
Unacquainted-Audience Presentation
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An unacquainted-audience presentation is a speech when you are completely unaware
of your audience’s characteristics.
Uniqueness
Uniqueness occurs when a topic rises to the level of being exceptional in interest and
knowledge to a given audience.
Variable
A variable is a characteristic of a unit being observed that may assume more than one of
a set of values to which a numerical measure or a category from a classification can be
assigned.
Value
A value is a guiding belief that regulates our attitudes.
Value Hierarchy
A value hierarchy is a person’s value structure placed in relationship to a given value set.
Audience Analysis: References

Bem, D. J. (1970). Beliefs, attitudes, and human affairs. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole Pub. Co.
Benjamin, B. (1969). Demographic analysis. New York: Praeger.
Caernarven-Smith, P. (1983). Audience analysis & response (1st Ed.). Pembroke, MA: Firman Technical
Publications.
Campbell, K.K. & Huxman, S.S. The Rhetorical Act: Thinking, Speaking, and Writing Critically (3rd Ed.).
Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Clevenger, T. (1966). Audience analysis. Indianapolis: Bobbs- Merrill.
Dwyer, K.K. (2005) Conquer your speech anxiety: Second Edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Eisenberg, I. & Wynn, D. (2013) Think communication.
Boston: Pearson. Gamble, T.K. & Gamble, M. (2013). Communication works. New York: McGraw- Hill.
Jastrow, J. (1918). The psychology of conviction: A study of beliefs and attitudes. New York: Houghton Mifflin.
Klopf, D.W. & Cambra, R.E. (1991) Speaking skills for prospective teachers (2nd Ed.). Englewood, CO: Morton
Publishing Company.
Lakein, A. (1989) How to get control of your time and your life. New York: Signet.
Lewis, D. (1989) The secret language of success. New York: Galahad Books.
McQuail, D. (1997). Audience analysis. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Natalle, E.J. & Bodenheimer, F.R. (2004) The woman’s public speaking handbook. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Nierenberg, G.I. & Calero, H.H. (1994) How to read a person like a book. New York: Barnes and Noble Books.
Pearson, J.C., Nelson, P.E., Titsworth, S. & Harter, L. (2011). Human communication (4th Ed.). Boston:
McGraw-Hill.
Pressat, R. (1972). Demographic analysis; methods, results, applications. Chicago: Aldine- Atherton.
Rokeach, M. (1968). Beliefs, attitudes, and values; a theory of organization and change (1st ed.). San
Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
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Tauber, R.T. & Mester, C.S. Acting Lessons for Teachers, Using Performance Skills in the Classroom. Westport,
CT: Praeger Publishers.
Ting-Toomey. S & Chung, L.C. (2005). Understanding intercultural communication. Los Angeles: Roxbury
Publishing.
Tucker, K.T.; Weaver, II, R.L.; Berryman-Fink, C. (1981). Research in speech communication. Englewood Cliffs,
N.J.: Prentice-Hall.
photo credits
p. 1 Audience at RZA book reading http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:RZA_Audie
nce_Shankbone_2009_Tao_of_Wu.jpg
By David Shankbone
p. 3 Mobile HCI 2008 Audience http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MobileHCI_ 2008_Audience.jpg
By Nhenze
p. 6 Speakers at Wiki Conference 2011
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wiki_Confe rence_2011.JPG By Sucheta Ghoshal
p. 9 Audience enjoys Stallman’s jokes http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/63
/Audience_enjoy_Stallman%27s_jokes
By Damian Buonamico
p. 9 Side shot audience http://www.flickr.com/photos/us_embassy_newzealan d/4747176345/ By
U.S. Embassy New Zealand
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Chapter 6: Organizing and Outlining
By Joshua Trey Barnett
University of Indiana, Bloomington, IN
Organizing and Outlining: Objectives and Outline After

reading this chapter, you should be able to:
• Select a topic appropriate to the audience and occasion.
• Formulate a specific purpose statement that identifies precisely what you will do
in your speech.
• Craft a thesis statement (central idea) that clearly and succinctly summarizes the
argument you will make in your speech.
• Identify and arrange the main points of your speech according to one of many
organizational styles discussed in this chapter.
• Connect the points of your speech to one another.
• Create a preparation and speaking outline for your speech.
Organizing and Outlining:

Introduction
Meg jaunted to the front of the
classroom—her trusty index cards in
one hand and her water bottle in the
other. It was the mid-term
presentation in her entomology class, a
course she enjoyed more than her
other classes. The night before, Meg
had spent hours scouring the web for
information on the Woody Adelgid, an
insect that has ravaged hemlock tree
populations in the United States in
recent years. But when she made it to
the podium and finished her well-
written and captivating introduction,
“Rough Outline For A Course” by Chris Campbell. her speech began to fall apart. Her
CC-BY-NC. index cards were a jumble of
unorganized information, not linked
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together by any unifying theme or purpose. As she stumbled through lists of facts,
Meg—along with her peers and instructor—quickly realized that her presentation had
all the necessary parts to be compelling, but that those parts were not organized into a
coherent and convincing speech.
Giving a speech or presentation can be a daunting task for anyone, especially

inexperienced public speakers or students in introductory speech courses. Speaking
to an audience can also be a rewarding experience for speakers who are willing to
put in the extra effort needed to craft rhetorical masterpieces. Indeed, speeches and
presentations must be crafted. Such a design requires that speakers do a great deal
of preparatory work, like selecting a specific topic and deciding on a particular
purpose for their speech. Once the topic and purpose have been decided on, a thesis
statement, or central idea, can be prepared. After these things are established,
speakers must select the main points of their speech, which should be organized in a
way that illuminates the speaker’s perspective, or approach to their speech. In a
nutshell, effective public speeches are focused on particular topics and contain main
points that are relevant to both the topic and the audience. For all of these
components to come together convincingly, organizing and outlining must be done
prior to giving a speech.
This chapter addresses a variety of strategies needed to craft the body of public
speeches. The chapter begins at the initial stages of speechwriting— selecting an
important and relevant topic for your audience. The more difficult task of
formulating a purpose statement is discussed next. A purpose statement drives the
organization of the speech since different purposes (e.g., informational or
persuasive) necessitate different types of evidence and presentation styles. Next, the
chapter offers a variety of organizational strategies for the body of your speech. Not
every strategy will be appropriate for every speech, so the strengths and
weaknesses of the organizational styles are also addressed. The chapter then
discusses ways to connect your main points and to draw links between your main
points and the purpose you have chosen. In the final section of this chapter, one of
the most important steps in speechwriting, outlining your speech, is discussed. The
chapter provides the correct format for outlines as well as information on how to
write a preparation outline and a speaking outline.
Chaos is inherent in all compounded things. Strive on with diligence. ~ Buddha
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Organizing and Outlining: The Topic, General Purpose, Specific Purpose, and
Thesis
Before any work can be done on crafting the body of your speech or presentation,
you must first do some prep work—selecting a topic, formulating a general purpose,
a specific purpose statement, and crafting a central idea, or thesis statement. In
doing so, you lay the foundation for your speech by making important decisions
about what you will speak about and for what purpose you will speak. These
decisions will influence and guide the entire speechwriting process, so it is wise to
think carefully and critically during these beginning stages.
Questions for Selecting a Topic
• What important events are occurring locally, nationally and internationally?

• What do I care about most?
• Is there someone or something I can advocate for?
• What makes me angry/happy?
• What beliefs/attitudes do I want to share?
• Is there some information the audience needs to know?
Selecting a Topic
Generally, speakers focus on one or more
interrelated topics—relatively broad
concepts, ideas, or problems that are
relevant for particular audiences. The most
common way that speakers discover topics
is by simply observing what is happening
around them—at their school, in their local
government, or around the world. Student
government leaders, for example, speak or
write to other students when their campus
is facing tuition or fee increases, or when
students have achieved something
spectacular, like lobbying campus
administrators for lower student fees and
succeeding. In either case, it is the situation
that makes their speeches appropriate and
useful for their audience of students and “The Reader” by Shakespearesmonkey. CC-
university employees. More importantly,
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they speak when there is an opportunity to change a university policy or to alter the
way students think or behave in relation to a particular event on campus.
But you need not run for president or student government in order to give a
meaningful speech. On the contrary, opportunities abound for those interested in
engaging speech as a tool for change. Perhaps the simplest way to find a topic is to
ask yourself a few questions. See the textbox entitled “Questions for Selecting a
Topic” for a few questions that will help you choose a topic.
Students speak about what is interesting to them and their audiences. What topics
do you think are relevant today? There are other questions you might ask yourself,
too, but these should lead you to at least a few topical choices. The most important
work that these questions do is to locate topics within your pre-existing sphere of
knowledge and interest. David Zarefsky[2] also identifies brainstorming as a way to
develop speech topics, a strategy that can be helpful if the questions listed in the
textbox did not yield an appropriate or interesting topic.
Starting with a topic you are already interested in will likely make writing and
presenting your speech a more enjoyable and meaningful experience. It means that
your entire speechwriting process will focus on something you find important and
that you can present this information to people who stand to benefit from your
speech.
Once you have answered these questions and narrowed your responses, you are still
not done selecting your topic. For instance, you might have decided that you really
care about conserving habitat for bog turtles. This is a very broad topic and could
easily lead to a dozen different speeches. To resolve this problem, speakers must
also consider the audience to whom they will speak, the scope of their presentation,
and the outcome they wish to achieve.
Formulating the Purpose Statements

By honing in on a very specific topic, you begin the work of formulating your
purpose statement. In short, a purpose statement clearly states what it is you
would like to achieve. Purpose statements are especially helpful for guiding you as
you prepare your speech. When deciding which main points, facts, and examples to
include, you should simply ask yourself whether they are relevant not only to the
topic you have selected, but also whether they support the goal you outlined in your
purpose statement. The general purpose statement of a speech may be to inform,
to persuade, to inspire, to celebrate, to mourn, or to entertain. Thus, it is common to
129 | F u
frame a specific purpose statement around one of these goals. According to O’Hair,
Stewart, and Rubenstein, a specific purpose statement “expresses both the topic and
the general speech purpose in action form and in terms of the specific objectives you
hope to achieve.”[3] For instance, the home design enthusiast might write the
following specific purpose statement: At the end of my speech, the audience will
learn the pro’s and con’s of flipping houses. In short, the general purpose
statement lays out the broader goal of the speech while the specific purpose
statement describes precisely what the speech is intended to do. Some of your
professors may ask that you include the general purpose and add the specific. For
example: to inform my audience about the pro's and con's of flipping houses.
Writing the Thesis Statement

The specific purpose statement is a tool that you will use as you write your talk, but
it is unlikely that it will appear verbatim in your speech. Instead, you will want to
convert the specific purpose statement into a central idea, or thesis statement that
you will share with your audience.
Depending on your instructor’s approach, a thesis statement may be written two

different ways. A thesis statement may encapsulate the main points of a speech in
just a sentence or two, and be designed to give audiences a quick preview of what
the entire speech will be about. The thesis statement for a speech, like the thesis of a
research- based essay, should be easily identifiable and ought to very succinctly sum
up the main points you will present.
If you are a Harry Potter enthusiast, you may write a thesis statement the following
way using the above approach: J.K. Rowling is a renowned author of the Harry
Potter series with a Cinderella like story having gone from relatively humble
beginnings, through personal struggles, and finally success and fame.
Writing the Preview Statement

However, some instructors prefer that you separate your thesis from your preview
statement. A preview statement (or series of statements) is a guide to your speech.
This is the part of the speech that literally tells the audience exactly what main
points you will cover. If you were to open your Waze app (1), it would tell you
exactly how to get there. Best of all, you would know what to look for! So, if we take
our J.K Rowling example, let’s rewrite that using this approach separating out the
thesis and preview:
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J.K. Rowling is a renowned author of the Harry Potter series with a Cinderella like rags
to riches story. First, I will tell you about J.K. Rowling’s humble beginnings. Then, I will
describe her personal struggles as a single mom. Finally, I will explain how she
overcame adversity and became one of the richest women in the United Kingdom.
There is no best way to approach this. This is up to your instructor.
(1) www.waze.com
Organizing and Outlining: Writing the Body of Your Speech

Once you have finished the important work of deciding what your speech will be
about, as well as formulating the purpose statement and crafting the thesis, you
should turn your attention to writing the body of your speech. All of your main
points are contained in the body, and normally this section is prepared well before
you ever write the introduction or conclusion. The body of your speech will
consume the largest amount of time to present; and it is the opportunity for you to
elaborate on facts, evidence, examples,
and opinions that support your thesis
statement and do the work you have
outlined in the specific purpose
statement. Combining these various
elements into a cohesive and
compelling speech, however, is not
without its difficulties, the first of
which is deciding which elements to
include and how they ought to be
organized to best suit your purpose.
Good design is making something intelligible and memorable. Great

“Writing” by Rubin Starset. CC-BY-NC-SA.
design is making something memorable and
meaningful. ~ Dieter Rams
Organizing and Outlining: Organizational Patterns of Arrangement

After deciding which main points and sub-points you must include, you can get to
work writing up the speech. Before you do so, however, it is helpful to consider how
131 | F u
you will organize the ideas. There are many ways you can organize speeches, and
these approaches will be different depending on whether you are preparing an
informative or persuasive speech. These are referred to as organizational patterns
for arranging main points in a speech. The chronological or temporal, topical,
spatial, or causal patterns may be better suited to informative speeches, whereas the
problem-solution, Monroe’s Motivated Sequence (1), Claim-to-Proof (2), or
refutation pattern would work best for persuasive speeches. These are discussed in
Chapter 16.
1. Monroe, A. H. (1949). Principles and types of speech. Glenview, IL: Scott, Foresman and Company.
2. Mudd, C. S. & Sillar, M. O. (1962), Speech; content and communicaton. San Francisco, CA: Chandler Publishing
Company.
Chronological Pattern
When you speak about events that are linked together by time, it is sensible to
engage the chronological organization pattern. In a chronological speech, main
points are delivered according to when they happened and could be traced on a
calendar or clock. Some professors use the term temporal to reflect any speech
pattern dealing with taking the audience through time. Arranging main points in
chronological order can be helpful when describing historical events to an audience
as well as when the order of events is necessary to understand what you wish to
convey. Informative speeches about a series of events most commonly engage the
chronological style, as do many process speeches (e.g., how to bake a cake or build
an airplane). Another time when the chronological style makes sense is when you
tell the story of someone’s life or career. For instance, a speech about Oprah Winfrey
might be arranged chronologically (see textbox). In this case, the main points are
arranged by following Winfrey’s life from birth to the present time. Life events (e.g.,
early life, her early career, her life after ending the Oprah Winfrey Show) are
connected together according to when they happened and highlight the progression
of Winfrey’s career. Organizing the speech in this way illustrates the
interconnectedness of life events.
Topic: Oprah Winfrey (Chronological Pattern)

Thesis: Oprah’s career can be understood by four key, interconnected life stages.
Preview: First, let’s look at Oprah’s early life. Then, we will look at her early career,
followed by her years during the Oprah Winfrey show. Finally, we will explore what
she is doing now.
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I. Oprah’s childhood was spent in rural Mississippi, where she endured sexual
abuse from family members.
II. Oprah’s early career was characterized by stints on local radio and television
networks in Nashville and Chicago.
III. Oprah’s tenure as host of the Oprah Winfrey Show began in 1986 and lasted
until 2011, a period of time marked by much success.
IV. Oprah’s most recent media venture is OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network,
which plays host to a variety of television shows including Oprah’s Next
Chapter.
Doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment. ~ Oprah
Winfrey
Topical Pattern
When the main points of your speech center on ideas that are more distinct from
one another, a topical organization pattern may be used. In a topical speech, main
points are developed according to the different aspects, subtopics or topics within
an overall topic. Although they are all part of the overall topic, the order in which
they are presented really doesn’t matter. For example, you are currently attending
college. Within your college, there are various student services that are important
for you to use while you are here. You may use the library, The Learning Center
(TLC), Student Development office, ASG Computer lab, and Financial Aid. To
organize this speech topically, it doesn’t matter which area you speak about first,
but here is how you could organize it.
Topic: Student Services at College of the Canyons
Thesis and Preview: College of the Canyons has five important student services,
which include the library, TLC, Student Development Office, ASG Computer Lab, and
Financial Aid.
I. The library can be accessed five days a week and online and has a multitude
of books, periodicals, and other resources to use.
II. The TLC has subject tutors, computers, and study rooms available to use six
days a week.
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III. The Student Development Office is a place that assists students with their ID
cards, but also provides students with discount tickets and other student
related needs.
IV. The ASG computer lab is open for students to use for several hours a day, as
well as to print up to 15 pages a day for free.
V. Financial Aid is one of the busiest offices on campus, offering students a

multitude of methods by which they can supplement their personal finances
paying for both tuition and books.
Spatial Pattern
Another way to organize the points of a speech is through a spatial speech, which
arranges main points according to their physical and geographic relationships. The
spatial style is an especially useful organization pattern when the main point’s
importance is derived from its location or directional focus. Things can be described
from top to bottom, inside to outside, left to right, north to south, and so on.
Importantly, speakers using a spatial style should offer commentary about the
placement of the main points as they move through the speech, alerting audience
members to the location changes. For instance, a speech about The University of
Georgia might be arranged spatially; in this example, the spatial organization frames
the discussion in terms of the campus layout. The spatial style is fitting since the
differences in architecture and uses of space are related to particular geographic
areas, making location a central organizing factor. As such, the spatial style
highlights these location differences.
Topic: University of Georgia (Spatial Pattern)
Thesis: The University of Georgia is arranged into four distinct sections, which are
characterized by architectural and disciplinary differences.
I. In North Campus, one will find the University’s oldest building, a sprawling
tree- lined quad, and the famous Arches, all of which are nestled against
Athens’ downtown district.
II. In West Campus, dozens of dormitories provide housing for the University’s
large undergraduate population and students can regularly be found
lounging outside or at one of the dining halls.
III. In East Campus, students delight in newly constructed, modern buildings and
enjoy the benefits of the University’s health center, recreational facilities, and
science research buildings.
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IV. In South Campus, pharmacy, veterinary, and biomedical science students
traverse newly constructed parts of campus featuring well-kept landscaping
and modern architecture.
Causal Pattern
A causal speech informs audience members about causes and effects that have
already happened with respect to some condition, event, etc. One approach can be
to share what caused something to happen, and what the effects were. Or, the
reverse approach can be taken where a speaker can begin by sharing the effects of
something that occurred, and then share what caused it. For example, in 1994, there
was a 6.7 magnitude earthquake that occurred in the San Fernando Valley in
Northridge, California. Using the causal pattern, let’s look at how we can arrange
this speech first by using a cause-effect pattern:
Topic: Northridge Earthquake
Thesis: The Northridge earthquake was a devastating event that was caused by an
unknown fault and resulted in the loss of life and billions of dollars of damage.
I. The Northridge earthquake was caused by a fault that was previously

unknown and located nine miles beneath Northridge.
Internal Summary/Preview: Now that you know what caused the earthquake,
let’s look at the devastation it caused.
II. The Northridge earthquake resulted in the loss of 57 lives and over 40 billion
dollars of damage in Northridge and surrounding communities.
Depending on your topic, you may decide it is more impactful to start with the
effects, and work back to the causes (effect-cause pattern). Let’s take the same
example and flip it around:
Thesis: The Northridge earthquake was a devastating event that was that resulted
in the loss of life and billions of dollars in damage, and was caused by an unknown
fault below Northridge.
I. The Northridge earthquake resulted in the loss of 57 lives and over 40 billion
dollars of damage in Northridge and surrounding communities.
Internal Summary/Preview: Now that you know how devastating the Northridge
earthquake was, let’s try and get a better understanding of what could cause
135 | F u
something like this to happen so you can find ways to become a better prepared
individual.
II. The Northridge earthquake was caused by a fault that was previously
unknown and located nine miles beneath Northridge.
Why might you decide to approach it with an effect-cause approach rather than a
cause-effect approach? In this particular example, the effects of the earthquake
were truly horrible. If you heard all of that information first, you would be much
more curious to hear about what caused such devastation. Sometimes natural
disasters are not that exciting, even when they are horrible. Why? Unless they
affect us directly, we may not have the same attachment to the topic. This is one
example where an effect-cause approach may be very impactful.
Organizing and Outlining:

Connecting Your Main Points
Since main points are discrete and
interconnected ideas, and since every
speech contains more than one main
point, it is necessary to strategically
make connections between one point
and another. To link the ideas of your
speech, you will need to develop
signposts, “words and gestures that
“Golden Gate Bridge” by RyanJWilmot. CC-BY-SA. allow you to move smoothly from one
idea to the next throughout your
speech, showing relationships between ideas and emphasizing important points.”[1]
There are several ways to incorporate signposts into your speech, and it is
important to do so since these small signals keep listeners engaged and informed
about where you are in the speech. Transitional statements, internal previews,
and summaries are all signposts that can help keep your speech moving along.
Transitional Statements to Show Similarity and Difference

To Show Similarity Between Points: To Show Difference Between Points:
• “Similarly” “However”
• “In the same way” “Unlike the last point”

136 | F u
• “Also” “On the other hand”
• “Likewise” “Conversely”
• “In other words” “In opposition”

• “Another view is that”
One way to connect points is to include transitional statements. Transitional
statements are phrases or sentences that lead from one distinct- but-connected idea
to another. They are used to alert audiences to the fact that you are getting ready to
discuss something else. When moving from one point to another, your transition
may just be a word or short phrase. For instance, you might say “next,” “also,” or
“moreover.” You can also enumerate your speech points and signal transitions by
starting each point with “First,” “Second,” “Third,” et cetera. You might also
incorporate non-verbal transitions, such as brief pauses or a movement across the
stage. Pausing to look at your audience, stepping out from behind a podium, or even
raising or lowering the rate of your voice can signal to audience members that you
are transitioning.
Another way to incorporate signposts

into your speech is by offering
internal summaries and internal
previews within your speech.
Summaries provide a recap of what
has already been said, making it more
likely that audiences will remember
the points that they hear again. For
example:
So far we have seen that the
pencil has a long and interesting
history. We also looked at the
many uses the
“Curvy Road” by Andy Sternberg. CC-BY-NC-SA. pencil has that you may not
have known about previously.
Like the name implies, internal previews lay out what will occur next in your
speech. They are longer than transitional words or signposts.
Next, let us explore what types of pencils there are to pick from that
will be best for your specific project.
Additionally, summaries can be combined with internal previews to alert audience
members that the next point builds on those that they have already heard.
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Now that I have told you about the history of the pencil, as well as its
many uses, let’s look at what types of pencils you can pick from that
might be best for your project.
It is important to understand that if you use an internal summary and internal

preview between main points, that you state a clear main point following the
internal preview. Here’s an example integrating all of the points on the pencil:
I. First, let tell you about the history of the pencil.
So far we have seen that the pencil has a long and interesting history. Now we
can look at how the pencil can be used.
II. The pencil has many different uses, ranging from writing and many types of
drawing.
Now that I have told you about the history of the pencil, as well as its many uses,
let’s look at what types of pencils you can pick from that might be best for your
project.
III. There are over fifteen different types of pencils to choose from ranging in
hardness and color.
The speaker below has just finished

discussing several reasons trout
habitats need federal protection, and
next he will discuss some ways that
audience members can agitate for
government action on these issues.
His combined internal summary and
“Trout” by Jonathunder. CC-BY-SA. preview would look something like
this:
So, in review, trout habitats need federal protection because they bear a large pollution
burden, they mostly exist on private property, and they are indicators of other
environmental health issues. Next, I will discuss some ways that you can encourage the
federal government to protect these habitats.
In this example, the speaker first reminds audience members of what he has already
addressed and then tells them what he will talk about next. By repeating the main
points in summary fashion, the speaker gives audience members another
opportunity to consider his main ideas.
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Good communication does not mean that you have to speak in perfectly formed
sentences and paragraphs. It isn’t about slickness. Simple and clear go a long way. ~ John
Kotter
1. Beebe, S. A. & Beebe, S. J. (2003). The public speaking handbook (5th edition).
Boston: Pearson.
Organizing and Outlining: Outlining Your Speech

Most speakers and audience members would agree that an organized speech is both
easier to present as well as more persuasive. Public speaking teachers especially
believe in the power of organizing your speech, which is why they encourage (and
often require) that you create an outline for your speech. Outlines, or textual
arrangements of all the various elements of a speech, are a very common way of
organizing a speech before it is delivered. Most extemporaneous speakers keep
their outlines with them during the speech as a way to ensure that they do not leave
out any important elements and to keep them on track. Writing an outline is also
important to the speechwriting process since doing so forces the speakers to think
about the main ideas, known as main points, and sub-points, the examples they wish
to include, and the ways in which these elements correspond to one another. In
short, the outline functions both as an organization tool and as a reference for
delivering a speech.
Outline Types
There are two types of outlines. The
first outline you will write is called the
preparation outline. Also called a
skeletal, working, practice, or rough
outline, the preparation outline is
used to work through the various
components of your speech in an
inventive format. Stephen E. Lucas[1]
put it simply: “The preparation outline
is just what its name implies—an
“Alpena Mayor Carol Shafto Speaks at 2011 Michigan outline that helps you prepare the
Municipal League Convention” by Michigan Municipal speech” (p. 248). When writing the
League. CC-BY-ND.
preparation outline, you should focus
on finalizing the specific purpose and thesis statements, logically ordering your
main points, deciding where supporting material should be included, and refining
139 | F u
the overall organizational pattern of your speech. As you write the preparation
outline, you may find it necessary to rearrange your points or to add or subtract
supporting material. You may also realize that some of your main points are
sufficiently supported while others are lacking. The final draft of your preparation
outline should include full sentences, making up a complete script of your entire
speech. In most cases, however, the preparation outline is reserved for planning
purposes only and is translated into a speaking outline before you deliver the
speech. Keep in mind though, even a full sentence outline is not an essay.
A speaking outline is the outline you will prepare for use when delivering the
speech. The speaking outline is much more succinct than the preparation outline
and includes brief phrases or words that remind the speakers of the points they
need to make, plus supporting material and signposts.[2] The words or phrases used
on the speaking outline should briefly encapsulate all of the information needed to
prompt the speaker to accurately deliver the speech. Although some cases call for
reading a speech verbatim from the full-sentence outline, in most cases speakers
will simply refer to their speaking outline for quick reminders and to ensure that
they do not omit any important information. Because it uses just words or short
phrases, and not full sentences, the speaking outline can easily be transferred to
index cards that can be referenced during a speech. However, check with your
instructor regarding what you will be allowed to use for your speech.
Outline Structure
Because an outline is used to arrange all of the elements of your speech, it makes
sense that the outline itself has an organizational hierarchy and a common format.
Although there are a variety of outline styles, generally they follow the same pattern
and use symbols to represent ideas as they are subordinated, or broken down into
smaller ideas.
Main Points
Main points are the main ideas in the speech. In other words, the main points are
what your audience should remember from your talk, and they are phrased as
single, declarative sentences. These are never phrased as a question, nor can they
be a quote or form of citation. Any supporting material you have will be put in your
outline as a sub point. Since this is a public speaking class, your instructor will
decide how long your speeches will be, but in general, you can assume that no
speech will be longer than 10 minutes in length. Given that alone, we can make one
assumption. All speeches will fall between 2 to 5 main points based simply on
length alone. If you are working on an outline and you have ten main points,
something is wrong, and you need to revisit your ideas to see how you need to
reorganize your points.
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All main points are preceded by Roman numerals (I, II, III, etc.). Sub-points are
preceded by capital letters (A, B, C, etc.), then Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc.),
lowercase letters (a, b, c, etc.), Arabic numerals with parentheses ( (1), (2), (3), etc.),
and finally lower case letters with parentheses ( (a), (b), (c), etc.). You can
subordinate further than this. Speak with your instructor regarding his or her
specific instructions.
Each level of subordination is also differentiated from its predecessor by indenting a

few spaces. Indenting makes it easy to find your main points, sub-points, and the
supporting points and examples below them.
Let’s work on understanding how to take main ideas and break them into
smaller ideas by subordinating them further and further as we go by using the
following outline example:
Topic: Dog
General Purpose: To Inform
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about characteristics of dogs
Thesis: There are many types of dogs that individuals can select from before
deciding which would make the best family pet.
Preview: First, I will describe the characteristics of large breed dogs, and then I will
discuss characteristics of small breed dogs.
I. First, let’s look at characteristics of large breed dogs.

A. Some large breed dogs need daily activity.
B. Some large breed dogs are dog friendly.
C. Some large breed dogs drool.
1. If you are particularly neat, you may not want one of these.
a. Bloodhounds drool the most.
1) After eating is one of the times drooling is bad.
2) The drooling is horrible after they drink, so
beware!
b. English bloodhounds drool a lot as well.
2. If you live in an apartment, these breeds could pose a problem.
II. Next, let’s look at characteristics of small breed dogs. A. Some
small breed dogs need daily activity.
B. Some small breed dogs are dog friendly.
C. Some small breed dogs are friendly to strangers.
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1. Welsh Terriers love strangers.
a. They will jump on people.
b. They will wag their tails and nuzzle.
2. Beagles love strangers.
3. Cockapoo’s also love strangers.
Subordination and Coordination

You should have noticed that as ideas were broken down, or subordinated, there
was a hierarchy to the order. To check your outline for coherence, think of the
outline as a staircase. All of the points that are beneath and on a diagonal to the
points above them are subordinate points. So using the above example, points A, B,
and C dealt with characteristics of large breed dogs, and those points are all
subordinate to main point I. Similarly, points 1 and 2 under point C both dealt
with drool, so those are subordinate. If we had discussed food under point C, you
would know that something didn’t make sense. You will also see that there is
coordination of points. As part of the hierarchy, coordination simply means that all
of the numbers or letters should represent the same idea. In this example, A, B, and
C were all characteristics, so those are all coordinate to each other. Had C been
“German Shepherd” then the outline would have been incorrect because that is a
type of dog, not a characteristic.
Parallelism
Another important rule in outlining is known as parallelism. This means that when
possible, you begin your sentences in a similar way, using a similar grammatical
structure. For example, in the previous example on dogs, some of the sentences
began “some large breed dogs.” This type of structure adds clarity to your speaking.
Students often worry that parallelism will sound boring. It’s actually the opposite!
It adds clarity. However, if you had ten sentences in a row, we would never
recommend you begin them all the same way. That is where transitions come into
the picture and break up any monotony that could occur.
Division
The principle of division is an important part of outlining. When you have a main
point, you will be explaining it. You should have enough meaningful information
that you can divide it into two subpoints A and B. If subpoint A has enough
information that you can explain it, then it, too should be able to be divided into two
subpoints. So, division means this: If you have an A, then you need a B; if you have a
1, then you need a 2, and so on. What if you cannot come up with a divided point?
In a case like that you would simply change the point above.
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Since there are three sections to your speech— introduction, body, and conclusion—
your outline needs to include all of them. Each of these sections is titled, but it is
up to your individual instructor as to whether or not the introduction and
conclusion will be outlined. Check with your instructor but note the examples
below:
SAMPLE OUTLINE WITH INTRODUCTION AND CONCLUSION NOT OUTLINED (Note:

Some professors make ask the introduction in a slightly different order.)
SPEECH TITLE: How to outline a speech
SPECIFIC PURPOSE STATEMENT: To inform my audience how they can outline a speech
INTRODUCTION:
Attention Getter: Tell a story about the time when outlining helped me pass an essay
exam.
Thesis: Tell the audience what the purpose of the speech is; what they will know or
learn about when you are done.
Credibility: Tell the audience why you are qualified to speak on the topic.
Relevance or relationship to audience: Tell the audience why the topic is important for
them to hear about.
Preview: Tell the audience what main points you will cover in your speech.
BODY:
I. Main point I
A. Sup point 1
1. Sub sub point 1
2. Sub sub point 2
B. Sub point 2
1. Sub sub point 1
2. Sub sub point 2
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(Internal Summary/Internal Preview)
II. Main point II
A. Sub point 1
1. Sub sub point 1
2. Sub sub point 2
B. Sub point 2
1. Sub sub point 1
2. Sub sub point 2
CONCLUSION
Signal/Transition to Conclusion – This can be a verbal or nonverbal signal
Restatement of Thesis and Preview - Summarize what you covered in the speech by
restating what your speech purpose was and what you covered.
Closing statement – You can use a technique that is used for an attention getter. This is
an opportunity to be impactful, and leave the audience in the proper frame of mind so
that they think about what you said during the speech.
SAMPLE OUTLINE WITH INTRODUCTION AND CONCLUSION OUTLINED
SPEECH TITLE: How to outline a speech
SPECIFIC PURPOSE STATEMENT: To inform my audience how they can outline a speech
INTRODUCTION:
I. Attention Getter: Tell a story about the time when outlining helped me pass an
essay exam.
II. Thesis: Tell the audience what the purpose of the speech is; what they will know
or learn about when you are done.
III. Credibility: Tell the audience why you are qualified to speak on the topic.
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IV. Relevance: Tell the audience why the topic is important for them to hear about.
V. Preview: Tell the audience what main points you will cover in your speech.
BODY:
I. Main point I
A. Sub point 1
1. Sub sub point 1
2. Sub sub point 2
B. Sub point 2
1. Sub sub point 1
2. Sub sub point 2
(Internal Summary/Internal Preview)
II. Main point II
A. Sub point 1
1. Sub sub point 1
2. Sub sub point 2 B. Sub sub point
1. Sub sub point 1
2. Sub sub point 2
CONCLUSION
I. Signal/Transition to Conclusion – This can be a verbal or nonverbal signal
II. Restatement of Thesis and Preview - Summarize what you covered in the
speech by restating what your speech purpose was and what you covered.
III. Closing statement – You can use a technique that is used for an attention getter.
This is an opportunity to be impactful, and leave the audience in the proper
frame of mind so that they think about what you said during the speech.
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Preparation Outline
This chapter contains the preparation and speaking outlines for a short speech the
author of this chapter gave about how small organizations can work on issues
related to climate change (see appendices). In this example, the title, specific
purpose, thesis, and list of visual aids precedes the speech. Depending on your
instructor’s requirements, you may need to include these details plus additional
information. It is also a good idea to keep these details at the top of your document
as you write the speech since they will help keep you on track to developing an
organized speech that is in line with your specific purpose and helps prove your
thesis. At the end of the chapter, in Appendix A, you can find a full length example of
a Preparation (Full Sentence) Outline.
Speaking Outline
In Appendix B, the Preparation Outline is condensed into just a few short key words
or phrases that will remind speakers to include all of their main points and
supporting information. The introduction and conclusion are not included since
they will simply be inserted from the Preparation Outline. It is easy to forget your
catchy attention-getter or final thoughts you have prepared for your audience, so it
is best to include the full sentence versions even in your speaking outline.
Using the Speaking Outline

Once you have prepared the outline and are almost
ready to give your speech, you should decide how
you want to format your outline for presentation.
Many speakers like to carry a stack of papers with
them when they speak, but others are more
comfortable with a smaller stack of index cards with
the outline copied onto them. Moreover, speaking
instructors often have requirements for how you
should format the speaking outline. Whether you
decide to use index cards or the printed outline, here
are a few tips. First, write large enough so that you
do not have to bring the cards or pages close to your
eyes to read them. Second, make sure you have the
cards/pages in the correct order and bound together
in some way so that they do not get out of order.
“TAG speaks of others first” by Texas Third, just in case the cards/pages do get out of
order Military Forces. CC-BY-ND. (this happens too often!), be sure that you number each in
the top right corner so you can quickly and easily get things organized. Fourth, try
not to fiddle with the cards/pages when you are speaking. It is best to lay them
146 | F u
down if you have a podium or table in front of you. If not, practice reading from
them in front of a mirror. You should be able to look down quickly, read the text, and
then return to your gaze to the audience.
Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex… It takes a touch of
genius – and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction. ~ Albert Einstein
1. Lucas, Stephen E. (2004). The art of public speaking (8th edition). New York:
McGraw-
2. Beebe, S. A. & Beebe, S. J. (2003). The public speaking handbook (5th edition).
Boston: Pearson.
Organizing and Outlining: Conclusion
If you have been using this chapter to guide you through the organizational stages of
writing your speech, you have likely discovered that getting organized is very
challenging but also very rewarding. Like cleaning up a messy kitchen or organizing
your closet, doing the more tedious work of organizing your speech is an activity
you will appreciate most once it is done. From the very beginning stages of
organization, like choosing a topic and writing a thesis statement, to deciding how
best to arrange the main points of your speech and outlining, getting organized is
one step toward an effective and engaging speech or presentation.
Had Meg, the student mentioned in the opening anecdote, taken some time to work
through the organizational process, it is likely her speech would have gone much
more smoothly when she finished her introduction. It is very common for beginning
speakers to spend a great deal of their time preparing catchy introductions, fancy
PowerPoint presentations, and nice conclusions, which are all very important.
However, the body of any speech is where the speaker must make effective
arguments, provide helpful information, entertain, and the like, so it makes sense
that speakers should devote a proportionate amount of time to these areas as well.
By following this chapter, as well as studying the other chapters in this text, you
should be prepared to craft interesting, compelling, and organized speeches.
Organizing and Outlining: Module Activities
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REVIEW QUESTIONS
2. Name three questions you
should ask yourself when
selecting a topic.
3. What is the difference between
a general and specific purpose
statement? Write examples of
each for each of these topics:
dog training, baking a cake,
climate change. 4. How does the
thesis statement “Alt-Disney $11” by Jeff Carson. CC-BY-NC-SA.
differ from the specific purpose
statement?
5. Which speech organization style arranges points by time? Which one arranges
points by direction? Which one arranges points according to a five-step
sequence?
6. Which speech organization styles are best suited for persuasive speeches?
7. Define signpost. What are three types of signposts?
8. What is the correct format for a speech outline?
Glossary
Chronological Speech
A speech in which the main points are delivered according to when they happened and
could be traced on a calendar or clock.
Comparative Speech
A speech in which two or more objects, ideas, beliefs, events, places, or things are
compared or contrasted with one another.
Causal Speech
A speech that informs audience members about causes and effects that have already
happened.
General Purpose Statement

The overarching goal of a speech; for instance, to inform, to persuade, to inspire, to
celebrate, to mourn, or to entertain.
Internal Summaries and Previews

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Short descriptions of what a speaker has said and what will be said between main
points.
Main Points
The key pieces of information or arguments contained within a talk or presentation.
Organizational Styles
Templates for organizing the main points of a speech that are rooted in traditions of
public discourse and can jumpstart the speechwriting process.
Outline
Hierarchal textual arrangement of all the various elements of a speech.
Parallel Structure
Main points that are worded using the same structure.
Preparation Outline
A full-sentence outline that is used during the planning stages to flesh out ideas, arrange
main points, and to rehearse the speech; could be used as a script if presenting a
manuscript style speech.
Preview Statement
The road map that you provide the audience of the main points you will cover during
your speech. The sentences that detail what your main points will be (e.g. First, I will
describe…, Second, I will explain…. Finally, I will let you know…)
Refutation Speech
A speech that anticipates the audience’s opposition, then brings attention to the
tensions between the two sides, and finally refutes them using evidential support.
Signposts
According to Beebe and Beebe, “words and gestures that allow you to move smoothly
from one idea to the next throughout your speech, showing relationships between ideas
and emphasizing important points” (2005, p. 204).
Spatial Speech
A speech in which the main points are arranged according to their physical and
geographic relationships.
Speaking Outline
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A succinct outline that uses words or short phrases to represent the components of a
speech and that is used during speech delivery.
Specific Purpose Statement

A sentence of two that describe precisely what the speech is intended to do.
Sub-Points
Information that is used to support the main points of a speech.
Summaries
Short recaps of what has already been said; used to remind the audience of the points
already addressed.
Thesis Statement
A one-sentence encapsulation of the main points of a speech, also called the central
idea.
Topical Speech
A speech in which main points are developed separately and are generally connected
together within the introduction and conclusion.
Transitional Statements
Phrases or sentences that lead from one distinct-but-connected idea to another.
Organizing and Outlining: References

Beebe, S. A. & Beebe, S. J. (2003). The public speaking handbook (5th edition). Boston:
Pearson.
Bower, G. H. (1990). Organizational factors in memory. Cognitive Psychology, 1, 18-46.
Bitzer, L. (1968). The rhetorical situation. Philosophy & Rhetoric, 1(1), 1-14.
Lucas, Stephen E. (2004). The art of public speaking (8th edition). New York: McGraw-
Hill.
Monroe, A. H. (1949). Principles and types of speech. Glenview, IL: Scott, Foresman and
Company.
O’Hair, D., Stewart, R., Rubenstein, H. (2004). A speaker’s guidebook: Text and reference (2nd
edition). Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s.
Verderber, R. F., Verderber, K. S., & Sellnow, D. D. (2008). The challenge of effective
speaking (14th edition). Belmont, CA: Thomson Learning.
Zarefsky, D. (2010). Public speaking: Strategies for success (6th edition). Boston: Allyn &
Bacon.
photo credits
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p. 3 Bog Turtle by R.G. Tucker
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bog_turtle_sun ning.jpg
p. 4 Oscar Mayer Wienermobile byJalopnik

http://jalopnik.com/5310348/ten+pack-of-dogs-history- of-
thewienermobile/gallery/1
p. 4 Mac vs PC
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2011/TECH/web/04/22/ma
c.pc.users/t1larg.mac.pc.2.jpg
p. 5 Rio Nido Mudslide by Dave Gately

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:FEMA_- _1337_-
_Photograph_by_Dave_Gatley_taken_on_03-01- 1998_in_California.jpg
p. 8 Rainbow Trout by Jonathunder

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Trout.jpg
p. 8 Mayor Carol Shafto by Michigan Municipal League

http://www.flickr.com/photos/michigancommunities/62 28314099/
p. 10 Maj. Gen John Nichols by Texas Military

Forceshttp://www.flickr.com/photos/texasmilitaryforces/55604 49970/
Organizing and Outlining: Appendix A

Example Preparation (Full Sentence) Outline
SAMPLE INTRODUCTION SPEECH
INTRODUCTION:
Attention Getter: By looking at me, you might think I’m just a middle aged white
woman, but we’ve all heard you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover!
Central Idea (Thesis): Diversity and experience have made me the person that I am, and
sharing this with you will help you see beyond the surface and learn more about who I
am.
Credibility/Relevance: Obviously, I know myself well enough to talk about myself, but
you’d be surprised how one person’s experience can actually help you in your own life.
Preview: First, I’m going to tell you about my background and family. Then, I’m going to
tell you about the main hobby in my life. Finally, I’m going to tell you about a really sad
and scary incident that happened when I was just 19 years old.
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BODY:
I. First, let me tell you a little about my background and family.
A. I’m a first generation American, born to parents who came to the United
States from China during the late 1930’s.
B. I have one older brother who is in the medical field.
C. I’m married to Scott, my husband of 27 years.
D. I have two children: a son who lives in England with his wife, and a
daughter who is a graduate student and instructor at a local university. E.
I also have a 98 year old mother who lives with us.
1. My mom has dementia and is slowly declining.
2. My mom can’t hear well at all, so in some ways that has made the
difficult things easier to cope with.
Internal Summary/Preview: Now that you know a little about my background and
family, let me tell you about my special hobby.
II. In my spare time, I have a hobby that centers on party planning.

A. I own enough fine China, crystal stemware, silver flatware, napkins,
napkin rings, chair covers, sashes, and more to do a party for 150 people.
B. I have thrown wedding showers, baby showers, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs,
and other special events like birthdays celebrating milestone years.
C. Though I don’t charge for my services, maybe someday that will become
a business for me.
Internal Summary/Preview: So, now that you know about my background and family,
and my special hobby, let me tell you about one of the scariest and saddest events in my
young adult life.
III. At the age of 19, I learned that a “friend” of my brother and our family, was
more than he professed to be.
A. After being friends for two years, we found out a terrible secret about my
brother’s friend Paul.
1. We thought we knew all we had to know: Paul was a Sheriff’s

deputy, and third year law student.
2. Paul was a friend who came over to our house all the time; and
hung out with us, or sometimes just me.
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3. One day we opened up the newspaper only to read that Paul had
been arrested on several counts of rape, and that the “ski mask
rapist” had been caught.
a. He was caught coming out of the apartment of the last woman
he had raped.
b. He was carrying the ski mask in his hand.
B. That day I learned never to judge a book by its cover.
CONCLUSION:
Summary: Today, I’ve shared a little bit about myself. I told you about my background
and family, my hobby, and about my experience in learning that things aren’t always as
they seem.
Closing Statement: I hope next time you encounter something you think is obvious,
you’ll look twice before passing judgment.
Organizing and Outlining: Appendix B

Example Speaking Outline (Excluding Introduction and Conclusion)
I. Background and Family A. First Generation American

B. Older Brother
C. Married to Scott
D. Two Children
E. My mom
Internal Summary/Preview: Now that you know a little about my background and family, let me
tell you about my special hobby.
II. In my spare time, I have a hobby that centers on party planning.
A. All the china, crystal, etc. I own
B. Parties I have thrown.
C. Possible business someday
Internal Summary/Preview: So, now that you know about my background and family, and my
special hobby, let me tell you about one of the scariest and saddest events in my young adult
life.
III. At the age of 19, I learned that a “friend” of my brother and our
family, was more than he professed to be.
A. Secret about Paul (his background, who he was, what he had done, how he was
caught)
B. Don’t judge a book by its cover.
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Chapter 7: Introductions and Conclusions
By Warren Sandmann, Ph.D.
Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• List and describe the four functions of an introduction
• List and describe the common types of attention getters
• Describe and implement strategies for preparing introductions
• List and describe the four functions of a conclusion
• List and describe common types of conclusions
• Describe and implement strategies for preparing conclusions
• Apply chapter concepts in review questions and activities Chapter Outline
● Introduction
● Functions of Introductions o Gain Attention and Interest
o Gain Goodwill by building
credibility with audience
and relating topic to
audience. o Clearly
State the Purpose o
Preview and Structure
the Speech
● Attention-Getting Strategies o Tell a Story/Narrative o Refer to
the Occasion o Refer to Recent or Historical Events o Refer to
Previous Speeches o Refer to Personal Interest
o Use a Startling Statistic o
Use an Analogy o
Use a Quotation o
Ask a Question
o Use Humor
● Preparing the Introduction o Construct the Introduction Last
o Make it Relevant o
Make it Succinct o
Write it Out Word for
Word
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● Functions of Conclusions o Prepare the Audience for the end of the
speech
o Present Any Final Appeals o

Summarize and Close o
End with a Clincher o
Appeals and Challenges
● Composing the Conclusion o Prepare the Conclusion o Do Not
Include any New Information o Follow the Structure
● Conclusion
● Review Questions and Activities
● Glossary
● References
Introductions & Conclusions: Introduction

First impressions count. Carlin Flora, writing in
Psychology Today, recounts an experiment in which
people with no special training were shown 20- to
32second video clips of job applicants in the initial
stages of a job interview. After watching the short clips,
the viewers were asked to rate the applicants on
characteristics including self-assurance and likability—
important considerations in a job interview. These
ratings were then compared with the findings from the
trained interviewers who spent 20 minutes or more
with the job applicants. The result: The 20- to 32-
second ratings were basically the same as the ratings
from the trained interviewers.[1]
When we stand in front of an audience, we have very “Imagine Cup 2012” by ImagineCup. CC-BY.
little time to set the stage for a successful speech. As seen from the example
above, audience members begin evaluating us immediately. What we sometimes forget
since we are so focused on the words we have to say is that we are being evaluated
even before we open our mouths.
He has the deed half done who has made a beginning. ~ Horace
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1. Flora, C. (May-June 2004). The onceover you can trust: First impressions.
Psychology Today,
Introductions & Conclusions: Functions of Introductions

Speech introductions are an essential element of an effective public speech.
Introductions have four specific functions that need to be met in a very short period of
time. Introductions must gain the audience’s attention and their goodwill, they must
state the purpose of the speech and they must preview the main points.
These first two functions of the introduction, gaining the attention of the audience and
the good will of the audience, have most to do with getting the audience to want to
listen to you. You need to state your credibility and relate the topic to your audience.
The other two functions of the introduction, stating the purpose of the speech and
previewing the structure of the speech, have to do with helping the audience
understand you.
The secret of successful speakers? Passion and compassion with a purpose. ~ Lily Walters
Gain Attention and Interest

The first function of the introduction is to the
get the attention AND the interest of the
audience. The “and” here is important.
Anyone can walk into a room full of people
sitting quietly, and YELL AT THE TOP OF
THEIR LUNGS. That will get attention.
However, it will probably not garner much
interest—at least not much positive interest.
Gaining attention and interest is essential if
you want the audience to listen to what you
“Yell” by Vetustense Photorogue. CC-BY-NC. have to say, and audiences will decide fairly quickly if
they want to pay attention. Standing in front of an audience, slouched, hands in
pockets, cap pulled low over your head, and mumbling, “my name is… and I am going to
tell you about…” is an effective method of NOT getting attention and interest. Before
you even open your mouth, your attire, stance, and physical presence are all sending
out loud signals that you have no interest in the speech, so why should the audience.
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Gain the Goodwill of the Audience
Over 2000 years ago, probably the pre-eminent speech teacher of all time,
Aristotle noted the importance of gaining the goodwill of the audience:
…it is not only necessary to consider how to make the speech itself demonstrative and
convincing, but also that the speaker should show himself to be of a certain
character…and that his hearers should think that he is disposed in a certain way toward
them; and further, that they themselves should be disposed in a certain way towards
him.[1]
When an audience has decided to listen to you—when you have gained their attention
and interest—you still need them to think favorably of you. The most effective way of
doing this is by establishing your credibility to speak. Credibility is your believability. You
are credible when the audience thinks you know what you are talking about. There are a
number of methods for developing credibility, and you will use them throughout the
speech. In the introduction, however, since you have comparatively little time to
develop this credibility, your options are a bit more limited.
To be persuasive, we must be believable. To be believable, we must be credible. To be

credible, we must be truthful. ~ Hellmut Walters
Essentially, credibility has two elements: external credibility and internal credibility.
External credibility is the type of credibility you as a speaker gain by association: use of
sources that the audience finds credible, for example. In an introduction, you may be
able to develop external credibility by this means, as we will see later in this section.
More importantly, given the immediate

nature of an introduction, is internal
credibility. You develop internal
credibility as the speaker through
specific actions. First, be appropriately
attired for a public presentation.
Second, make eye contact with the
audience before you speak. Third, speak
clearly, fluently and confidently. You can
also demonstrate internal credibility by
demonstrating personal
“Captive Audience” by J J. CC-BY-NC-ND. experience with or knowledge of the
topic of your speech. Audiences are
157 | F u
more positively disposed toward a speaker who has had experience with the topic of his
or her speech. You can also demonstrate credibility and goodwill by showing a
connection to your audience, demonstrating shared experiences or shared values.
A student giving a speech to a class about a month before spring break, right in the
middle of an extended cold spell of a long Midwestern winter, offered this introduction
as a way to show shared values and experiences:
I need everyone to close his or her eyes. All right, now I need everyone to picture how he
or she got to school today. Did you bundle up with a hat, some mittens, boots, and two
jackets because it’s so cold outside before you left for class? While walking to class, was
it cold? Did your ears burn from the icy wind blowing through the air? Were your hands
cold and chapped? Now I want you all to think about the sun beating down on your
body. Picture yourself lying on the beach with sand between your toes and the sound of
the ocean in the background. Or picture yourself poolside, with a Pina Coloda perhaps,
with tropical music playing in the background. Picture yourself in Mazatlan, Mexico.[2]
When speakers can identify with the

audience and can show how the
audience and the speaker share
experiences, then the audience is more
receptive to what the speaker has to
say. The speaker is both more credible
and more attractive to the audience.
The secret of success is constancy of
“Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay” by Bryce Edwards. CC-BY. purpose. ~ Benjamin Disraeli
Clearly State the Purpose

This seems like such a basic step, yet it is one too often missed; and without this step, it
is difficult for the audience to follow, much less evaluate and comprehend, a speech. In
both basic composition classes and basic public speaking classes, this function is much
the same: State the thesis or central idea of your speech. In all speeches, there should
be that one sentence, that one statement that succinctly and accurately lets the
audience know what the speech will be about and what the speaker plans to accomplish
in the speech. Speakers, especially novice speakers but also experienced ones, are so
concerned with the content of the speech that they forget to let us know about the
purpose. A good thesis statement clearly announces the topic and purpose of the
speech.
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For example, a standard problem- solution speech should have a thesis statement that
clearly states the problem and the need for a solution.
So right now let’s see how dependence on fossil fuels costs you money and how use of
ethanol as a supplement will save you money and save the world from energy
dependence.
We know the topic and we know what the speaker will be attempting to prove. Once a
thesis statement is clearly announced, the final function of the introduction is ready.
Preview and Structure the Speech

The thesis statement lets the audience know what the speech is about and what you as
speaker want to accomplish. The preview statement lets the audience know HOW you
will develop the speech. A preview can be understood as a roadmap—a direction for the
speech that leads to a successful conclusion. A preview lets the audience know what will
come first, what comes next, and so on, to the end of the speech.
The preview is essentially an outline—an oral outline—of the basic organizational

pattern of the speech. Previews help the audience follow the content because they
already know the structure. Remember, though, that the basic structure of a speech is
not linear, it is circular. Organizational patterns for speeches have a conclusion which, as
we will see later, brings the audience back to the beginning.
Taking as an example the thesis statement from above, a sample preview for that
speech could appear as the following:
To see how we can end our dependence on fossil fuels,

we will first take a look at why we as a society are so
dependent upon fossil fuels; secondly, find out what
continues to cause this dependence; and finally, see
how ethanol as a fuel supplement will help end this
dependence and make the world a better place for all
of us.
“Oil Well” by joshuadelaughter. CC-BY-NC.
1. Aristotle (1982). The art of rhetoric. (J.H. Freese, Trans.). Cambridge, MA: Harvard
University Press.
2.
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Introductions & Conclusions: Attention-Getting Strategies
Now that we have discussed the four basic functions of the introduction, let’s look at
ten potential attention-getting strategies. This is not an exhaustive list, and many of
these attention getters can be combined or adapted to fit the needs of the speaker, the
occasion and the audience. Regardless of the specific strategy used for the introduction,
all introductions still need to meet the four basic functions of an introduction.
You will get good attention and people will be more inclined to listen to you if you can
make a statement whereby their response is… “No kidding!” ~ Gael Boardman
Tell a Story
Human beings love stories. In all
cultures, stories are used to
communicate and share values,
traditions and knowledge. Rhetorician
Walter Fisher[1] argues that human
beings are best understood as homo
narrans, as people who tell stories. As
an introductory device, stories (and
anecdotes and illustrations) are very
“National Prayer Breakfast” by Paul Morse. Public domain. effective attention getters.
First, stories have a built-in structure that everyone recognizes and expects. Stories have
a beginning, middle and end, and this built-in structure allows the audience and the
speaker to immediately share this experience.
Secondly, because this built-in structure, stories as attention getters lend themselves
readily to a well- structured speech. You as speaker can start the story, get right to the
climax, and then stop. You have the attention of the audience; you have shared
experiences with them; and now you also have the conclusion of the speech all set to
go—the end of the story.
Speakers who talk about what life has taught them never fail to keep the attention of
their listeners. ~ Dale Carnegie
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Refer to the Occasion
You are presenting this speech for a reason. The audience is present at this speech for a
reason. These reasons can provide you with an effective attention getter. Referring to
the occasion is often used as an introduction to tribute speeches, toasts, dedication
ceremonies and historical events. Speech scholar Lloyd Bitzer[2] argues that all speeches
are made at least in part in response to specific occasions, so referring to the occasion
seems a good idea.
Bono, lead singer of the rock group U2 and an activist for a number of humanitarian
issues, addressed the 54th annual National Prayer Breakfast, and started his speech
with these words:
Well, thank you. Thank you Mr. President, First Lady, King Abdullah of Jordan, Norm
[Coleman], distinguished guests. Please join me in praying that I don’t say something
we’ll all regret.[3]
Refer to Recent or Historical Events

In addition to referring to the occasion, another effective attention- getting device is to
refer to current events or to historical events. This style of reference again helps to
create a shared experience for the speaker and the audience, as the speaker reminds all
present that they have these events in common. Additionally, referring to current or
historical events can also help establish goodwill and personal credibility by
demonstrating that the speaker is aware of the relationship between this particular
speech and what is going on in the world at that time, or what has occurred in the past.
Abraham Lincoln (1863), in one of the most well-known

speeches in American history, refers both to historical
events and current events in the beginning of the
Gettysburg Address:
Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth
on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and
dedicated to the proposition that all men are created
equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing
whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so
dedicated can long endure.
History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived,

but if faced with courage, need not be lived again. ~
Maya Angelou
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“Abraham Lincoln” by Alexander
Gardner. Public domain.
Refer to Previous Speeches

Most of you reading this material are doing so because you are in a public speaking or
introductory communication class of some kind. And that means that most of you will
be presenting your speeches right after someone else has presented his or her speech.
Even if you are not in a classroom situation, many other speaking situations (such as
presenting at a city council or other government meeting, or taking part in a forum or
lecture series) result in speakers presenting right after another person has spoken.
In these situations, speakers before you may have

already addressed some of the information you were
planning to discuss, or perhaps have given a speech on
the same topic you are now planning to address. By
referring to the previous speeches, you enhance your
credibility by showing your knowledge of the previous
speech, and you have the opportunity to either compare
or contrast your speech to the previous speeches.
Edward Kennedy, at the 1980 Democratic National

Convention, began his speech with a short tribute and
acknowledgement to the previous speaker, member of
Congress Barbara Mikulski:
“Ted Kennedy, Senator from
Thanks very much, Barbara Mikulski, for your very Massachusetts” by United States
Senate. Public domain.
eloquent, your eloquent introduction. Distinguished
legislator, great spokeswoman for economic democracy and social justice in this
country, I thank you for your eloquent introduction.
Refer to Personal Interest

One of the key considerations in choosing an appropriate topic for your speech is that
you have a personal interest in that topic. An effective attention getter then, can be
your description of that personal interest. By noting your personal interest, you will
demonstrate your credibility by showing your knowledge and experience with this topic,
and because you have a personal interest, you are more likely to present this
information in a lively and clear manner—again, enhancing your credibility. Referring to
your personal interest in this topic in the introduction also helps you set the stage for
additional anecdotes or examples from your personal experience later in the speech.
162 | F u
In speaking at the 1992 Democratic National Convention, Elizabeth Glaser began her
speech by acknowledging her very personal interest in the topic:
I’m Elizabeth Glaser. Eleven years ago, while giving birth to my first child, I hemorrhaged
and was transfused with seven pints of blood. Four years later, I found out that I had
been infected with the AIDS virus and had unknowingly passed it to my daughter, Ariel,
through my breast milk, and my son, Jake, in utero.[4]
Use Startling Statistics

Startling statistics startle an audience and catch its attention, and encourage that
audience to listen further as you present the context of the surprising statistic.
Longtime radio announcer Paul Harvey is well known for the catch phrase “And now,
the rest
“Happy Pi Day” by Mykl Roventine. CC-BY-NC-SA. together.
of the story.” The same function should be at

work here. When you startle the audience,
you set them up to want to hear the “rest of
the story.”
Be careful, though. Use of startling statistics

requires that you do a number of things.
First, make sure the statistic is accurate.
Second, make sure the statistic is relevant to
the topic of the speech. Startling an audience
with an irrelevant statistic diminishes the
speech and decreases your credibility. Third,
make sure you then present “the rest of the
story.” You need to place this startling
statistic in the context of your speech so that
everything fits
One speaker used an effective startling statistic to help introduce a speech on the
dangers of heart disease:
According to the Center for Disease Control, in the United States 26.6 million adults have
heart disease. This would be about 12% of adults, or three people in this room.
Use an Analogy
Analogies compare something that your audience knows and understands with
something new and different. For your speech, then, you can use an analogy to show a
connection between your speech topic (something new and different for the audience)
and something that is known by your audience.
Analogies can be effective because they use ideas, information and values of the
audience to draw a connection to your speech topic—and to you as a speaker.
Analogies create connections between you and the audience.
One very common (and often misquoted) analogy comes from the 1919 Supreme Court
case of Schenck v United States. Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes used this analogy to
164 | F u n d a m e n t a l s o f P u b l i c S p e a k i n
g-CollegeoftheCanyons
support his reasoning that some forms of expression can be suppressed because they
present a “clear and present danger.” Holmes noted that “[t]he most stringent
protection of free speech would not protect a man falsely shouting fire in a theater and
causing a panic.”[5]
One good analogy is worth three hours discussion. ~ Dudley Field Malone
Use a Quotation
Using a quotation from a well- known figure, or
using a quotation from a lesser-known figure if the
quotation is particularly suitable for your speech
topic, is a common attention-getting technique.
When you quote that well-known figure, you are in
a sense, borrowing some of that person’s credibility
for your speech, enhancing your credibility with the
audience. Even when you use a less than wellknown
figure, the quotation can be effective if it nicely sets
up your speech topic and is something to which
your audience can relate.
Be careful with quotations, however. First, just using

the quotation is not sufficient. You need to place
“Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes” by the quotation in the context of your speech (as well
National Photo Company. Public as meet the other required functions of an
domain.
introduction, of course). bad (and somewhat lazy) habit of simply
Second, it is easy to fall into a
finding a quotation and using it to start every speech. Third, simply using a quotation is
no guarantee that your audience will find that quotation interesting or apt for the
speech, and may also find the author of the quotation to be lacking in credibility—or
your audience may simply not like the author of the quotation. Finally, beware of
overly- long quotations (three or more sentences): Remember, this is just part of the
introduction, not a main point of the speech.
In his farewell address, former

President Ronald Reagan (1989)
utilized a very short quotation to
emphasize his feelings upon
leaving office.
People ask how I feel about
leaving. And the fact is, “parting is
such sweet sorrow.” The sweet
part is California and the ranch
and freedom. The sorrow — the
goodbyes, of course, and leaving
this beautiful place.
“Reagan farewell salute” by White House Photographic Office.
Public domain.
Using rhetorical questions in speeches is a great way to keep the audience involved.
Don’t you think those kinds of questions would keep your attention? ~ Bo Bennett
Ask a Question
The use of questions can be a very effective way to get attention, whether those
questions are rhetorical in nature, and are only meant to be considered and pondered
by the audience, or are meant to be answered by the audience (generally a good
technique to get audience involvement and interest).
Rhetorical questions are designed to allow you as speaker to get the audience to think
about your topic without actually speaking the answer to the question. Rhetorical
questions allow you as speaker to maintain the most control over a speech situation,
and allow you to guard against an inappropriate or even offensive response.
Using questions that ask for real responses, however, has additional benefits, if a
speaker feels comfortable with his or her audience, and is able to handle some
impromptu situations. Getting the audience to physically and verbally involve
themselves in your topic guarantees that they’re paying attention. Using questions that
lead to positive answers can also enhance your connection to and credibility with the
audience.
Starting a speech with a question whether rhetorical or actual does require thought and
practice on your part. You need to carefully consider the question and possible answers.
Remember—even if you think the question is rhetorical, your audience may not know
this and may answer the question. You also need to carefully deliver the question. Too
often, speakers will use a question as an introduction—but then give the audience no
time to either think about the answer or answer the question. You need to use timing
and pause when starting with a question. You also need to be careful to use eye contact
in asking questions, since you are above all asking for audience involvement, and your
eye contact requests that involvement.
It is not enough for me to ask questions; I want to know how to answer the one question
that seems to encompass everything I face: What am I here for? ~ Abraham Joshua
Heschel
In 1992, Ross Perot selected a little-known retired military figure, Admiral James
Stockdale, as his Vice Presidential running mate. In the fall debates, Stockdale began his
opening statement with two questions: “Who am I? Why am I here?” (Stockdale, 1992).
The questions received applause and also laughter, though the later reaction to these
questions was mixed at best. Some saw this as confusion on the part of Stockdale.[6]
Stockdale considered these two questions to illustrate his difference from the other two
“mainstream” candidates, Al Gore and then Vice President Dan Quayle. Traditional
politicians, Gore and Quayle were readily recognized as compared to Stockdale. Humor
is the affectionate communication of insight. ~ Leo Rosten
Use Humor
The use of humor in an
introduction can be one of the
most effective types of
introductions—if done well.
Humor can create a
connection between the
speaker and audience, can get
an audience relaxed and in a
receptive frame of mind, and
can allow an audience to
perceive the speaker (and the
topic) in a positive light. “Audience enjoy Stallman’s jokes” by Wikimania2009 and Damiu00e1n Buonamico.
CC-BY.
Humor done badly can destroy
the speech and ruin a
speaker’s credibility.
So first, a word of warning: None of us (those reading this, those teaching this class, and
those writing this) are as funny as we think we are. If we were that funny, we would be
making our living that way. Humor is hard. Humor can backfire. Humor is to a large
extent situation-bound. Most likely, there will be a
number of members of your audience who do not use
English as a first language (there are plenty of people
reading this who are English as a Second Language
learners). Much humor requires a native understanding
of English. Most likely, there will be a number of people
in your audience who do not share your cultural
upbringing—and humor is often culturebound. Be careful
with humor.
In general, there is basically only one safe and suitable

style of humor: light and subtle self-deprecation. In other
words, you as speaker are the only really safe subject for
humor.
“Ann Richards” by Kenneth C.
Using humor to tell stories about other people, other Zirkel. CC-BY-SA.
groups, and even other situations, may work—but it is just
as likely to offend those people, members of those groups, and people in that situation.
Using self-deprecating humor will not offend others, but unless you can do this with a
light and subtle touch, you may be harming your credibility rather than creating a
connection between yourself and the audience.
Now, with all these warnings, you may want to stay far away from humor as an
introduction. Humor can work, however.
Ann Richards, at the 1988 Democratic National Convention, used humor in the
introduction to her Keynote Address. Knowing the audience, Richards was able to use
partisan humor to establish a connection to the audience and score points against the
political opposition.
I’m delighted to be here with you this evening, because after listening to George Bush all
these years, I figured you needed to know what a real Texas accent sounds like.
1. Fisher, W. (1987). Human communication as narration: Toward a philosophy of
reason, value, and action. Columbia: University of South Carolina Press. ↵
2. Bitzer, L. (1968). The rhetorical situation. Philosophy and Rhetoric, 1, 1–
3. Bono. (2006, February 2). Keynote address at the 54th national prayer breakfast.
Speech posted at http://www.americanrhetoric.com/sp
eeches/
4. Glaser, E. (1992, July 14). 1992 Democratic national convention address. Speech
posted at http://www.americanrhetoric.com/sp
5. Schenck v. United States, 249 US 47 (1919).

6. Lehrer, J. (Interviewer) & Stockdale, J. (Interviewee). (1999). Debating our Destiny:
Admiral James Stockdale. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/newshour/debati
ngourdestiny/interviews/stockdale.html
Introductions & Conclusions: Preparing

the Introduction
Construct the Introduction Last While

this may seem both counterintuitive
and somewhat strange, you really do
want to leave the development of the
introduction for the last part of your
speech preparation. Think of it this way:
You can’t introduce the ideas in your
speech until you have determined these
ideas.
“A woman typing on a laptop” by Matthew Bowden via
Wikipedia Commons. Permitted use.
The introduction is prepared last because you want to make sure that the body of the
speech drives the introduction, not the other way around. The body of the speech
contains most of your content, your arguments, your evidence, and your source
material: The introduction sets up the body, but it should not overwhelm the body of
the speech, nor should it dictate the content or structure of the speech.
Once you have the body of the speech complete, then you consider the introduction.
With the body of the speech complete, it is relatively simple to complete two of the four
functions of the introduction. You already know the purpose of the speech, so now you
need to put it in a one-sentence statement. And you already know the structure and
main points of the speech, so you can put that structure into the preview.
With the structural functions of the introduction complete, you can carefully choose and
craft the type of introduction you wish to use, and concentrate on making sure that the
introduction also fulfills the other two necessary functions: gaining the attention and
interest of the audience, and gaining the goodwill of the audience.
Make It Relevant
Another reason why your introduction should be the last part of your speech you
prepare is so that the introduction can relate to the speech. If you prepare the
introduction before you prepare the body of the speech, your introduction may be
wonderful—but completely disconnected from the rest of the speech.
When you consider the type of introduction you wish to use, you might note that many
of the types could easily lend themselves to disconnection from the speech. A startling
statistic may shock and get an audience’s attention—but if it is not relevant to the
speech itself, the introduction is at best wasted and more likely distracting to the
audience. A quotation may be both profound and catchy—but if the quotation has little
to do with the speech itself, the introduction is once again wasted or distracting.
Now, because your introduction will contain the thesis statement and preview, at least
part of the introduction will be relevant to the rest of the speech. However, the entire
introduction needs to be relevant. If your audience hears an introduction that they
perceive to lack connection to the rest of the speech, they will have difficulty following
your main ideas, any attention and interest you may have gained will be more than
offset by the loss of goodwill and personal credibility, and your speech will not make the
positive impression you desire.
The wise ones fashioned speech with their thought, sifting it as grain is sifted through a
sieve. ~ Buddha
Be Succinct
In most classroom speeches, and in most speech situations outside the classroom, the
speaker will be on a time limit. Even if you are giving a speech in a setting where there is
no stated time limit, most people will simply not pay attention to a speech that goes on
and on and on.
Since you are on a time limit, and since, as noted above, the body of the speech is the
heart of your speech, the introduction of your speech needs to be concise and succinct.
There is no magic formula for the length of an introduction, and you do need to meet all
four functions in your introduction. Many authors suggest that the introduction be no
more than 10-15% of the total speaking time.
Most audiences expect you to introduce

your speech and then move quickly into the
body of the speech. While the expectations
vary from culture to culture, most of the
speaking situations in which you will find
yourself will involve audiences that have
been taught to listen for an introduction
with a main thesis statement of some type.
This is the standard speech format with
which the majority of your audience will be
familiar and comfortable. Failing to meet
“Ed Milliband with banner” by allispossible.org.uk. CC-BY.
that expectation of your audience is in a
sense a violation, and communication scholars Burgoon and Hale[1] have shown that
expectancy violations create difficulties in communication situations.
Write It Out Word for Word

In another chapter, you may have read and studied speech delivery techniques, and in
your class, you may be encouraged to use an extemporaneous style of delivery for your
speeches. That is good advice. However, introductions are best written out word for
word and then delivered as memorized.
Introductions are succinct (as we learned above), and introductions have to do a lot of
work in a short period of time. Because of this, you as a speaker need to carefully
consider every word of your introduction. The best method for doing so is to write your
introduction out word for word. Then you can more easily see if you have met all four
functions, and can also have a very good idea just how long the introduction will be. Just
as importantly, memorizing and then delivering the introduction word for word gives
you the most control over this important (yet short) part of your speech.
1. Burgoon, J. K. & and Hale, J. L. (1988). Nonverbal expectancy violations: Model

elaboration and application to immediacy behaviors. Communication
Monographs,
Introductions & Conclusions: Functions
of Conclusions
So: You are at the end of your speech,
and you can’t wait to sit down and be
done! You start speeding up your rate of
delivery, but your volume goes down a
bit because you are rushing and running
out of breath. You finish the last main
point of your speech and race off to your
seat: That is not the best way to
conclude a speech.
Just as with introductions, conclusions

have specific functions to fulfill within a
speech. And just as with introductions,
there are a number of types of
conclusions. In this section of this
chapter, we will look at these functions,
discuss the relationship between
introductions and conclusions, and offer
some strategies for preparing and
delivering an effective conclusion.
172 | F u n d a m e n t a l s o f P u b l i c S p e
aking-CollegeoftheCanyons
“Cool Park Architecture / Tianjin, China” by SamHakes.
morgueFile license.
The basic structure of a speech is not linear but circular. Speeches should not take you
on a straight line from A to Z. Speeches should take you in a circle from A to Z. Speeches
start at the top of the circle with the introduction, work their way all around the circle,
and end up back at the top with the conclusion. All the parts fit together and flow
together in this circle, and the conclusion takes you right back to the introduction—with
an enhanced understanding of the topic.
Prepare the Audience for the End of the Speech A
speech does not just stop—or, to be more precise,
a speech should not just stop. A speech, effectively
structured and delivered, should move smoothly
from point to point and then to the conclusion. One
of the most important functions of the conclusion is
to prepare the audience for the end of the speech.
Throughout the speech, you have been providing

the audience with verbal and nonverbal cues to
where you are going in the speech. As you move to
the conclusion, you need to continue to provide
these cues. You can use language cues (“now that
we have seen that we can solve this problem
effectively, we can review the entire situation”),
movement cues (physically moving back to the
“Wooden stop sign” by Infrogmation. CC-BY. center of the room where you began the
speech), and paralinguistic cues (slow the rate of the speech, use more pauses) to help
prepare your audience for the end of the speech.
When you prepare the audience for the end of the speech, you let them know that they
need to be ready for any final comments or appeals from you, and that they should be
prepared to acknowledge you as a speaker.
Present any Final Appeals

Depending on the type of speech you are presenting, you will be asking the audience for
something. You may be asking them to act in a certain way, or to change their attitude
toward a certain person or topic. You may be asking them to simply understand what
you have had to say in your presentation. Regardless, one of the tasks of the conclusion
is to leave the audience motivated positively toward you and the topic you have been
presenting.
Psychologists and sociologists (as well as communication scholars) know that there is
both a primacy and recency effect in presenting information.[1] Essentially, people tend
to better remember information presented first or last—they remember what they hear
at the beginning of the speech or at the end. In presenting your appeals to the
audience, you can take advantage of the recency effect to increase the likelihood of
your audience acting on your appeals.
Former President Lyndon Johnson, in a
speech announcing a major policy
initiative known as the Great Society,
concluded his speech with a series of
challenges and appeals to his audience.
For better or for worse, your generation
has been appointed by history to deal
with those problems and to lead
America toward a new age. You have
the chance never before afforded to any
people in any age. You can help build a
“LBJ at the University of Michigan” by Cecil W. society where the demands of morality,
Stoughton. Public domain. and the needs of the spirit, can be realized in the life of the
Nation.
So, will you join in the battle to give every citizen the full equality which God enjoins and
the law requires, whatever his belief, or race, or the color of his skin?
Will you join in the battle to give every citizen an escape from the crushing weight of
poverty?
Will you join in the battle to make it possible for all nations to live in enduring peace —
as neighbors and not as mortal enemies?
Will you join in the battle to build the Great Society, to prove that our material progress
is only the foundation on which we will build a richer life of mind and spirit?
There are those timid souls that say this battle cannot be won; that we are condemned
to a soulless wealth. I do not agree. We have the power to shape the civilization that
we want. But we need your will and
your labor and your hearts, if we are to
build that kind of society.[2]
The appeals were significant in that the

speech was delivered as a
commencement address at the
University of Michigan, at a time in
American society when college and
university students were protesting
many government actions.
When Demosthenes was asked what “President Johnson poverty tour” by Cecil W.
were the three most important aspects Stoughton. Public domain.
of oratory, he answered, Action, Action,
Action. ~ Plutarch
Summarize and Close

A conclusion is structural in function. Just as the introduction must include a statement
of the purpose of the speech, as well as a preview of the main ideas of the speech, the
conclusion must include a restatement of the thesis and a review of the main ideas of
the speech. The review and restatement are mirror images of the preview statement in
the introduction. Structurally, the restatement and review bring the speech back to the
top of the circle and remind the audience where we started. Functionally, they help cue
the audience that the end of the speech is coming up.
Let’s go back to the thesis and preview example. The example was from a speech on
ethanol, and the sample thesis was “So right now let’s see how dependence on fossil
fuels costs you money and how use of ethanol as a supplement will save you money and
save the world from energy obsolescence.”
In the conclusion of this speech, one effective method to summarize and wrap-up is to
simply restate the thesis and preview—but in the past tense, since we have now heard
the speech.
Today we have seen how dependence on fossil fuels costs you money and how use of
ethanol as a supplement will save you money and save the world from energy
obsolescence. We learned first why we as a society are so dependent upon fossil fuels in
the first place, and then secondly we found out what causes this dependence, and third,
we saw how ethanol as a fuel supplement will help end this dependence, and finally we
discovered how simple it is to implement this solution and make the world a better place
for all of us.
By restating the thesis and reviewing

the main ideas, you once again take
advantage of both the primacy and
recency effect, and you create a
complete and coherent structure to
your speech.
“BP Oil Flood Protest in New

Orleans” by Derek
Bridges. CC-BY.
End with a Clincher

With conclusions, however, there are some additional forms you may wish to use, and
there are some variations and adaptations of the introductions that you will want to use
as you prepare your conclusions.
Earlier in this section when we discussed introductions, it was argued that stories are
quite possibly the most effective form of introduction: Stories appear to be almost
“hard-wired” into our individual and cultural make-up; and stories have a built-in
structure. Stories, then, also make excellent conclusions, and can be used as conclusions
in at least two ways. First, you can complete the story that you started in the
introduction. Remember: You stopped right before the climax or denouement, and now,
you can finish the story. Alternatively, you can retell the story, and this time the story
will reflect what the audience has learned from your speech. Either method provides
coherence and closure to the story and the speech.
Humor also remains an effective type of conclusion, but the same dangers with the use
of humor discussed in the section on introductions applies to the conclusion. Still,
effective use of humor leaves the audience in a receptive frame of mind, and, so long as
the humor is relevant to the speech, provides a positive reminder to the audience of the
main purpose of the speech.
Because of the functions of conclusions, there are two additional types of conclusions
you may wish to consider: Appeals and Challenges.
I appeal to you, my friends, as mothers: are you willing to enslave your children? You
stare back with horror and indignation at such questions. But why, if slavery is not
wrong to those upon whom it is imposed? ~ Angelina Grimke
Appeals and Challenges
Since the conclusion comes at the end of the speech, it is appropriate to leave the
audience with an appeal or a challenge (or a combination of the two). Similar in nature,
appeals and challenges primarily divide by tone. Appeals are generally phrased more as
requests, while challenges can take on a more forceful tone, almost ordering or daring
audiences to engage in thought or action.
One of the most historically memorable

and effective conclusions that utilized
appeal and challenge was Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr.’s I Have a Dream speech.
And so let freedom ring from the prodigious
hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom
ring from the mighty mountains of New
York. Let freedom ring from the heightening
Alleghenies of Pennsylvania. Let freedom
ring from the snow-capped Rockies of
Colorado. Let freedom ring from the
curvaceous slopes of California. But not
only that: Let freedom ring from Stone
Mountain of Georgia. Let freedom ring
from Lookout
Mountain of Tennessee. Let freedom ring “Martin Luther King Jr.” Public domain.
from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.
And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every
village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up
that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles,
Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old
Negro spiritual: Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last![3]
1. Garlick, R. (1993). Verbal descriptions, communicative encounters and

impressions. Communication Quarterly, 41, 394–
2. Johnson, L. (1964, May 22). The great society. Speech posted at
3. King, Jr., M. L. (1963, August 28). I have a dream.” Speech posted at

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/sp eeches/mlkihaveadream.htm
Introductions & Conclusions: Composing the Conclusion
Just as with introductions, there are two important points to remember from the start.
First, regardless of the form of conclusion, all summary remarks must meet certain
required functions. Second, most conclusions will be a combination of two or more
forms. There is a third point to remember about conclusions as well: Conclusions need
to provide a match to the introduction, so that there is symmetry and completeness to
the speech structure. Because of this, very often, the conclusion will be of the same
form as the introduction. At the very least, the conclusion must refer to the introduction
so there is a sense of completeness. Naturally enough, the forms of conclusions you can
use and develop are similar to the forms of introductions you can use and develop.
Eloquent speech is not from lip to ear, but rather from heart to heart. ~ William Jennings
Bryan
Prepare the Conclusion

The conclusion is the last part of the
speech to prepare.
What is common writing practice for the

introduction is also true of the
conclusion. As previously discussed,
introductions and conclusions are
similar in nature, they provide mirror
images of one another other, and they
are often of the same type. So you
complete the introduction and
conclusion at the same time. You do so
to make sure that both elements work
together.
“Kyung-wha Kang” by United States Mission Geneva.
As you prepare the conclusion, make CC-BY-ND.
sure as well that there are no false conclusions. You need to prepare the audience for
the end of the speech—but you can only prepare them one time, and there can be only
one end to the speech. By the same token, you need to make sure that the conclusion is
not so abrupt or sudden that no one in the audience is aware you have completed your
speech. Keep in mind as well that conclusions should comprise no more than 10% of the
total speaking time.
Just as with the introduction, write out the conclusion word for word. This is your last
chance to impress your audience and to make sure that they understand what you have
said. Do not leave the conclusion to chance: write it out.
Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure
to be failure. ~ Confucius
Do Not Include Any New Information

While it is important to present your appeal and any call to action in the conclusion, it is
also important to NOT present new information in your conclusion. Remember: one of
the functions of the conclusion is to prepare the audience for the end of the speech. If
all of the sudden you present a new argument, new information, or a new point, you
will confuse your audience.
If you present new information in the conclusion, you will also lose the ability to
integrate this information with the rest of the speech. Remember that all elements of
the speech need to flow together. New ideas at the very end of the speech will not
enhance the flow of the speech. Additionally, because you are just now bringing in this
information at the end of the speech, you will have no or very little time to develop
these ideas, or to provide supporting information and documentation for these ideas.
Follow the Structure

The approach of using the built-in structure of the specific introduction/conclusion
technique is as equally effective with quotations, questions and startling statistics as it is
with stories.
You can use the same quotation at the end as at the beginning, but because of what we
have learned in the speech, the quotation has a new and more developed meaning. You
can also use a new quotation that draws a comparison and contrast to the beginning
quotation, and also highlights what we have learned in the speech.
You can use the same question at the conclusion as you did at the beginning, and
regardless of whether you ask for a response or pose it as a rhetorical question (and
allow the audience to consider the answer), the answer will be different because of your
speech. The audience will be able to see what you have accomplished in the speech.
You can also pose a new question, one that again points out what the audience has
learned from your speech.
Startling statistics, as quotations and questions, now take on new meaning because of
all that you have told the audience in your speech. Reminding the audience of startling
statistics should provide them with a key reminder of the main point of your speech.
Introductions & Conclusions:
Conclusion
This chapter first shows how to
structure and develop introductions and
conclusions. Second, it argues that
introductions function to gain audience
attention and goodwill, and that
introductions help structure the speech
with a thesis statement and preview.
Third, the chapter explains that
conclusions help audiences remember
“Classic Raux” by Tim Samoff. CC-BY-ND.
the key ideas of a speech. Finally, the chapter reveals that there are a variety of
different techniques for introductions and conclusions, and that many of the
techniques for introductions apply to conclusions as well.
Introductions set the stage for the speech that is to come; conclusions make sure that
the audience goes away changed in a positive manner. Short in time, they require
careful thought and precise language to be effective. Done well, introductions prepare
an audience to learn, and conclusions help to insure that an audience has understood
the purpose of the speech.
When you can do the common things of life in an uncommon way, you will command the
attention of the world. ~ George Washington Carver
Introductions & Conclusions: Review Questions and Activities

REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What are the four basic functions of introductions, and why are these functions
important?
2. List and give one original example of each of the ten attention-getting devices.
3. What are three reasons why stories are effective as introductions?
4. Why is humor both useful and dangerous at the same time?
5. What is a preview statement, and why is it important as part of an introduction?
6. What are the four basic functions of conclusions, and why are these functions
important?
7. Compare and contrast an appeal and a challenge. When would you use each
technique?
8. What does it mean to “follow the structure” in a conclusion?
9. Why are introductions and conclusions prepared last?
Glossary
Analogy
A figure of speech that essentially compares something that your audience knows and
understands with something new and different.
Preview
Sometimes called a road map, a preview is a brief oral outline in which the speaker
clearly and concisely states the main points of the speech.
Internal Credibility
This is a form of credibility based on attributes that are largely controlled by a speaker,
such as appearance, confidence, charisma, trustworthiness, and speaking ability.
Expectancy Violation
Expectancy violations occur when people engage in behavior that is unexpected or
inappropriate for the situation.
External Credibility
This is a form of credibility based on attributes that a speaker can “borrow,” such as
using credible sources and referring to credible and popular people and events.
Primacy Effect
According to this principle, audiences are likely to remember what they hear or read
first.
Recency Effect
According to this principle, audiences are likely to remember what they hear or read
last.
Rhetorical Question
When a speaker asks a question that is not meant to be answered outloud, or a
question for which the audience already knows the answer. This is often used as a way
to get an audience to think about the topic.
Thesis
One sentence or statement that succinctly and accurately lets the audience know what
the speech will be about and what the speaker plans to accomplish in the speech.
Introductions & Conclusions: References
Aristotle (1982). The art of rhetoric. (J.H. Freese, Trans.). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Bitzer, L. (1968). The rhetorical situation. Philosophy and Rhetoric, 1, 1-14.
Bono. (2006, February 2). Keynote address at the 54th national prayer breakfast. Speech posted at
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/bononationalprayerbreakfast.htm
Burgoon, J. K. & and Hale, J. L. (1988). Nonverbal expectancy violations: Model elaboration and application
to immediacy behaviors. Communication Monographs, 55, (1), 58-79.
Flora, C. (May-June 2004). The onceover you can trust: First impressions. Psychology Today, 37 (3), 6064.
Fisher, W. (1987). Human communication as narration: Toward a philosophy of reason, value, and action.
Columbia: University of South Carolina Press.
Garlick, R. (1993). Verbal descriptions, communicative encounters and impressions. Communication

Quarterly, 41, 394-404.
Glaser, E. (1992, July 14). 1992 Democratic national convention address. Speech posted at
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/elizabethglaser1992dnc.htm
Johnson, L. (1964, May 22). The great society. Speech posted at

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/lbjthegreatsociety.htm
Kennedy, T. (1980, August 12). 1980 democratic national convention address. Speech posted at
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/tedkennedy1980dnc.htm
King, Jr., M. L. (1963, August 28). I have a dream.” Speech posted at

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm
Lehrer, J. (Interviewer) & Stockdale, J. (Interviewee). (1999). Debating our Destiny: Admiral James
Stockdale. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/newshour/spc/debatingourdestiny/interviews/stockdale.html
Lincoln. A. (1863, November 19). The Gettysburg address. Speech posted at

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/gettysburgaddress.htm
Reagan, R. (1989, January 11). Farewell address to the nation. Speech posted at
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/ronaldreaganfarewelladdress.html
Richards, A. (1998, July 19). Democratic national convention keynote address. Speech posted at
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/annrichards1988dnc.htm
Schenck v. United States, 249 US 47 (1919).
Stockdale, J. (1992, October 19). The 1992 vice presidential debate. Speech posted at
http://www.debates.org/index.php?page=october-13-1992-debate-transcript
Townsend, C. (2007, February 5). Spring break in Mexico. Speech posted at
http://msustr0.campus.mnsu.edu:8080/cah/gorgias/333/MMS/Cassie.wmv photo credits
p. 1 Muhammad Yunnus by schipulites http://s3.amazonaws.com/estock/fspid9/1 9/21/48/0/hwacgrameenbank-
author-1921480-o.jpg
p. 2 Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay, Mazatlan by bryce_edwards

http://www.everystockphoto.com/photo.php?imageId=3834933&searchId=d2b527
e266d9adaf3b9eb5ba28008afc&npos=11
p. 4 Abraham Lincoln by U.S. Library of Congress

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Abraham_Lincoln_head_on_shoulders_photo_portrait.jpg
p. 4 Bono at the National Prayer Breakfast by Paul Morse

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:National_prayer_breakfast_2006.jpg
p. 5 Kelly McCann by schipulites

http://www.everystockphoto.com/photo.php?imageId=2101671&searchId=117192ced800c1f
4d61c5a6c55f6ee64&npos=4
p. 5 Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes by National Photo Company

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Justice_Oliver_Wendell_Holmes_standing.jpg
p. 6 President Ronald Reagan by White House Photographic Office

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/73/Reagan_farewell_salute.jpg
p. 7 Laughing Audience by Damian Buonamico

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Audience_enjoy_Stallman%27s_jokes.jpg
p. 7 Governor Ann Richards by Kenneth Zirkel http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ann_Richards.jpg p.

8 Ed Miliband by net_efekt
http://www.everystockphoto.com/photo.php?imageId=2282400&searchId=d1715ef
c5a67ac1c988152b8136e3dfa&npos=37
p. 8 Woman with Laptop by Matthew Bowden http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: Woman-typingon-laptop.jpg
p. 9 LBJ at the University of Michigan Commencement by LBJ Library and Museum

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:LBJ_at_the_University_of_Michigan.jpg
p. 10 President Johnson’s Poverty Tour 1964 by Cecil Saughton

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:225-9-wh64_small.jpg
p. 10 Woman speaks at BP Oil Flood Protest New Orleans by Derek Bridges

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BP_Oil_Flood_Protest_in_New_Orleans_30.jpg
p. 11 Martin Luther King March on Washington by National Archives and Records Administration
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Martin_Luther_King_-_March_on_Washington.jpg
p. 11 Kyung-wha Khang Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights by U.S. Mission Geneva
http://www.everystockphoto.com/photo.php?imageId=7527423&searchId=488e81758eb12a809a21e316
d0f1ab1b&npos=205
* All other photos from Microsoft Clipart
Chapter 8: Delivering Your Speech
By Victor Capecce, M.F.A.
Delivering Your Speech: Objectives and Outline

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• Identify, define and give an example of each of  the four main types of  delivery
• Determine the best  speaking style for different types of speaking occasions
• Identify and utilize voice aspects of speaking
• Recognize and utilize the key “ingredients” of a  well-performed speech
• Adapt to the physical aspects of a speaking  venue
• Plan the speech in  preparation for delivery/performance of a speech.
Chapter Outline
● Introduction
● Methods of Delivery o
Manuscript Style o
Memorized Style o
Impromptu Style o
Extemporaneous Style
● Vocal Aspects of Delivery o
Articulation o Pronunciation
o Accent, Dialect, and
Regionalisms o Vocal Quality
o Pitch and Inflection o
Rate of Speaking o Pauses
Versus Vocalized Pauses o
Vocal Projection
● Nonverbal Aspects of Delivery o

Personal Appearance o
Movement and Gesture o
Facial Expressions o Eye
Contact
● Mastering the Location o The
Room o The Podium
o The Equipment o Using
a Microphone o Water
Rules
● Preparation, Practice, and
Delivery o Preparing Notes o
Rehearsing the Speech o
Managing Stress o
Delivering the Speech
● Conclusion
● Glossary ● References
Delivering Your Speech: Introduction
Imagine this. A speech topic is
perfectly chosen; the content is nicely
organized and flawlessly researched; a
great deal of work was invested in
preparing the “text” or “script” of the
speech, but the speech is poorly
delivered. Will the speech be
effective? Will the audience stay alert
and follow it? Will the audience
properly interpret the speaker’s
intended message? These last “Allida Black Speaking at Courage to Lead Summit” by questions
contribute to the universal United States Mission Geneva. CC-BY-ND.
fear of public speaking. It is not the preparation of a speech that strikes terror in the
hearts of so many, but the performance of a speech!
Don’t lower your expectations to meet your performance. Raise your level of
performance to meet your expectations. Expect the best of yourself, and then do what
is necessary to make it a reality. ~ Ralph Marston
Since an audience does not usually read the text of a speech, but simply listens to it, all
the preparation of the content by the speaker must be encoded into a complex
combination of communication channels (words, sounds, visual elements, etc.) ready to
be performed. The purpose of this chapter is to offer guidance to transfer the speech
from the page to the stage.
There is an old Burlesque joke:
One man on a New York street comes up to another and asks,
“How can I get to Carnegie Hall?”
The second man answers, “PRACTICE.”
Practice is the key to excellent performance. Trite as it might sound (or obvious), the
basic foundation for a good speech delivery involves the two “P’s”: Preparation and
Practice. There is not an actor, athlete, or musician worth his/her salary who does not
prepare and practice. Even when a performance is given with spontaneity, the “P’s” are
crucial.
Stand-up comedy is everywhere; and those who are successful comedians do not make
up their monologues on the spot. The phrasing, the pauses, the timing, is all rehearsed
to assure the laughs will happen on cue. Good stand up comics are skilled in making it
look as though they are making up their routine on the spot, which is part of the success
of a good comedy performance. New speakers should think of themselves as
performers facing an audience; actors ascending to stage; athletes stepping up to bat.
This chapter will describe the basic methods of delivery, and offer guidance in the
aspects of presentation (such as voice, inflection, eye contact, and body and facial
language). Some basic strategies for in setting up the room and podium for speaking will
also be covered.
It is delivery that makes the orator’s success. ~ Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
Delivering Your Speech: Methods of Delivery

There are four basic methods (sometimes called styles) of presenting a speech:
manuscript, memorized, extemporaneous, and impromptu. Each has a variety of uses in
various forums of communication.
Manuscript Style
The word manuscript is the clue to the style.
The speech is written and the speaker reads
it word for word to the audience. Originally,
it was done from the hand-written paper
manuscript. Today the manuscript style is
common, but the paper is gone. Who reads
the speech to the audience? Answer:
Newscasters and television personalities. In
the old days, the manuscript was
handlettered on cue cards, which were held next to the camera lens. Then paper
scrolls, like “Marketing Mix” by Matthew Hurst. CC-BY-SA. printed piano rolls were used,
especially in Soap Operas. Today, a special teleprompter (working like a periscope) is
attached to the camera so the newscaster is looking at the lens while reading.
Why is the manuscript important and in use? Precision. In the news- reporting industry,
every fraction of a second counts because broadcast time is costly. Also, the facts and
names must be exact and accurate so there is no room for error. Errors in reporting
decrease the credibility of the news organization and the newscaster.
The most regular use of the teleprompter for manuscript delivery is by the U.S.
President. In fact, the teleprompter, used by every President since Reagan, is called a
“Presidential Teleprompter.” It is made of two pieces of glass, each flanking the podium.
They reflect the text from a monitor on the floor like a periscope. The glass on both
sides has the same text, and the speaker looks alternately from one glass to the other as
though looking at the audience through the glass. The audience cannot see the
projected text. The speeches a President gives will often reflect national policy, define
international relationships, and the press will scrutinize every syllable. It has to be more
than brilliantly accurate; it has to be impeccably phased. Professional writers and policy
experts compose the speech; and the President delivers it as though he not only wrote
it, but made it up on the spot. That is the skill of a good politician, actor, or speaker.
Those who are not skilled using a teleprompter or manuscript will sound stilted and
boring.
Try This! Manuscript Delivery

Watch the local or national 6 p.m., 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. newscasts on the same T.V.
station. Make notes on which news items repeat and how closely, or exactly, the
phrasing is, even if different personalities are presenting the same item.
Memorized Style
The memorized style of speaking is when the manuscript is committed to memory and
recited to the audience verbatim (word for word). In the days when elocution was
taught, this was a typical approach. A speech was a recitation. The Optimists Club (a
national organization) used to have a “Oratory” contest for high school students.
Contestants wrote essays on a given theme, to create a speech at a specific time length
(e.g.: three minutes). The essay was memorized and the delivery was judged by 1) the
quality of the writing, 2) the accuracy with which it was recited; and 3) the precise
length of time. Such contests seem archaic by today’s more casual and somewhat less
formal standards.
Where is a memorized delivery style still common? Due to copyright laws and licensing
contract agreements (other than scripts that are in the public domain), actors on stage
are obligated to memorize the script of the play and perform it verbatim exactly as
written. It is typical for speakers on high school and university speech and debate teams
to memorize their competitive speeches. Corporate conventions often use large LCD
monitors on the front of the stage as teleprompters. This allows the speaker to move
more freely across the stage while sticking to his or her script. Some monologists (such
as the stand-up comics mentioned at the start of the chapter) also use a memorized
delivery style. In all cases, they create the impression that the speech is spontaneous.
You might consider using the memorized delivery style if your speech is relatively short,
or you know you will have to deliver your speech repeatedly such as a tour operator
would.
Impromptu Style
Theoretically, an “impromptu” speech is “made up on the spot.” It is unprepared and
unrehearsed. Often ceremonial toasts, grace before meals, an acknowledgement, an
introduction, offering thanks and so on, fall into this category. While there are some
occasions when a speech in those categories is actually prepared (prepare your
acceptance for the Academy Award BEFORE you are called!), there are many occasions
when there is little or no opportunity to prepare.
Impromptu speeches are generally short and are often given with little or no notice.
Notes are rare and the speaker generally looks directly at the audience. It would be
presumptuous and arrogant to declare rules for Impromptu Speaking. It is fair to explain
that “impromptu” describes a range from absolutely no preparation, to a modest
amount of preparation (mostly thought) and rarely incorporates research or the
formalities of outlines and citations that more formal speeches would include.
Be still when you have nothing to say; when genuine passion moves you, say what
you’ve got to say, and say it hot. ~ D. H. Lawrence
An indelibly memorable example occurred to

me when my siblings threw a surprise 10th
anniversary party for my Mom (Margaret)
and our stepdad (Lidio). It was the third
marriage for both of them, and they were in
their 60’s. As soon as the yells of “surprise”
subsided, Lidio picked up his wine glass and
proposed a toast:
“I can’t believe this surprise! I don’t know what to say… um, Dino [his brother] when
was that Yankee game Dad took us to when
“Apr. 3 – Cheers!” by KimManleyOrt. CC-BY-NC-ND. we were kids? It was 4th of July, wasn’t it?
1939? And it was like it was yesterday; and today reminds me of that day, when Lou
Gehrig came out to the mound. He was slow, but we were all cheering the ‘Pride of the
Yankees.’ He wasn’t playing anymore, he was too sick, but he looked around the crowd,
and said ‘I’m the luckiest man alive.’ That’s how I feel with you all here today; to
celebrate our 10th anniversary. I’m here with you and with Margaret; and I’m the
luckiest man alive.”
The speech was short, emotionally charged, wonderfully articulate, and absolutely
unprepared. The speech had one central emotionally charged message; simple, in words
and phrasing, but complex by bringing an image of great sentimentality to the occasion.
He was able to react to the moment, and speak “from the heart.”
In contrast, legendary magician Harry Houdini was often asked to perform for the
amusement of his fellow passengers when sailing to Europe. I always associate
“impromptu” with the stories of Houdini’s shipboard conjuring. Nothing was further
from “impromptu.” The skill of the great magician was in making his illusions seem
spontaneous with what appeared to be ordinary items that “happened” to be on hand.
Houdini spent endless hours planning and rehearsing. The true illusion was that they
“appeared” to be impromptu.
Take advantage of every opportunity to practice your communication skills so that when
important occasions arise, you will have the gift, the style, the sharpness, the clarity, and
the emotions to affect other people. ~ Jim Rohn
Extemporaneous Style
Sandwiched between the memorized and impromptu delivery styles you find the
extemporaneous speech style. For this style, the speech is not completely written out. It
is usually delivered with keynotes for reference. Most public speaking courses and
books describe extemporaneous speeches as carefully prepared and rehearsed, but
delivered using notes of key words and phrases to support the speaker. Phrasing is pre-
rehearsed, words are pre-chosen, and the organization is fluid and well-constructed.
There should be no fumbling for words, no rambling, and length of time should be
carefully monitored. The style does offer the speaker flexibility to include references to
the immediate surroundings, previous speeches, news of the day, and so on.
The trouble with talking too fast is you may say something you haven’t thought of yet.”
~ Ann Landers
How you develop the notes and what they look like are up to the individual, but a
natural extemporaneous delivery is difficult if you are relying on a manuscript. Under no
circumstances should the speaker be spending more than 20% of the speaking time
looking at the notes. It would be ideal to practice so you only glance at your notes
approximately 5% of the time of the speech.
Those who have limited experience in
“Speech Notes” by Jess J. CC-BY-NC-ND.

formal speaking find it helpful to write out the speech as though it were an essay, then
read it, edit it, then create speaking notes from the text. This helps with editing and with
thinking through the phrases. This process of public speaking was taught decades ago to
my contemporaries and me and has fallen out of fashion. But it is a useful way of
thoroughly thinking through the speech. If this procedure is used, it is advisable to
rehearse the speech with the notes without the essay prior to delivering the speech. But
be warned: having the fully written essay at the podium might detract from the delivery.
The extemporaneous style is the method most often recommended (and often
required) in today’s public speaking courses, and is generally the best method in other
settings as well. While it is not the only method of delivering a speech, it is the most
useful for presentations in other courses, in the corporate world and in pursuing future
careers.
Delivering Your Speech: Vocal Aspects of Delivery
Though we speak frequently during the course of a day, a formal speech requires
extra attention to detail in preparation of a more formal speech presentation. What
can one do in advance to prepare for a speech? The challenge is partly determined by
the speaker’s experience, background and sometimes cultural
influence and existing habits of speaking. Articulation,
Pronunciation, Dialect, Tone, Pitch, and Projection each
depends on long-term practice for success. These aspects are
like signatures, and should be developed and used by each
speaker according to his own persona.
Voice, or vocal sound, is made when controlled air being “Crying baby” by Brazzouk.
exhaled from the lungs, passes over the vocal cords causing a CC-BY-SA.
controlled vibration. The vibrating air resonates in the body, chest cavity, mouth, and
nasal passages. The vibrating air causes a chain reaction with the air in the room. The
room’s air, set in motion by the voice, is captured by the listener’s ear. The vibration of
the air against the eardrum is transferred to electrical impulses that are interpreted by
the listener’s brain. Thus, the sounds we can make are predicated on the breaths that
we take.
Try This! Breathing

Talk without breathing. It cannot be done. So if you are screaming (like a baby), you are
also breathing!
The first word of advice on speaking to an audience: BREATHE!
Articulation
We are often judged by how well we speak in general. A measure of perceived intellect
or education is how well we articulate. That is: how well and correctly we form our
vowels and consonants using our lips, jaw, tongue, and palate to form the sounds that
are identified as speech. Diction and enunciation are other terms that refer to the same
idea. For instance, saying “going to” instead of “gonna” or “did not” instead of “dint”
are examples of good versus poor articulation. Consonant and vowels are spoken with
standard accepted precision, and serious students and speakers will strive to practice
the clarity of their sounds. Proper diction is as integral to the English language as proper
spelling, but it takes practice.
Pronunciation
Proper articulation applied to a given word is that word’s pronunciation. The
pronunciation includes how the vowels and consonants are produced as well as which
syllable is emphasized. For generations, speakers depended on “markings (such as the
International Phonetics Alphabet or similar Dictionary Symbols) to discover or decide
how words were officially pronounced. With online dictionaries now readily available,
one needs only to “look up” a word and select “play” to hear an audible recording of the
official and precise way a word should be pronounced. Now there is no excuse for
mispronouncing a word in a speech. A mispronounced word will obliterate a speaker’s
credibility, and the audience’s attention will be focused on the fault rather than the
message.
Try This! Pronunciation

1. Flip though a book, article or scholarly work until you come to a word that is
unfamiliar and you can only guess its pronunciation.
2. Go to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary website, and look up the word.
3. When the definition appears, click the icon of the loudspeaker. The word is audibly
pronounced for you.
The online dictionary is useful in both articulation as well as pronunciation.
Accent, Dialect, and Regionalisms

Subtleties in the way we pronounce words and phrase
our speech within a given language are evident in
accents, regionalisms, and dialects. An accent refers
to the degree of prominence of the way syllables are
spoken in words, as when someone from Australia
says “undah” whereas we say “under.” A regionalism
is a type of expression, as when someone says “The
dog wants walked,” instead of “the dog wants to go
for a walk.” Dialect is a variety of language where one
is distinguished from others by grammar and
vocabulary. In Pennsylvania you might hear people say
that they are going to “red up the room,” which means “Iraqi speaker” by Office of United States
“to clean the room.” Rep. Ellen Tauscher. Public domain.
Those who depend on speaking for a career (broadcasters, politicians, and entertainers)
will often strive for unaccented General or Standard English. Listen to most major
network newscasters for examples of regionalism-free speech. A given audience may be
prejudiced towards or against a speaker with an identifiable accent or dialect. Though
we would wish prejudice were not the case, the way we speak implies so much about
our education, cultural background, and economic status, that prejudice is inevitable.
Any speaker should be aware of how accent, dialect, and regionalisms can be perceived
by a given audience. If you speak in a way that the audience might find difficult to
understand, make an extra effort to pay attention to the accent and phrasing of your
speech. Ask a sympathetic and objective listener to help you when you practice.
We often refuse to accept an idea merely because the tone of voice in which it has been
expressed is unsympathetic to us. ~ Friedrich Nietzsche
Vocal Quality
The quality of the voice, its timbre (distinctive sound) and texture, affects audibility and
can affect the articulation. Our voices are unique to each of us. It is a result of our
physical vocal instrument, including diaphragm, vocal cords, lungs and body mass. Some
examples of vocal quality include warm, clear, soft, scratchy, mellow and breathy. Each
speaker should practice at maximizing the vocal effect of his instrument, which can be
developed with vocal exercises. There are numerous books, recordings and trainers
available to develop one’s vocal quality when needed. The quality of one’s voice is
related to its range of pitch.
Try This! Inflection

Your voice goes UP, and then your voice goes d o w n.
Pitch and Inflection

Identical to musical parlance, the pitch is the “highness” or “lowness” of the voice. Each
of us has a range of tone. Vocal sounds are actually vibrations sent out from the vocal
cords resonating through chambers in the body. The vibrations can literally be
measured in terms of audio frequency in the same way music is measured. When the
pitch is altered to convey a meaning (like raising the pitch at the end of a sentence that
is a question), it is the inflection. Inflections are variations, turns and slides in pitch to
achieve the meaning.
In his writing “Poetics,” Aristotle lists “Music” as an element of the Drama. Some
scholars interpret that to include the musicalization of the spoken word with dramatic
inflection. The meaning and effectiveness of a spoken line is greatly dependent on the
“melody” of its inflection.
Though archaic, the study of elocution formalizes the conventions of inflection. In some
contemporary cultures, inflection has been minimized because it sounds too
“melodramatic” for the taste of the demographic group. It would be sensible to be
aware of and avoid both extremes. With good animated inflection, a speaker is more
interesting, and the inflection conveys energy and “aliveness” that compels the
audience to listen.
When public speaking was known as elocution,

sentences were “scored” like music, and spoken using
formal rules. Sentences ending as a question went UP
at the end. Sentences ending in a period, ended with a
base note. And everyone had fun with exclamation
points!
For most of music in history, including Opera,

Broadway, and early Rock and Roll, songs were written
so that the melody (raising and lowering the pitch) was
consistent with what would be spoken. Many of today’s
songs, notably Rap songs, depend solely on rhythm.
There is little if any inflection (melody) to enhance a
lyric’s meaning. Certain languages differ in their
dependence on inflection. Japanese and German seem “Ice-T” by Tino Jacobs. CC-BY.
monotonic compared to Italian and French, which offer
great variety of inflection.
The human voice is the most beautiful instrument of all, but it is the most difficult to
play. ~ Richard Strauss
Even someone one who is not a singer can be expressive with inflection and pitch. Like
the “Think System” of Professor Harold Hill in the musical The Music Man. If you THINK
varied pitch, you can SPEAK varied pitch. Think of pitch inflections as seasoning spices
that can make the speech more interesting. Sing “Happy Birthday.” You do not have to
concentrate or analyze how to create the melody in your voice. Your memory and
instinct take over. Notice how the pitch also provides an audible version of punctuation,
letting the audience know if your sentence has ended, if it is a question, and so on. The
melody lets the audience know that there is more to come (a comma) and when the
phrase is ended (a period). Remember that in a speech, the audience does not have the
written punctuation to follow, so you have to provide the punctuation with your
inflection.
Try This! Vocal Variation

Find a listening partner. Using only the sounds of “la” ha,” and “oh,” covey the meaning
of the following:
1. It’s the biggest thing I’ve ever seen!
2. I’ve fallen and can’t get up!
3. I’ve got a crush on him/her.
4. That soup is disgusting and spoiled.
5. I got an “A” in my Speech Final!
If you cannot relay the meaning with just sounds, try a second time (each) with gestures
and facial expressions until the listener understands. Then say the lines with the
expressive inflections you have developed using only the sounds.
Those who do not use inflection, or use a range of pitch, are speaking in monotone.
And, as the word implies, it can be monotonous, boring, and dull. A balance between
melodramatic and monotonous would be preferred. The inflection should have a
meaningful and interesting variety. Be careful not to turn a pattern of inflection into a
repetitious sound. Think through each phrase and its musicalization separately.
Many speakers have developed the habit of ending each sentence as though it is a
question. It may be becoming increasingly common. In the wake of the Valley Girl
syndrome of the 1980’s, a bad inflection habit has entered the speech pattern: Some
speakers end a declarative sentence with the inflection of a question.
Do you know what I mean?
A word of caution: Inflection and varied pitch must be “organic,” that is to say, natural
for the speaker. You cannot fake it, or it sounds artificial and disingenuous. It is a skill
that needs to develop over a period of time.
Rate of Speaking
Table 12.1: Finding the Right Pace for Your Speech
If you speak too quickly… If you speak too slowly…
the audience might get the impression you have the audience might think you are too
nothing important to say. tired to be presenting.
the audience has a difficult time catching up and the audience can forget the first part
comprehending what you are saying. They need of your sentence by the time you get
time to digest the information. So plan on to the last! (It happens!) And they
periodic pauses. lose interest.
the audience might think you are

the audience might think you really do not want wasting their time by taking longer
to be there. than necessary to relay your
message.
As a speaker, you cannot race with the audience, nor drag their attention down. Like
Goldilocks, look for the pace that is “just right.”

In order to retain clarity of the speech with articulation and inflection, the speaker must
be aware that there is a range of appropriate tempo for speaking. If the tempo is too
slow, the speech might resemble a monotonous peal. If it is too fast, the articulation
could suffer if consonants or vowels are dropped or rushed to keep up the speed. An
audience could become frustrated with either extreme. The tempo needs to be
appropriate to the speaker’s style, but neither paced like a Gilbertian Lyric (as in “Gilbert
and Sullivan”) patter nor a funereal dirge. A comfortable and clear pace is the best. An
ideal speaking rate will allow you to comfortably increase your pace to create a sense of
excitement, or slow down to emphasize the seriousness of a topic.
It is simple nonsense to speak of the fixed tempo of any particular vocal phrase. Each
voice has its peculiarities. ~ Anton Seidl
Pauses Versus Vocalized Pauses
A text that is read has punctuation that the reader can see…miniature landmarks to
define the text. When spoken, similar punctuation is needed for comprehension, and
the speaker’s responsibility is to offer the text with pauses. Space between phrases,
properly planted, gives the audience the opportunity to understand the structure of the
speaker’s sentences and paragraphs. It also gives time for the audience to “digest”
crucial phrases.
Generally, spoken sentences and paragraphs need to be simpler and shorter than what
can be comprehended by reading. Pauses can help increase comprehension.
However, pauses that are filled with “uh’s, “um’s,” etc., are called vocalized pauses, or
fillers, and should be avoided. They can be distracting and annoying, and give the
impression of a lack of preparation if used excessively. Even worse is the use of
vernacular phrases like, “y’know” (a contraction of “Do You Know”) which gives the
impression of lack of education or lack of concern for the audience. The use of vocalized
pauses may be the result of a habit that deserves an effort to be overcome. Avoid using
phrases such as “Uh,” “OK?”, “y’know”, “like…, I mean,” “right?”
Vocal Projection
The volume produced by the vocal instrument is projection. Supporting the voice
volume with good breathing and energy can be practiced, and helping a speaker
develop the correct volume is a main task of a vocal trainer, teacher or coach. Good
vocal support with good posture, breathing, and energy should be practiced regularly,
long before a speech is delivered. There are numerous exercises devoted to developing
projection capabilities.
While there is no need to shout, a speaker should project to be easily heard from the
furthest part of the audience. Even if the speech is amplified with a microphone/sound
system, one must speak with projection and energy. As with your rate of speech, you
should speak at a volume that comfortably allows you to increase the volume of your
voice without seeming to shout or decrease the volume of your voice and still be heard
by all audience members.
Do not expect to walk up to the podium and have a full voice. Actors spend about a
halfhour doing vocal warm-ups, and singers warm up much more. You might not have
an opportunity to warm up immediately before your speech, but when you can, warm
up with humming, yawning (loudly) or singing scales: all while breathing deeply and
efficiently. It will loosen your voice, prevent irritation, and fire up your vocal energy.
Try This! Projection
Go to the room in which you are to speak. Have a friend sit as far away from the podium
is possible. Rehearse your speech, talking loudly enough so your friend can hear you
comfortably. That is the projection you will need. When you mentally focus on the
distant listener, you will tend to project better.
One final note: If public speaking is or will be an important part of your career, it
would be sensible to have an evaluation
of your voice, articulation and
projection done by an objective
professional so you can take any
remedial action that might be
recommended. There are courses of
study, private lessons, and professional
voice coaches to work with your voice
projection, tone, and pitch.
Words mean more than what is set

down on paper. It takes the human
voice to infuse them with deeper meaning. ~ Maya Angelou Women in Business
Leadership Conf. by UCLA
Anderson. CC-BY-NC-SA.
Delivering Your Speech: Nonverbal Aspects of Delivery
Personal Appearance
Here is the golden rule: Dress appropriately for the situation. You don’t need to sport a
power tie (the predictable red tie politicians wore in the 1980s), but you should be
comfortable and confident knowing that you look good.
Table 12.2: Dressing Appropriately
What to Wear: What NOT to wear:

● A button-down shirt or blouse ● T-shirts, sweatshirts, or sweatsuits
Trousers (khaki or dark) or ● Sleeveless tops
● a skirt
● Printed logos or sayings (unless
A dress appropriate for a business appropriate to the speech)
● setting
● Caps or hats
A nice sweater Torn jeans
●
● Limited, tasteful jewelry
● Visible underwear
● A suit or jacket may be appropriate
●
Noisy or dangling jewelry
● A tie or scarf (optional) Flip flops
●
Provocative clothing
● ●
Pockets full of keys or change
●
With the exception of wearing formal black-tie tuxedo to a hockey game, it is good
practice to dress a bit more formal than less. Err on the side of formal. Most class
speeches would be best in business casual (which can vary from place to place and in
time). The culture or standards of the audience should be considered. For men, it is
usually a button-down shirt and casual dress pants. For women, it may be skirt or slacks
and blouse/shirt.
There are exceptions depending on the speech. A student once arrived in pajamas to
deliver his 9 a.m. speech. At first, I thought he got up too late to dress for class.
However, his speech was on Sleep Deprivation, and his costume was deliberate. What
he wore contributed to his speech.
If you have long hair, be sure it is out of the way so it won’t cover your face. Flipping hair
out of your face is very distracting, so it is wise to secure it with clips, gel, or some other
method. Be sure you can be seen, especially your eyes and your mouth, even as you
glance down to the podium.
Think of it as an interview…just like in an interview, you will want to make a good first
impression. The corporate culture of the business will determine the dress. Always dress
at the level of the person conducting the interview. For example, a construction
foreman (or project manager) will conduct an interview to hire you as a carpenter. Do
not dress like a carpenter; dress like the project manager.
Actors know when they audition, the role is won by the time they step into the room. A
speaker can launch success by stepping confidently to the podium.
Be tidy and clean. If you appear as though you took time to prepare because your
speech is important, then your audience will recognize and respect what you have to
say.
Movement and Gestures

Overall movement and specific gestures are integral to a speech. Body stance, gestures
and facial expressions can be generally categorized as body language. Movement
should be relaxed and natural, and not excessive. How you move takes practice. Actors
usually have the advantage of directors helping to make decisions about movement, but
a good objective listener or a rehearsal in front of a large mirror can yield productive
observations.
Moving around the performance space

can be a very powerful component of a
speech; however, it should be
rehearsed as part of the presentation.
Too much movement can be distracting.
This is particularly true if the movement
appears to be a result of nervousness.
Avoid fidgeting, stroking your hair, and
any other nervousness-related
movement.
“Barack Obama at Las Vegas Presidential Forum” by Center
Among the traditional common fears of for American Progress Action Fund. CC-BY-SA.
novice speakers is not knowing what to do with one’s hands. Sometimes the speaker
relies on clutching to the podium or keeping hands in pockets. Neither is a good pose.
From my own observation, hand gestures are very common in Italy. We Italians can be
seen in conversation from across the street, and an observer can often tell what is being
said. There is no need to imitate an Italian in delivering a speech, but hand movement
and the energy that the movement represents, can help hold attention as well as help
express the message.
An actor practices using his whole body for expression, and regularly practices physical
exercises to keep the body and hands and arms relaxed and in motion. An actor’s hand
gestures are developed in rehearsal. A speaker’s gestures should also be considered
during practice.
During the period when elocution was taught, hand gestures were regimented like a
sign language. This is nonsense. Like inflections, gestures and movement should be
organic and spontaneous, not contrived. If there is a hint of artificiality in your
presentation, you will sacrifice your credibility.
Try This! Gestures
Using only your hands, convey the following:
1. “It’s OK.”
2. “I give up.”
3. “He’s crazy.”
4. “We will be victorious.”
Facial Expressions
Most readers are very familiar with emoticons like these:
:p :/
Emoticons were not casual inventions, but graphic depictions of facial

expressions that convey various meanings of emotions. They are based on a
nearly universal language of expression that we begin learning soon after
birth. We smile, we frown, we roll our eyes, and we wink. We open eyes
wide with astonishment. We raise our eyebrows…occasionally one at a time,
in suspicion; both, in astonishment. Sometimes we pucker our lips, either to
offer a kiss or express disapproval, disappointment, or grave concern.
“Castefest 2011, Gothic” by
Qsimple. CC-BY-NC-SA.
I pretty much try to stay in a constant state of confusion just because of the expression it
leaves on my face. ~ Johnny Depp
Since facial expression is a valid form of communication, it is integral to delivering a

speech. The face supports the text, and the speaker’s commitment to the material is
validated. The press scrutinizes a politician for every twitch of insincerity. Detectives
have created a science of facial communication for interviewing suspects. Like
inflections, gestures and movement: facial expressions should be organic and
spontaneous, not contrived. If there is a hint of artificiality in your expression, you will
sacrifice your credibility.
Try This! Facial Expressions

While looking in a mirror, try to express these thoughts without words:
1. “I am thrilled that I am getting a raise.”
2. “I am worried about tomorrow.”
3. “Lemons are too sour for me.”
4. “I am suspicious about what he did.”
After you have determined a facial expression for each, say the phrase. And see how
well the verbal expression goes with the nonverbal expression.
Eye Contact
204 | F u n d a m e n t
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Next to clearly speaking an organized text, eye contact is another very important
element of speaking. An audience must feel interested in the speaker, and know the
speaker cares about them.
Whether addressing an audience of 1000 or speaking across a “deuce” (table for two),
eye contact solidifies the relationship between the speaker and audience. Good eye
contact takes practice. The best practice is to be able to scan the audience making each
member believe the speaker is speaking to him or her.
However, there are some eye contact failures.
Head Bobber
This is a person who bobs his or her head looking down on the notes and up to the
audience in an almost rhythmic pattern.
Balcony Gazer
A person who looks over the heads of his or her audience to avoid looking at any
individual.
The Obsessor
A person who looks at one or two audience members or who only looks in one
direction.
The best way to develop good eye contact is to have an objective listener watch and
comment on the eye contact.
The eyes are called the windows to the soul, and the importance of eye contact in
communication cannot be overemphasized. Ideally, a speaker should include 80% to
90% of the delivery time with eye contact.
Eye contact is so important that modern teleprompters are designed to allow the
speaker to look at the audience while actually reading the speech. The Presidential
Teleprompter (two angled pieces of glass functioning like a periscope) is used so the
politician can “connect” to the audience without missing a single syllable. Audience
members will be much more attentive and responsive if they believe the speech is
directed to them.
With good eye contact, the speaker can also observe and gauge the attention and
response of the audience. This is actually part of the feedback process of
communication. The ideal is that the audience is not overly aware of the speaker using
notes.
How do you develop good eye contact? First, practice the speech with a generous
amount of eye contact. Second, know the speech well enough to only periodically (and
quickly) glance at your notes. Third, prepare your notes so they can be easily read and
followed without hesitation.
There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning
from failure. ~ Colin Powell
Delivering Your Speech: Mastering the Location
The Room
Do not wait until the moment you step up to speak to see what it will be like. Check out
the room (venue) and the podium before you need to speak.
Check the width of the room and where the audience will be seated. Rehearse giving
the imaginary audience eye contact.
Will you be lighted brighter than the audience?

Will they be able to see your face? Can you easily
project your voice to the back row? Will you have
a microphone?
“Phoenix Auditorium” by Basil Jradeh. CCBY-SA.

The Podium
Check the podium. Approach it with the confidence you should exhibit when speaking.
Touch it. Lean on it. Is it the right height? (It should be about the height of your elbow.)
Is it sturdy? Are your feet visible? Is there enough light to see your notes placed on top?
Will you be well lit? Is the podium easily visible to the entire audience? How far left and
right do you need to look to see the whole audience?
If you are using note cards, try placing them on the
podium to be sure they will work, and you can
maneuver them easily.
Plan where you will stand. It does not have to be

behind the lectern. Practice standing with good
posture; know where you will keep your hands and
be sure your gestures are not hidden by the
podium.
You might be a speaker who does not stay behind

the podium, but you should still check it out. Every
morsel of familiarity will contribute to your
confidence in speaking. “Chris Coons” by Chris Coons.
CC-BY.
The Equipment
If you are using any multi-media such as PowerPoint, slides, video, or music, try it long
before the speech. Of course, you would have practiced the speech with the media on
your own, but if at all possible, run it in the venue in which you will speak.
Check the controls, slide clicker, and the relationship between the screen and the
podium. Be sure the audience can see you as well as the screen. The screen should be
positioned so you can glance at it without turning away from the audience. You should
not be reading from the screen.
Check your own files to be sure the equipment in the room can play it correctly. Do not
assume that every file can be played. Always be prepared by having multiple versions of
your audio/video. If you have only one version, and it does not play, you will be very
frustrated.
Check all PowerPoint slides. Give a last
look at the spelling, content, and watch
for some typical issues such as changes
of formatting and inserted video or
audio files not playing.
Even seasoned presenters break into a

cold sweat over equipment failures or
unpleasant surprises, so avoid the stress
by checking the equipment. “Andrea Dernbach und Hoda Salah” by Heinrich Böll
Stiftung. CC-BY-SA.
Using a Microphone
In some cases, rather than merely using live voice projection, there will be a microphone
for amplification. If at all possible, test it before the performance. Be sure the
amplification is suitable for your projection. Be sure how near or far you should be for
proper audio pick-up.
It is important to note that amplification cannot make up for poor articulation or weak
inflections, but it can compensate for a room that is large or acoustically insufficient for
speech.
If you are prone to move away from the podium, or plan any movement, be aware that
the microphone must be considered.
If it is a stationary microphone, be careful to maintain a consistent distance, or the

volume of your speaking will pop from louder to softer. Changes in volume or position
can result in distortion or feedback (an escalating humming sound). Be careful that
consonants do not “ring” with amplification.
In some venues, the time delay with the reverberation can cause an overlap of vocal
sounds. You may have to slow down or use more pauses to prevent syllables from
overlapping.
I drank some boiling water because I wanted to whistle. ~ Mitch Hedberg
Water Rules
Water is the only liquid that should be provided for a speaker.
It should be cool, but not ice cold to prevent temperature
shock to the throat and vocal cords. If it is poured into a glass,
the glass should not be too full so the quantity does not
overwhelm the speaker. Under no circumstances should there
be ice in the glass or in the pitcher at the podium. Pieces of ice
can be a choking hazard to a speaker who is focused on
speaking rather than drinking. The current trend is to provide
bottled water for a guest speaker. It should be opened, but
the cap kept on assuring sanitation. The water should be
placed on an absorbent tray that prevents suction from
making raising the glass difficult to pick up. “Glass of water” by Jin Choi.
CC-BY-SA.
Drinking water is necessary for the hydration of the vocal chords. The act of taking a sip
is sometimes used to achieve a pause in a speech for effect.
Delivering Your Speech: Preparation, Practice, and Delivery
Preparing Notes
Once you have created a comprehensive outline and have thought through your speech,
you should be able to create your note cards or whatever you might be using (notes or
an iPad for instance). Every speaker is a
bit different, and different speech topics
and organizational patterns may require
different notation techniques.
Your note cards (or cue sheets) must

have enough information on them to be
able to deliver the speech without
missing details and organized in the
precise order that you have planned. A
common technique is to print the
“Best man’s speech notes” by stacey shintani. CC- outline in a font that is large enough to
BY-NC-SA. be read from a distance.
You should be able to glance at the cards, get your bearings, and look back at the
audience. If you are reading the cards word-for-word, there are too many words on
them, unless it is an extended exact quote, or group of statistics that must be delivered
precisely.
Be sure your notes or cards are numbered (e.g., boldly in the upper right hand corner),
so you can keep them organized. Color-coding is often done to easily distinguish the
cards at a glance. Losing your place can be very stressful to you and distracting to the
audience.
Avoid writing or printing on two sides; flipping a page or card is distracting to the
audience. The audience should not be aware of the notes. It is best to simply slide the
cards aside to advance to the next card.
Rehearse your speech using the notes that you will bring to the podium. Be sure you can
glance at the notes, get your information, and look up to have eye contact with the
audience.
All the real work is done in the rehearsal period. ~ Donald Pleasence
Figure 12.1: Rehearsal Checklist
● Rehearse a few days before you are to deliver your speech
● Use the note sheets or cards you will be using or delivery
● Practice with the presentation aids you will be using for delivery
● Practice with the presentation aids you will be using
● Time your speech and cut or expand it if needed
● Rehearse with a colleague or an audience if possible
● If you can, rehearse in the room with the podium you will use
● Plan what you will do with your hands

● Plan and practice your opening and closing carefully, so you can deliver them
exactly
Rehearsing the Speech

Remember how to get to Carnegie Hall. Rehearse your speech—aloud and ideally with a
colleague or fellow student as an audience. Rehearse in front of a mirror if needed.
There are some students who record a rehearsal speech so they can get a real sense of
what the audience will hear. If you are using presentation aids, rehearse with them for
timing and familiarity so you only have to glance at the screen or easel. Time the speech
to be sure it within the assigned time. Phrase the speech as you will phrase it in the
actual delivery (and listen for the verbal fillers, awkward pauses, and other non-
fluencies). Plan what to do with your hands.
You should also know exactly how your speech will begin and end. Regardless of how
dependent on notes the speaker may be, here is one constant word of advice: know
exactly how you are going to begin your speech. Not just an idea, but verbatim, with
every inflection, every gesture, every eye contact with the audience. The first few
sentences should be so ingrained, that you could perform it during an earthquake
without batting an eye.
A memorized introduction accomplishes several goals. First, it gives you the opportunity
to breathe, and realize it’s not so bad to be up there after all! Second, it lets the
audience know you are prepared. Third, it signals to the audience that what you are
about to say is important. Finally, it gives you the opportunity for direct eye contact
(because you are not reading) and commands the audience’s attention. Eye contact is a
signal to the audience that you care about them!
The conclusion of your speech is equally important. In show business parlance, the end
of a song or a scene is called a “button.” It is a “TAH-DAH” moment that lets the
audience know you are finished, and that it is their turn to applaud. The ending
impression your speech leaves with the audience is greatly affected by how effective
the ending is. The content and structure notwithstanding, you should also know exactly
how you will end (verbatim), so there is no hesitation, no stumbling, no tentative “I
guess that’s all” feeling. A confident and decisive beginning will draw the audience to
you; a confident logical ending will be very effective in preserving a lasting impression
on the audience.
Stress is an important dragon to slay— or at least tame— in your life. ~ Marilu Henner
Managing Stress
As William Ball noted in his book for actors and directors, A Sense of Direction, getting in
front of a group and speaking is people’s greatest fear (greater than fear of death). Fear
and stress result in psychological and physical manifestations that can affect a speech.
Stress physically causes muscles to tighten, often including vocal cords. This raises, and
often limits, the vocal pitch of the speaker under
stress. The tempo of the speech may also be
affected. Novice speakers tend to rush as though to
be anxious to “get it over with.” It is a factor to
remember in a corporate or business meeting: the
speaker should speak slowly enough because what
he has to say is important, and the audience should
listen. Remember, as noted above, rushing gives the
impression that the speaker thinks the message is
not worth the time. “Is it a bad sign when work starts handing
Stress can accelerate perspiration. It is wise to have these out?” by skittledog. CC-BY-NC-
SA. a facial tissue or small towel handy for dabbing for comfort. Stress can also make
the mouth and throat feel dry. Sipping water is a simple solution.
There are a myriad of solutions to relieving a speaker’s stress: from hypnosis to

imagining the audience to be naked. Among the simplest and most effective is to do a
moderate amount of exercise prior to the speech, even as basic as walking. Exercising
helps to naturally chemically relieve the tension; and helps deepen the breathing that
supports the voice.
Simultaneously while exercising the body, it is a good idea to warm up the voice. The
vocal cords are muscles, which should not be jump-started.
Physical exercises will likely help relaxing for better posture and hand and body
gestures. As part of the relaxation process, actors “warm up” physically before
performances and often do relaxation exercises to help concentration and relieve
stress.
The best antidote for stress is to be well prepared and confident.
Delivering the Speech

You have taken all of the right steps before stepping up to the podium or lectern. You
have selected a good topic. You have researched the topic. You have organized the best
information in a compelling way. You have rehearsed your speech. You have received
feedback on your rehearsal from an objective listener. You have carefully constructed
your notes and practiced with them. You have planned and practiced your speech
introduction and conclusion verbatim. You have checked out the room and the
equipment. You did something to reduce your stress before your speech. You did vocal
warm-ups. You chose the perfect outfit to wear. You made sure your gum was discarded
and your hair pulled back. You arrived at least 15 minutes before your speech. You leapt
to the podium with great enthusiasm when introduced.
Now you must deliver. If you look up the word “deliver,” you will find it means more
than to just “give.” To “give” is a willingness to offer something without obligation or
the expectation of something in return. To “give” also implies a pre-determined
responsibility. You have a responsibility as a speaker to “deliver” information that will
help your audience or enlighten them in some way. Speeches are delivered.
Figure 12.2: Steps for Effective Delivery
1. Approach the podium as you rehearsed.

2. Stand with confident posture.
3. Deliver your brilliant opening.
4. Realize you are a hit with the audience.
5. Breathe.
6. Spontaneously interject a humorous observation related to your topic.
7. Make all your points without hesitation, “ums,” “likes,” or “uhs.”
Delivering Your Speech: Conclusion

The true test for this chapter is in the actual
presentation of the speech. Like voice and diction,
understanding what makes a speech effective
without practice is insufficient. Merely knowing the
best form for a golf swing is useless unless put into
practice; and practice reinforces the knowledge.
Comprehending the rules for driving on the road is
moot (and/or dangerous) if the rules are not
obeyed in practice. The same is true for this
chapter. Practice speaking will make you a more
effective speaker!
A speech is poetry: cadence, rhythm, imagery,

sweep! A speech reminds us that words, like “Lhadon Speaks” by SFT HQ. CC-BY.
children, have the power to make dance the dullest beanbag of a heart. ~Peggy Noonan
Delivering Your Speech: Review Questions and Activities

REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Develop a list of ten potential speech topics. For each topic, think of a setting in
which a speech on that topic might be delivered. Next, determine what type(s) of
delivery (manuscript, memorized, impromptu, extemporaneous) would be most
appropriate for the topic and setting.
2. What three aspects of vocal delivery do you believe are most important to a
speaker’s credibility? Explain.
3. How might a speaker’s accent affect the audience’s perception of him or her?
Illustrate your answer with an example.
4. What guidelines did you find most useful in the section about what to wear for
your speech?
5. How do you perceive speakers who do not make eye contact with their
audience? What suggestions would you give these speakers to improve their eye
contact?
6. What type of equipment is available in the space(s) where you plan to give your
speeches? What kinds of presentations can be used with this type of equipment?
7. List three methods you would personally use to reduce your anxiety before your
speeches.
8. What piece of advice from the chapter did you find most useful?
Glossary Accent
The prominence of a syllable in terms of loudness, pitch, and/or length.
Articulation
The act of producing clear, precise and distinct speech.
Body Language
Body stance, gestures and facial expressions.
Dialect
A variety of language, can’t or jargon that is set apart from other varieties of the same
language by grammar, vocabulary or patterns of speech sounds.
Diction
The accent, inflection, intonation and sound quality of a speaker’s voice. Also known as
enunciation.
Elocution
The formal study and practice of oral delivery, especially as it relates to the performance
of voice and gestures.
Extemporaneous Delivery
Learning your speech well enough so that you can deliver it from a key word outline.
Impromptu Speeches
A speech delivered without previous preparation.
Inflections
Variations, turns and slides in pitch to achieve meaning.
Manuscript Delivery
Reading the text of a speech word for word.
Memorized Delivery
Learning a speech by heart and then delivering it without notes.
Performance
The execution of a speech in front of an audience.
Pitch
The highness or lowness of one’s voice or of sound.
Pronunciation
Saying words correctly, with the accurate articulation, stress and intonation, according
to conventional or cultural standards.
Regionalism
A speech form, expression or custom that is characteristic to a particular geographic
area.
Tempo
The rate, pace, or rhythm of speech.
Timbre
The characteristic quality of the sound of one’s voice.
Tone
The particular sound quality (e.g. nasal or breathy) or emotional expression of the voice.
Verbatim
To say with exactly the same words.
Vocalized Pauses
Verbal fillers in speech such as “um,” “uh,” “like,” “and,” or “you know.”
Delivering Your Speech: References

Ball, W. (1984). A sense of direction: Some observations on the art of directing. New York:
Drama Book.
Brydon, S. R., & Scott, M. D. (2006). Between one and many: The art and science of public
speaking. Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill.
DeVito, J. A. (2003). The essential elements of public speaking. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Giffin, K., & Patton, B. R. (1971). Fundamentals of interpersonal communication. New York:
Harper & Row.
Gregory, H. (2010). Selected chapters from Public speaking for college and career, ninth
edition. Boston: McGraw-Hill Learning Solutions.
Monroe, A. H., & Ehninger, D. (1974). Principles and types of speech communication.
Glenview, Ill.,: Scott, Foresman.
A Research Guide for Students. (n.d.). A Research Guide for Students. Retrieved February
26, 2012, from http://www.aresearchguide.com/
Sprague, J., & Stuart, D. (1984). The speaker’s handbook. San Diego: Harcourt Brace
Jovanovich.
Welcome to Mirror Image. (n.d.). Mirror Image Teleprompters. Retrieved February 26,
2012, from http://www.teleprompters.com/mirrorimage/ind ex.php photo
credits
p. 1 Allida Black Speaking at the Courage to Lead Conference by U.S. Mission Geneva
http://www.everystockphoto.com/photo.php?imageId=752
7414&searchId=488e81758eb12a809a21e316d0f1ab1b&n pos=230
p. 5 Iraqi speaker by Scanlan http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Iraqi_Speaker.jpg
p. 6 Ice-T byTino Jacobs http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ice-T_(2).jpg
p.9 [President] Barack Obama at Las Vegas Presidential Forum by Center for American
Progress Action Fund http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Barack_Obama_a
t_Las_Vegas_Presidential_Forum.jpg
p. 10 Chris Coons as the 2010 Democrat nominee for U.S. Senate in Delaware by Chris
Coons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chris_Coons.jpg
p. 10 Phoenix Auditorium by Basil Jradeh

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Phoenix_Auditori um.jpg
p. 11 Lhandon Speaks by STF HQ

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/88/Lha don_Speaks.jpg
p. 11 Andrea Dernbach and Hoda Salah by Heinrich Boell Stiftung

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flickr_- _boellstiftung_
_Andrea_Dernbach_und_Hoda_Salah.jpg
p. 14 Anthony Pico by Dale Frost

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anthonypico.jpg
Chapter 9: Visual Aids

By Sheila Kasperek, MLIS, MSIT
Mansfield University, Mansfield, PA
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• Identify when and how visual aids will enhance a presentation
• Identify the different types of visual aids
• Identify effective and ineffective use of visual aids
• Apply basic design principles to slide design
• Identify best practices to incorporating visual aids in a presentation
Chapter Outline
● Introduction
● Effective Visual Aids
● Types of Visual Aids o Personal Appearance o Objects and Props o
Demonstration o Posters and Flip Charts o Audio and Video o Handouts o
Slideware
● Design Principles o Slide Layout o Backgrounds and Effects o Colors o Fonts
o Text o Images o Graphs and Charts
● Implementation
● Visual Aid Tips
● Conclusion
● Glossary
● References
Visual Aids: Introduction

“I know you can’t read this from the
back there,” the presenter apologizes to
a screen so full of words you would think
the entire speech had been crammed
into one slide. This is just the first of a
seemingly endless string of slides I can’t
read, charts so full of numbers I can’t
decipher the meaning, and clip art so
clichéd I can’t help but roll my eyes and
sigh. It is not long before I’m presented
with an incredibly dense graph I can’t
make any sense of since he keeps “Grifo mágico” by emijrp. CC-BY.
interrupting my concentration with actual talking. “When is he going to come to the
point already?” I think to myself as I start to doodle in the margins of the handout of the
PowerPoint slides for the very talk I’m currently sitting through. Why did he even bother
with a presentation? He could have just emailed us all of the handout and saved us from
this painful, dull spectacle. As he reads from his slides and belabors his statistics, my
mind drifts to grocery lists and the upcoming weekend. I can think of a hundred better
uses for an hour.
It seems nearly impossible to see a presentation that doesn’t revolve around a lengthy
PowerPoint, so much so that you might think it was a requirement for giving a speech.
The phrase “death by PowerPoint” was coined in response to the ubiquitous, wordy,
and intellectually deadening presentations that focus on the slides rather than the
content or the presenter. With the speaker reading directly from the slides, or worse,
showing slides with text so small that it can’t be read, viewers are often left wondering
what the need for the presentation is at all. A simple handout would convey the
message and save everyone’s time. PowerPoint, however, is just one of the visual aids
available to you as a speaker. Your ability to incorporate the right visual aid at the right
time and in the right format can have a powerful effect on your audience. Because your
message is the central focus of your speech, you only want to add visual aids that
enhance your message, clarify the meaning of your words, target the emotions of your
audience, and/or show what words fail to clearly describe.
A visual image is a simple thing, a picture that enters the eyes. ~ Roy H. Williams
Learning how to create effective visuals that

resonate with your audience is important for a
quality presentation. Understanding basic principles
of how visual information is processed alone and in
combination with audio information can make or
break your visuals’ effectiveness and impact.
Incorporating visuals into your speech that
complement your words rather than stand in place
of
them or distract from them, will set you apart from “mwdCyborgLenses” by em den. CC-
BYother presenters, increase your credibility, and make NC-SA. a bigger and more
memorable impact on your audience. Visual Aids: Effective Visual Aids Before you just
open up PowerPoint and begin creating
slides, you should stop for a moment
and consider what type of visual aid will
best serve your purpose and if you even
need an aid at all. Select a visual aid that
adds to your presentation in a
meaningful way, not merely something
pretty to look at or a substitute for
thorough preparation. Visuals are not
there for you to hide behind when you
are in front of your audience. Because
of the tendency for novice speakers to
use visuals as a crutch in their speeches,
it has even
“Cake depicting a cheeseburger” by Michael been
suggested that beginner speakers
Prudhomme. CC-BY-SA. be forbidden from using visual aids while they are learning to
present.[1]
Visual aids serve a unique role in a presentation, and you should consider the specific
purpose and desired outcome of your speech when determining if, when, to what
extent, and in what format you use visual aids.
Visuals can spark interest, build emotional connections, clarify your words, explain
abstract ideas, help draw conclusions, or increase understanding. For instance, a
speaker may show a stacks of books to represent the amount of data storage in a
speech about the evolution of computers; or demonstrate the proper use of ear plugs
by distributing ear plugs, showing how to insert them, and then blasting an air horn in a
speech about preventing hearing loss in order to make the value of ear protection more
memorable and concrete. Done well—simple, visible, relevant, memorable, and
audience-focused— visual aids can have a profound impact on your audience and your
overall message.
Visual aids can be an important part of conveying your message effectively since people
learn far more by hearing and seeing than through hearing or seeing alone.[2] The brain
processes verbal and visual information separately. By helping the audience build visual
and verbal memories, they are more likely to be able to remember the information at a
later time.[3] If you can find a visual aid to complement what you are saying, you will
help your audience understand the information you
are presenting and remember your message. For
example, a speaker might show the proper and
improper ways to bow when being introduced in
Japan while at the same time talking about the
movements and also displaying a slide with the
appropriate angles and postures for bowing. By
using multiple modes in concert with each other,
the message is strengthened by the pairing of
words, images, and movement.
Not just any visual will do, however. Each visual

should be relevant to your message, convey an
important point, be clearly understandable, and be
visible by your entire audience. Visuals should be
used to make concepts easier to understand and to
reinforce your message. They should illustrate
“Diving in the Adriatic” by
important points that are otherwise hard to
[4] melschmitz. morgueFile license. understand.
Use visuals for speeches about processes, products, or demonstrations of how to do

something, such as a diagram of how email is delivered in a speech about computer
security. Use visuals when you need to explain things you cannot see because they are
hidden or abstract, like a model of your internal organs in a speech about gastric bypass
surgery. Use them when you need to grab your audience’s attention or stir their
emotions. A speaker could use a photo of a starving child and a bag of rice that
represents the daily calorie intake of a poor child in a speech about food insecurity to
create a visceral reaction in the audience. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand
words, so use images to tell a story or create a visual metaphor. Visual metaphors are
useful when trying to evoke an emotion, such as showing an image of someone running
or diving into a pool when you want to evoke action on the part of your audience. The
images convey the message to “get going” or “dive in.” When talking about numbers or
statistics, use visuals to provide context, comparison, and to help your audience
understand the meaning of data. Done well, graphs can convey data.[5] While there are
many possible reasons to use visuals in your presentation, your guiding principle should
be: does this make the message clearer or more memorable? If you cannot answer with
a resounding “YES!” then re-think the plan for your visuals and begin again.
1. Palmer, E. (2011). Well spoken: Teaching speaking to all students. Portland, ME:
Stenhouse Publishers.
2. Vasile, A. J. (2004). Speak with confidence: A practical guide (9th ed.). Boston, MA:
Pearson.
3. Malamed, C. (2009). Visual language for designers: Principles for creating graphics
that people understand. Beverly, MA: Rockport Publishers.
4. Detz, J. (2000). It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it. New York, NY: St.
Martin’s Griffen; Palmer, E. (2011). Well spoken: Teaching speaking to all
students. Portland, ME: Stenhouse Publishers; Young, K. S., & Travis, H. P. (2008).
Oral communication: Skills, choices, and consequences (2nd ed.). Long Grove, IL:
Waveland Press.
that people understand. Beverly, MA: Rockport Publishers; Palmer, E. (2011). Well
spoken: Teaching speaking to all students. Portland, ME: Stenhouse Publishers;
Tufte, E. R. (2003). The cognitive style of PowerPoint. Cheshire, CT: Graphics Press;
Vasile, A. J. (2004). Speak with confidence: A practical guide (9th ed.). Boston, MA:
Pearson.
Visual Aids: Types of Visual Aids
In the past, transparencies displayed with overhead projectors, posters, and flip charts
were common visual aids, but these have mostly been replaced with computer
technology. For many people, the term “visual aids” for presentations or speeches is
synonymous with PowerPoint (often long, dry, painful PowerPoint at that), but this is
just one type of visual aid. You should consider all the available options to determine
what will be most effective and appropriate for your presentation.
If you wear clothes that don’t suit you, you’re a fashion victim. You have to wear clothes
that make you look better. ~ Vivienne Westwood
Personal Appearance
Some people chose to dress up as part of their presentation, and this can help set the
tone of the speech or reinforce a specific point. A speaker may choose to wear a
handmade sweater in a talk about knitting in order to inspire others to begin the hobby.
Another speaker may opt for a firefighter’s uniform in a speech about joining the local
volunteer fire department in an effort to appeal to the respect most people have for
people in uniform.
If you aren’t dressing in relation to your

topic, you should dress appropriately
for your audience and venue. A
presentation to a professional audience
or at a professional conference would
lend itself to appropriate business
attire. If you are giving a presentation to
your local Girl Scout troop, more casual
clothing may be the best choice. Any
time you are doing a demonstration,
make sure you are dressed
appropriately to give the
“Firefighters Onboard Royal Navy Destroyer HMS
Edinburgh” by UK Ministry of Defence. CC-BY-NC. demonstration. It is difficult for a
speaker to show how to correctly put on
a rock climbing harness if she is wearing a skirt the day of the presentation. Beyond
dressing appropriately for your audience and topic, the audience will make judgments
about you even before your presentation begins. Your dress, mannerisms, the way
you greet the audience when they are arriving, how you are introduced, and the first
words out of your mouth all impact your credibility and ability to connect with your
audience. Make sure you are calm and welcoming to your audience when they arrive
and greet them in a professional manner. Your credibility and professionalism suffer
when the audience arrives and you are busy scrambling around attempting to finish
your preparations.[1]
Objects and Props

Objects and props, such as a bicycle helmet for a
speech on bike safety or an actual sample of the
product you are trying to sell, can greatly enhance
your presentation. Seeing the actual item will often
make it easier for your audience to understand your
meaning and will help you connect with your
audience on an emotional level. Props can be used
“Honestly I Don’t Remember Much from
This Lecture” by Daniel Lu. CC-BY-NC-ND.
as part of demonstrations (discussed below) or as a stand-alone item that you refer to in
your speech.
There are several important considerations for using props in your presentation. If you
have a large audience, showing the prop at the front of the venue may mean that
audience members can’t see the item. The alternative to this is to pass the item around,
though Young and Travis[2] advise caution in passing objects around during your speech,
as most people will be seeing the object after you have moved on with your talk. Having
your prop out of sync with your presentation, either as it is passed around disrupting
your audience’s attention or by having your prop visible when you aren’t talking about
it, is distracting to your audience and message. To make the most effective use of props
in your presentation, carefully consider how the object will be visible to your entire
audience when you are speaking about it, and make sure it is out of sight when you are
not.
Demonstration
A demonstration can serve two different purposes
in a speech. First, it can be used to “wow” the
audience. Showing off the features of your new
product, illustrating the catastrophic failure of a
poorly tied climbing knot, or launching a cork across
the room during a chemistry experiment are all
ways of capturing the audience’s attention.
Demonstration should not be gimmicky, but should
add value to your presentation. When done well, it
can be the memorable moment from your speech,
so make sure it reinforces the central message of
your talk.
“A dad teaches his daughter the hula hoop at
Demonstration can also be used to show how the 2011 Downton Cuckoo Fair” by Anguskirk.
CC-BY-NC-ND.
something is done. People have different learning
styles, and a process demonstration can help visual learners better understand the
concept being taught. Consider for a moment the difference between reading the
instructions on how to perform CPR, watching someone perform CPR, and trying CPR on
the training dummy. As evidenced by the huge number of online videos illustrating how
to do something, there is great value in watching while you learn a new task.
If your presentation includes a process where seeing will improve understanding,

consider including a demonstration.
Because you have a limited time to present, make sure your demonstrations are
succinct, well-rehearsed, and visible to the entire audience. Be prepared for the
demonstration to fail and have a back-up plan in place. It is better to move forward with
your presentation than to fret with trying to get your demonstration perfect or fixed.
However, if you are providing a demonstration of your new product, make sure it is as
error free as possible. If you can’t be positive the product will perform as expected, it is
better to skip the demonstration.
Posters and Flip Charts

If you are presenting to a small audience, around a dozen people, you may choose to
use a poster rather than PowerPoint. The focus of your poster should be to support your
core message and can be left behind to remind those in attendance of your
presentation after you have left. Posters should look professional (e.g., not
handwritten), be visible to everyone in the room, and follow design rules covered later
in this chapter. Before your presentation, you should ask whether posters must be hung
or be free standing. For posters that will be hung from a wall, sturdy poster or matte
boards will suffice. If your poster is going to be free standing or if you are going to use
the same poster for multiple presentations, you should consider using a tri-fold display
board.
Other text-based visual aids include

white boards and flip charts. Both can
be used to write or draw on during the
presentation and should be used with
several caveats. Writing during your
presentation actually takes away from
your speaking time, so make sure to
factor this into your speaking time.
Speaking and writing at the same time
can be tricky because the audience will
“Dad’s Jr. Year Science Fair Project” by Rev. Xanatos have a difficult time processing what
Satanicos Bombasticos. CC-BY-NC-SA. they are hearing when they are also
trying to read what you write. Additionally, if you are writing, you need to be careful not
to turn your back on your audience, which is makes it harder for them to hear you and
for you to connect with your audience. Legible handwriting that can be seen at a
distance is of prime importance, so using these kinds of visual aids should be limited to
small audiences. While some speakers write and draw to highlight important points, this
takes an enormous amount of skill and practice. For those with less developed skills, flip
charts are best limited to situations where audience input is necessary for the direction
or continuation of the presentation.[3]
The soul never thinks without a picture. ~ Aristotle
Audio and Video

A large amount of digitized audio and video is now available to be included and
embedded in your presentation. Select short clips; Young and Travis[4] recommend only
10–20 seconds, but this will depend in part on the length of the presentation, the
purpose of the presentation, and clip content and relevance. You should not have a
presentation primarily composed of audio/video clips. Select only clips that reinforce
the message or serve as an appropriate segue into your next topic.
When including audio or video in your speech, there are several technical
considerations. It is important that the clip be properly cued to start at exactly where
you want it to begin playing. It distracts from both your audience’s attention and your
credibility when you are fumbling with technology during a speech. It is also important
that your file format can be played on the computer you are using. Since not all
computers will play all file formats, be sure to test playability and audio volume before
your presentation. Again, going back to providing a professional appearance from your
first interaction with your audience, you should iron out the technical details before
they enter the room. As with a demonstration, if your clip isn’t playing properly, move
on rather than attempt to correct the issue. Fumbling with technology is a waste of your
audience’s valuable time.
Handouts
There are many schools of thought on the use of handouts during a presentation. The
most common current practice is that the presenters provide a copy of their PowerPoint
slides to the participants before or after the presentation. This is so common that some
academic and professional conferences require presenters to submit their slides prior to
the event, so copies of the slides can be made for each attendee. Despite this prevailing
trend, you should avoid using your slides as handouts because they serve different
purposes. Using your presentation slides as the handout both shortchanges your slides
and fails as a handout.
Handouts are best used to supplement

the content of your talk. If you are
providing statistical data, your slide
may only show the relevant statistic
focusing on the conclusion you want
your audience to draw. Your handout,
on the other hand, can contain the full
table of data. If you need to show a
complex diagram or chart, a handout
will be more legible than trying to cram
all that information on a slide. Since
you need
“Lt. Lydia Battey distributes handouts” by Kerryl Cacho.
Public domain.
to simplify the data to make it understandable on a slide, the handout can contain the
evidence for your message in a way that is legible, detailed, complex, and shows respect
for the audience’s time and intelligence.[5]
You don’t need to include everything in your talk, and you don’t need to pack all your
information into your slides. Write a handout document with as much detail as you
want and keep the slides simple. Presenters often feel the need to display all the data
and information they have so they will appear knowledgeable, informed, and
thoroughly prepared. You can help ease this feeling by creating a handout with all of the
detailed data you wish, which leaves your slides open to focus on your key message.[6]
There are many true statements about complex topics that are too long to fit on a
PowerPoint slide. ~ Edward Tufte
Crafting an appropriate handout will take additional time for the presenter, but doing so
will result in a take-away document that will stand on its own and a slide show that
focuses on effective visual content. Duarte (2008) and Tufte (2003) recommend
handouts only for dense, detailed information. Reynolds[7] expands on this idea, noting
that your handout needs to be complete enough to stand in your place since you won’t
be there to present the information or answer questions.
When to distribute handouts is also heavily debated. So common is the practice of

providing handouts at the beginning of a presentation that it may seem wrong to break
the convention. It is important to understand, however, that if people have paper in
front of them while you are speaking, their attention will be split between the handout,
your other visual aids, and your words. To counter this, you might consider distributing
handouts as they are needed during the presentation and allowing time for people to
review them before continuing on.[8] This may not be a viable option for shorter
presentations, and the interruption in the flow of the presentation may be hard to
recover from. Unless having the documents in front of your audience is absolutely
critical to the success of the presentation, handouts should be distributed at the end of
the presentation.
Slideware
Slideware is a generic term for the software used create and display slide
shows such as Microsoft PowerPoint, Apple iWorks Keynote, Google Drive
Presentation, Zoho Show, and others. Composed of individual slides,
collectively known as the slide deck, slideware is a de facto standard for
presentation visual aids despite criticisms and complaints about the format.
In truth, the problem is not with the software but in the use of the program.
The focus of much of the remainder of this chapter will be suggestions and
best practices for creating effective slide decks that will be high impact and
avoid many of the complaints of slideware detractors. Before this
discussion, there are two distinct slideware presentation styles that should
be mentioned.
A picture is a poem without words. ~ Horace
Pecha Kucha
“Steve Jobs Presentation” by Ken.gz.

CCBY.
Pecha Kucha is a method of presenting using a slide deck of 20 slides that display for 20
seconds per slide, advance automatically, and generally contain no text.[9] This method
began in 2003 as a way to contain the length of presentations of architects and
continues to grow in popularity, but is still reserved mostly for people in creative
industries.[10] Because of the restrictive format, Pecha Kucha-style presentations help
the speaker practice editing, pacing, connecting with the audience, focusing on the
message, and using images in place of words.[11]
Prezi
While not quite slideware, Prezi is digital presentation software
that breaks away from the standard slide deck presentation. It
requires users to plot out their themes before adding primarily
image-focused content.[12] Instead of flipping through the slide
deck, the presenter zooms in and out of the presentation to
“Dalia” by Wirtual24.
visually demonstrate connections not available in other
CC
slideware. The design of the software lends itself toward more BY-SA. rapidly
changing visuals. This helps to keep the viewer engaged but also lends itself to over-
populating the blank canvas with images.[13]
Prezi’s fast moving images and, at times, unusual movement can make users dizzy or
disoriented. Careful work is needed during planning and practice so that the point of the
talk isn’t the wow factor of the Prezi software, but that your visuals enhance your
presentation. The best way to learn more about this emerging tool is to visit the Prezi
website to view examples.
If opting to use Prezi in a corporate environment, you should strongly consider one of
the paid options for the sole purpose of removing the Prezi logo from the presentation.
1. Duarte, N. (2010). Resonate: Present visual stories that transform audiences.

Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
2. Young, K. S., & Travis, H. P. (2008). Oral communication: Skills, choices, and
consequences (2nd ed.). Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press.
3. Duarte, N. (2008). Slide:ology: The art and science of creating great presentations.
Sebastopol, CA : O’Reilly Media.
4. Young, K. S., & Travis, H. P. (2008). Oral communication: Skills, choices, and
consequences (2nd ed.). Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press.
5. Tufte, E. R. (2003). The cognitive style of PowerPoint. Cheshire, CT: Graphics Press.
6. Reynolds, G. (2008). Presentation Zen: Simple ideas on presentation design and

delivery. Berkeley, CA: New Riders.
8. Vasile, A. J. (2004). Speak with confidence: A practical guide (9th ed.). Boston, MA:
Pearson.
10. Lehtonen, M. (2011). Communicating competence through PechaKucha
presentations. Journal of Business Communication,
11. Beyer, A. (2011). Improving student presentations: Pecha Kucha and just plain
PowerPoint. Teaching of Psychology,
12. Panag, S. (2010). A Web 2.0 Toolkit for Educators. Youth Media Reporter, 489–91.
13. Yee, K., & Hargis, J. (2010). PREZI: A different way to present. Turkish Online
Journal of Distance Education (TOJDE),
Visual Aids: Design Principles

Slide and slide show design have a major impact on your ability to get your message
across to your audience. Numerous books address various design fundamentals and
slide design, but there isn’t always consensus on what is “best.” What research has
shown, though, is that people have trouble grasping information when it comes at them
simultaneously. “They will either listen to you or read your slides; they cannot do
both.”[1] This leaves you, the presenter, with a lot of power to direct or scatter your
audience’s attention. This section will serve as an overview of basic design
considerations that even novices can use to improve their slides.
First and foremost, design with your audience in mind. Your slide show is not your
outline. The show is also not your handout. As discussed earlier, you can make a
significantly more meaningful, content-rich handout that complements your
presentation if you do not try to save time by making a
Figure 13.1 by the Public Speaking
Project. CC-BY-NC-ND.
slide show that serves as both. Keep your slides short, create a separate handout if
needed, and write as many notes for yourself as you need.
All decisions, from the images you use to their placement, should be done with a focus
on your message, your medium, and your audience. Each slide should reinforce or
enhance your message, so make conscious decisions about each element and concept
you include[2] and edit mercilessly. Taken a step further, graphic designer Robin
Williams[3] suggests each element be placed on the slide deliberately in relation to every
other element on the slide.
Providing the right amount of information, neither too much nor too little, is one of the
key aspects in effective communication.[4] See Figure 13.1 as an example of slides with
too little or too much information. The foundation of this idea is that if the viewers have
too little information, they must struggle to put the pieces of the presentation together.
Most people, however, include too much information (e.g., slides full of text,
meaningless images, overly complicated charts), which taxes the audience’s ability to
process the message. “There is simply a limit to a person’s ability to process new
information efficiently and effectively.”[5] As a presenter, reducing the amount of
information directed at your audience (words, images, sounds, etc.) will help them to
better remember your message.[6] In this case, less is actually more.
The first strategy to keeping it simple is to include only one concept or idea per slide. If
you need more than one slide, use it, but don’t cram more than one idea on a slide.
While many have tried to proscribe the number of slides you need based on the length
of your talk, there is no formula that works for every presentation. Use only the number
of slides necessary to communicate your message, and make sure the number of slides
corresponds to the amount of time allotted for your speech. Practice with more and
fewer slides and more and less content on each slide to find the balance between too
much information and too little.
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With simplicity in mind, the goal is to have
a slide that can be understood in 3
seconds. Think of it like a billboard you are
passing on the highway.[7] You can achieve
this by reducing the amount of irrelevant
information, also known as noise, in your
slide as much as possible. This might
include eliminating background images,
using clear icons and images, or creating
simplified graphs. Your approach should
be to remove as much from your slide as
possible until it
Figure 13.2 by the
Public Speaking Project. CC-BY-NC- no longer
ND. makes any
sense if you
remove more.[8]
Slide Layout
It is easy to simply open up your slideware and start typing
in the bullet points that outline your talk. If you do this, you
will likely fall into the traps for which PowerPoint is
infamous. Presentation design experts Reynolds[9] and
Duarte[10] both recommend starting with paper and pen.
This will help you break away from the text-based, bullet-
filled slide shows we all dread. Instead, consider how you
can turn your words and concepts into images. Don’t let the software lead
you into making a mediocre slide show.
Figure 13.3 by the Public
Speaking Project. CC-BY-NC-ND.
Regarding slide design, focus on simplicity. Don’t over-crowd your slide with text and
images. Cluttered slides are hard to understand (see Figure 13.2). Leaving empty space,
also known as white space, gives breathing room to your design. The white space
actually draws attention to your focus point and makes your slide appear more elegant
and professional. Using repetition of color, font, images,
and layout throughout your presentation will help tie all of
your slides together. This is especially important if a group
is putting visuals together collaboratively. If you have
handouts, they should also match this formatting in order
to convey a more professional look and tie all your pieces
together.[11]
Another general principle is to use contrast to highlight your

message. Contrast should not be subtle. Make type sizes
significantly different. Make contrasting image placements,
such as horizontal and vertical, glaringly obvious. A general
principle to follow: if things are not the same, then make
them very, very different,[12] as in Figure 13.3.
A common layout design is called the rule of thirds. If you
divide the screen using two imaginary lines horizontally and
two vertically, you end up with nine sections. The most
Project. CC-BY-NC-ND. visually interesting and pleasing portions of the screen will
be at the points where the
lines intersect.
Aligning your text and images with these points is

preferred to centering everything on the screen.[13][14]
See Figure 13.4. Feel free to experiment with the right
and left aligned content for contrast and interest.
Sticking with a centered layout means more work trying
to make the slide interesting.[15]
Understanding how people view images (and thus

slides) can help you direct the viewer’s attention to the
main point of your slide. In countries that read text
from left to right and top to bottom, like English-
speaking countries, people tend to also read images
and slides the same way. Starting in the upper left of the screen, they read
in a Z pattern, exiting the page in the bottom
right corner unless their vision is side-tracked by the Project. CC-BY-NC-ND.
objects they are looking at (as in Figure 13.5).
Viewers’ eyes are scanning from focus point to focus point in an image, so
you need to consciously create visual cues to direct them to the relevant
information. Cues can be created subtly by the placement of objects in the
slide, by showing movement, or more obviously by using a simple arrow.[16]
Make sure all people and pets are facing into your slide and preferably at
your main point, as in Figure 13.6. If your slide contains a road, path, car,
plane, etc., have them also facing into your slide. When the natural motion
or gaze of your images points away from your slide, your viewers look that
way too. Being aware of this and addressing the natural tendencies of
people when viewing images can help you select images and design slides
that keep the viewer engaged in your message.[17]
Backgrounds and Effects

PowerPoint and other slideware has a variety of templates containing
backgrounds that are easy to implement for a consistent slide show. Most
of them, however, contain distracting graphics that
Figure 13.6 by the Public Speaking Project.
CC-BY-NC-ND.
are counter to the simplicity you are aiming for in order to produce a clear message. It is
best to use solid colors, if you even need a background at all. For some slide shows, you
can make the slides with full-screen images, thus eliminating the need for a background
color.
Graphic design is the paradise of individuality, eccentricity, heresy, abnormality, hobbies

and humors. ~ George Santayana
Should you choose to use a background color, make sure you are consistent throughout
your presentation. Different colors portray different meanings, but much of this is
cultural and contextual, so there are few hard and fast rules about the meaning of
colors. One universal recommendation is to avoid the color red because it has been
shown to reduce your ability to think clearly. Bright colors, such as yellow, pink, and
orange, should also be avoided as background colors, as they are too distracting. Black,
on the other hand, is generally associated with sophistication and can be a very
235 | F u n d a m e n t a l s o f P u b l i
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effective background as long as there is sufficient contrast with the other elements on
your slide.[18]
When designing your presentation, it is tempting to show off your tech skills with glitzy
transitions, wipes, fades, moving text, sounds, and a variety of other actions. These are
distracting to your audience and should be avoided. They draw attention away from you
and your message, instead focusing the audience’s attention on the screen. Since
people naturally look at what is moving and expect it to mean something, meaningless
effects, no matter how subtle, distract your audience, and affect their ability to grasp
the content. Make sure that all your changes are meaningful and reinforce your
message[19].
Colors
There are complicated and fascinating biological and psychological processes associated
with color and color perception that are beyond the scope of this chapter. Because
color can have such a huge impact on the ability to see and understand your visuals, this
section will explore basic rules and recommendations for working with color.
Color does not add a pleasant quality to design—it reinforces it. ~ Pierre Bonnard
Much of what we perceive in terms of a color is based on what color is next to it. Be
sure to use colors that contrast so they can be easily distinguished from each other
(think yellow and dark blue for high contrast, not dark blue and purple).High contrast
improves visibility, particularly at a distance. To ensure you have sufficient contrast, you
can view your presentation in greyscale either in the software if available or by printing
out your slides on a black and white printer.[20]
As seen in Figure 13.7, warm colors
(reds, oranges, yellows) appear to come
to the foreground when set next to a
cool color (blues, grays, purples) which
recede into the background. Tints (pure
color mixed with white, think pink)
stand out against a darker background.
Shades (pure color mixed with black,
think maroon ) recede into a light
background.[21] If you want something
to stand out, these color combination
rules can act as a guide.
Figure 13.7 by the Public Speaking Project. CC-BY-NCND.

Avoid using red and green closely together. Red-green color
blindness is the predominate form of color blindness, meaning
that the person cannot distinguish between those two colors
(Vorick, 2011). There are other forms of color blindness, and you
can easily check to see if your visuals will be understandable to
everyone using an online tool such as the Coblis Color Blindness
Simulator to preview images as a color-blindperson would see it.
Certain red-blue pairings can be difficult to look at for the
noncolor blind. These colors appear to vibrate when adjacent to
each other and are distracting and sometimes unpleasant to
view.[22] With all these rules in place, selecting a color palette,
the group of colors to use throughout your presentation, can be
daunting. Some color pairs, like complementary colors or
analogous colors as in Figure 13.8, are naturally pleasing to the
eye and can be easy options for the color novice. There are also
online tools for selecting pleasing color palettes using standard Figure 13.8 by the Public
color pairings including Kuler and Color Scheme Designer. You Speaking Project. CC-
can also use websites like Colorbrewer to help identify an BYNC-ND.
appropriate palette of colors that are visually distinct,
appropriate for the colorblind,
and that will photocopy well, should you decide to also include this information in a
handout.
I’m a visual thinker, not a language-based thinker. My brain is like Google Images. ~
Temple Grandin
Fonts
There are thousands of fonts available today. One might even say there has been a
renaissance in font design with the onset of the digital age. Despite many beautiful
options, it is best to stick to standard fonts that are considered screen-friendly. These
include the serif fonts Times New Roman, Georgia, and Palatino, and the sans serif
fonts Ariel, Helvetica, Tahoma, and Veranda.[23] These fonts work well with the
limitations of computer screens and are legible from a distance if sized appropriately.
Other nonstandard fonts, while attractive and eye-catching, may not display properly on
all computers. If the font isn’t installed on the computer you are presenting from, the
default font will be used which alters the text and design of the slide.
Readability is a top concern with font use,

particularly for those at the back of your audience,
furthest from the screen. After you have selected a
font (see previous paragraph), make sure that the
font size is large enough for everyone to read
clearly. If you have the opportunity to use the
presentation room before the event, view your
slides from the back of the room. They should be
clearly visible. This is not always possible and should
not be done immediately preceding your talk, as
you won’t have time to effectively edit your entire
presentation. Presentation guru Duarte[24] describes
an ingenious way to test visibility from your own
computer. Measure your monitor diagonally in
inches, display your slides, then step back the same
number of feet as you measured on your monitor in
Figure 13.9 by the Public Speaking Project.
CC-BY-NC-ND. inches. If you have a 17 inch screen, step back 17
feet to see what is legible.
Create your own visual style… let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable for others.
~ Orson Welles
In addition to font style and size, there are other font “rules” to improve your slides.
Don’t use decorative, script, or visually complex fonts. Never use the Comic Sans font if
you want to retain any credibility with your audience. If you must use more than one
font, use one serif font and one sansserif font. Use the same font(s) and size(s)
consistently throughout your presentation. Don’t use all upper case or all bold. Avoid
small caps and all word art, shadows, outlines, stretching text, and other visual effects.
Use italics and underlines only for their intended purposes, not for design. While there
are many rules listed here, they can be summarized as” keep it as simple as possible.”[25]
See Figure 13.9 for examples of poor font choices.
Text
Nothing is more hotly debated in slide design than the amount of text that should be on
a slide. Godin says “no more than six words on a slide. EVER.”[26] Other common
approaches include the 5×5 rule—5 lines of text, 5 words per line—and similar 6×6 and
7×7 rules.[27] Even with these recommendations, it is still painfully common to see slides
with so much text on them that they can’t be read by the audience. The type has to be
so small to fit all the words on the slide that no one can read it. Duarte[28] keenly points
out that if you have too many words, you no longer have a visual aid. You have either a
paper or a teleprompter, and she recommends opting for a small number of words.
Once you understand that the words on the screen are competing for your audience’s
attention, it will be easier to edit your slide text down to a minimum. The next time you
are watching a presentation and the slide changes, notice how you aren’t really grasping
what the speaker is saying, and you also aren’t really understanding what you are
reading. Studies have proved this split-attention affects our ability to retain
information;[29] so when presenting, you need to give your audience silent reading time
when you display a new slide. That is: talk, advance to your next slide, wait for them to
read the slide, and resume talking. If you consider how much time your audience is
reading rather than listening, hopefully you will decide to reduce the text on your slide
and return the focus back to you, the speaker, and your message.
There are several ways to reduce the number of words on your page, but don’t do it
haphazardly. Tufte[30] warns against abbreviating your message just to make it fit. He
says this dumbs down your message, which does a disservice to your purpose and
insults your audience’s intelligence. Instead, Duarte[31] and Reynolds[32] recommend
turning as many concepts as possible into images. Studies have shown that people
retain more information when they see images that relate to the words they are
hearing.[33] And when people are presented information for a very short time, they
remember images better than words.[34]
Tip
An easy way to judge how much time your audience needs to read your slide silently, is
to read the slide text to yourself in
reverse order.
The ubiquitous use of bulleted lists is

also hotly debated. PowerPoint is
practically designed around the
bulleted-list format, even though is it
regularly blamed for dull, tedious
presentations with either overly dense
or overly superficial content.[35] Mostly
this format is used (incorrectly) as a
presenter’s outline. “No one can do a
good presentation with slide after slide
of bullet points. No One.”[36] Reserve
bulleted lists for specifications or
explaining the order of processes. In all
Figure 13.10 by the Public Speaking Project. CC-BY-NC- other cases, look for ways to use
ND.
images, a short phrase, or even no visual at all.
Quotes, on the other hand, are not as offensive to design when they are short, legible,
and infrequently used. They can be a very powerful way to hammer a point home or to
launch into your next topic.[37] See Figure 13.10 for an example. If you do use a quote in
your slide show, immediately stop and read it out loud or allow time for it to be read
silently. If the quote is important enough for you to include it in the talk, the quote
deserves the audience’s time to read and think about it. Alternately, use a photo of the
speaker or of the subject with a phrase from the quote you will be reading them,
making
the slide enhance the point of the quote. these should be high quality
and relevant. Simplified can
Images be easier to understand,
Images can be powerful and efficient ways to tap into particularly if you are
your audience’s emotions. Use photographs to showing something that has
introduce an abstract idea, to evoke emotion, to a lot of detail. Simple images
present evidence, or to direct the audience attention, also translate better than
just make sure it is compatible with your message.[38] words to a multicultural
Photos aren’t the only images available. You might audience.[39] In all cases,
consider using simplified images like silhouettes, line choose only images that
art, diagrams, enlargements, or exploded views, but enhance your spoken words
and are professional-quality. This generally rules out
the clip art that comes with slideware, whose use is a
sign of amateurism. Select high-quality images and
don’t be afraid to use your entire slide to display the
image.
Boldness with images often adds impact.
Figure 13.11 by the Public

Speaking Project. CC-BY-NC-ND.
When using images, do not enlarge them to the point that the image becomes blurry,
also known as pixelation. Pixelation, (Figure 13.11) is caused when the resolution of
your image is too low for your output device (e.g. printer, monitor, projector). When
selecting images, look for clear ones that can be placed in your presentation without
enlarging them. A good rule of thumb is to use images over 1,000 pixels wide for filling
an entire slide. If your images begin to pixelate, either reduce the size of the image or
select a different image.
Never use an image that has a watermark on it, as in
Figure 13.2. A watermark is text or a logo that is
placed in a digital image to prevent people from
reusing it. It is common for companies that sell
images to have a preview available that has a
watermark on it. This allows you, the potential
customer, to see the image, but prevents you from
using the image until you have paid for it. Using a
watermarked image in your presentation is
unprofessional. Select another image without a
watermark, take a similar photo yourself, or pay to
get the watermark-free
Figure 13.12 by the Public Speaking version.
You can create images yourself, use free images, or pay for images
from companies like iStockphoto for your presentations. Purchasing images can get
expensive quickly, and searching for free images is time consuming. Be sure to only use
images that you have permission or rights to use and give proper credit for their use. If
you are looking for free images, try searching the Creative Commons database for
images from places like Flickr, Google, and others. The creators of images with a
Creative Commons License allow others to use their work, but with specific restrictions.
What is and isn’t allowed is described in the license for each image. Generally, images
can be used in educational or non-commercial settings at no cost as long as you give the
photographer credit. Also, images created by the U.S. government and its agencies are
copyright free and can be used at no cost.
One final consideration with using images: having the same image on every page, be it
part of the slide background or your company logo, can be distracting and should be
removed or minimized. As mentioned earlier, the more you can simplify your slide, the
easier it will be for your message to be understood.
Graphs and Charts
If you have numerical data that you want to present, consider using a graph or chart.
You are trying to make a specific point with the data on the slide, so make sure that the
point—the conclusion you want your audience to draw—is clear. This may mean that
you reduce the amount of data you present, even though it is tempting to include all of
your data on your slide.
It is best to minimize the amount of information and focus instead on the simple and
clear conclusion.[40] You can include the complete data set in your handout if you feel it
is necessary.[41] Particularly when it comes to numerical data, identify the meaning in
the numbers and exclude the rest. “Audiences are screaming ‘make it clear,’ not ‘cram
more in.’ You won’t often hear an audience member say, ‘That presentation would have
been so much better if it were longer.”[42] In some cases you can even ditch the graph
Figure 13.14 by the Public Speaking Figure 13.13 by the Public
Project. CC-BY-NC-ND. Speaking Project. CC-BY-NC-ND. altogether and display
the one relevant fact that is your conclusion.
Different charts have different purposes, and it is important to select the one that puts
your data in the appropriate context to be clearly understood.[43] Pie charts show how
the parts relate to the whole and are suitable for up to eight segments, as long as they
remain visually distinct.[44] Start your first slice of the pie at 12:00 with your smallest
portion and continue around the circle clockwise as the sections increase in size. Usea
line graph to show trends over time or how data relates or interacts. Bar charts are
good for showing comparisons of size or magnitude[45] and for showing precise
comparisons.[46] There are other types of charts and graphs available, but these are the
most common.
When designing charts, one should use easily distinguishable colors with clear labels. Be
consistent with your colors and data groupings.[47] For clarity, avoid using 3-D graphs
and charts, and remove as much of the background noise (lines, shading, etc.) as
possible.[48] All components of your graph, once the clutter is removed, should be
distinct from any background color. Finally, don’t get too complex in any one graph,
make sure your message is as clear as possible, and make sure to visually highlight the
conclusion you want the audience to draw.
3. Williams, R. (2004). The nondesigner’s design book: Design and typographic
principles for the visual novice (2nd ed.). Berkeley, CA: Peachpit Press.
4. Kosslyn, S. M. (2007). Clear and to the point: 8 psychological principles for
compelling PowerPoint presentations. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
5. Reynolds
6. Mayer, R. E. (2001). Multimedia learning. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University
Press.
7. Duarte, N. (2010). Resonate: Present visual stories that transform audiences.
Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
8. Reynolds
9. Reynolds 2008
10. Duarte 2010
11. Reynolds 2008
12. Williams
13. Kadavy, D. (2011). Design for hackers: Reverse-engineering beauty. West Sussex,
UK : John Wiley & Sons
14. Reynolds 2008
15. Williams 2004
that people understand. Beverly, MA: Rockport Publishers.
17. Duarte 2008
18. Kadavy 2011
19. Duarte 2008; Kosslyn 2007
20. Bajaj, G. (2007). Cutting edge PowerPoint 2007 for dummies. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley
Publishing.
21. Kadavy 2011
22. Kosslyn 2007
23. Kadavy 2011
24. Duarte 2008
25. Kadavy 2011; Kosslyn 2007
26. Reynolds 2008
27. Weaver, M. (1999). Reach out through technology: Make your point with effective
A/V. Computers in Libraries,
28. Duarte 2008
29. Mayer 2001
30. Tufte, E. R. (2003). The cognitive style of PowerPoint. Cheshire, CT: Graphics Press.
31. Duarte 2008

32. Reynolds 2008
33. Mayer 2001
34. Reynolds 2008
35. Tufte 2003
36. Reynolds 2008 ↵
37. Reynolds 2008
38. Kosslyn 2007
39. Malamad 2
40. Duarte 2008
41. Reynolds 2008
42. Duarte 2008 ↵

43. Tufte
44. Duarte 2008
45. Kosslyn 2007
46. Duarte 2008
47. Kosslyn 2007
48. Reynolds 2008
Visual Aids: Implementation

If you have chosen to use visual aids in your presentation, it is important to give credit
where credit is due. Make sure to mention the source of your props if you borrowed
them from a person or organization. You should cite the source of all data and images
used in your presentation. There are conflicting opinions about whether the source
citations should be on the individual slides or at the end of the presentation on a final
slide. Including citations throughout the slide deck places the source information
adjacent to the relevant text, but it is
often so small as to be unreadable.
Placing citations at the end of your
presentation reduces clutter on the
slides and allows the citation
information to be larger and more
legible. In all cases, refer to your sources
when speaking and be able to provide
exact citations for anyone interested in
your sources. Citing your sources
provides credibility to your content and
shows you are a professional.
Once you have decided on which visual
“Astronomy Picture of the Day 2008 May 18” by NASA.
Public domain. aids to use and have prepared them for
your presentation, you should practice with them repeatedly. Through practice you will
be able to seamlessly incorporate them into your presentation, which will reduce
distractions, increase your credibility, and keep the audience’s attention focused on
your message. Practice will also help determine the time required for your presentation
so you can edit before you speak if necessary. No audience benefits from the speaker
looking at the time, admitting how off schedule they are, or rushing through their
remaining slides.
No matter which visual aid(s) you have chosen, they should be displayed only when you
are ready to talk about them. Otherwise, the audience will spend time reading any text
or guessing the meaning of the visual instead of focusing on the presenter’s words.
Once used, visuals should also be removed from sight so as not to continue to distract
the audience.[1]
A picture is the expression of an impression. If the beautiful were not in us, how would
we ever recognize it? ~ Ernst Haas
1. Palmer, E. (2011). Well spoken: Teaching speaking to all students. Portland, ME:
Stenhouse Publishers.
Visual Aids: Visual Aid Tips
Table 13.1: Visual Aid Tips
Select only visual aids that enhance or clarify your message.
Select visual aids that will have the greatest impact on your audience.
Speak to your audience not to your visual aid or the screen.
Reveal your visuals only when they are relevant to your current point, and take them
away when they are no longer being talked about.
Practice with your visual aids and make sure all demonstrations work smoothly.
Design visuals so they can be understood within three seconds.
Keep your visuals as simple as possible while still conveying your message.
When presenting text to your audience, give them time to read before you begin
speaking again.
Be prepared to move on with your presentation should any of the visual aids falter or fail.
No matter how great your visuals are, you need to be prepared to speak without them.
Visual Aids: Conclusion

This chapter addresses both the role and value of using visual aids, including slideware,
objects, audio and video clips, and demonstrations. They should be used only when they
help to clarify or enhance your spoken words or will help your audience remember your
message.
Be sure that any visual aid you use adds to what you are saying. Slides should be brief,
easy to understand, and complement your message. Objects and slides should not be
revealed before you begin talking about them, lest your audience become distracted
from your point. Remember that people cannot read your slides or handouts at the
same time as they are listening to you.
When designing slides make sure they are clear and visible to the entire audience.
Contrasting colors with consideration for common color blindness should be used.
Screen- friendly fonts of sufficient size to be read from the back of the room are
extremely important. Avoid clutter on your slides and leverage the power of white
space, aiming always for simplicity and impact.
Practice your presentation with your visual aids, remembering to allow time for your
audience to read any new text you present. Be prepared to continue in a professional
manner should your visuals falter or fail. The ease with which you implement your
visuals and move past any problems demonstrates your professionalism and bolsters
your credibility.
Effective selection, design, and implementation of visual aids will increase your
audience’s attention and help to vanquish “death by PowerPoint.” It will make you and
your message clearer and more memorable, which will help you to achieve your primary
goal: an audience that understands and connects with your message.
Visual Aids: Review Questions and Activities

REVIEW QUESTIONS
Other than slides, list three types of visual aids that can be used in a presentation and
give an example of each.
1. What are the ways that visual aids can benefit a presentation? Harm a
presentation?
2. Describe the benefits of white space in design.
3. Explain the different purposes and content of handouts as compared to slide
shows.
4. List and explain two considerations when using color in your slides.
5. Discuss the pros and cons of having a large amount of text on a slide.
Glossary
Analogous Colors
Colors that are next to each other on the color wheel, such as yellow and orange.
Color Palette
The selection of colors that are used throughout a single project.
Complementary Colors
Colors on opposite sides of the color wheel, such as red and green.
Creative Commons License

A designation by the copyright holder of an image or other work that it can be reused.
The license identifies what specifically is allowed under what conditions and what credit
must be given.
Exploded View
A picture or diagram where an object appears disassembled so the viewer can see the
component parts in proper relationship to each other. They are used to show how
things fit together and how parts interact to make a whole.
Greyscale
An image that has all the color information removed and replaced with appropriate
shades of grey. These images are sometimes referred to as black- and-white.
Line Art
Simplified drawings made only of solid lines without color or shading. They are useful
for showing the basic shape and construction of complicated objects.
Noise
In design, it refers to excess information on a slide or image or a cluttered image.
Pecha Kucha
A presentation format that uses exactly 20 slides, and each slide is only viewed for 20
seconds. This format focuses on timing, brevity, and practice.
Pixelation
The blurry appearance of images which are enlarged on a computer beyond their
resolution. This often occurs when a small image is stretched to cover an entire slide.
Prezi
A newer type presentation software that allows for non- linear presentations and is
more graphically oriented rather than text oriented.
Rule of Thirds
A layout design grid that divides a page into nine equal squares. Placing or aligning
content along the grid lines creates a more powerful image.
Sans Serif Font
A type face whose characters do not have the small lines or flourishes at the end points
of letters. Sans serif fonts include Arial, Helevetica, and Tahoma.
Serif Font
A type face whose characters have small lines or flourishes at the end points of letters.
Serif fonts include Times New Roman, Georgia, and Palatino.
Silhouette
A simplified image of a person or object created from the outline of the image and filled
in with a solid color, usually black.
Slide Deck
A term that refers to all the slides in a slideware presentation. It is a more generic term
for PowerPoint slides.
Slideware
The software used to display digital slide shows. Examples of slideware include
Microsoft PowerPoint, Apple iWork, Keynote, Google Drive Presentation, OpenOffice
Impress.
Watermark
A noticeable image or graphic in an image that is placed there primarily to prevent reuse
of that image by identifying the owner of the copyright. Often found on online images, it
is designed to let you preview the image before you purchase it, at which time, the
watermark is removed.
White Space
Empty space in your design that helps direct the viewers’ attention to the parts of the
slide that really matter. Use of white space can help reduce clutter on your slide.
Z Pattern
The natural tendency of people from English-speaking countries, among others, to view
images in the same way that they read text, that is, left to right, top to bottom. This
results in the eye tracking along a Z-shaped path through the image.
Visual Aids: References

Bajaj, G. (2007). Cutting edge PowerPoint 2007 for dummies. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Publishing.
Beyer, A. (2011). Improving student presentations: Pecha Kucha and just plain PowerPoint. Teaching of
Psychology, 38(2), 122-126.
Detz, J. (2000). It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it. New York, NY: St. Martin’s Griffen.
Duarte, N. (2008). Slide:ology: The art and science of creating great presentations. Sebastopol, CA : O’Reilly
Media.
Duarte, N. (2010). Resonate: Present visual stories that transform audiences. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Gries, L. E., & Brooke, C. (2010). An inconvenient tool: Rethinking the role of slideware in the writing
classroom. Composition Studies, 38(1), 11-28.
Kadavy, D. (2011). Design for hackers: Reverse-engineering beauty. West Sussex, UK : John Wiley & Sons
Kosslyn, S. M. (2007). Clear and to the point: 8 psychological principles for compelling PowerPoint
presentations. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Lehtonen, M. (2011). Communicating competence through PechaKucha presentations. Journal of Business

Communication, 48(4), 464-481.
Malamed, C. (2009). Visual language for designers: Principles for creating graphics that people understand.
Beverly, MA: Rockport Publishers.
Mayer, R. E. (2001). Multimedia learning. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Palmer, E. (2011). Well spoken: Teaching speaking to all students. Portland, ME: Stenhouse Publishers.
Panag, S. (2010). A Web 2.0 Toolkit for Educators. Youth Media Reporter, 489-91.
Reynolds, G. (2008). Presentation Zen: Simple ideas on presentation design and delivery. Berkeley, CA: New
Riders.
Tufte, E. R. (2003). The cognitive style of PowerPoint. Cheshire, CT: Graphics Press.
Tufte, E. R. (1997). Visual and statistical thinking: Displays of evidence for making decisions. Cheshire, CT:
Graphics Press.
Vasile, A. J. (2004). Speak with confidence: A practical guide (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
Vorvick, L. J. (2011). Color blindness. In MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Retrieved from
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlinepl us/ency/article/001002.htm
Weaver, M. (1999). Reach out through technology: Make your point with effective A/V. Computers in
Libraries, 19(4), 62.
Williams, R. (2004). The non-designer’s design book: Design and typographic principles for the visual novice
(2nd ed.). Berkeley, CA: Peachpit Press.
Yee, K., & Hargis, J. (2010). PREZI: A different way to present. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education
(TOJDE), 11(4), 9-11.
Young, K. S., & Travis, H. P. (2008). Oral communication: Skills, choices, and consequences (2nd ed.). Long
Grove, IL: Waveland Press. photo credits
p. 1 Magic Tap http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4b/Grifo_m%C3%A

1gico.JPG By emijrp
p. 2 Cheeseburger Cake http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CakeBurgerSupreme.JPG by

Michael Prudhomme
p. 5 Steve Jobs Presentation
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Steve_Jobs_Presentation_2.jpg By Ken.gz
p. 5 Handouts http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_Navy_070808-N-9421C-
143_Lt._Lydia_Battey_distributes_handouts_explaining_the_symptoms_of_tuberculosis_to_loc
al_residents_at_Bunabun_Health_Center_in_M adang,_Papua_New_Guinea.jpg By
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kerryl Cacho
p. 6 Dahlia http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dalia.jpg By Wirtual24
p. 6 – 12 Figures 13.1 – 13.14

Slide Graphics by Sheila Kasperek and Tom Oswald p.
7 Beach leaping (In Figure 13.4)
: http://www.flickr.com/photos/foxtongue/4466028696/
By Foxtongue
P. 11 Roosevelt and Muir on Glacier Point (In Figure 13.10) http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-
bin/query/D?consrvbib:4:./temp/~ammem_BRht:: By Library of Congress p. 13 Planets
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NASA_Astronomy_Picture_of_the_Day_2008_May_18
_-_clip_01.jpg By Dana Berry
Chapter 10: Supporting Your Ideas

By Sarah Stone Watt, Ph.D.
Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• Combine multiple forms of evidence to support your ideas.
• Differentiate between the three types of testimony, and know when to use each
one.
• Navigate the library holdings and distinguish between the types of information
found in each section.
• Evaluate source credibility and appropriateness for your speech.
• Explain plagiarism and implement strategies to avoid it.
• Apply chapter concepts in review questions and activities. Chapter Outline
● Introduction
● Personal and Professional Knowledge
o Personal Testimony o Interviews
● Library Resources o Books o
Periodicals o Full Text Databases
● Internet Resources o Search
Engines o Defining Search Terms o
Websites
o Government Documents
● Evaluating Information
● Citing Sources and Avoiding
Plagiarism o Style Sheets o
Plagiarism
● Conclusion
● Module Activities
● Glossary ● References
Supporting Your Ideas: Introduction
I take what I see work. I’m a strict believer in the scientific principle of believing nothing,
only taking the best evidence available at the present time, interpreting it as best you can,
and leaving your mind open to the fact that new evidence will appear tomorrow. ~ Adam
Osborne
In 2010 celebrity chef Jamie Oliver won the

Technology Entertainment Design (TED)
Prize for his “One Wish to Change the
World.” In addition to a monetary award, he
was given 18 minutes at the prestigious TED
Conference in Long Beach, CA to discuss his
wish: “Teach every child about food.”[1] This
chef from Essex, England, had only a short
window of time to convince an American
audience to change their most basic eating
habits. To get them to listen he had to catch
their attention and demonstrate his
credibility. He managed to do both using
compelling research. He began by saying,
“Sadly, in the next 18 minutes . . . four
Americans that are alive will be dead from the food that they eat.”[2] He
magnified the “Jamie Oliver” by Karl Grober. CC-BY.
problem with a chart showing that many more Americans die from diet related diseases
each year than die from other diseases, or even from accidents and murder. Along with
the statistics, he offered testimony from people living in the “most unhealthy state in
America.”[3] By weaving together multiple forms of research over the course of his brief
talk, Oliver crafted a compelling case for a massive shift in the way that Americans teach
their children about food.
Like Oliver, in order to give an effective speech, you will need to offer support for the
ideas you present. Finding support necessitates research. Librarians have found that
professors and students tend to have very different ideas regarding what it means to
conduct research.[4] Professors, who regularly conduct scholarly research as part of their
occupation, tend to envision a process filled with late nights in the stacks of a library.[5]
Students, who regularly conduct research on where to eat or what to do as part of their
weekend activities, tend to envision a less formal process that involves consulting the
most popular web search results. The reality is that in order to properly support your
ideas and craft a compelling speech, you will need a little of each approach, possibly
combined with investigative tools with which you may be less-familiar. The wide variety
of resources available for conducting research can be overwhelming. However, if you
have a clear topic, recognize the purpose of your speech, and understand the audience
you will be speaking to, you can limit the number of sources you will need to consult by
focusing on the most relevant information.
Once you know the topic of the speech, you can

create the specific purpose statement. This is a
one sentence summary of the goal of your
speech, that may begin with the phrase, “At the
end of my speech, the audience will be able to…”
This statement guides your research as you piece
together the supporting evidence to fill out the
remainder of your speech. As you work through
the types of support in this chapter, continually “Girder Gridwork” by skycaptaintwo. CC-BY.
ask yourself, “Does this evidence support the goal of my speech?” If the source offers
information that contradicts your specific purpose statement, hold on to it so that you
can address the contradiction with evidence for your own idea. If it does appear to
support your specific purpose statement, the next question you will ask is “Is this
evidence appropriate for my audience?” Different types of appeals and evidence are
better for different audiences. The best speeches will combine multiple forms of
evidence to make the most convincing case possible. This chapter will help you research
your speech by combining personal and professional knowledge, library resources, and
Internet searches. It will help you to evaluate the sources you find and cite them to
avoid plagiarism.
1. Oliver, J. (2010, February). Jamie Oliver’s TED Prize wish: Teach every child about
food. TED Ideas Worth Spreading. Speech retrieved from:
2. Oliver 2010
3. Oliver 2010
4. Sjoberg, L.M. & Ahlfeldt, S.L. (2010). Bridging the gap: Integrating information
literacy into communication courses. Communication Teacher, 24(3), pp. 131–135.
5. Leckie, G.J. (1996). Desperately seeking citations: Uncovering faculty assumptions

about the undergraduate research process. The Journal of Academic Librarianship,
Supporting Your Ideas: Personal and Professional Knowledge

Do you know the difference between education and experience? Education is when you
read the fine print; experience is what you get when you don’t. ~ Pete Seeger
Professional public speakers are generally called upon to address a topic on which
they are considered an expert. You may not feel like an expert in the area of your
speech at this time, but you should consider whether you have any preexisting
knowledge of the topic that might assist in crafting your speech. Do not be afraid
to draw on your own experience to enhance the message.
Personal Testimony
Walter Fisher argues that humans are natural storytellers. Through stories people make
sense of their experiences, and they invite others to understand their lived reality as
part of a community.[1] One compelling story that you can offer is your personal
testimony. Although you are not a recognized authority on the topic, you can invite the
audience to understand your firsthand experience. Offering your testimony within a
speech provides an example of your point, and it enhances your credibility by
demonstrating that you have experience regarding the topic. Additionally, personal
testimony can enhance your speech by conveying your insight and emotion regarding
the topic, making your speech more memorable.[2][3] For example, if you are giving a
speech on the importance of hunting to the local culture, you might explain how the last
buck you shot fed your family for an entire season.
Since personal testimony refers to your experience, it is easy to assume that you can
offer it with little preparation. However, psychologists have found that as people tell
their stories they relive the experience.[4] As you relive the experience, your tendency
will be to enrich the story with detail and emotion, which is part of what makes it
memorable, but this practice may also make the story too long and distract from your
point. If you plan to use personal testimony in your speech, practice the story to make
sure that it makes the appropriate point in the time you have.
If you do not have personal experience with the topic, you may seek out other forms of
lay testimony to support your point. Lay testimony is any testimony based on witnesses’
opinions or perceptions in a given case.[5] For example, if you are giving a speech about
Occupy Wall Street, but you have not experienced one of their protests, you may
choose to include statements from a protestor or someone who identifies with the
goals of the movement.
Interviews
Lay testimony can offer insight into the past and into areas where individual sentiments
are relevant, but if you are called upon to make predictions regarding the future or
speak to an issue where you have little relevant experience, expert testimony may
provide more convincing support.[6] Expert testimony comes from a recognized
authority who has conducted extensive research on an
“Interviews” by Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung. CC-BY-SA.

issue. Experts regularly publish their research findings in books and journals, which we
will discuss later in this chapter, but you may need more information from the expert in
order to substantiate your point. For example, if you were giving a speech about how to
prepare for a natural disaster, you might interview someone from the Red Cross. They
could tell you what supplies might be necessary for the specific types of disasters that
are likely in your region. Interviews give people the chance to expand on their published
research and offer their informed perspective on the specific point you are trying to
make.
My basic approach to interviewing is to ask the basic questions that might even sound
naive, or not intellectual. Sometimes when you ask the simple questions like “Who are
you?” or “What do you do?” you learn the most. ~ Brian Lamb
If you are seeking an interview with an expert, it is best to arrange a time and place that
works for them. Begin the process with a respectful phone call or email explaining who
you are and why you are contacting them. Be forthcoming regarding the information
you are seeking and the timeline in which you are working. Also be flexible about the
format for your interview. If you can meet in person, that is often ideal because it gives
you the chance to get to know the person and to ask follow up questions if necessary. A
good alternative to an in person interview is a video call using a service such as Skype.
These services are often free to both callers and allow you to see and hear the person
that you are interviewing. If neither of these options will work, a phone call or email will
do. Keep in mind that while an email may seem convenient to you, it will likely require
much more time from the expert as they have to type every answer, and they may not
be as forthcoming with information in that format.
Before the interview, write down your questions. When you talk to someone, it is easy
to get caught up in what they are saying and forget to focus on the information you
need. Once you begin the interview work to establish rapport with the person you are
interviewing. You can foster rapport by demonstrating that you respect their viewpoint,
by taking turns in your interactions, by allowing them to finish their thought without
interrupting, and by giving them the freedom to use their preferred forms of
expression.[7] As you ask each question, take note of their response and ask for
clarification or to follow up on information you did not anticipate. If you plan to record
the interview, ask for permission in advance. Even if you are given permission to record,
take paper and a writing utensil along to make back-up notes in case your recording
device fails. When the interview is complete, thank the person and check to see
whether they would welcome further contact to follow up if necessary.
After the interview, review your notes for insight that substantiates your specific
purpose statement. Look for quotes that bring together the person’s expertise with
their reflections on the topic you are addressing. It is likely that you will gain more
knowledge from the interview than you can possibly include in a short speech. Work to
synthesize the main points from the interview into a coherent statement supporting
your topic. Remember to be careful about properly quoting exact phrases that the
person used. Even if you paraphrase, properly cite the interview and credit the expert
for all of the ideas they shared with you.
1. Fisher, W. R. (1984). Narration as a human communication paradigm: The case of

public moral argument. Communication Monographs, 51, pp.1–
2. Beebe, S.A. & Beebe, S.J. (2003). Public speaking: An audience centered approach.
Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.
3. Parse, R. R. (2008). Truth for the moment: Personal testimony as evidence.
Nursing Science Quarterly,
4. Gladding, S.T. & Drake Wallace, M.J. (2010). The potency and power of counseling
stories. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, 5, pp. 15–
5. Federal Rules of Evidence. (2012). Federal Evidence Review. Retrieved from:
6. Beebe & Beebe 2003

7. Lindolf, T.R. & Taylor, B.C. (2002). Qualitative communication research methods
(3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications Inc.
Supporting Your Ideas: Library Resources The most well

established way of finding research to support your
ideas is to use the library. However, many students see
the “library and its resources as imposing and
intimidating, and are anxious about how they will
manage in such an environment.”[1] Don’t let any twinge
of anxiety keep you from exploring all that the library
has to offer!
When conducting research, one of your best resources is

the librarian. It is their job to know all about the
resources available to you, and to help you succeed in
locating the material that is most relevant to your
assignment. Additionally, many libraries have librarians
who specialize in particular areas of research and they
will be able to help you find the best resources for your
specific speech topic. Ideally, you should seek some “Untitled” by
imelenchon.
information on your topic alone before asking for their morgueFile. assistance. Doing
some initial research independently demonstrates to the librarian that you have taken
ownership of the assignment and recognize that the research is ultimately your
responsibility, not theirs. They will be better equipped to help you find new information
if they know where you have already looked and what you have found. Most libraries
contain at least three primary resources for information: books, periodicals, and full text
databases.
Books
Books are an excellent place to gain general knowledge. They contain comprehensive
investigations of a subject in which authors can convey substantial amounts of
information because they are not constrained by a strict page count. Some books are
written by a single author while other books bring several scholars together in an edited
collection. In both cases, you are likely to get a rich investigation of a single topic. For
example, if you were giving a speech about stereotypes of black women in America, you
might check out Melissa Harris-Perry’s 2011 book Sister Citizen, because she brings
together literature, theory, and political science, to offer a detailed discussion of the
development of four prominent stereotypes. In the book she has enough space to offer
compelling images, narratives, and social scientific evidence for the impact those
stereotypes have on contemporary society.
A library is not a luxury, but one of the necessities of life. ~ Henry Ward Beecher
Most libraries make finding books easy by indexing them in an online catalog. You
should be able to go to the library’s website and simply search for your topic. The
index will provide the titles, authors, and other
publication information for each book. It will also
provide a call number. The call number is like an
address for the book that indicates where it can be
found on the stacks in the library. Before going to the
stacks, take note of the title, author, and call number.
The call number is the most important element, and
the title and author will serve as backup for your
search if you find that the books are out of order. If
you find a book that is helpful, be sure to check the
shelf nearby to see if there are other promising titles
on that topic. If you cannot find the book that you are
looking for, consider asking the librarian to help you
borrow it from another library using a process called
interlibrary loan.
“Untitled” by KelseyVere. morgueFile
The length of a book can make it seem overwhelming to someone researching a brief
speech. In order to streamline your research, determine what you are looking for in
advance. Are you seeking general background knowledge or support for a specific idea?
Use the table of contents, headings, and index to guide you to the portion of the book
that is likely to have what you are looking for. You do not need to read, or even skim,
the entirety of every book. It is appropriate to skim for key words and phrases that
pertain to your topic. Just be sure that once you find what you are looking for, you read
enough of the section around it to understand the context of the statement and ensure
that the book is making the point you think it is. Take note of the point that the book is
making. Careful notes will help you remember the information that you gained from
each source when you get home.
In addition to the traditional stacks of books present in your library, you will also find a
reference section. This section contains books that do not delve deep into any subject,
but provide basic summary knowledge on a variety of topics. The reference section
contains books like dictionaries, which help define unfamiliar terms; encyclopedias,
which provide overviews of various subjects; abstracts, which summarize books and
articles; and biographical references, which describe people and their accomplishments.
Since these resources do not require extensive time to process, and they are likely to be
used briefly but regularly by many visitors, the library generally will not allow you to
check out reference material. Take great care in drafting notes on the information that
you find, and writing down the page numbers and authors according to the style
preferred in your field of study. For more information on what you will need to record
see the “style guides” section of this chapter.
Periodicals
Books are comprehensive, but they can
take years to get published. This means
that the material in books is often at
least a year old by the time of its
publication date. If your speech
depends on more recent information,
you should turn to periodicals.
Periodicals include magazines,
newspapers, journals, and other
publications printed at predictable
intervals. These publications may
“Learning Commons West is a great place for
collaboration” by clemsonunivlibrary. CC-BY-
NC.
appear weekly, monthly, or quarterly to update the research in a given field. Each
periodical will offer a variety of articles related to a specific subject area.
When researching, it is important to understand the difference between general

interest periodicals and scholarly research journals. General interest periodicals include
magazines and newspapers which provide a wide array of knowledge and keep readers
up to date on the news within a larger cultural context. These publications are targeted
toward the general public and they often use pictures and advertising to attract
attention. Examples of respected general interest publications include The Atlantic,
Women’s Health, The New York Times, and National Geographic.[2] These publications
are intended for profit. The information in them is edited to make sure it will appeal to
the audience, is well written, and consistent with the commercial goals of the
publication. General interest periodicals are good for context and current events
information. If you are giving a speech about the importance of military intervention in
Syria, you could use a general interest periodical like the New York Times to discover the
most recent information on the conflict.
A newspaper is a circulating library with high blood pressure. ~ Arthur Baer
If you are looking for more rigorous research, such as an international relations expert
detailing what forms of aid are best for nations experiencing uprisings, you will need a
scholarly research journal. A scholarly research journal is not for profit. It is designed to
publicize the best research in a particular area. These publications are targeted toward
scholars who specialize in a given subject or type of research. Examples of respected
scholarly journals include Journal of the American Medical Association, Harvard Law
Review, and Quarterly Journal of Speech. These journals engage in a process of peer
review in which scholars send their articles to the editor and the editor has other
262 | F u n d a m e n t a l s o f P u b l i c S p
eaking-CollegeoftheCanyons
experts in the field examine the article to determine the quality of its research, writing,
and fit with the scholarly goal of the publication.
Full-Text Databases
Rather than searching for a print copy of the latest
periodical, many people now find articles on the
computer using specialized electronic databases that
contain the full text of periodicals. Most school libraries
subscribe to a variety of databases which compile
articles from journals within a particular specialization,
industry, or field. Libraries tend to organize links to
these databases on their website in two ways: (1) by the
area of specialization, or (2) by the name of the
database. You can use the list of specializations to
identify databases that will pertain to your topic. For
example, if you are interested in research on The
Simpsons, you might go to your library’s subject list,
click on “Communication,” and choose a database such
as Communication and Mass Media Complete. Some topics will be found in databases
with less obvious titles. “Reading” by Moyan Brenn. CC-BY. For example, the abstractly named
Lexis-Nexis database provides access to newspaper articles, legal research, and
government documents. If your initial search of databases in
the list of specializations is not fruitful, ask your professor or librarian for
recommendations concerning the most appropriate database for your topic.
Full-text databases allow you access to the citations, abstracts, and articles in the
journals they index. However, they sometimes limit access to the full text of articles that
were published within a certain date range. If you find a title that looks promising, but is
not available in the database you are searching, try the search in another database.
Databases often give you the opportunity to search for articles matching your desired
time period, author, publication, or key words. Some databases, such as EBSCO, allow
you to specify whether you are looking for general interest or scholarly publications.
Table 7.1: Follow the Citation Trail
If you are having trouble locating information on your topic, all you need is one
relevant scholarly source and then you can follow the clues to locate more
information by searching backward and forward.
← →
To search backward, skim the To search forward, use Google Scholar’s source’s
bibliography for earlier “cited by” function to find more recent publications on
your topic. publications on your topic.
1. Leckie, G.J. (1996). Desperately seeking citations: Uncovering faculty assumptions

about the undergraduate research process. The Journal of Academic Librarianship,
2. American Society of Magazine Editors. (2011). 2011 National Magazine Awards,

Winners, and Finalists. Retrieved from:
Supporting Your Ideas: Internet Resources

We want Google to be the third half of your brain. ~ Sergey Brin
Search Engines
A search engine can be your most important resource when attempting to locate
information on the Internet. Search engines allow you to type in the topic you are
interested in and narrow the possible results. Some of the most popular search engines
include Google, bing, Yahoo!, and Ask.[1] These sites provide a box for you to type a
topic, phrase, or question, and they use software to scan their index of existing Internet
content to find the sites most relevant to your search.
Each search engine uses different algorithms and techniques to locate and rank
information, which may mean that the same search will yield different results
depending on the search engine. Based on the algorithms it is using, the search engine
will sort the results with those it determines to be most relevant appearing first. Since
each site is different, you should use the one that seems most intuitive to you. However,
since their ranking systems will also be different, you cannot assume that the first few
sites listed in your chosen search engine are the most relevant. Always scan the first few
pages of search results to find the best resource for your topic. Skimming the content of
the pages returned in your search will also give you an idea of whether you have chosen
the most appropriate search terms. If your search has returned results that are not
relevant to your speech, you may need to adjust your search terms and try a new
search.
Pay close attention to the first few sites listed in search results. Some databases allow
“sponsored links” to appear before the rest of the results. If you are giving a speech
about the dangers of rental cars, and you search rental car in Google, links to companies
like Hotwire.com, Orbitz.com, or National Rental Car are likely to appear first in your
results. These sites may or may not be relevant to your search, but they have also paid
for the top spot on the list and therefore may not be the most relevant. When search
engines display sponsored sites first, they typically distinguish these from the others by
outlining or highlighting them in a different color. For example, while Google lists
advertisements related to your search on the right-hand side of the screen, they
sometimes also put a limited number of sponsored links at the top of your search
results list. The only distinction between these sponsored links and the rest of the list is
a subtly shaded box with a small label in the upper right indicating they are “Ads” (see
Figure 7.1).
Defining Search Terms

In the early stages of research it may be
helpful to simply search by topic. For
example, if you are interested in giving
a speech about revolutions in the
Middle East, you might type that topic
into the database and scan the sites
that come up. As you are scanning,
watch for other useful terms that arise
in relation to the topic and jot them
down for possible use in later searches.
Since people may write about the topic
in different terms than you tend to think about it, paying “Figure 7.1” by Public Speaking
close attention to their language will help you refine your search. Another way to
approach this is to consider synonyms for your search terms before you even begin.
Once you have a concrete topic and have begun to outline the arguments you want to
make, you are likely to need more specific terms to find what you are looking for. In
order to help with the search, you may use Boolean operators, words and symbols that
illustrate the relationship between your search terms and help the search engine
expand or limit your results (see Table 7.2 on the next page for examples). Although
search engines regularly adjust their Boolean rules to avoid people rigging the site to
show their own pages first, a few basic terms tend to be used by most search engines.[2]
Table 7.2: Boolean Operators
The word “OR” is one way to expand your search by looking for a variety of
terms that may help you support your topic. For example, in a speech
about higher education, you might be interested in sources discussing
OR
either colleges or universities. In this case using the term “OR” helps
expand your search to include both terms, even when they appear
separately.
Using the word “AND” or the “+” symbol between terms limits your search
by indicating to the search engine that you are interested in the
relationship between the terms and want to see pages which offer both
AND
terms together. If you are giving a speech about Hillary Rodham Clinton’s
/+
work in the Senate, you might search Hilary Rodham Clinton AND Senate.
This search would help you find information pertaining to her senate career
rather than sites that focus on her as First Lady or Secretary of State.
Using the word “NOT” or the “-” symbol can also limit your search by
indicating that you are not interested in a term that may often appear with
NOT
your desired term. For example, if you are interested in hyenas, but want
/-
to limit out sites focused on their interactions with lions, you might search
hyena -lion to eliminate all of the lion pages from your search.
Quotation marks around a group of words limit the search by indicating

you are looking for a specific phrase. For example, if you are looking for
evidence that human behavior contributes to global warming, you might
“”
search “humans contribute to global warming,” which would limit the
search far beyond the simple human + global warming by specifying the
point you seek to make.
When you have a well-defined area of research, it is best to start as specific as possible
and then broaden your search as needed. If there is something on exactly what you
want to say, you don’t want to miss it wading through a sea of articles on your general
topic area. To make the best use of your search engine take some time to read the help
section on the site and learn how their Boolean operators work. The help section will
offer additional tips to assist you in navigating the nuances of that site and executing
the best possible search.
Google
You may be at least somewhat familiar with Google, the name that has become
synonymous with “internet search,” and called “the most used and most popular search
engine.”[3] You may already be adept at searching Google for a wide variety of
information, but you may be less familiar with some of its specialized search engines.
Three of these search engines can be particularly helpful to someone seeking to support
their ideas in a speech: Google Scholar, Google Books, and Google Images.
Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose. ~ Zora Neale
Hurston
Google Scholar
The search engines listed earlier in this chapter will help you explore a diversity of sites
to find the information you are looking for. However, certain topics and certain types of
speeches call for more rigorous research. This research is typically best found in the
library, but Google has an added feature that makes finding scholarly sources easier. On
Google Scholar you can find research that has been published in scholarly journal
articles, books, theses, conference proceedings, and court opinions.
Google Scholar is not only helpful for focusing on academic research; it has a host of
features that will help to refine your search to the most helpful articles. You can search
generally in Google Scholar and find citations of useful articles that will help support
your ideas, but you may not always find the full text of the article. You can ask Google
Scholar to help you find the full text articles available in your library’s databases by
telling it which library you want to search. To do this, click the “scholar preferences” link
next to the search button on scholar.google.com. Then scroll down to the section titled
“library links,” and type the name of your school or library, then click “find library.”
When the search is complete, check the box next to the name of your library so that
Google knows to include it in the search. Once you have included your library, the
search results you get will have links that lead you to the articles available in your
library’s databases (see Figure 7.2). Clicking the links will lead you to your library
databases and prompt you to log into the system as you would if you were searching on
the library site itself.
Even when
you are
linked to
“Figure 7.2” by Public Speaking Project. CC-BY-NC-ND. your library’s databases, there may
be articles in your search results that you do not have electronic access to. In that case,
search your library catalog for the title of the journal in which your desired article
appears to see if they carry the journal in hard copy form. If you still cannot find it, copy
the citation information and use your interlibrary loan system to request a copy of the
article from another library.
I find I use the Internet more and more. It’s just an invaluable tool. I do most of my
research on the Net now… ~ Nora Roberts
In addition to enhancing your database searches, Google Scholar can also help you
broaden your search in two strategic ways. First, underneath the citation for each
search result, you will see a link to “related articles.” If you found a particular article
helpful, clicking “related articles” is one way to help you find resources that are similar.
Second, as you know, researchers often look through the bibliography of a helpful
source to find the articles that author used. However, when you are dealing with an
older article, searching backwards in the bibliography may lead you to more outdated
research. To search for more recent research, look again under the search result for the
link called “cited by.” Clicking the “cited by” link will give you all of the articles that have
been published since, and have referred to, the article that you found. For example, if
you are giving a speech on male body image you might find Paul Rozin and April Fallon’s
1988 article in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology comparing opposite sex perceptions
of weight helpful. However, it would be good to have more recent research. Clicking the
“related articles” and “cited by” links would lead you to similar research published
within the past few years.
Google Books
Just as Google Scholar can be used to
enhance your research in scholarly
periodicals, Google Books can be used to
make your search for, and within, books
more efficient. Some library catalogs offer
you the ability to search for all books on a
topic, whether that library has the book
or not. Other libraries confine you to
searching their holdings. One way to
enhance your research is to search for
books on Google Books and then use your
library site to see if they currently have
the book, or if you will need to order it
through interlibrary loan. The other way
that you can use Google Books is to make
your skimming more effective. Earlier in
this chapter you learned that you should
strategically skim books for the “Figure 7.3” by Public Speaking Project. CC-BY-NC-ND.
information that you need. You can do that with Google Books by looking up the book,
and then using the search bar on the left side of the screen (see Figure 7.3) to search for
key words within the book. This search engine can help you identify the pages in a book
where your terms appear and, with many books, give you a sample of that page to allow
you to see whether the terms appear in the context you are searching for. Keep in mind
that Google Books is a search engine; it is not a replacement for checking out the book
in the library or buying your own copy. Google Books does not print books in their
entirety, and often will omit pages surrounding a search result, so relying on the site to
allow you to read enough of the book to make your argument is risky at best. Instead,
use this site to help you determine which books to obtain, and which parts of those
books will be most relevant to your research.
Google Images
Google Images may be useful as you seek visual aids to illustrate your point. You can
search Google Images for photographs, charts, illustrations, clip art and more. For
example, if you are giving a speech on the Nineteenth Amendment, you could add
interest by offering a picture of the Silent Sentinel’s picketing the White House.
Alternatively, if you wanted to demonstrate the statistical probability of electing a
woman to Congress, you could use Google Images to locate a chart displaying that
information.
Since search engines match the terms
you put in, it is possible that your topic
could yield images containing adult
content. To prevent receiving adult
content, you can use the “safe search”
settings (located in the option wheel in
the far upper right hand corner of the
menu bar) to limit your exposure to
explicit images. The setting has three
options:
1. Strict filtering: filters sexually explicit
“Blog OMG!” by Mike Licht. CC-BY. video and images from Google Search
result pages, as well as results that
might link to explicit content.
2. Moderate filtering: excludes sexually explicit video and images from Google
Search result pages, but does not filter results that might link to explicit content.
This is the default SafeSearch setting.
3. No filtering: as you’ve probably figured out, turns off SafeSearch filtering
completely.[4]
Remember that, as with other outside sources, you will need to offer proper source
citations for every image that you use. Additionally, if you plan to post your speech to
the internet or publish it more widely than your class, consider using only images that
appear in the public domain so that you do not risk infringing on an artist’s copyright
privileges.
It is not ignorance but knowledge which is the mother of wonder. ~ Joseph Wood Krutch
Websites
When you use a more general search
engine, such as Google or bing, you are
looking for websites. Websites may be
maintained by individuals, organizations,
companies, or governments. These sites
generally consist of a homepage, that
gives an overview of the site and its
purpose. From the homepage there are
links to various types of information on
the “Trading stocks on a computer” by OTA Photos. CC-BY-SA. original site and elsewhere on the
Internet. These sets of links arrange information “in an unconstrained web- like way,”[5]
which opens up the possibility of making new connections between ideas and research.
It also opens up the possibility of getting lost among all of the available sources. To keep
your research on track, be sure to continue asking yourself if the sources you have
found support your specific purpose statement.
Most websites are created to promote the interests of their owner, so it is very
important that you check to see whose website you are looking at. Generally the author
or owner of the site is named near the top of the homepage, or in the copyright notice
at the bottom. Knowing who the site belongs to will help you determine the quality of
the information it offers. If you find the site through a search engine and are not
directed to its homepage, look for a link called “home” or “about” to navigate to the
page containing more information about the site itself. In addition to knowing the
owner, it is important to look for the author of the material you are using. For example,
an article on a reputable news site like CNN.com may come from a respected journalist,
or it may be the opinion of a blogger whose post is not necessarily vetted by the
company itself. Use the section of the chapter on evaluating information to determine
whether the site you have found is a credible source.
When you find websites that are both useful and credible, be sure to bookmark them in
your Web browser so that you can refer to them again later. Your browser may call
these bookmarks “favorites” instead. To bookmark a site, you can click on the
bookmarking link in your browser or, if your browser uses tabs, you can drag the tab
into a toolbar near the top of the window. If you are struggling with the bookmarking
process, try the command CTRL+D on your keyboard or consult the help link for your
Web browser.
Don’t leave inferences to be drawn when evidence can be presented. ~ Richard Wright
Government Documents
Governments regularly publish large quantities of information regarding their citizens,
such as census data, health reports, and crime statistics. They also compile transcripts of
legislative proceedings, hearings, and speeches. Most college and university libraries
maintain substantial collections of government documents. Additionally, these
documents are increasingly available online. Government documents can be helpful for
finding up-to-date statistics on an issue that affects the larger population. They can also
be helpful in identifying strong viewpoints concerning government policies. For
example, looking at the Congressional testimony regarding nuclear safety after an
earthquake destroyed the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan in 2011 could help
you make a compelling case for safety upgrades at U.S. nuclear power facilities.
Now, whenever you read any historical document, you always evaluate it in light of the
historical context. ~ Josh McDowell
One of the most helpful resources for

searching government documents is
http://fedworld.ntis.gov/. This site
allows you to search Supreme Court
decisions, government scientific
reports, research and development
reports, and other databases filled with
cutting edge
research. It also lists all major
government agencies and their
websites. Another excellent way to locate government documents is to use
“Talking on the Phone / Home Office” by Daniel Foster.
the Monthly Catalog of U.S. CC-BY-NC-SA.
Government Publications. This index is issued every month and lists all of the
documents published by the federal government, except those that are restricted or
confidential. You can use the index to locate documents from Congress, the courts, or
even the president. The index arranges reports alphabetically by the name of the issuing
agency. The easiest way to search will be on the Government Printing Office website at
catalog.gpo.gov. If you would prefer to work with hard copies of the reports, head to
your library and search the subject index to find subjects related to your speech topic.
Each subject will have a list of documents and their entry number. Use the entry
numbers to find the title, agency, and call number of each document listed in the front
of the index.[6]
1. eBizMBA. (2012). Top 15 Most Popular Search Engines: January 2012. Retrieved
from:
2. BBC. (2012). What are “Boolean operators?” WebWise: A Beginner’s Guide to
Using the Internet. Retrieved from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/0/22562913
3. Tajane, T. (2011). Most used search engines and total market share trend as of
March 2011. TechZoom.org. Retrieved from: http://techzoom.org/most-used-
4. Google. (2012). SafeSearch: filter objectionable content. Google Inside Search.
Retrieved from:
5. Berners-Lee, T. & Fischeti, M. (2000). Weaving the web: The original design and
ultimate destiny of the World Wide Web. New York, NY.: Harper Collins.
6. Zarefsky, D. (2005). Public Speaking: Strategies for Success (Special Ed. for The
Pennsylvania State University). Boston, MA: Pearson.
Supporting Your Ideas: Evaluating Information

The popular online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, is a great resource for general information.
It is a good place to start in order to determine search terms and potentially relevant
strains of thought on a given topic. However, it is not the most credible source to cite in
your speech. Since anyone can update the site at any time, information may be entirely
inaccurate. When using Wikipedia, look for source citations and follow the links to
original source material.
The large amount of information available in your library and on the Internet can seem
overwhelming. Narrow your support by evaluating the quality and credibility of each
source. To determine the quality of a source, look to see whether the information
provided seems comprehensive. To determine whether or not the information is
comprehensive, check to see that it thoroughly covers the issue, considers competing
perspectives, and cites the sources where supporting material came from.
First, check to see that your source not only discusses issues that pertain to your topic,
but thoroughly explains the reasoning behind the claims it offers. Often you will already
be familiar with the topic, but you will require the addition of strong reasoning to
properly support your ideas. If your source cannot provide strong reasoning, it is not the
best quality source. Second, determine whether the source considers competing
perspectives. Debate strategists know that evidence can be found for multiple
perspectives on any issue. If your source does not also recognize and consider opposing
arguments, it is not the best quality source. Third, check to see that your source offers
supporting data and or if it includes non-credible citations, it is not the best quality
source. It is fine to use a source that is weak in one of these areas if you still find it
compelling, but know that you may need to back it up with additional credible
information. If the source is weak in multiple areas, do your best to avoid using it so that
it does not weaken your speech.
In addition to the quality, you should examine source credibility. When evaluating
credibility, focus on the sources’ qualifications, the parity of their message with similar
sources, and their biases. One of the most important elements of credibility is
qualification. Sometimes qualifications will be linked to a person’s profession. For
example, if you are talking about earthquakes, you might want the expertise of a
seismologist who studies earthquake waves and their effects. However, professional
expertise is not the only type of credibility. If you want to discuss the feeling of
experiencing a major earthquake, testimony from a survivor may be more credible than
testimony from a scientist who studied the event but did not experience it. When
examining credibility, check to see that the person has the training or experience
appropriate to the type of information they offer. Next, check to see whether the
information in your chosen source aligns with information in other sources on the issue.
If your source is the only one that offers a particular perspective, and no other source
corroborates that perspective, it is less likely to be credible.
I used to sleep nude – until the earthquake. ~ Alyssa Milano
Additionally, check for bias. All sources have bias, meaning

they all come from a particular perspective. You must check
to see whether the perspective of the source matches your
own, and whether the perspective overwhelms the ability to
offer reliable information on an issue. Also check to see
whether the source is affiliated with organizations that are
known to hold a particularly strong opinion concerning the
issue they are speaking to.
In your speech, make reference to the quality and credibility

“Untitled” by Dmitry of your sources. Identifying the qualifications for a source, or
Ryzhkov. CC-BY-NC-SA
explaining that their ideas have been used by many other credible
sources, will enhance the strength of your speech. For example, if you are giving a
speech about the benefits of sleep, citing a renowned sleep expert will strengthen your
argument. If you can then explain that this person’s work has been repeatedly tested
and affirmed by later studies, your argument will appear even stronger. On the other
hand, if you simply offer the name of your source without any explanation of who that
person is, or why they ought to be believed, your argument is suspect. To offer this kind
of information without disrupting the flow of your speech, you might say something
like,
Mary Carskadon, Director of the Chronobiology/Sleep Research Laboratory at Bradley

Hospital in Rhode Island, and Professor at the Brown University School of Medicine,
explains that there are several advantages to increased amounts of sleep….Her work is
supported by other researchers, like Dr. Kyla Wahlstrom at the University of Minnesota
whose study demonstrated that delaying school start times increased student sleep and
their performance.[1]
This sample citation bolsters credibility by offering qualifications, and identifies multiple
experts who agree on this issue. You may be tempted to stop once you have found one
source that supports your idea, but continuing to research and comparing the
information in each source will help you better support your ideas. It will also prevent
you from overlooking contradictory evidence that you need to be able to address.
1. National Sleep Foundation. (2011). School start time and sleep. Retrieved from:
Supporting Your Ideas: Citing Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism
Style Guides
Once you have gathered the appropriate sources to support your ideas, you will need to
integrate citations for those sources into your speech using a style guide such as those
published by the Modern Language Association (MLA), American Psychological
Association (APA), or The Chicago Manual of Style (CMS). These style guides help you
determine the format of your citations, both within the speech and in the bibliography.
Your professor will likely assign a particular style guide for you to use. However, if you
are not told to use a particular style, choose the one most appropriate to your area of
study. MLA style is typically used by people in the humanities, APA is typically used by
social scientists, and CMS can be used in either type of writing, but is most popular with
historians.[1] These style guides will help you record the places where you found support
for your argument so that you can avoid plagiarism.
Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the
dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence. ~ John Adams
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the act of presenting someone else’s work or ideas as your own.
Sometimes this is intentional, meaning people choose to copy from another source and
make their audience think that the idea was original. Students in speech classes
sometimes buy speeches from the internet, or repeat a speech written by a friend who
took the class in a previous semester. These actions are cheating because the students
did not do the work themselves, yet they took credit for it. Most instances of blatant
cheating, such as these, are quickly caught by instructors who maintain files of work
turned in previously, or who are adept at searching the Internet for content that does
not appear original to the student. Consequences for this type of plagiarism are severe,
and may range from failure of the course to expulsion from the school.
More often, plagiarism occurs by mistake when people are not aware of how to
properly summarize and cite the sources from which they took information. This
happens when someone incorporates words or ideas from a source and fails to properly
cite the source. Even if you have handed your professor a written outline of the speech
with source citations, you must also offer oral attribution for ideas that are not your
own (see Table 7.3 for examples of ways to cite sources while you are speaking).
Table 7.3: Verbal Source Citations[2][3][4][5]
Proper Written Source Citation Proper Oral Attribution
In his 2005 commencement address at “Your

time is limited, so don’t waste it Stanford University Steve Jobs said,“Your living someone
else’s life” (Jobs, 2005). time is limited, so don’t waste it living
some else’s life.”
Michael Pollan offers three basic guidelines for

healthy eating in his book, In
“Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants”
Defense of Food. He advises readers (Pollan,
2009, p.1).
to “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.”
“The Assad regime’s escalating violence
In her February 24 speech to the Friends in
Syria is an affront to the international of Syria People meeting, U.S. Secretary of community, a
threat to regional
State, Hillary Clinton, warned that Assad
security, and a grave violation of human was increasing violence against the Syrian rights. . . .
This group should take people and violating human rights. She concrete action along three lines:
called for international action to help the provide emergency humanitarian relief,
Syrian people through humanitarian ratchet up
pressure on the regime, and assistance, political pressure, and support prepare for a
democratic transition” for a future democratic government. (Clinton, 2012).
In his 2009 “Back to School” speech
“Maybe you could be a mayor or a
President Obama encouraged students to
Senator or a Supreme Court Justice, but
participate in school activities like student
you might not know that until you join government and debate in order to try out
student government or the debate the skills necessary for a leadership
team” (Obama, 2009). position in the government.
Omitting the oral attribution from the speech leads the audience, who is not holding a
written version, to believe that the words are your own. Be sure to offer citations and
oral attributions for all material that you have taken from someone else, including
paraphrases or summaries of their ideas. When in doubt, remember to “always provide
oral citations for direct quotations, paraphrased material, or especially striking
language, letting listeners know who said the words, where, and when.”[6] Whether
plagiarism is intentional or not, it is unethical and someone committing plagiarism will
often be sanctioned based on their institution’s code of conduct.
1. Miller-Cochran, S.K. & Rodrigo, R.L. (2011). The Wadsworth guide to research.
Boston, MA: Wadsworth.
2. Jobs, S. (2005, 14 June). “You’ve gotta find what you love,” Jobs says. Stanford
Report. Retrieved from: http://news.stanford.edu/news/2005/june15/jobs061505
.html
3. Pollan, M. (2009). In defense of food: An eater’s manifesto. New York, NY: Penguin
Books.
4. Clinton, H. (2012, February 4). [Address]. Clinton’s remarks at the Friends of
Syrian People meeting, February 2012. [Transcript]. Retrieved from:
http://www.cfr.org/syria/clintons-remarks-friends-syrian-people-meeting-
5. Obama, B. (2009, September 8). [Address]. Prepared remarks of President Barack

Obama: Back to school event, Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved from:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResources/Pr
6. Osborn, M. & Osborn, S. (2007). Public speaking (custom edition for Pepperdine
University). Boston, MA: Pearson.
Supporting Your Ideas: Conclusion Remember that in order to convince an audience

and appear credible, you will need to offer support for each of your ideas. Gathering
testimony from experienced and expert individuals will lend excitement and credibility
to your speech. Combining testimony with resources from the library, such as books,
periodicals, and reference material, will help you back up your ideas. Examining credible
Internet resources can also enhance your speech by yielding the most up-to-date
evidence for the points you hope to make. With so much information
“Tracy Price-Thompson” by Angela Elbern. Public
domain.
available it is possible to support almost any idea. However, you will need to take care
to ensure that you offer the highest quality and most credible support. Do this by
gathering a variety of sources and comparing the information to make sure the support
is consistent across sources, and that you have accounted for any possible contradictory
information. As you integrate the sources into your speech, remember to ask: “Does
this evidence support my specific purpose statement?” and “Is this evidence
appropriate for my audience?” Also, don’t forget to offer written and oral attribution for
each idea. Using the various resources available you will likely find more evidence than
you can possibly incorporate into one speech. These questions will assist you as you
refine your support and craft the most compelling speech possible.
Accuracy is the twin brother of honesty; inaccuracy, of dishonesty. ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne
Supporting Your Ideas: Module Activities

REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. For each of the claims below, identify the most compelling form of evidence that
the speaker might offer. List as many as you can think of.
• Photo-retouching alters our perspective on beauty.

• The Internet is an effective protest tool.
• Body scanners in airports are detrimental to our health.
279 | F u n d a m e n t a l s o f P u b l i c S p e
aking-CollegeoftheCanyons
2. You are giving a speech about the importance of legislation banning text messaging
while driving. You want to offer diverse support for your argument that the legislation is
necessary. What research tools would you use to find the following forms of evidence?
• A personal narrative concerning the effects of texting while driving.

• An academic study concerning the effects of texting while driving.
• Existing legislation regarding cell phone use in automobiles. A visual aid for
your speech.
3. Checking the quality of your evidence is an important step in refining support for
your argument. What are three elements that you should look for when determining
source quality? Why is each element necessary?
4. You are giving a speech about bed bugs. You point out that bed bugs are a common
pest that can be found almost anywhere. You have found a variety of sources for your
speech including a bed bug registry website where people can report seeing bed bugs in
hotels, an encyclopedia entry on bed bugs, a blog containing pictures and personal
testimony about an experience with bed bugs, a scientific study on the conditions under
which bed bugs thrive, and a psychological study concerning the way that people are
conditioned to respond to the sight of bugs in their bed. Which of these is the most
credible source to support your point? Why?
5. The following is an excerpt from John F. Kennedy’s 1963 Civil Rights Address. Read
the excerpt, and offer your own paraphrase of his ideas without incorporating any direct
quotations from the text:
I hope that every American, regardless of where he lives, will stop and examine his
conscience about this and other related incidents. This Nation was founded by men of
many nations and backgrounds. It was founded on the principle that all men are created
equal, and that the rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are
threatened (Kennedy, 1963).
6. Imagine you are giving a speech on ______________ [fill in the blank]. Write a
potential specific purpose statement. Then identify three types of research that you
would integrate in order to offer balanced and compelling support for your statement.
ACTIVITIES
1. Get to know your library. Use your library website to determine the name of the
librarian who works with your major, or in the area of your speech topic. This activity is
not designed for you to get the librarian to do your work for you, but rather for you to
get to know the librarian better and make them a partner in your research process.
Make an appointment with that person and interview them concerning the best way to
conduct research for your speech. Take a summary of the assignment, your specific
purpose statement, and at least one source that you have already found for your
speech. Be sure to ask the following questions:
a) What types of sources would you advise me to focus on in my search for

supporting materials?
b) What search terms are likely to yield results that are relevant to my specific
purpose statement?
c) Can you offer any tips that will make searching this particular library easier?
2. Using the topics below, or your own speech topic, practice developing productive
search terms. Begin by brainstorming synonyms for the topic. Then, consider other
concepts that are closely related to the topic. Using those terms, conduct a preliminary
search in the search engine of your choice. Skim the content on the 3-5 most promising
results and highlight common terms and phrases that appear on each page. Those
common terms and phrases should help you narrow your searches as you move forward
with your research.
a. National Security
b. Alternative Energy
c. Economic Stability
d. Media Piracy
e. Privacy
f. Local Events
3. Using one of the topics listed in the previous activity, conduct a search on the topic
using identical search terms in Google Images, Google Scholar, and Google Books. For
each search, identify the source that you think would best support a speech on the
topic. Cite each source using a consistent style guide (MLA, APA, or Chicago), and offer
your evaluation of the sources’ relevance, quality, and credibility.
4. Watch Stephen Colbert’s report concerning Wikipedia or search “wikiality” if the
link does not work (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20PlHx_JjEo). Using research
that you have found on your speech topic, update the Wikipedia page for your topic. Be
careful not to replicate the errors that Colbert discusses. Offer only accurate
information, and cite the source where support for your entry can be found.
Glossary
Bias
The predisposition toward a particular viewpoint.
Boolean Operators
Words and symbols that illustrate the relationship between search terms and help the
search engine expand or limit results.
Expert Testimony
Testimony that comes from a recognized authority who has conducted extensive
research on an issue.
Interlibrary Loan
The process of borrowing materials through one library that belong to another library.
Lay Testimony
Any testimony based on witnesses’ opinions or perceptions in a given case
Parity
Similarity of information across sources.
Personal Testimony
An individual’s story concerning his or her lived experience, which can be used to
illustrate the existence of a particular event or phenomenon.
Rapport
A cordial relationship between two or more people in which both parties convey respect
and understanding for one another.
Search Engine
Software which uses algorithms to scan an index of existing Internet content for
particular terms, and then ranks the results based on their relevance.
Source Credibility
Signs that a person is offering trustworthy information.
Specific Purpose Statement

A sentence summarizing the main idea, or claim, which the speech will support. It
should be stated clearly toward the beginning of the speech.
Style Guide
An established set of standards for formatting written documents and citing sources for
information within the document.
Supporting Your Ideas: References

American Society of Magazine Editors. (2011). 2011 National Magazine Awards, Winners,
and Finalists. Retrieved from:
http://www.magazine.org/asme/magazine_awards/nma_winners/
BBC. (2012). What are “Boolean operators?” WebWise: A Beginner’s Guide to Using the
Internet. Retrieved from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/guides/boolean-operators
Beebe, S.A. & Beebe, S.J. (2003). Public speaking: An audience centered approach. Boston,
MA: Allyn and Bacon.
Berners-Lee, T. & Fischeti, M. (2000). Weaving the web: The original design and ultimate
destiny of the World Wide Web. New York, NY.: Harper Collins.
Clinton, H. (2012, February 4). [Address]. Clinton’s remarks at the Friends of Syrian People
meeting, February 2012. [Transcript]. Retrieved from:
http://www.cfr.org/syria/clintons-remarks-friends-syrian-people-meeting-
february2012/p27482
eBizMBA. (2012). Top 15 Most Popular Search Engines: January 2012. Retrieved from:
http://www.ebizmba.com/articles/search-engines
Federal Rules of Evidence. (2012). Federal Evidence Review. Retrieved from:

http://federalevidence.com/rules-of-evidence#Rule701.
Fisher, W. R. (1984). Narration as a human communication paradigm: The case of public

moral argument. Communication Monographs, 51, pp.1-22.
Gladding, S.T. & Drake Wallace, M.J. (2010). The potency and power of counseling stories.
Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, 5, pp. 15-24.
Google. (2012). SafeSearch: filter objectionable content. Google Inside Search. Retrieved
from: http://support.google.com/websearch/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=510
Harris-Perry, M.V. (2011). Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes, and Black Women in America.
New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
Jobs, S. (2005, 14 June). “You’ve gotta find what you love,” Jobs says. Stanford Report.
Retrieved from: http://news.stanford.edu/news/2005/june15/jobs-061505.html
Kennedy, J.F. (1963, 11 June). Civil Rights Address. Retrieved from:

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/jfkcivilrights.htm
Leckie, G.J. (1996). Desperately seeking citations: Uncovering faculty assumptions about
the undergraduate research process. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 22(3), p.
201-208.
Lindolf, T.R. & Taylor, B.C. (2002). Qualitative communication research methods (3 ed.).
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications Inc.
Miller-Cochran, S.K. & Rodrigo, R.L. (2011). The Wadsworth guide to research. Boston, MA:
Wadsworth.
National Sleep Foundation. (2011). School start time and sleep. Retrieved from:
http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/sleep-topics/school-start-time-and-sleep
Obama, B. (2009, September 8). [Address]. Prepared remarks of President Barack Obama:
Back to school event, Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved from:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResources/PreparedSchoolRemarks
Oliver, J. (2010, February). Jamie Oliver’s TED Prize wish: Teach every child about food. TED
Ideas Worth Spreading. Speech retrieved from:
http://www.ted.com/talks/jamie_oliver.html
Osborn, M. & Osborn, S. (2007). Public speaking (custom edition for Pepperdine
University). Boston, MA: Pearson.
Parse, R. R. (2008). Truth for the moment: Personal testimony as evidence. Nursing Science
Quarterly, 21(1), pp. 45-48.
Pollan, M. (2009). In defense of food: An eater’s manifesto. New York, NY: Penguin Books.
Rozin, P. & Fallon, A. (1988). Body image, attitudes to weight, and misperceptions of figure
preferences of the opposite sex: A comparison of men and women in two generations.
Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 97(3), pp. 342-345.
Sjoberg, L.M. & Ahlfeldt, S.L. (2010). Bridging the gap: Integrating information literacy into
communication courses. Communication Teacher, 24(3), pp. 131-135.
Tajane, T. (2011). Most used search engines and total market share trend as of March
2011. TechZoom.org. Retrieved from: http://techzoom.org/most-used-search-
enginesand-total-market-share-trend-as-of-march-2011/
Zarefsky, D. (2005). Public Speaking: Strategies for Success (Special Ed. for The
Pennsylvania State University). Boston, MA: Pearson.
photo credits
p. 1 http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: Richard_Rouse_III_-
_Game_Developers_Conference_2010_- _Day_5.jpg
By Game Developers Conference 2010
p. 12 Tracey Price-Thompson http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:

Tracy_PriceThompson_%C2%B7_DF-SD- 07-44583.JPEG By Angela Elbern
Using Examples
Types of Examples: Brief, Extended, & Hypothetical

Brief, extended, and hypothetical examples can be used to help an audience better
understand and relate to key points of a presentation.
There are many types of examples that a presenter can use to help an audience better
understand a topic and the key points of a presentation. These include specific
situations, problems, or stories designed to help illustrate a principle, method, or
phenomenon. They are useful because they can make an abstract concept more
concrete for an audience by providing a specific case. There are three main types of
examples: brief, extended, and hypothetical.
Brief Examples
Brief examples are used to further illustrate a point that may not be immediately
obvious to all audience members but is not so complex that is requires a more lengthy
example. Brief examples can be used by the presenter as an aside or on its own. A
presenter may use a brief example in a presentation on politics in explaining the
Electoral College. Since many people are familiar with how the Electoral College works,
the presenter may just mention that the Electoral College is based on population and a
brief example of how it is used to determine an election. In this situation it would not be
necessary for a presented to go into a lengthy explanation of the process of the
Electoral College since many people are familiar with the process.
Extended Examples
Extended examples are used when a presenter is discussing a more complicated topic
that they think their audience may be unfamiliar with. In an extended example a
speaker may want to use a chart, graph, or other visual aid to help the audience
understand the example. An instance in which an extended example could be used
includes a presentation in which a speaker is explaining how the “time value of money”
principle works in finance. Since this is a concept that people unfamiliar with finance
may not immediately understand, a speaker will want to use an equation and other
visual aids to further help the audience understand this principle. An extended example
will likely take more time to explain than a brief example and will be about a more
complex topic.
Hypothetical Examples
A hypothetical example is a fictional example that can be used when a speaker is
explaining a complicated topic that makes the most sense when it is put into more
realistic or relatable terms. For instance, if a presenter is discussing statistical
probability, instead of explaining probability in terms of equations, it may make more
sense for the presenter to make up a hypothetical example. This could be a story about
a girl, Annie, picking 10 pieces of candy from a bag of 50 pieces of candy in which half
are blue and half are red and then determining Annie’s probability of pulling out 10 total
pieces of red candy. A hypothetical example helps the audience to better visualize a
topic and relate to the point of the presentation more effectively.
Communicating Examples
Examples help the audience understand the key points; they should be to the point and
complement the topic.
Communicating Examples
Examples are essential to a presentation that is backed up with evidence, and it helps
the audience effectively understand the message being presented. An example is a
specific situation, problem, or story designed to help illustrate a principle, method or
phenomenon. Examples are useful because they can help make an abstract idea more
concrete for an audience by providing a specific case. Examples are most effective when
they are used as a complement to a key point in the presentation and focus on the
important topics of the presentation.
Using Examples to Complement Key Points

One method of effectively communicating examples is by using an example to clarify
and complement a main point of a presentation. If an orator is holding a seminar about
how to encourage productivity in the workplace, an example may be used that focuses
on how an employee received an incentive to work harder, such as a bonus, and this
improved the employee’s productivity. An example like this would act as a complement
and help the audience better understand how to use incentives to improve
performance in the workplace.
Using Examples that are Concise and to the Point

Examples are essential to help an audience better understand a topic. However, a
speaker should be careful to not overuse examples as too many examples may confuse
the audience and distract them from focusing on the key points that the speaker is
making.
Examples should also be concise and not drawn out so the speaker does not lose the
audience’s attention. Concise examples should have a big impact on audience
engagement and understanding in a small amount of time.
• Key Points
• Examples include specific situations, problems or stories designed to help
illustrate a principle, method, or phenomenon.
• Brief examples are used to further illustrate a point that may not be immediately
obvious to all audience members but is not so complex that is requires a more
lengthy example.
• Extended examples are used when a presenter is discussing a more complicated
topic that they think their audience may be unfamiliar with.
• A hypothetical example is a fictional example that can be used when a speaker is
explaining a complicated topic that makes the most sense when it is put into
more realistic or relatable terms.
• Examples are essential to a presentation that is backed up with evidence, and it
helps the audience effectively understand the message being presented. An
example is a specific situation, problem, or story designed to help illustrate a
principle, method, or phenomenon.
• One method of effectively communicating examples is by using an example to
clarify and complement a main point of a presentation.
• A speaker should be careful to not overuse examples as too many examples may
confuse the audience and distract them from focusing on the key points that the
speaker is making. Terms
Hypothetical
A fictional situation or proposition used to explain a complicated subject.
abstract
Difficult to understand; abstruse.
phenomenon
A fact or event considered very unusual, curious, or astonishing by those who witness it.
Using Statistics
Statistics can be a powerful persuasive tool in public speaking if the speaker
appropriately explains their use and significance.
Understanding Statistics
Using statistics in public speaking can be a powerful tool. It provides a quantitative,
objective, and persuasive platform on which to base an argument, prove a claim, or
support an idea. Before a set of statistics can be used, however, it must be made
understandable by people who are not familiar with statistics. The key to the persuasive
use of statistics is extracting meaning and patterns from raw data in a way that is logical
and demonstrable to an audience. There are many ways to interpret statistics and data
sets, not all of them valid.
Guidelines for Helping Your Audience Understand Statistics

● Use reputable sources for the statistics you present in your speech such as
government websites, academic institutions and reputable research
organizations and policy/research think tanks.
● Use a large enough sample size in your statistics to make sure that the statistics
you are using are accurate (for example, if a survey only asked four people,
then it is likely not representative of the population’s viewpoint).
● Use statistics that are easily understood. Many people understand what an
average is but not many people will know more complex ideas such as variation
and standard deviation.
● When presenting graphs, make sure that the key points are highlighted and the
graphs are not misleading as far as the values presented.
● Statistics is a topic that many people prefer to avoid, so when presenting
statistical idea or even using numbers in your speech be sure to thoroughly
explain what the numbers mean and use visual aids to help you explain.
Common Uses of Statistics in a Speech
Some common uses of statistics in a speech format may include:
● Results from a survey and discussion of key findings such as the mean, median,
and mode of that survey.
● Comparisons of data and benchmarking results—also using averages and
comparative statistics.
● Presenting findings from research, including determining which variables are

statistically significant and meaningful to the results of the research. This will
likely use more complicated statistics.
Common Misunderstandings of Statistics
A common misunderstanding when using statistics is “correlation does not mean
causation.” This means that just because two variables are related, they do not
necessarily mean that one variable causes the other variable to occur. For example,
consider a data set that indicates that there is a relationship between ice cream
purchases over seasons versus drowning deaths over seasons. The incorrect conclusion
would be to say that the increase in ice cream consumption leads to more drowning
deaths, or vice versa. Therefore, when using statistics in public speaking, a speaker
should always be sure that they are presenting accurate information when discussing
two variables that may be related. Statistics can be used persuasively in all manners of
arguments and public speaking scenarios—the key is understanding and interpreting
the given data and molding that interpretation towards a convincing statement.
Communicating Statistics
Graphs, tables, and maps can be used to communicate the numbers, but then the
numbers need to be put into context to make the message stick.
Introduction
Credibility makes our messages believable, and a believable message is more likely to be
remembered than one that is not. But gaining credibility is not so easy. As Chip and Dan
Heath note in Made to Stick:
If we’re trying to persuade a skeptical audience to believe a new message, the reality is
that we’re fighting an uphill battle against a lifetime of personal learning and social
relationships.
So how can we add credibility to our words? One way is to rely on statistics.
Putting Statistics into Context for Our Audiences

We are so used to resorting to statistics that we tend to bombard our audiences with
too many mind-numbing numbers. As the Heaths state:
Statistics are rarely meaningful in and of themselves. Statistics will, and should, almost
always be used to illustrate a relationship. It’s more important for people to remember
the relationship than the number.
We need to put statistics into context for our audiences. In the book, the Heaths give
several good examples of others who have done this. For example, they introduce us to
Geoff Ainscow, one of the leaders of the Beyond War movement in the 1980s.
Ainscow gave talks trying to raise awareness of the dangers of nuclear weapons. He
wanted to show that the US and the USSR possessed weapons capable of destroying the
earth several times over. But simply quoting figures of nuclear weapons stockpiles was
not a way to make the message stick. So, after setting the scene, Ainscow would take a
BB pellet and drop it into a steel bucket where it would make a loud noise. The pellet
represented the bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima. Ainscow would then describe
the devastation at Hiroshima. Next, he would take 10 pellets and drop them in the
bucket where they made 10 times as much noise. They represented the nuclear
firepower on a single nuclear submarine. Finally, he poured 5,000 pellets into the
bucket, one for each nuclear warhead in the world. When the noise finally subsided, his
audience sat in dead silence.
That is how you put statistics into context.
Using Tables, Graphs and Maps to Communicate Statistical Findings

The story of communicating your statistics does not end with putting them into context.
Actually, it would be better to say that it does not begin with putting the numbers into
context. In reality, the story you are telling through your evidence will probably start
with the display of a table, graph, or map.
A simple table, graph, or map can explain a great deal, and so this type of direct
evidence should be used where appropriate. However, if a particular part of your
analysis represented by a table, graph, or map does not add to or support your
argument, it should be left out.
While representing statistical information in tables, graphs, or maps can be highly

effective, it is important to ensure that the information is not presented in a manner
that can mislead the reader. The key to presenting effective tables, graphs, or maps is to
ensure they are easy to understand and clearly linked to the message. Ensure that you
provide all the necessary information required to understand what the data is showing.
The table, graph, or map should be able to stand alone.
Tables, graphs, and maps should:

● relate directly to the argument;
● support statements made in the text;
● summarize relevant sections of the data analysis; and ● be clearly
labelled.
Table Checklist
● Use a descriptive title for each table.
● Label every column.
● Provide a source if appropriate.
● Minimize memory load by removing unnecessary data and minimizing decimal

places.
● Use clustering and patterns to highlight important relationships.
● Use white space to effect.
● Order data meaningfully (e.g., rank highest to lowest).
● Use a consistent format for each table.
Also, do not present too much data in tables. Large expanses of figures can be daunting
for an audience, and can obscure your message. Graph Checklist
● Title: Use a clear, descriptive title.
● Type of graph: Choose the appropriate graph for your message, avoid using 3D
graphs as they can obscure information.
● Axes: Decide which variable goes on which axis, and what scale is most
appropriate.
● Legend: If there is more than one data series displayed, always include a
legend, preferably within the area of the graph.
● Labels: All relevant labels should be included.
● Color/shading: Colors can help differentiate; however, know what is
appropriate for the medium you’re using.
● Data source: Provide the source of data you’ve used for the graph.
● Three-Quarters Rules: For readability, it’s generally a good rule of thumb to
make the y-axis three-quarters the size of the x-axis.
Key Points
• Understanding statistics requires creating a persuasive narrative that explains
the data and an adequate explanation of why a statistic is being used, what it
means and its source.
• The persuasive use of statistics is one of the most powerful tools in any rational
argument, especially in public presentations.
• There are many ways to interpret statistics, however a public speaker should be
mindful that they are presenting a statistic in an accurate way and not
misleading the audience through a misrepresentation of a statistic.
• Statistics will, and should, almost always be used to illustrate a relationship.
• Refrain from bombarding your audience with too many mind-numbing numbers.
• Before all else, the two pillars of communicating statistics are accuracy and
clarity.
Terms
statistics
A systematic collection of data on measurements or observations, often related to
demographic information such as population counts, incomes, population counts at
different ages, etc.
Mode
The value that appears the most often in a data set.
Mean
For a data set, the arithmetic mean is equal to the sum of the values divided by the
number of values.
Median
described as the numerical value separating the higher half of a sample, a population, or
a probability distribution, from the lower half.
Statistics
A systematic collection of data on measurements or observations, often related to
demographic information such as population counts, incomes, population counts at
different ages, etc.
Accuracy
Exact conformity to truth, or to a rule or model; degree of conformity of a measure to a
true or standard value.
Using Testimony
Expert versus Peer Testimony

There are three types of testimonials that fall into the range of expert to peer
testimony; knowing your audience leads to the best choice.
Introduction
A testimony is a statement or endorsement given by someone who has a logical
connection to the topic and who is a credible source.
Testimony can be used to either clarify or prove a point, and is often used by referring
to the research of experts. For example, you could quote a study conducted by an
independent auditing organization that endorses your organization’s ability to
financially support current workforce levels.
There are three major types of testimonies, ranging from expert to peer testimony. They
are:
● Expert authorities
● Celebrities and other inspirational figures
● Antiauthorities
Expert Authorities
First, we can cite expert authorities. According to Chip and Dan Heath in their
bookMade to Stick, an expert is “the kind of person whose wall is covered with framed
credentials: Oliver Sacks for neuroscience, Alan Greenspan for economics [well, maybe
not such a great example any longer], or Stephen Hawking for physics.”
If an expert supports our position, it usually adds credibility. If we are giving a

presentation on a medical issue and can find support for our position in prestigious
medical reviews such as The New England Journal of Medicine or The Lancet, it would
probably be a good idea to cite those authorities.
Celebrities and Other Inspirational Figures
Second, we can refer to celebrities and other inspirational figures. Take the example of
Oprah Winfrey recommending a book. Her recommendations influence the book-buying
habits of thousands of people. Why? Because “if Oprah likes a book, it makes us more
interested in that book. We trust the recommendations of people whom we want to be
like,” note the Heaths.
But what if there are no ”experts” or “celebrities” to be found? Well, hold on a minute.
They might be closer than you think. Do you have positive feedback from satisfied
customers? Is there someone on your team (including you) with certain educational
background or work experience that is relevant? If so, they (or you) might be able to
provide the expertise that you seek, even if they are not widely known.
Peer (Antiauthority)
Third, we can rely on what the Heaths refer to as “antiauthorities.” This is also known as
peer testimony, because it comes from a source that is neither expert nor celebrity, but
similar status to the audience.
They cite the example of Pam Laffin, a mother of two who died at the age of 31 from
emphysema-related lung failure caused by years of smoking. She appeared in several
anti-tobacco commercials sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Public
Health. The commercials were difficult to watch but highly effective; Pam Laffin told a
compelling story in a way that more famous people could not.
What to Consider Before Using Testimony Before

using testimony, ask:
● Is the material quoted accurately?
● Is the source biased, or perceived as biased?
● Is the source competent in the field being consulted? ● Is the information
current?
In the end, your choice as to which type of testimony you use will depend on your
audience.
Smokers, for example. know all of the hazards of smoking and still continue to smoke.
Give them a presentation on the dangers of smoking using expert testimony and you’ll
probably be met with a response like, “Yeah, but it won’t happen to me.” Use an
antiauthority like Pam Laffin, however, and the response will be totally different.
Here is a young woman who probably also thought that it wouldn’t happen to her,
speaking “from her grave.” Smokers can relate to her. She isn’t just a numerical figure.
This type of testimony is quite effective when you’re trying to tell people the dangers of
doing something.
So get to know your audience, put yourself in their place, and choose the type or
combination of evidence that will make your message stick.
How to Incorporate Expert Testimony

Expert testimony can be incorporated after introducing a point of your argument.
Introduction
Once you have found experts to support your ideas, you may wonder how to
incorporate their testimony into your speech. The following will give you an idea of how
to incorporate expert testimony in order to support your argument and improve your
speech.
What the Body of Your Speech Should Include

The body of your speech should help you elaborate and develop your main objectives
clearly by using main points, subpoints, and support for your sub points. To ensure that
your speech clearly communicates with your audience, try to limit both your main
points and subpoints to three or four points each;this applies to your supporting points,
as well. Expert testimony is considered supporting point; it is used to support the main
and subpoints of your speech.
When a claim or point is made during a speech, the audience initially may be reluctant
to concede or agree to the validity of the point. Often this is because the audience does
not initially accept the speaker as a trustworthy authority. By incorporating expert
testimony, the speaker is able to bolster their own authority to speak on the topic.
Therefore, expert testimony is commonly introduced after a claim is made. For example,
if a speech makes the claim, “Manufacturing jobs have been in decline since the 1970s,”
it should be followed up with expert testimony to support that claim. This testimony
could take a variety of forms, such as government employment statistics or a historian
who has written on a particular sector of the manufacturing industry. No matter the
particular form of expert testimony, it is incorporated following a claim to defend and
support that claim, thus bolstering the authority of the speaker.
Example of Incorporating Expert Testimony

Search for and watch a TED talk by Barry Schwartz, a Professor of Social Theory and
Social Action at Swarthmore College and author of numerous books in the field of
psychology and economics. Notice how Schwartz references expert testimony in the
course of his speech to justify his point to the audience.
Schwartz begins by showing the job description of a hospital janitor, noting that the
tasks do not require interaction with other people. However, Schwartz introduces the
expert testimony of actual hospital janitors as a way to complicate the apparent solo
nature of janitorial work. Schwartz personalizes the experts with proper names, “Mike,”
“Sharleene,” and “Luke,” and uses their testimony to demonstrate that despite the job
description, janitors take social interaction to be an important part of their job.
In this instance, Schwartz incorporates the expert testimony of actual janitors as a both
a foil and a support. The testimony shows that in fact janitorial work does include
interaction with other people, thus foiling the initial presentation of janitorial work as
solitary. In addition, Schwartz uses the testimony of these experts to show that they
embody the characteristics of wisdom that Schwartz will describe in the remainder of
the speech.
KEY POINTS
Testimonials can be obtained from expert authorities, celebrities and other inspirational
figures, and antiauthorities.
● An expert is is the kind of person whose wall is covered with framed
credentials.
● People trust the recommendations of people whom they want to be
like.
● Antiauthorities are sources of peer testimony whose source of
knowledge is firsthand experience.
● Expert testimony should be incorporated to support, defend, or
explain the main point or subpoint of a speech.
● Limiting your main points, subpoints, and support points to three or
four points each improves the ability for your speech to communicate with the
audience.
● Noticing how professionals use the testimony of experts can provide
creative examples for how to incorporate expert testimony into a speech.
TERMS
peer
Somebody who is, or something that is, at a level equal (to that of something else).
antiauthority A non-
authority source.
Expert
A person with extensive knowledge or ability in a given subject.
TED
Technology Entertainment Design, a series of global conferences.
Chapter 11: Using Language Well

By: E. Michele Ramsey, Ph.D.
Penn State Berks, Reading, PA
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
● Understand the power of language to define our world and our relationship to
the world
● Choose language that positively impacts the ability to inform and persuade
● Choose language to create a clear and vivid message
● Use language that is ethical and accurate
● Use language to enhance his or her speaker credibility Chapter Outline
● Introduction o The Power of Language o Communication vs. Language o
Language Creates Social Reality
o The Differences Language Choices Can Make
● Constructing Clear and Vivid Messages o Use Simple Language
o Use Concrete and Precise Language
● Using Stylized Language o Metaphors and Similes
o Alliteration o Antithesis o Parallel Structure and Language o
Personalized Language
● The Importance of Ethical and Accurate Language o Language and Ethics
o Sexist and Heterosexist Language
● Avoiding Language Pitfalls o Profanity o Exaggeration o
Powerless Language o Incorrect Grammar
o Other Language Choices to Consider
▪ Cliches
▪ Language that is Central to Popular Culture

● Conclusion
● Glossary
● References
Using Language Well: Introduction

Your purpose is to make your audience see what you saw, hear
what you heard, feel what you felt. Relevant detail, couched in
concrete, colorful language, is the best way to recreate the
incident as it happened and to picture it for the audience. ~
Dale Carnegie “Michigan by Rail Forum in Flint
Photo by Michigan Municipal
League” by Michigan Municipal
The Power of Language League. CC-BY-ND.
Imagine for a moment that you were asked to list everything that you know about the
country of Italy in spite of the fact that you have never actually visited the country.
What would you write? You would have to think about all that you were told about Italy
throughout your life, and you would probably list first the bits of information that have
been repeated to you by various people and in a variety of contexts. So, for example,
you might recall that in geography class you learned particular things about Italy. You
might also recall the various movies you’ve seen that were either supposedly set in Italy
or dealt with some element of what has been deemed by the film as “Italian culture.”
Those movies could include The Godfather, The Italian Job, or The DaVinci Code. You
might think about stories your Italian grandmother told you about her childhood spent
in Rome or remember images you have seen in history books about World War II. In
other words, throughout your life you have learned a lot of different things that you
now assume to be true about this country called “Italy” and you’ve learned all of these
things about Italy through language, whether it be through verbal storytelling or
through your interpretation of images in a book or on a screen. Now, consider for a
moment the possibility that everything you’ve heard about Italy has been incorrect.
Since you have not ever actually been to the country and had first-hand experience with
its geography and culture, for example, how would you know if what you’ve been told is
true or not?
Language is one of the most influential

and powerful aspects of our daily lives
and yet very few people pay attention
to it in their interpersonal and public
communication. The power of language
cannot be overemphasized— language
constructs, reflects, and maintains our
social realities, or what we believe to be
“true” with regard to the world around
us. The point of the example above is
that what we “know is true” about a
person, place, thing, idea, or any other
aspect of our daily lives very much
depends on what experiences we have
“Venice” by MorBCN. CC-BY-NC-SA. had (or not), what information we have
(or have not) come across, and what
words people have used (or not used) when communicating about our world.
Language is a process of free creation; its laws and principles are fixed, but the manner
in which the principles of generation are used is free and infinitely varied. Even the
interpretation and use of words involves a process of free creation. ~ Noam Chomsky
Language can also have an impact on
how we feel about this reality. How we
define words and how we feel about
those words is highly subjective. In fact,
cognitive psychologist Lera Boroditsky
showed a key to a group of
Spanishspeakers and to a group of
Germanspeakers. The researchers then
asked the participants to describe the
key they had been shown. Because the
Spanish word for “key” is gendered as
feminine, Spanish speakers defined the
key using words such as lovely, tiny, and
magic.
The German word for “key” is gendered “Martin Luther King Jr” by Dick DeMarsico. Public
domain.
masculine, however, and German
speakers defined the key using adjectives like hard, jagged, and awkward.[1] This study
suggests that the words we use to define something can have an impact on how we
perceive what those words represent.
Because language is such a powerful, yet unexamined, part of our lives, this chapter
focuses on how language functions and how competent speakers harness the power of
language. Consider the case of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Indeed, many
speakers before him made the very same persuasive arguments regarding the lack of
civil rights for Black Americans, yet we regularly point to the Reverend Dr. King as a
preeminent speaker for the civil rights movement because he was a master of
language— he employed the power of language to move his audiences in ways they had
not been moved before, and we remember him for his eloquence.
Communication vs. Language

To understand the power of language, we need to differentiate between
communication and language. Communication occurs when we try to transfer what is in
our minds to the minds of our audience. Whether speaking to inform, persuade, or
entertain, the main goal of a speaker is to effectively communicate her or his thoughts
to audience members. Most chapters in this text help you determine how best to
communicate information through considerations such as organizational structure,
audience analysis, delivery, and the like. Language, on the other hand, is the means by
which we communicate—a system of symbols we use to form messages. We learn
language as a child in order to read, write, and speak. Once we have mastered enough
language we can communicate with relative ease, yet growing up we rarely learn much
about language choices and what they mean for our communication. We regularly hear
people say, “If we just communicated more or for longer periods of time we’d better
understand each other.” What these types of statements reflect is our lack of
understanding of the differences between communication and language. Therefore,
many of us believe that when problems arise we should strive to have more
communication between the parties. But what we need is better communication by
focusing on language choice.
Language Creates Social Reality

Our social realities are constructed through language; and therefore, people with
different experiences in, and understandings of, the world can define the same things in
very different ways. Language is culturally transmitted—we learn how to define our
world first from our families and then our later definitions of the world are influenced
by friends and institutions such as the media, education, and religion. If we grow up in a
sexist culture, we are likely to hold sexist attitudes.
Similarly, if we grow up in a culture that defines the environment as our first priority in
making any decisions, we’re likely to grow with environmentally friendly attitudes.
Language, then, is not neutral. As a culture, as groups of people, and as individuals, we
decide what words we’re going to use to define one thing or another.
Culture is the collective programming of the mind that distinguishes the members of one
category of people from another. ~ Geert Hofstede
For public speakers, these facts are important for three primary reasons. First, the
careful use of language can make the difference between you giving a remarkable
speech and one that is utterly forgettable. Second, you must remember that audience
members may not share the same language for the definition of the very same ideas,
realities, or even specific items. Finally, the language that you use in public (and even
private) communication says something about you—about how you define and
therefore perceive the world. If you are not careful with your language you may
unintentionally communicate something negative about yourself simply because of a
careless use of language. You should think very carefully about your audience’s and your
own language when you prepare to speak publicly. You can master all of the other
elements in this textbook, but without an effective use of language those other
mastered skills will not mean much to your audience. The suggestions in this chapter
will help you communicate as effectively as possible using appropriate and expressive.
You’ll also learn about language to avoid so that your language leaves the audience with
a positive impression of you.
The Differences Language Choices can Make
When I discuss the importance of language choice with my students, I generally begin
with two different paragraphs based on a section from Reverend Jesse Jackson’s
“Rainbow Coalition” speech. The first paragraph I read them is a section of Reverend
Jackson’s speech that I have rewritten. The second paragraph is the actual text from
Reverend Jackson’s speech. Let’s start with my version first:
America should dream. Choose people over building bombs. Destroy the weapons and
don’t hurt the people. Think about a new system of values. Think about lawyers more
interested in the law than promotions. Consider doctors more interested in helping
people get better than in making money. Imagine preachers and priests who will preach
and not just solicit money.
This paragraph is clear and simple. It gets the point across to the audience. But compare
my version of his paragraph to Reverend Jackson’s actual words:
Young America dream. Choose the human race over the nuclear race. Bury the weapons
and don’t burn the people. Dream of a new value system. Dream of lawyers more
concerned about justice than a judgeship. Dream of doctors more concerned about
public health than personal wealth. Dream of preachers and priests who will prophecy
and not just profiteer.
The significant difference between these two versions of the paragraph can be
explained simply as the difference between carefully choosing one group of words over
another group of words. My version of the speech is fine, but it is utterly forgettable.
Reverend Jackson’s exact wording, however, is stunning. The audience probably
remembered his speech and the chills that went down their spines when they heard it
long after it was over. This example, I hope, exemplifies the difference language choice
can make. Using language in a way that makes you and your speech memorable,
however, takes work. Few people come by this talent naturally, so give yourself plenty
of time to rework your first draft to fine tune and perfect your language choice. Using
some of the strategies discussed below will help you in this process.
1. Boroditsky cited in Thomas, L., Wareing, S. Singh, I., Pecci, J. S., Thornborrow, J. &
Jones, J. (2003). Language, society, and power: An introduction, 2nd Ed. New York:
Routledge. pp. 26–
Using Language Well: Constructing Clear and Vivid Messages
Use Simple Language

When asked to write a speech or a paper, many of us pull out the thesaurus (or call it up
on our computer) when we want to replace a common word with one that we believe is
more elevated or intellectual. There are certainly times when using a thesaurus is a
good thing, but if you’re pulling that big book out to turn a simple idea into one that
sounds more complex, put it back on the shelf. Good speakers use simple language for
two primary reasons.
First, audiences can sense a fake. When you turn in your term paper with words that
aren’t typically used by people in everyday conversation and those words are simply
replacing the common words we all use, your instructor knows what you’ve done. Part
of having strong credibility as a speaker is convincing your audience of your sincerity,
both in terms of your ideas and your character. When you elevate your language simply
for the sake of using big words when small words will do, audiences may perceive you
as insincere, and that perception might also transfer onto your message. In addition, the
audience’s attention can drift to questions about your character and veracity, making it
less likely that they are paying attention to your message.
Second, using a long word when a short one will do inhibits your ability to communicate
clearly. Your goal as a speaker should be to be as clear as you possibly can. Using
language that makes it more difficult for your audience to understand your message can
negatively impact your ability to get a clear message across to your audience. If your
audience can’t understand your vocabulary, they can’t understand your message.
A good example of a speaker whose

communication was obstructed by
language use is Former Secretary of
State Alexander Haig. Some examples of
his problematic language choice
include: “careful caution,”
“epistemologically wise,” “exacerbating
restraint,” “saddle myself with a
statistical fence,” and “definitizing an
answer.”[1] Chances are good that after
reading these phrases over and over
“Al Haig speaks to press 1981” by Ronald Reagan
Presidential Library. Public domain. you still don’t understand him. You can
imagine how much harder it would be
to understand Haig’s message as it was delivered orally—spoken in an instant and then
gone! Haig’s language clouds rather than clarifies ideas, but it is easy to make sure your
message gets across to the audience by avoiding big words that are not necessary. If
you’re paying attention to the language strategies discussed in this chapter, you’ll find
that you won’t need to pull out that thesaurus to impress your audience—your
command of language will make that positive impression for you. In addition, when you
use language that your audience expects to hear and is used to hearing you may find
that the audience perceives you as more sincere than someone who uses elevated
language and sounds pretentious. Remember: It is rarely the case that you should use a
long word when a short one will do.
Most of the fundamental ideas of science are essentially simple, and may, as a rule, be
expressed in a language comprehensible to everyone. ~ Albert Einstein
Use Concrete and Precise Language

How many times a week do you say something to someone only to have them
misunderstand? You believe that you were very clear and the person you were talking
to thought that she understood you perfectly, and yet you both ended up with a
problem we often deem “miscommunication.” You said you’d “call later” and your
friend got angry because you didn’t. By “later” you probably meant one time frame
while your friend defined that time frame very differently. Often in these cases both
people are right. You were perfectly clear and your friend did understand you
perfectly—so how did the miscommunication happen?
“German Shepherd” by Magnus Bråth. CC-BY. shepherd”

over the more abstract term
“dog.”
When you are writing your speech, look
for words that you might need to define
more clearly. Instead of talking about
“bad weather,” tell the audience that it
was raining or that hail the size of golf
balls was coming down. “Bad weather”
means different things to different
people. In discussing the aftermath of a
natural disaster, rather than saying “a
lot of people were affected” say,
One of the primary reasons we
miscommunicate is because language is
an abstract phenomenon. Meanings
exist in people’s understandings, not
the words we use. Therefore, if you’re
telling a story about “a dog” you could
be talking about a German Shepherd
while the person you’re talking with is
envisioning a Chihuahua. If you do not
use concrete language, you risk at least
sending a weaker or different message
than you intended. When speaking, you
want to use the concrete term
“German
“25,000 citizens, 1 in every 5, were “Chopper Bothy 04” by John Hudson. CC-BY-NC-ND.
affected by this disaster.” “A lot” means different things to different people. Most
words mean different things to different people, so use concrete language over
abstract words to better your chances of communicating your message as intended.
You also want to make sure that you’re precise. Someone might call a sweater “green”
while someone else calls it “teal.” Even though those are just differences in perception
not purposeful or mindless communication meant to be inaccurate, not being clear
about exactly which color you’re talking about can lead to confusion. It is best to
remember to be as precise as possible when choosing words. Don’t say something was
“big”—tell us its weight or height, and to be sure you’re communicating clearly compare
that weigh or height to something we understand. So, instead of saying “The piles of
garbage I saw in the local dump were really big” say “The piles of garbage I saw in the
local dump weighed about 10,000 pounds, which is equivalent to the weight of the
average female elephant.” The more precise you are the less likely it is that your
audience will misinterpret your message.
Our business is infested with idiots who try to impress by using pretentious jargon. ~
David Ogilvy
Another way to avoid language that obstructs communication is to avoid the use of
jargon. Jargon is the “specialized language of a group or profession.”[2] It is appropriate
to use jargon when you know that your audience understands the terms you are using.
For example, if you are a computer science major and you are presenting to a group of
similarly trained computer science majors, using jargon will help establish your
credibility with that audience. Using terms even as basic as “RAM” and “binary code”
with a general audience, however, will likely not go over well—you risk confusing the
audience rather than informing or persuading them. Even people who can use
computers may not know how they work or the technical terms associated with them.
So you must be careful to only use jargon when you know your audience will
understand it. If you must use jargon while speaking to a general audience, be sure to
define your terms and err on the side of over-clarification.
Slang is a language that rolls up its sleeves, spits on its hands and goes to work. ~ Carl
Sandburg
Finally, another way to avoid confusion is to avoid

using slang when it is not appropriate. Slang is language
that some people might understand but that is not
considered acceptable in formal or polite conversation.
Slang may be a poor choice for a speaker because some
members of your audience may not be familiar with the
slang term(s) you use. Slang is often based in a very
specific audience, defined by age, region, subculture
and the like. If you are speaking to an audience that
you know will understand and respond positively, you
may choose to include that language in your speech.
Otherwise, do not use slang, or you may confuse and
frustrate audience members and cause them to lose
interest in your speech. In addition, because slang is
“Goth” by Rama. CC-BY-SA.
often not considered appropriate in formal and polite
conversation, using it in your speech may communicate negative ideas about you to
audience members. Don’t let a mindless use of slang negatively impact your audience’s
perception of you and your message.
1. Time.com (1981, February 23). “Haigledygook and secretaryspeak.” Retrieved

from
2. Hamilton, G. (2008). Public speaking for college and career, 8th Ed. New York:
McGraw-
Using Language Well: Using Stylized Language

Stylized language is language that communicates your meaning clearly, vividly and with
flair. Stylized language doesn’t just make you sound better; it also helps make your
speeches more memorable. Speakers who are thoughtful about using language
strategies in their speeches are more memorable as speakers and therefore so too are
their messages more unforgettable as well.
Metaphors and Similes

One strategy that promotes vivid language is the use of metaphors. Metaphors are
comparisons made by speaking of one thing in terms of another. Similes are similar to
metaphors in how they function; however, similes make comparisons by using the word
“like” or “as,” whereas metaphors do not. The power of a metaphor is in its ability to
create an image that is linked to emotion in the mind of the audience. It is one thing to
talk about racial injustice, it is quite another for the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
to note that people have been “…battered by storms of persecution and staggered by
the winds of police brutality.” Throughout his “I Have a Dream” speech the Reverend Dr.
King uses the metaphor of the checking account to make his point.
He notes that the crowd has come to the March on Washington to “cash a check” and
claims that America has “defaulted on this promissory note” by giving “the Negro
people a bad check, a check that has come back “insufficient funds.” By using checking
and bank account terms that most people are familiar with, the Reverend Dr. King is
able to more clearly communicate what he believes has occurred. In addition, the use of
this metaphor acts as a sort of “shortcut.” He gets his point across very quickly by
comparing the problems of civil rights to the problems of a checking account.
In the same speech the Reverend Dr. King also makes use of similes, which also compare
two things but do so using “like” or “as.” In discussing his goals for the Civil Rights
movement in his “I Have a Dream” speech, the Reverend Dr. exclaims: “No, no we are
not satisfied and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down likewaters and
righteousness like a mighty stream.” Similes also help make your message clearer by
using ideas that are more concrete for your audience. For example, to give the audience
an idea of what a winter day looked like you could note that the “snow looked as solid
as pearls.” To communicate sweltering heat you could say that “the tar on the road
looked like satin.” A simile most of us are familiar with is the notion of the United States
being “like a melting pot” with regard to its diversity. We also often note that a friend or
colleague that stays out of conflicts between friends is “like Switzerland.” In each of
these instances similes have been used to more clearly and vividly communicate a
message.
Metaphors have a way of holding the most truth in the least space. ~ Orson Scott Card
Alliteration
Remember challenging yourself or a friend to repeat a tongue twister “five times fast?”
Perhaps it was “Sally sold seashells by the seashore” or “Peter Piper picked a peck of
pickled peppers.” Tongue twisters are difficult to say to say but very easy to remember.
Why? Alliteration. Alliteration is the repetition of the initial sounds of words.
Alliteration is a useful tool for helping people remember your message, and it’s as
simple as taking a few minutes to see if there are ways to reword your speech so that
you can add some alliteration— this is a great time to use that thesaurus we talked
about putting away early in this chapter. Look for alternative words to use that allow for
alliteration in your speech. You might consider doing this especially when it comes to
the points that you would like your audience to remember most.
The soul selects her own society. ~ Emily Dickinson
Antithesis
Antithesis allows you to use contrasting statements in order to make a rhetorical point.
Perhaps the most famous example of antithesis comes from the Inaugural Address of
President John F. Kennedy when he stated, “And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what
your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” Going back to
Reverend Jackson’s “Rainbow Coalition” speech he notes, “I challenge them to put hope
in their brains and not dope in their veins.” In each of these cases, the speakers have
juxtaposed two competing ideas in one statement to make an argument in order to
draw the listener’s attention.
You’re easy on the eyes — hard on the heart. ~ Terri Clark
Parallel Structure and Language

Antithesis is often worded using parallel structure or language. Parallel structure is the
balance of two or more similar phrases or clauses, and parallel wording is the balance of
two or more similar words. The Reverend Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech
exemplifies both strategies in action. Indeed, the section where he repeats “I Have a
Dream” over and over again is an example of the use of both parallel structure and
language. The use of parallel structure and language helps your audience remember
without beating them over the head with repetition. If worded and delivered carefully,
you can communicate a main point over and over again, as did the Reverend Dr. King,
and it doesn’t seem as though you are simply repeating the same phrase over and over.
You are often doing just that, of course, but because you are careful with your wording
(it should be powerful and creative, not pedantic) and your delivery (the correct use of
pause, volumes, and other elements of delivery), the audience often perceives the
repetition as dramatic and memorable. The use of parallel language and structure can
also help you when you are speaking persuasively. Through the use of these strategies
you can create a speech that takes your audience through a series of ideas or arguments
that seem to “naturally” build to your conclusion.
Personalized Language
We’re all very busy people. Perhaps you’ve got work, studying, classes, a job, and
extracurricular activities to juggle. Because we are all so busy, one problem that
speakers often face is trying to get their audience interested in their topic or motivated
to care about their argument. A way to help solve this problem is through the use of
language that personalizes your topic. Rather than saying, “One might argue” say “You
might argue.” Rather than saying “This could impact the country in ways we have not
yet imagined,” say “This could impact your life in ways that you have not imagined.” By
using language that directly connects your
topic or argument to the audience you
better your chances of getting your
audience to listen and to be persuaded that
your subject matter is serious and important
to them. Using words like “us,” “you,” and
“we” can be a subtle means of getting your
audience to pay attention to your speech.
Most people are most interested in things
that they believe impact their lives
directly— make those connections clear for your audience by using personal language.
“next10, Day1, 11.05.2010” by NEXT Berlin. CC-
BY.
Using Language Well: The Importance of Ethical and Accurate Language
Language and Ethics

As was noted at the beginning of this chapter, language is culturally transmitted—we
learn our language from those around us. For most of us this means that we may first
learn language from our parents, but as we grow older, other family members, friends,
educators and even the media impact our vocabularies and our choices regarding what
language we use. Think about a world without language. Quite simply, we’d have no
way of participating in our world without it. People constantly produce language to
categorize and organize the world.
Think back to our discussion of how language influences your social reality. In my work
as a mentor, I tutored a girl in elementary school who had a very difficult time saying
the word “lake.” I used the word “lake” as part of a homework exercise. What I had
not realized was that she had never seen a lake, either in person or in a picture, or, if
she had seen a lake no one had pointed to that body of water and called it a “lake.”
The concept of a “lake” was simply not in her reality. No “lakes” existed in her world.
This is a key example of how the
language that we learn and that we
choose to use says something
about our social reality.
Consider the above example

another way. Let’s say that my
young friend had seen a lake and
knew how to say the word and
what the word referred to, but that
she had only been privy to people
who used the word negatively. If
throughout her life “lakes” were “Emerald Bay” by Michael. CC-BY discussed as “bad
things” to be avoided, she would have a very different perspective on lakes than most
people. Switching this example around a little helps illustrate the fact that language is
not neutral. Language carries ideas, and while there is often more than one choice in
terms of which word to use, often the words from which you are choosing are not
equal in terms of the reality that they communicate.
Think about the difference between calling a specific place “the projects” versus calling
that same place “public housing.” Both phrases refer to a particular geographical space,
but calling a neighborhood “the projects” as opposed to “public housing” communicates
something very different, and more negative, about this neighborhood. Often students
use the words that they hear more commonly used, so referring to “the projects” as
opposed to “public housing” usually indicates that they have not thought enough about
their word choices or thought about the impact of those choices.
By and large, language is a tool for concealing the truth. ~ George Carlin
As this example points out, we have a variety of words from which to choose when
constructing a message. Successful speakers recognize that in addition to choosing
words that help with clarity and vividness, it is important to think about the
connotations associated with one word or the other. When speakers are not careful in
terms of word choice in this sense, it is possible to lose credibility with the audience and
to create the perception that you are someone that perhaps you are not. If you use “the
projects” instead of “public housing,” audience members may view you as someone
who has negative perceptions of people who live in public housing when you do not feel
that way at all. Clearly, not being careful about language choices can be a costly
mistake.
But what do these examples have to do with ethics? For our purposes here, there are
two ways to think about communication and ethics. First, ethical communication is that
which does not unfairly label one thing or another based on personal bias. So, in
addition to choosing “public housing” over “the projects,” an ethical speaker will choose
terms that steer clear from intentional bias. For example, pro-life speakers would refrain
from calling “pro-choice” people “pro-abortion” since the basic principle of the “pro-
choice” position is that it is up to the person, not society, to choose whether or not an
abortion is acceptable. That is a very different position than being “pro-abortion.”
Indeed, many pro- choice citizens would not choose abortion if faced with an unplanned
pregnancy; therefore calling them “pro- abortion” does not reflect the reality of the
situation; rather, it is the purposeful and unethical use of one term over the other for
emotional impact. Similarly, if a pro-choice person is addressing a crowd where religious
organizations are protesting against the legality of abortion, it would not be ethical for
the pro-choice speaker to refer to the “anti- abortion” protestors as “religious fanatics.”
Simply because someone is protesting abortion on religious grounds does not make that
person a “religious fanatic,” and as in the first example, choosing the latter phrase is
another purposeful and unethical use of one term over another for emotional impact.
Language exerts hidden power, like the moon on the tides. ~ Rita Mae Brown
A second way to link communication and ethics is to remember that ethical speakers
attempt to communicate reality to the best of their ability. Granted, as was noted
above, each person’s social reality is different, depending on background, influences,
and cultural institutions, for example. But regardless of whether you think that a “lake”
is a good or bad thing, lakes still exist in reality. Regardless of whether or not you think
rocks are useful or not, rocks still exist. So ethical communication also means trying to
define or explain your subject in terms that are as closely tied to an objective reality as
is possible—it is your best attempt to communicate accurately about your topic. Sexist
and heterosexist language are two types of language to be avoided by ethical speakers
because each type of language does communicate inaccuracies to the audience.
Sexist and Heterosexist Language

One of the primary means by which speakers regularly communicate inaccurate
information is through the use of sexist language. In spite of the fact that the Modern
Language Association deemed sexist language as grammatically incorrect back in the
1970s, many people and institutions (including most colleges and universities) still
regularly use sexist language in their communication.
An argument I regularly hear from students is that language has “always been sexist.”
This is, in fact, not true. As Dale Spender notes in her book, Man Made Language, until
1746 when John Kirkby formulated his “Eighty Eight Grammatical Rules,” the words
“they” and “their” were used in sentences for sex-indeterminable sentences.[1] Kirkby’s
rule number twenty-one stated that the male sex was more comprehensive than the
female and thus argued that “he” was the grammatically correct way to note men and
women in writing where mixed sexed or sex-indeterminable situations are referred to.[2]
Women were not given equal access to education at this time and thus the male
grammarians who filled the halls of the academy and had no incentive to disagree with
Mr. Kirkby, accepted his eighty-eight rules in full.
Interestingly though, the general population was not as easily convinced. Perhaps
because they were not used to identifying women as men in language or perhaps
because it did not make rational sense to do so, the general public ignored rule number
twenty-one. Incensed by the continued misuse of “they,” male grammarians were
influential in the passing of the 1850 Act of Parliament which legally asserted that “he”
stood for “she.”[3] Yes, you read correctly. Parliament passed legislation in an effort to
promote the use of sexist language. And it worked! Eventually the rule was adhered to
by the public and thus we have the regular and rarely challenged use of sexist language.
But this use of language was not “natural” or even “normal” for many millennia.
Pretending that we haven’t learned about the work of Dale Spender, let’s assume that
language has “always been sexist.” Even if language was always sexist, that does not
make the use of sexist language right. We wouldn’t make a similar argument about
racist language, so that argument isn’t any stronger with regard to language that is
sexist. It simply isn’t acceptable today to use sexist language; and by learning to avoid
these common mistakes, you can avoid using language that is grammatically incorrect,
unethical, and problematic. See Table 10.1 for examples of sexist and non-sexist
language.
Table 10.1: Comparison of Sexist and Gender-Neutral Terms
Sexist Terms Gender-Neutral Terms
Actress Actor
Ballerina Ballet Dancer
Businessman Business Person
Chairman Chairperson
Fireman Firefighter
Fisherman Fisher
Mailman/Postman Mail/Letter Carrier
Male Nurse Nurse
Policeman Police Officer
Stewardess Flight Attendant
Waitress Server
He (to mean men and women) He or She, He/She, They
Examples:
Example: If a student wants to do well, he or she
If a student wants to do well, he must study.
must study. If students want to do well, they must
study.
Is your remarkably sexist drivel intentional, or just some horrible mistake? ~ Yeardley
Smith
First, you should avoid the use of what is called the generic “he” or “man,” which is the
use of terms such as “mankind” instead of “humankind” or “humanity,” or the use of
“man” or “he” to refer to all people. A common response from students with regard to
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the use of “generic he” is that the word is intended to represent men and women,
therefore when it’s used it is not used to be sexist. If it were really the case that people
truly recognized in their minds that the term “man” includes women, then we would
talk about situations in which “man has difficulty giving birth”[4] or the “impact of
menstruation on man’s biology.” Of course, we do not say those things because they
simply wouldn’t make sense to us. Perhaps you can now see why the people of the
1700s and 1800s had trouble switching from non-sexist to sexist language—it defied
their own common sense just as discussing how “man gets pregnant” defies yours.
Second, you should avoid using man-linked terms,

which are terms such as “fireman” or “policemen.” It
is appropriate to use these terms when you know
that the people you are speaking about are men
only, but if you do not know for sure or if you’re
talking about groups generally, you should avoid
using these types of terms and replace them with
“firefighters” and “police officers.” Colleges and
universities should replace “freshman” with
“firstyear students” and so should you. Other, non
joboriented words also suffer from this same
problem. People often note that tables need to be
“manned” rather than “staffed” and that items are
“manmade” instead of “human made” or
“handmade.”
“Italian Soldier Olympic Games Turin A final common use of sexist language occurs when 2006”
by Italian Army. CC-BY. people use spotlighting when discussing the
occupations of men and women. How often have you heard (or used) a phrase such as
“he’s a male nurse” or “that female lawyer?” When we spotlight in these ways, we are
pointing out that a person is deviating from the “norm” and implying that someone’s
sex is relevant to a particular job. According to Peccei, in the English language there is a
very strong tendency to “place the adjective expressing the most ‘defining’
characteristic closest to the noun.”[5] Thus, as Turner points out, a phrase like the “old
intelligent woman” violates our sense of “correct,” not because there’s anything wrong
with the word order grammatically, but because it contradicts our customary way of
thinking that values youth over age.[6] If you talk about a “male nurse” or a “female
cop,” you risk communicating to the audience that you believe the most salient aspect
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of a particular job is the sex of the person that normally does it, and some audience
members may not appreciate that assumption on your part.
The use of sexist language is not just grammatically incorrect; its use is also linked to
ethics because it communicates a reality that does not exist—it is not accurate.
Manlinked language communicates male superiority and that there are more men than
women because women are regularly erased linguistically in speech and writing.
Manlinked terms and spotlighting communicate that some job activities are appropriate
for men but not women and vice versa by putting focus on the sex of a person as linked
to their job or activity. Finally, the use of the generic “he” or “man” communicates that
men are the norm and women deviate from that norm. If all humans are called “man,”
what does that say about women? Sexist language can also limit what young males and
females believe that they can accomplish in their lives. Ethical speakers should therefore
avoid using language that communicates these sexist practices.
Speakers who choose to continue to use sexist language are not only speaking in a
manner that is grammatically incorrect, they are also risking communicating negative
ideas about themselves to audience members. Often the use of sexist language is
because of a careless error, so be careful about language choice so that you don’t
accidentally communicate something about yourself that you didn’t intend or that isn’t
true. Remember that if one person in your audience is offended by some aspect of your
language use, they may share their opinions with others in the room. If that one person
is a leader of the larger group or is someone whose opinions people care about,
offending that one audience member may cause you to “lose” many other audience
members as well.
Heterosexist language is language that

assumes the heterosexual orientation of
a person or group of people. Be careful
when speaking not to use words or
phrases that assume the sexual
orientation of your audience members.
Do not make the mistake of pointing to
someone in your audience as an
example and discussing that person
with the assumption that she is
heterosexual by saying something like,
“Let’s say this woman here is having
“Married Gay Couple John and Jamie” by John. CC-BY-SA. trouble with her husband.” When
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thinking of examples to use, consider using names that could ring true for heterosexuals
and homosexuals alike. Instead of talking about Pat and Martha, discuss an issue
involving Pat and Chris. Not only will you avoid language that assumes everyone’s
partner is of the opposite sex, you will also better your chances of persuading using your
example. If the use of sex- specific names doesn’t ring true with members of your
audience that are homosexual, it is possible that they are not as likely to continue to
listen to your example with the same level of interest. They are more likely to follow
your example if they aren’t confronted immediately with names that assume a
heterosexual relationship. There are, of course, ethical considerations as well. Because
it is likely that your entire audience is not heterosexual (and certainly they do not all
hold heterosexist attitudes), using heterosexist language is another way that speakers
may alienate audience members. In reality the world is not completely heterosexual and
even in the unlikely case that you’re speaking in a room of consisting completely of
heterosexuals, many people have friends or relatives that are homosexual, so the use of
heterosexist language to construct the world as if this were not the case runs counter to
ethical communication.
1. Spender, D. (1990). Man Made Language. New York: Pandora.

2. Spender 1990
3. Spender 1990
4. Spender 1990 p. 156
5. Peccei, J. (2003). Language and age. In L. Thomas et. al., Language, society, and
power, 2nd Ed. New York: Routledge
6. Peccei
Using Language Well: Avoiding Language Pitfalls

There are other aspects of language you should consider when thinking about how
language choices impact the audience’s perception of you.
Profanity
It seems obvious, but this fact bears repeating—you should refrain from using profanity
in your speeches. One of the primary rules of all aspects of public speaking (audience
analysis, delivery, topic selection, etc.) is that you should never ignore audience
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expectations. Audiences do not expect speakers to use profane language, and in most
cases, doing so will hurt your credibility with the audience. It is true that certain
audiences will not mind an occasional profane word used for effect, but unless you are
speaking to a group of people with whom you are very familiar, it is difficult to know for
sure whether the majority of the audience will respond positively or negatively to such
language use. If you even offend one person in an audience and that person happens to
be an opinion leader for other audience members, the negative impact of your language
on that one person could end up having a much larger influence on the audience’s
perception of you.
I wanted to cut down on the profanity, because I think I’m funnier without sayin’ a lot of
cuss words. ~ Chris Tucker
Exaggeration
Speakers should also be careful about exaggeration. Hyperbole is the use of moderate
exaggeration for effect and is an acceptable and useful language strategy. What is not
acceptable, however, is the use of exaggeration to an extent that you risk losing
credibility. For example, while it is acceptable to note that “it snows in South Texas as
often as pigs fly,” it would not be acceptable to state that “It never snows in South
Texas.” In the first case, you are using hyperbole as a form of exaggeration meant to
creatively communicate an idea. In the second case, your use of exaggeration is stating
something that is not true. It is unwise to use words such as “never” and “always” when
speaking. It may be the case that speakers make this mistake accidentally because they
are not careful with regard to word choice. We so easily throw words like “always” and
“never” around in everyday conversation that this tendency transfers onto our public
speeches when we are not thinking carefully about word choice.
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There are two problems with the careless use of exaggeration. First, when you use
words like “always” and “never,” it is not likely that the statement you are making is
true—as very few things always or never happen. Therefore, audiences might mistake
your careless use of language for an attempt to purposefully misrepresent the truth.
Second, when you suggest that something “always” or “never” happens, you are
explicitly challenging your audience members to offer up evidence that contradicts
your statement. Such a challenge may serve to impact your credibility negatively with
the audience, as an audience member can make you look careless and/or silly by
pointing out that your “always” or “never”
statement is incorrect.
Exaggeration is a blood relation to falsehood

and nearly as blamable. ~ Hosea Ballou
Powerless Language
Finally, think about using powerful language
when speaking. Because women are more
likely than men to be socialized to take the
feelings of others into account, women tend
to use less powerful language than men.[1]
Both men and women, however, can use
language that communicates a lack of power.
In some cases speakers use powerless
language that communicates uncertainty. For “Malalai Joya speaking in Finland” by example,
a speaker might say “It seems to me AfghanKabul. CC-BY. that things are getting
worse,” or “In my estimation, things are getting worse.” These phrases communicate a
lack of certainty in your statements. It is likely that in the case of these speeches, the
speaker is arguing that some problem is getting worse, therefore more powerful
language would be acceptable. Simply state that “Things are getting worse” and don’t
weaken your statement with phrases that communicate uncertainty.
Speakers should also beware of hedges, tag questions, and qualifiers. Examples of
hedges would include, “I thought we should,” “I sort of think,” or “Maybe we should.”
Use more powerful statements such as “We should” or “I believe.” In addition, speakers
should avoid the use of tag questions, which are quick questions at the end of a
statement that also communicate uncertainty. People who use tag questions might end
a statement with “Don’t you think?” or “Don’t you agree?” rather than flatly stating
what they believe because it can appear to audiences that you are seeking validation for
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your statements. Qualifiers such as “around” or “about” make your sentences less
definitive, so generally avoid using them.
Interestingly, however, there are cases when using less powerful language may be
useful. While a full discussion of these instances is out of the purview of this chapter,
good speakers will recognize when they should use more or less powerful language. I
tell my students that there are some cases when negotiation between two or more
parties is the key and that in these instances using language that communicates
complete certainty might impede fruitful negotiation because other parties may
incorrectly perceive you as inflexible. On the other hand, in some cases you must “win”
an argument or “beat” another speaker in order to even get to the negotiation table,
and in those cases, the use of more powerful language may be warranted. It bears
repeating that better speakers know how to use language in response to specific
contexts in order to be successful, hence thinking about what contexts require more or
less powerful language is always a good idea.
There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be
a time when we fail to protest. ~ Elie Wiesel
Incorrect Grammar
While the use of sexist or heterosexist language may imply some negative qualities
about you to your audience, the use of incorrect grammar in your speech will explicitly
communicate negative attributes about you quite clearly. There are four primary means
by which incorrect grammar tends to make its way into speeches, including basic error,
mispronunciations, regionalisms, and colloquialisms.
Basic errors occur when people make simple mistakes in grammar because of
carelessness or a lack of knowledge. If you are unsure about the grammatical structure
of a sentence, ask someone.
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Although spoken English doesn’t obey the rules of written language, a person who
doesn’t know the rules thoroughly is at
a great disadvantage. ~ Marilyn vos
Savant Practicing your speech in front of
others can help you catch mistakes.
Grammatical errors can also happen
when speakers aren’t familiar enough
with their speech. If you do not know
your topic well and have not given
yourself an adequate amount of time
for practice, you may fumble some
during your speech and use incorrect
grammar that you normally wouldn’t
“Bush delivers his second Inaugural address” by Paul use. One of the most regular critiques
Morse. Public domain. made of President George W. Bush is
that he regularly makes grammatical
errors in public. In one case President Bush stated, “Rarely is the question asked: Is our
children learning?” In another instance he stated, “I have a different vision of
leadership. A leadership is someone who brings people together.”[2] When President
Bush makes these mistakes, many people take note and it gives his detractors
ammunition to critique his ability to lead. Unlike President Bush, you do not have a
team of public relations specialists ready to explain away your grammatical error so you
should take great care to make sure that you’re prepared to speak.
Apparently Arnold was inspired by President Bush, who proved you can be a successful
politician in this country even if English is your second language. ~ Conan O’Brien
In addition, you must be sure that you are pronouncing words correctly. In one instance
I had a student who began discussing the philosopher Plato, except she pronounced his
name “Platt-o” instead of “Play-toe.” I could see students glancing at each other and
rolling their eyes in response to this mistake. Indeed, it was even difficult for me to pay
attention after the mistake because it was such a blatant error. Making pronunciation
mistakes, especially when you’re pronouncing words that the general public deems
ordinary, can seriously impede your credibility. It was likely difficult for students to take
this speaker’s remaining comments seriously after she’d made such a big mistake. If
you’re unsure about how to pronounce a word, check with someone else or with the
dictionary to make sure you’re pronouncing it correctly. In fact, many online dictionaries
such as Merriam-Webster.com and Dictionary.com now include a function that allows
you to hear how the word is pronounced. And if it’s a word you’re not used to saying,
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such as a technical or medical term, practice saying it out loud 10-20 times a day until
you’re comfortable with the word. Remember that our mouths are machines and that
our tongues, teeth, cheeks, lips, etc. all work together to pronounce sounds. When
faced with a word that our mouths are not yet “trained” to say, it is more likely that
we’ll mispronounce the word or stutter some on it during a speech. But if you practice
saying the word out loud several times a day leading up to your speech, you’re less likely
to make a mistake and your confidence will be boosted instead of hurt in the midst of
your speech.
Remember: Y’all is singular. All y’all is plural. All y’all’s is plural possessive. ~ Kinky
Friedman
Some grammar problems occur because people use regionalisms when speaking, which
may pose problems for people in the audience not familiar with the terms being used.
Regionalisms are customary words or phrases used in different geographic regions. For
example, growing up in Texas I used “y’all,” while my students in Pennsylvania might
use
“youins” or “yins” to mean a group of people. In the South, many people use the phrase
“Coke” to mean any soft drink (probably because Coco-Cola is headquartered in
Atlanta), while in the Northeast a “Coke” might be called a “tonic” and in other regions
it might be called a “pop” or “soda pop.” You must be careful when using regional terms
because your audience may not interpret your message correctly if they are not familiar
with the regionalism you’re using. Try to find terms that are broader in their use,
perhaps using “you all” or “soft drink” instead of the regional terms you may be used to
using in everyday conversations.
Another grammar issue often linked to

region is the use of colloquialisms.
Colloquialisms are words or phrases
used in informal speech but not
typically used in formal speech. Using
the word “crick” instead of “creek” is
one example of a colloquialism, and in
some areas “I’m getting ready to cook
dinner” would be said, “I’m fixin’ to
make dinner.” Colloquialisms can also
“Federal Standard Regions” by Belg4mit. Public be phrases that stem from particular domain.
regions. In some regions nice clothes
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are often referred to as your “Sunday best,” and in some areas, when people are
preparing to vacuum, they note that they are getting ready to “red up the place” (make
it ready for visitors).
Like regionalisms, an audience understanding your use of colloquialisms depends on
their familiarity with the language tendencies of a certain geographic area, so steering
clear of their use can help you make sure that your message is understood by your
audience. Another problem that regionalisms and colloquialisms have in common is that
some audience members may consider their use a sign of lesser intellect because they
are not considered proper grammar, so you also risk leaving a bad impression of
yourself with audience members if you make these language choices for a formal
presentation.
I personally think we developed language because of our deep need to complain. ~ Lily
Tomlin
Other Language Choices to Consider

Clichés are phrases or expressions that, because of overuse, have lost their rhetorical
power. Examples include sayings such as “The early bird gets the worm” or “Making a
mountain out of a molehill.” Phrases such as these were once powerful ways of
communicating an idea, but because of overuse these phrases just don’t have the
impact that they once had. Using clichés in your speeches runs the risk of having two
negative attributions being placed on you by audience members. First, audience
members may feel that your use of a cliché communicates that you didn’t take the
speech seriously and/or were lazy in constructing it. Second, your audience members
may perceive you as someone who is not terribly creative. Clichés area easy ways to
communicate your message, but you might pay for that ease with negative feelings
about you as a speaker from your audience. Try to avoid using clichés so that audiences
are more likely to perceive you positively as a speaker.
Another consideration for speakers is whether or not to use language central to the
popular culture of a time period. Whether we’re talking about “groovy, man” from the
1970s or “like totally awesome” from the 1980s, or “word to your mutha” from the
1990s, the language central to the popular culture of any time period is generally
something to be avoided in formal public speaking. Like slang or profanity, language
stemming from popular culture can be limited in its appeal. Some audiences may not
understand it, some audiences may negatively evaluate you for using language that is
too informal, and other audiences will have negative preconceived notions about “the
kind of people” that use such language (e.g., “hippies” in the 1970s), and they will most
likely transfer those negative evaluations onto you.
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1. Gamble, T. K. & Gamble, M. W. (2003). The gender communication connection.
New York: Houghton-Mifflin.
2. About.com (2011). Bushisms—U.S. President proves how difficult English really is!
Retrieved from.
Using Language Well: Conclusion

This chapter has discussed a number of
important aspects of language that good
speakers should always consider. It is
important for speakers to remember the
power of language and to harness that
power effectively, yet ethically. We’ve
discussed the relationship between the
language we use and the way we see the
world, the importance of using language
that is clear, vivid, stylized, ethical and that
“Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche answers a young person’s question…” by Wonderlane. CC-
BY. reflects well on you as the speaker.
The difference between choosing one word
over another can be as significant as an audience member remembering your
presentation or forgetting it and/or an audience turning against you and your ideas.
Taking a few extra moments to add some alliteration or to check for language that
might offend others is time very well spent. The next time you have to write or speak
about an issue, remember the importance of language and its impact on our lives—
carefully consider what language will you use and how will those language choices make
a difference in how your audiences defines and understands your topic.
If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to
him in his language, that goes to his heart. ~ Nelson Mandela
Using Language Well: Review Questions and Activities

REVIEW QUESTIONS
1) Explain the difference between communication and language.
2) Explain the relationship between language and the way that humans perceive their
worlds.
3) Why should you use simple language in your speech?
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4) The use of concrete and precise language in your speeches helps prevent what sorts
of problems?
5) Give an example of a metaphor and explain how that metaphor functions to
communicate a specific idea more clearly.
6) What is alliteration?
7) Why is personalized language important?
8) What are some examples of types of sexist language and what is the impact of those
examples?
9) What are two problems associated with using exaggerated language in your
speeches?
10) Explain the types of powerless language most commonly used.
11) Why shouldn’t you use clichés in your speech?
12) Why is correct grammar important to good speech making?
ACTIVITIES
1) Speakers should avoid the use of sexist language. Consider the sexist words and
phrases listed below and think of as many replacement words as you can.
a. Bachelor’s Degree b. Bogeyman c. Brotherhood d. Businessman
e. Chairman f. Forefather g. Layman h. Mailman
i. Manmade j. Repairman k. Salesman l. Female Doctor
2) Using speeches from mlkonline.net or jfklibrary.org, choose any speech from the
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., President John F. Kennedy, or Attorney General
Robert F. Kennedy and isolate one paragraph that you believe exemplifies a careful
and effective use of language. Rewrite that paragraph as I did for my classes, using
more common and less careful word choices. Compare the paragraphs to each other
once you’re done, noticing the difference your changes in language make.
3) Speakers should always remember that it’s rarely helpful to use a long word when a
short word will do and that clichés should be avoided in speeches. Look at these
common clichés, reworded using language that obstructs rather than clarifies, and
see if you can figure out which clichés have been rewritte.
a) A piece of pre-decimal currency conserved is coinage grossed.
b) The timely avian often acquires the extended soft-bodied invertebrate.
c) A utensil often used for writing is more prodigious than a certain long-edged
weapon.
d) Let slumbering members of the canine variety remain in slumber
e) An animal of the avian variety resting on one’s palm is more valuable than
double that amount in one’s appendage  most often used for tactile feedback.
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Glossary Alliteration
The repetition of the initial sounds of words.
Antithesis
Rhetorical strategy that uses contrasting statements in order to make a rhetorical point.
Clichés
Phrases or expressions that, because of overuse, have lost their rhetorical power.
Colloquialisms
Words or phrases used in informal speech but not typically used in formal speech.
Communication
Attempts to reproduce what is in our minds in the minds of our audience.
Generic “he” or “man”

Language that uses words such as “he” or “mankind” to refer to the male and female
population.
Hedges
Powerless phrases such as “I thought we should,” “I sort of think,” or “Maybe we
should” that communicate uncertainty.
Heterosexist Language
Language that assumes the heterosexual orientation of a person or group of people.
Hyperbole
The use of moderate exaggeration for effect.
Jargon
The specialized language of a group or profession.
Language
The means by which we communicate—a system of symbols we use to form messages.
Man-linked Terms
Terms such as “fireman” or “policemen” that incorrectly identify a job as linked only to a
male.
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Metaphors
Comparisons made by speaking of one thing in terms of another.
Qualifiers
Powerless words such as “around” or “about” that make your sentences less definitive.
Regionalisms
Customary words or phrases used in different geographic regions.
Sexist Language
Language that unnecessarily identifies sex or linguistically erases females through the
use of manlinked terms and/or the use of “he” or “man” as generics.
Similes
Comparisons made by speaking of one thing in terms of another using the word “like” or
“as” to make the comparison.
Slang
Type of language that most people understand but that is not considered acceptable in
formal or polite conversation.
Spotlighting
Language such as “male nurse” that suggests a person is deviating from the “normal”
person who would do a particular job and implies that someone’s sex is relevant to a
particular job.
Tag Questions
Powerless language exemplified by ending statements with questions such as “Don’t
you think?” or “Don’t you agree?”
Using Language Well: References

About.com (2011). Bushisms—U.S. President proves how difficult English really is!
Retrieved from. http://esl.about.com/library/weekly/aa032301a.htm
Gamble, T. K. & Gamble, M. W. (2003). The gender communication connection. New York:
Houghton-Mifflin.
Time.com (1981, February 23). “Haigledygook and secretaryspeak.” Retrieved from
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,949069,00.html
Hamilton, G. (2008). Public speaking for college and career, 8th Ed. New York: McGraw-
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Hill.
Jackson, J. (1984). 1984 Speech at the Democratic National Convention. San Francisco, CA:
July 18. Found at
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/jessejackson1984dnc.htm
King, M. L., Jr. (1963, August 28). I Have a Dream [Speech]. Washington, D.C. Retrieved
from http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm
Peccei, J. (2003). Language and age. In L. Thomas et. al.,Language, society, and power, 2nd
Ed. New York: Routledge.
Spender, D. (1990). Man Made Language. New York: Pandora.
Thomas, L., Wareing, S. Singh, I., Pecci, J. S., Thornborrow, J. & Jones, J. (2003). Language,
society, and power: An introduction, 2nd Ed. New York: Routledge.
photo credits
p. 1 Rail Forum by Michigan Municipal League
p. 2 Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. by Dick DeMarcisco
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Martin_Luther_King_Jr_NYWTS_6.jp
g p. 3 Secretary of State Alexander Haig by University of Texas
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Al_Haig_speaks_to_press_1981.jpg
p. 4. LAMB Teal Wrap Sweater http://www.bluefly.com/
p. 5 Goth people by Rama

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Goth_f222791.jpg
p. 6 Audience at Next conference by NEXT Berlin
p. 7 “Feminazi” coined by Rush Limbaugh, see http://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/feminazi p. 8 Italian Soldier by the Italian Army
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Italian_Soldier_Olypmic_Games_Turin_2006.j
pg
p. 9 Married gay couple by John
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Married_Gay_Couple_John_and_Jamie.jpg
p. 10 Malalai Joya by AfghanKabul
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Chapter 12: Informative Speaking
Author: Saylor.org
Tammera Stokes Rice, College of the Canyons
Unless otherwise noted, content in Chapter 12 is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
● Explain the importance of accuracy, clarity and listener interest in
informative speaking.
● Discuss why speaking to inform is important. Identify strategies for making
information clear and interesting to your speaking audience.
● Identify the different types of speeches
● Identify several categories of topics that may be used in informative
speaking.
● Describe several approaches to developing a topic. Chapter Outline
● Introduction
● Informative Speaking Goals o Why We Speak to Inform
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o Making Information Clear and Interesting for the Audience o Adjust
Complexity to the Audience o Avoid Unnecessary Jargon o Create
Concrete Images o Keep Information Limited
o Link Current Knowledge to New Knowledge
o Make it Memorable o Make it Relevant and Useful
o Personalize Your Content
● Types of Informative Speeches o Speech of Description o Speech of

Demonstration o Speech of Definition o Developing Your Topic For the
Audience o Difficult Concepts or Language o Difficult-to-Envision Processes or
Structures o Difficult to Understand
o Ethics
● Conclusion
● Glossary
● References
Welcome to Informative Speaking

An informative speech conveys knowledge, a task that you’ve engaged in throughout
your life. When you give driving directions, you convey knowledge. When you caution
someone about crossing the street at a certain intersection, you are describing a
dangerous situation. When you steer someone away from using the car pool lane, you
are explaining what it’s for.
When your professors greet you on the first day of a new academic term, they
typically hand out a course syllabus, which informs you about the objectives and
expectations of the course. Much of the information comes to have greater meaning
as you actually encounter your coursework. Why doesn’t the professor explain those
meanings on the first day? He or she probably does, but in all likelihood, the
explanation won’t really make sense at the time because you don’t yet have the
supporting knowledge to put it in context. However, it is still important that the
orientation information be offered. It is likely to answer some specific questions, such
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as the following: Am I prepared to take this course? Is a textbook required? Will the
course involve a great deal of writing? Does the professor have office hours? The
answers to these questions should be of central importance to all the students. These
orientations are informative because they give important information relevant to the
course.
An informative speech does not attempt to convince the audience that one thing is
better than another. It does not advocate a course of action. Let’s say, for instance,
that you have carefully followed the news about BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil spill in
the Gulf of Mexico. Let’s further say that you felt outraged by the sequence of events
that led to the spill and, even more so, by its consequences. Consider carefully
whether this is a good topic for your informative speech. If your speech describes the
process of offshore oil exploration, it will be informative. However, if it expresses your
views on what petroleum corporations should do to safeguard their personnel and the
environment, save that topic for a persuasive speech.
Being honest about your private agenda in choosing a topic is important. It is not
always easy to discern a clear line between informative and persuasive speech. Good
information has a strong tendency to be persuasive, and persuasion relies on good
information. Thus informative and persuasive speaking do overlap. It remains up to
you to examine your real motives in choosing your topic. As we have said in various
ways, ethical speaking means respecting the intelligence of your audience. If you try to
circumvent the purpose of the informative speech in order to plant a persuasive seed,
your listeners will notice. Such strategies often come across as dishonest.
Informative Speaking Goals

A good informative speech conveys accurate information to the audience in a way that
is clear and that keeps the listener interested in the topic. Achieving all three of these
goals—accuracy, clarity, and interest—is the key to your effectiveness as a speaker. If
information is inaccurate, incomplete, or unclear, it will be of limited usefulness to the
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audience. There is no topic about which you can give complete information, and
therefore, we strongly recommend careful narrowing. With a carefully narrowed topic
and purpose, it is possible to give an accurate picture that isn’t misleading. Some
professors may ask you to narrow down the topic by asking Who, What, When, Where
and Why? This will help you narrow the topic and define the specific purpose of the
speech.
Part of being accurate is making sure that your information is current. Even if you
know a great deal about your topic or wrote a good paper on the topic in a high school
course, you need to verify the accuracy and completeness of what you know. Most
people understand that technology changes rapidly, so you need to update your
information almost constantly, but the same is true for topics that, on the surface,
may seem to require less updating. For example, the American Civil War occurred 150
years ago, but contemporary research still offers new and emerging theories about the
causes of the war and its long- term effects. So even with a topic that seems to be
unchanging, you need to carefully check your information to be sure it’s accurate and
up to date.
In order for your listeners to benefit from your speech, you must convey your ideas in
a fashion that your audience can understand. The clarity of your speech relies on
logical organization and understandable word choices. You should not assume that
something that’s obvious to you will also be obvious to the members of your
audience. Formulate your work with the objective of being understood in all details,
and rehearse your speech in front of peers who will tell you whether the information
in your speech makes sense.
In addition to being clear, your speech should be interesting. Your listeners will
benefit the most if they can give sustained attention to the speech, and this is
unlikely to happen if they are bored. This often means you will decide against using
some of the topics you know a great deal about. Suppose, for example, that you had
a summer job as a veterinary assistant and learned a great deal about canine
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parasites. This topic might be very interesting to you, but how interesting will it be to
others in your class? In order to make it interesting, you will need to find a way to
connect it with their interests and curiosities. Perhaps there are certain canine
parasites that also pose risks to humans—this might be a connection that would
increase audience interest in your topic.
Why We Speak to Inform

Informative speaking is a means for the delivery of knowledge. In informative speaking,
we avoid expressing opinion. This doesn’t mean you may not speak about controversial
topics. However, if you do so, you must deliver a fair statement of each side of the issue
in debate. If your speech is about standardized educational testing, you must honestly
represent the views both of its proponents and of its critics. You must not take sides,
and you must not slant your explanation of the debate in order to influence the
opinions of the listeners. You are simply and clearly defining the debate. If you watch
the evening news on a major network television (ABC, CBS, or NBC), you will see
newscasters who undoubtedly have personal opinions about the news, but are trained
to avoid expressing those opinions through the use of loaded words, gestures, facial
expressions, or vocal tone. Like those newscasters, you are already educating your
listeners simply by informing them. Let them make up their own minds. This is probably
the most important reason for informative speaking.
Making Information Clear and Interesting for the Audience

A clear and interesting speech can make use of description, causal analysis, or
categories. With description, you use words to create a picture in the minds of your
audience. You can describe physical realities, social realities, emotional experiences,
sequences, consequences, or contexts. For instance, you can describe the mindset of
the Massachusetts town of Salem during the witch trials. You can also use causal
analysis, which focuses on the connections between causes and consequences. For
example, in speaking about health care costs, you could explain how a serious illness
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can put even a well-insured family into bankruptcy. You can also use categories to group
things together. For instance, you could say that there are three categories of
investment for the future: liquid savings, avoiding debt, and acquiring properties that
will increase in value.
There are a number of principles to keep in mind as a speaker to make the information
you present clear and interesting for your audience. Let’s examine several of them.
Adjust Complexity to the Audience

If your speech is too complex or too simplistic, it will not hold the interest of your
listeners. How can you determine the right level of complexity? Your audience analysis
is one important way to do this. Will your listeners belong to a given age group, or are
they more diverse? Did they all go to public schools in the United States, or are some
of your listeners international students? Are they all students majoring in
communication studies, or is there a mixture of majors in your audience? The answers
to these and other audience analysis questions will help you to gauge what they know
and what they are curious about.
Never assume that just because your audience is made up of students, they all share
your knowledge set. If you base your speech on an assumption of similar knowledge,
you might not make sense to everyone. If, for instance, you’re an intercultural
communication student discussing multiple identities, the psychology students in your
audience will most likely reject your message. Similarly, the term “viral” has very
different meanings depending on whether it is used with respect to human disease,
popular response to a website, or population theory. In using the word “viral,” you
absolutely must explain specifically what you mean. You should not hurry your
explanation of a term that’s vulnerable to misinterpretation. Make certain your listeners
know what you mean before continuing your speech. Stephen Lucas explains, “You
cannot assume they will know what you mean. Rather, you must be sure to explain
everything so thoroughly that they cannot help but understand.” [1] Define terms to
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help listeners understand them the way you mean them to. Give explanations that are
consistent with your definitions, and show how those ideas apply to your speech topic.
In this way, you can avoid many misunderstandings.
Similarly, be very careful about assuming there is anything that “everybody knows.”
Suppose you’ve decided to present an informative speech on the survival of the early
colonists of New England. You may have learned in elementary school that their
survival was attributable, in part, to the assistance of Squanto. Many of your listeners
will know which states are in New England, but if there are international students in
the audience, they might never have heard of New England. You should clarify the
term either by pointing out the region on a map or by stating that it’s the six states in
the American northeast. Other knowledge gaps can still confound the effectiveness of
the speech. For instance, who or what was Squanto? What kind of assistance did the
settlers get? Only a few listeners are likely to know that Squanto spoke English and
that fact had greatly surprised the settlers when they landed. It was through his
knowledge of English that Squanto was able to advise these settlers in survival
strategies during that first harsh winter. If you neglect to provide that information,
your speech will not be fully informative.
Beyond the opportunity to help improve your delivery, one important outcome of
practicing your speech in front of a live audience of a couple of friends or classmates is
that you can become aware of terms that are confusing or that you should define for
your audience.
Avoid Unnecessary Jargon

If you decide to give an informative speech on a highly specialized topic, limit how
much technical language or jargon you use. Loading a speech with specialized
language has the potential to be taxing on the listeners. It can become too difficult to
“translate” your meanings, and if that happens, you will not effectively deliver
information. Even if you define many technical terms, the audience may feel as if they
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are being bombarded with a set of definitions instead of useful information. Don’t
treat your speech as a crash course in an entire topic. If you must, introduce one
specialized term and carefully define and explain it to the audience. Define it in words,
and then use a concrete and relevant example to clarify the meaning.
Some topics, by their very nature, are too technical for a short speech. For example, in
a five-minute speech you would be foolish to try to inform your audience about the
causes of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear emergency that occurred in Japan in 2011.
Other topics, while technical, can be presented in audience-friendly ways that
minimize the use of technical terms. For instance, in a speech about Mount Vesuvius,
the volcano that buried the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, you can use
the term “pyroclastic flow” as long as you take the time to either show or tell what it
means.
Create Concrete Images

As a college student, you have had a significant amount of exposure to abstract terms.
You have become comfortable using and hearing a variety of abstract ideas. However,
abstract terms lend themselves to many interpretations. For instance, the abstract term
“responsibility” can mean many things. Among other meanings, it can mean duty, task,
authority, or blame. Because of the potential for misunderstanding, it is better to use
aconcrete word. For example, instead of saying, “Helen Worth was responsible for the
project,” you will convey clearer meaning when you say, “Helen Worth was in charge of
the project,” “Helen Kimes made the project a success,” or “Helen Worth was to blame
for the failure of the project.”
To illustrate the differences between abstract and concrete language, let’s look at a
few pairs of terms:
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Abstract Concrete By using an abstraction in a sentence
and then comparing the concrete term
transportation air travel
in the sentence, you will notice the
success completion of project more precise meanings of the concrete
terms. Those precise terms are less
discrimination exclusion of women
likely to be misunderstood.
athletic physically fit In the last pair of terms,
profound knowledgeable “knowledgeable” is listed as a concrete

term, but it can also be
considered an abstract term. Still, it’s likely to be much clearer and more precise than
“profound.”
Keep Information Limited

When you developed your speech, you carefully narrowed your topic in order to keep
information limited yet complete and coherent. If you carefully adhere to your own
narrowing, you can keep from going off on tangents or confusing your audience. If you
overload your audience with information, they will be unable to follow your narrative.
Use the definitions, descriptions, explanations, and examples you need in order to make
your meanings clear, but resist the temptation to add tangential information merely
because you find it interesting.
Link Current Knowledge to New Knowledge

Certain sets of knowledge are common to many people in your classroom audience.
For instance, most of them know what Wikipedia is. Many have found it a useful and
convenient source of information about topics related to their coursework. Because
many Wikipedia entries are lengthy, greatly annotated, and followed by substantial
lists of authoritative sources, many students have relied on information acquired
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from Wikipedia in writing papers to fulfill course requirements. All this is information
that virtually every classroom listener is likely to know. This is the current knowledge
of your audience.
Because your listeners are already familiar with Wikipedia, you can link important new
knowledge to their already-existing knowledge. Wikipedia is an “open source,”
meaning that anyone can supplement, edit, correct, distort, or otherwise alter the
information in Wikipedia. In addition to your listeners’ knowledge that a great deal of
good information can be found in Wikipedia, they must now know that it isn’t
authoritative. Some of your listeners may not enjoy hearing this message, so you must
find a way to make it acceptable.
One way to make the message acceptable to your listeners is to show what Wikipedia
does well. For example, some Wikipedia entries contain many good references at the
end. Most of those references are likely to be authoritative, having been written by
scholars. In searching for information on a topic, a student can look up one or more of
those references in full-text databases or in the library. In this way, Wikipedia can be
helpful in steering a student toward the authoritative information they need.
Explaining this to your audience will help them accept, rather than reject, the bad news
about Wikipedia.
Make It Memorable
If you’ve already done the preliminary work in choosing a topic, finding an interesting
narrowing of that topic, developing and using presentation aids, and working to
maintain audience contact, your delivery is likely to be memorable. Now you can turn
to your content and find opportunities to make it appropriately vivid. You can do this
by using explanations, comparisons, examples, or language.
Let’s say that you’re preparing a speech on the United States’ internment of Japanese
American people from the San Francisco Bay area during World War II. Your goal is to
paint a memorable image in your listeners’ minds. You can do this through a dramatic
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contrast, before and after. You could say, “In 1941, the Bay area had a vibrant and
productive community of Japanese American citizens who went to work every day,
opening their shops, typing reports in their offices, and teaching in their classrooms, just
as they had been doing for years. But on December 7, 1941, everything changed. Within
six months, Bay area residents of Japanese ancestry were gone, transported to
internment camps located hundreds of miles from the Pacific coast.”
This strategy rests on the ability of the audience to visualize the two contrasting
situations. You have alluded to two sets of images that are familiar to most college
students, images that they can easily visualize. Once the audience imagination is
engaged in visualization, they are likely to remember the speech.
Your task of providing memorable imagery does not stop after the introduction. While
maintaining an even-handed approach that does not seek to persuade, you must
provide the audience with information about the circumstances that triggered the
policy of internment, perhaps by describing the advice that was given to President
Roosevelt by his top advisers. You might depict the conditions faced by Japanese
Americans during their internment by describing a typical day one of the camps. To
conclude your speech on a memorable note, you might name a notable individual—an
actor, writer, or politician—who is a survivor of the internment.
Such a strategy might feel unnatural to you. After all, this is not how you talk to your
friends or participate in a classroom discussion. Remember, though, that public
speaking is not the same as talking. It’s prepared and formal. It demands more of you. In
a conversation, it might not be important to be memorable; your goal might merely be
to maintain friendship. But in a speech, when you expect the audience to pay attention,
you must make the speech memorable.
Make It Relevant and Useful

When thinking about your topic, it is always very important to keep your audience
members center stage in your mind. For instance, if your speech is about air pollution,
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ask your audience to imagine feeling the burning of eyes and lungs caused by smog.
This is a strategy for making the topic more real to them, since it may have happened
to them on a number of occasions; and even if it hasn’t, it easily could. If your speech
is about Mark Twain, instead of simply saying that he was very famous during his
lifetime, remind your audience that he was so prominent that their own
greatgrandparents likely knew of his work and had strong opinions about it. In so
doing, you’ve connected your topic to their own forebears.
Personalize Your Content

Giving a human face to a topic helps the audience perceive it as interesting. If your
topic is related to the Maasai rite of passage into manhood, the prevalence of drug
addiction in a particular locale, the development of a professional filmmaker, or the
treatment of a disease, putting a human face should not be difficult. To do it, find a
case study you can describe within the speech, referring to the human subject by
name. This conveys to the audience that these processes happen to real people.
Make sure you use a real case study, though—don’t make one up. Using a fictional
character without letting your audience know that the example is hypothetical is a
betrayal of the listener’s trust, and hence, is unethical.
Types of Informative Speeches

There are three different types of informative speeches. They are the speech of
demonstration, speech of description and the speech of definition. Each one maintains
a different specific purpose, but all three types have the general purpose of to inform.
Speech of Demonstration
The speech of demonstration is commonly referred to as the process or "how to"
speech. It intends to teach the audience how to complete a task through step-by-step
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instruction. It generally uses a temporal layout as each "step" of the process takes the
audience through a sequence of time.
If your speech topic is a process, your goal should be to help your audience
understand it, or be able to perform it. In either instance, processes involve a
predictable series of changes, phases, or steps. Examples
• Bathe a dog
• Bake a cake
• Soil erosion
• Cell division
• Physical therapy
• Volcanic eruption
• Navy Seal training
• Portfolio building
• The development of Alzheimer’s disease
You will need presentation aids in order to make your meaning clear to your listeners.
Even in cases where you don’t absolutely need a presentation aid, one might be
useful. For instance, if your topic is evaluating consumer credit, instead of just
describing a comparison between two different interest rates applied to the same
original amount of debt, it would be helpful to show a graph of the difference. This
might also be the sort of topic that would strongly serve the needs of your audience
before they find themselves in trouble. Since this will be an informative speech, you
must resist the impulse to tell your listeners that one form of borrowing is good and
another is bad; you must simply show them the difference in numbers. They can reach
their own conclusions.
Organizing your facts is crucially important when discussing a process. Every stage of a
process must be clear and understandable. When two or more things occur at the
same time, as they might in the development of Alzheimer’s disease, it is important to
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make it clear that several things are occurring at once. For example, as plaque is
accumulating in the brain, the patient is likely to begin exhibiting various symptoms.
Speech of description
A descriptive speech is given to describe an object, person, place, or event. Depending
on the topic of the speech, it can be laid out in a topical, spatial, temporal or
chronological format.
Objects
The term “objects” encompasses many topics we might not ordinarily consider to be
“things.” It’s a category that may include people, institutions, places, substances, and
inanimate things. The following are some of these topics:
• Mitochondria
• Dream catchers
• Sharks
• Hubble telescope
• Seattle’s Space Needle
• Malta
• Silicon chip
• Spruce Goose
• Medieval armor
• DDT insecticide
• Soy inks
• NAACP
You will find it necessary to narrow your topic about an object because, like any
topic, you can’t say everything about it in a single speech. In most cases, there are
choices about how to narrow the topic. Here are some specific purpose statements
that reflect ways of narrowing a few of those topics:
• To inform the audience about the role of soy inks in reducing toxic pollution
• To inform the audience about the current uses of the banned insecticide DDT
• To inform the audience about what we’ve learned from the Hubble telescope
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• To inform the audience about the role of the NAACP in the passage of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964
• To describe the significance of the gigantic Spruce Goose, the wooden airplane that
launched an airline
These specific purposes reflect a narrow, but interesting, approach to eachtopic.
These purposes are precise, and they should help you maintain your focus on a
narrow but deep slice of knowledge.
People
This category applies both to specific individuals and also to roles. The following are
some of these topics:
• Dalai Lamas • Madame Curie
• Astronauts • Leopold Mozart
• Tsar Nicholas II • Aristotle
• Modern midwives • The Hemlock Society
• Mata Hari • Sonia Sotomayor
• Catherine the Great • Jack the Ripper
• Navajo code talkers • Mahatma Gandhi
• Justice Thurgood Marshall
There is a great deal of information about each one of these examples. In order to
narrow the topic or write a thesis statement, it’s important to recognize that your
speech should not be a biography, or time line, of someone’s life. If you attempt to
deliver a comprehensive report of every important event and accomplishment related
to your subject, then nothing will seem any more important than anything else. To
capture and hold your audience’s interest, you must narrow to a focus on a feature,
event, achievement, or secret about your human topic.
Here are some purpose statements that reflect a process of narrowing:
● To inform the audience about the training program undergone by the first
US astronauts to land on the moon
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● To inform the audience about how a young Dalai Lama is identified
● To inform the audience about why Gandhi was regarded as a mahatma, or

“great heart”
● To inform the audience about the extensive scientific qualifications of
modern midwives
Without a limited purpose, you will find, with any of these topics, that there’s simply too
much to say. Your purpose statement will be a strong decision- making tool about what
to include in your speech.
Events
An event can be something that occurred only once, or an event that is repeated:
• The murder of Emmett Till
• The Iditarod Dogsled Race
• The Industrial Revolution
• The discovery of the smallpox vaccine
• The Bikini Atoll atomic bomb tests
• The Bay of Pigs
• The Super Bowl
• The Academy Awards
Again, we find that any of these topics must be carefully narrowed in order to build a
coherent speech. Failure to do so will result in a shallow speech. Here are a few ways
to narrow the purpose:
• To explain how the murder of Emmett Till helped energize the civil rights
movement
• To describe how the Industrial Revolution affected the lives of ordinary people
• To inform the audience about the purpose of the Iditarod dogsled race
There are many ways to approach any of these and other topics, but again, you must
emphasize an important dimension of the event. Otherwise, you run the risk of
producing a time line in which the main point gets lost. In a speech about an event,
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you may use achronological order, but if you choose to do so, you can’t include every
detail. The following is an example:
Specific Purpose: To inform the audience about the purpose of the Iditarod dogsled
race.
Thesis or Central Idea: The annual Iditarod commemorates the heroism of Balto, the
sled dog that led a dog team carrying medicine 1150 miles to save Nome from an
outbreak of diphtheria.
Main Points:
I. Diphtheria broke out in a remote Alaskan town.
II. Dogsleds were the only transportation for getting medicine.
III. The Iditarod Trail was long, rugged, and under siege of severe weather.
IV.Balto the dog knew where he was going, even when the musher did not.
V. The annual race commemorates Balto’s heroism in saving the lives of the people of
Nome.
In this example, you must explain the event. However, another way toapproach the
same event would describe it. The following is an example: Specific Purpose: To describe
the annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Central Idea: It’s a long and dangerous race.
Main Points:
I. The 1150-mile, ten- to seventeen-day race goes through wilderness with
widely spaced checkpoints for rest, first aid, and getting fresh dogs. II.
A musher, or dogsled driver, must be at least fourteen years old to endure
the rigors of severe weather, exhaustion, and loneliness.
III. A musher is responsible for his or her own food, food for twelve to sixteen
dogs, and for making sure they don’t get lost.
IV. Reaching the end of the race without getting lost, even in last place, is
considered honorable and heroic.
V. The expense of participation is greater than the prize awarded to the winner.
By now you can see that there are various ways to approach a topic while avoiding
an uninspiring time line. In the example of the Iditarod race, you could alternatively
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frame it as an Alaskan tourism topic, or you could emphasize the enormous staff
involved in first aid, search and rescue, dog care, trail maintenance, event
coordination, financial management, and registration.
You’ve probably noticed that there are topics that could be appropriate in more than
one category. For instance, the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helen’s could be legitimately
handled as an event or as a process. If you approach the eruption as an event, most
of the information you include will focus on human responses and the consequences
on humans and the landscape. If you approach the eruption as a process, you will be
using visual aids and explanations to describe geological changes before and during
the eruption. You might also approach this topic from the viewpoint of a person
whose life was affected by the eruption. This should remind you that there are many
ways to approach most topics, and because of that, your narrowing choices and your
purpose will be the important foundation determining the structure of your
informative speech.
Speech of Definition
A speech of definition deals with explaining a concept or term. Generally, it is laid out in
a topical, temporal or chronological format.
Concepts
Concepts are abstract ideas that exist independent of whether they are observed or
practiced, such as the example of social equality that follows. Concepts can include
hypotheses and theories.
• • The glass ceiling • • Wellness
•• Ethnocentrism •• Fairness theory
• Honor codes • Bioethics
Autism The American Dream
Karma Social equality
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Here are a few examples of specific purposes developed from the examples:
• To explain why people in all cultures are ethnocentric
• To describe the Hindu concept of karma
• To distinguish the differences between the concepts of wellness and health
• To show the resources available in our local school system for children with autism
• To explain three of Dr. Stephen Suranovic’s seven categories of fairness
Here is one possible example of a way to develop one of these topics:

Specific Purpose: To explain why people in all cultures are ethnocentric.
Central Idea: There are benefits to being ethnocentric.
Main Points:
I. Ethnocentrism is the idea that one’s own culture is superior to others. II.
Ethnocentrism strongly contributes to positive group identity.
III. Ethnocentrism facilitates the coordination of social activity.
IV.Ethnocentrism contributes to a sense of safety within a group. V.Ethnocentrism
becomes harmful when it creates barriers.
In an example of a concept about which people disagree, you must represent

multiple and conflicting views as fully and fairly as possible. For instance: Specific
Purpose: To expose the audience to three different views of the American Dream.
Central Idea: The American Dream is a shared dream, an impossible dream, or a
dangerous dream, depending on the perspective of the individual.
Main Points:
I. The concept of the American Dream describes a state of abundant well-
being in which an honest and productive American can own a home; bring
up a family; work at a permanent, well-paying job with benefits; and
retire in security and leisure.
II. Many capitalists support the social pattern of working hard to deserve
and acquire the material comforts and security of a comfortable life. III.
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Many sociologists argue that the American Dream is far out of reach for the
40 percent of Americans at the bottom of the economic scale.
IV. Many environmentalists argue that the consumption patterns that accompany
the American Dream have resulted in the depletion of resources and the
pollution of air, water, and soil.
Developing Your Topic for the Audience

One issue to consider when preparing an informative speech is how best to present
the information to enhance audience learning. Katherine Rowan suggests focusing on
areas where your audience may experience confusion and using the likely sources of
confusion as a guide for developing the content of your speech. Rowan identifies
three sources of audience confusion: difficult concepts or language, difficult-
toenvision structures or processes, and ideas that are difficult to understand because
they are hard to believe. [1]The following subsections will discuss each of these and
will provide strategies for dealing with each of these sources of confusion.
Difficult Concepts or Language

Sometimes audiences may have difficulty understanding information because of
the concepts or language used. For example, they may not understand what the
term “organic food” means or how it differs from “all-natural” foods. If an audience
is likely to experience confusion over a basic concept or term, Rowan suggests using
an elucidating explanation composed of four parts. The purpose of such an
explanation is to clarify the meaning and use of the concept by focusing on
essential features of the concept.
The first part of an elucidating explanation is to provide a typical exemplar, or example
that includes all the central features of the concept. If you are talking about what is
fruit, an apple or orange would be a typical exemplar.
The second step Rowan suggests is to follow up the typical exemplar with a definition.
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Fruits might be defined as edible plant structures that contain the seeds of the plant.
After providing a definition, you can move on to the third part of the elucidating
explanation: providing a variety of examples and nonexamples. Here is where you
might include less typical examples of fruit, such as avocados, squash, or tomatoes,
and foods, such as rhubarb, which is often treated as a fruit but is not by definition.
Fourth, Rowan suggests concluding by having the audience practice distinguishing
examples from nonexamples. In this way, the audience leaves the speech with a clear
understanding of the concept.
Difficult-to-Envision Processes or Structures

A second source of audience difficulty in understanding, according to Rowan, is a
process or structure that is complex and difficult to envision. The blood circulation
system in the body might be an example of a difficult-to-envision process. To address
this type of audience confusion, Rowan suggests a quasi- scientific explanation, which
starts by giving a big-picture perspective on the process. Presentation aids or
analogies might be helpful in giving an overview of the process. For the circulatory
system, you could show a video or diagram of the entire system or make an analogy
to a pump. Then you can move to explaining relationships among the components of
the process. Be sure when you explain relationships among components that you
include transition and linking words like “leads to” and “because” so that your
audience understands relationships between concepts. You may remember the
childhood song describing the bones in the body with lines such as, “the hip bone’s
connected to the thigh bone; the thigh bone’s connected to the knee bone.” Making
the connections between components helps the audience to remember and better
understand the process.
Difficult to Understand because It’s Hard to Believe
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A third source of audience confusion, and perhaps the most difficult to address as a
speaker, is an idea that’s difficult to understand because it’s hard to believe. This often
happens when people have implicit, but erroneous, theories about how the world
works. For example, the idea that science tries to disprove theories is difficult for some
people to understand; after all, shouldn’t the purpose of science be to prove things? In
such a case, Rowan suggests using a transformative explanation. A transformative
explanation begins by discussing the audience’s implicit theory and showing why it is
plausible. Then you move to showing how the implicit theory is limited and conclude by
presenting the accepted explanation and why that explanation is better. In the case of
scientists disproving theories, you might start by talking about what science has proven
(e.g., the causes of malaria, the usefulness of penicillin in treating infection) and why
focusing on science as proof is a plausible way of thinking. Then you might show how
the science as proof theory is limited by providing examples of ideas that were accepted
as “proven” but were later found to be false, such as the belief that diseases are caused
by miasma, or “bad air”; or that bloodletting cures diseases by purging the body of “bad
humors.” You can then conclude by showing how science is an enterprise designed to
disprove theories and that all theories are accepted as tentative in light of existing
knowledge. Rowan’s framework is helpful because it keeps our focus on the most
important element of an informative speech: increasing audience understanding about
a topic.
Ethics
Honesty and credibility must undergird your presentation; otherwise, they betray the
trust of your listeners. Therefore, if you choose a topic that turns out to be too
difficult, you must decide what will serve the needs and interests of the audience.
Shortcuts and oversimplifications are not the answer.
Being ethical often involves a surprising amount of work. In the case of choosing
too ambitious a topic, you have some choices:
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• Narrow your topic further.
• Narrow your topic in a different way.
• Reconsider your specific purpose.
• Start over with a new topic.
Your goal is to serve the interests and needs of your audience, whoever they are
and whether you believe they already know something about your topic.
Conclusion
A variety of different topic categories are available for informative speaking. One
way to develop your topic is to focus on areas that might be confusing to the
audience. If the audience is likely to be confused about language or a concept,
an elucidating explanation might be helpful. If a process is complex, a quasi-
scientific explanation may help. If the audience already has an erroneous
implicit idea of how something works then a transformative explanation might
be needed.
Review Questions and Activities
1. Choose a topic such as “American Education in the Twenty-First Century.” Write a

new title for that speech for each of the following audiences: financial managers,
first-year college students, parents of high school students, nuns employed in
Roman Catholic schools, psychotherapists, and teamsters. Write a specific
purpose for the speech for each of these audiences.
2. Think about three potential topics you could use for an informative speech.
Identify where the audience might experience confusion with concepts, processes,
or preexisting implicit theories. Select one of the topics and outline how you
would develop the topic to address the audience’s potential confusion.
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Chapter 13: Critical Thinking & Reasoning
By Terri Russ, J.D., Ph.D.
Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
● Understand and explain the importance of critical thinking
● Identify the core skills associated with critical thinking
● Demonstrate the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning
● Construct a logically sound and well-reasoned argument
● Avoid the various fallacies that can arise through the misuse of logic
● Apply chapter concepts in final questions and activities Chapter Outline
● Introduction
● Critical Thinking o Critical Thinking Defined o Critical Thinking Traits

and Skills o The Value of Critical Thinking
● Logic and the Role of Arguments o Defining Arguments o Defining
Deduction o Defining Induction
● Understanding Fallacies
● Formal Fallacies o Bad Reasons Fallacy o Masked Man Fallacy o
Fallacy of Quantitative Logic
● Informal Fallacies o Accident Fallacy o Ad Hominem
o Fallacy of Ambiguity o
Fallacies of Appeal
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o Begging the Question o
Black and White Fallacy
o Fallacy of Composition
o Fallacy of Division o
Non causa, pro causa
Fallacy o Red Herring
Fallacy o Slippery Slope
Fallacy o Weak Analogy
Fallacy
● Conclusion
● Glossary
● References
Critical Thinking & Reasoning:

Introduction
As we meander through our daily
routines, we are surrounded by
numerous messages and people trying
to get our attention and convince us to
do something. We sign into our e-mail
accounts and are bombarded with sales
pitches to help us get rich quick or
promise to fix all of our embarrassing
physical problems. We drive to school
and see billboards touting tantalizing
restaurants or pitching local political
candidates. We converse with our
friends and family about current events
like the crazy car thief who tried to avoid the police by driving down train “Filos
segundo logo” by Filosofias filosoficas. CC-BY. tracks right into an oncoming train. Throughout
all of these exchanges, we must constantly strive to make sense of the messages and
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determine which are true and which are not true, which are probably and which are
improbable, which are intended and which are unintended. When we do this we
practice critical thinking. We evaluate the arguments presented and determine if their
logic is sound or if they rely on fallacies to build their case. In this chapter you will learn
how to use critical thinking in all areas of your life, including preparing and presenting
speeches. You will also learn how to construct a logical argument that avoids the pitfalls
of fallacious thinking.
Critical Thinking & Reasoning: Critical Thinking

Critical thinking has been defined in numerous ways. At its most
basic, we can think of critical thinking as active thinking in which we
evaluate and analyze information in order to determine the best
course of action. We will look at more expansive definitions of
critical thinking and its components in the following pages.
Before we get there, though, let’s consider a hypothetical example

of critical thinking in action.
“Pouring Red Wine in to
We are approaching a new age of synthesis. Knowledge cannot be Glass” by Dave Dugale.
merely a degree or a skill…it demands a broader vision, capabilities CC-BY-SA
in critical thinking and logical deduction, without which we cannot have constructive progress.
~ Li Ka Shing
Shonda was researching information for her upcoming persuasive speech. Her goal with
the speech was to persuade her classmates to drink a glass of red wine every day. Her
argument revolved around the health benefits one can derive from the antioxidants
found in red wine. Shonda found an article reporting the results of a study conducted by
a Dr. Gray. According to Dr. Gray’s study, drinking four or more glasses of wine a day will
help reduce the chances of heart attack, increase levels of good cholesterol, and help in
reducing unwanted fat. Without conducting further research, Shonda changed her
speech to persuade her classmates to drink four or more glasses of red wine per day. She
used Dr. Gray’s study as her primary support. Shonda presented her speech in class to
waves of applause and support from her classmates. She was shocked when, a few
weeks later, she received a grade of “D”. Shonda’s teacher had also found Dr. Gray’s
study and learned it was sponsored by a multi-national distributor of wine. In fact, the
study in question was published in a trade journal targeted to wine and alcohol retailers.
If Shonda had taken a few extra minutes to critically examine the study, she may have
been able to avoid the dreaded “D.”
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Shonda’s story is just one of many ways that critical thinking impacts our lives.
Throughout this chapter we will consider the importance of critical thinking in all areas
of communication, especially public speaking. We will first take a more in-depth look at
what critical thinking is—and isn’t.
Before we get too far into the specifics of what critical thinking is and how we can do it,
it’s important to clear up a common misconception. Even though the phrase critical
thinking uses the word “critical,” it is not a negative thing. Being critical is not the same
thing as criticizing. When we criticize something, we point out the flaws and errors in it,
exercising a negative value judgment on it. Our goal with criticizing is less about
understanding than about negatively evaluating. It’s important to remember that critical
thinking is not just criticizing. While the process may involve examining flaws and errors,
it is much more.
Critical Thinking Defined

Just what is critical thinking then? To help us understand, let’s
consider a common definition of critical thinking. The
philosopher John Dewey, often considered the father of
modern day critical thinking, defines critical thinking as:
“Active, persistent, careful consideration of a belief or supposed

form of knowledge in light of the grounds that support it and
the further conclusions to which it tends.”[1]
The first key component of Dewey’s definition is that critical

thinking is active. Critical thinking mustbe done by choice. As “John Dewey” by Eva
Watson-Schütze. Public
we continue to delve deeper into the various facets of critical domain.
thinking, we will learn how to engage as critical thinkers.
Probably one of the most concise and easiest to understand definitions is that offered
by Barry Beyer: “Critical thinking… means making reasoned judgments.”[2] In other
words, we don’t just jump to a conclusion or a judgment. We rationalize and justify our
conclusions. A second primary component of critical thinking, then, involves
questioning. As critical thinkers, we need to question everything that confronts us.
Equally important, we need to question ourselves and ask how our own biases or
assumptions influence how we judge something.
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In the following sections we will explore how to do critical thinking more in depth. As
you read through this material, reflect back on Dewey’s and Beyer’s definitions of
critical thinking.
1. Dewey, J. (1933). Experience and education. New York: Macmillan, 1933.

2. Beyer, B. K. (1995) Critical thinking. Bloomington, IN: Phi Delta Kappa Educational
Foundation.
Critical Thinking & Reasoning: Logic and the Role of Arguments

Critical thinkers tend to exhibit certain traits that are common to them. These traits are
summarized in Table 6.1:[1]
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Table 6.1 Traits of Critical Thinkers
Critical thinkers are open and receptive to all ideas and

arguments, even those with which they may disagree. Critical
thinkers reserve judgment on a message until they have
examined the claims, logic, reasoning, and evidence used.
Openmindedness Critical thinkers are fair-minded and understand that a message
is not inherently wrong or flawed if it differs from their own
thoughts. Critical thinkers remain open to the possibility of
changing their view on an issue when logic and evidence
supports doing so.
Critical thinkers are interested in understanding what is

happening in a message. Critical thinkers ask questions of the
Analytic Nature message, breaking it into its individual components and
examining each in turn. Critical thinkers dissect these components
looking for sound logic and reasoning.
Critical thinkers avoid jumping to conclusions. Critical thinkers

Systematic by
take the time to systematically examine a message. Critical
Method
thinkers apply accepted criteria or conditions to their analyses.
Critical thinkers are curious by nature. Critical thinkers ask

questions of what is going on around them and in a message.
Inquisitive
Critical thinkers want to know more and take action to learn
more.
Critical thinkers are prudent in acting and making judgments.

Critical thinkers are sensible in their actions. That is, they don’t
Judicious
just jump on the bandwagon of common thought because it
looks good or everyone else is doing it.
Critical thinkers exercise an ethical foundation based in

Truth-Seeking Ethos searching for the truth. Critical thinkers understand that even
the wisest people may be wrong at times.
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Critical thinkers have faith in the power of logic and sound
reasoning. Critical thinkers understand that it is in everyone’s
Confident in
best interest to encourage and develop sound logic. More
Reasoning
importantly, critical thinkers value the power of letting others
draw their own conclusions.
Recall that critical thinking is an active mode of thinking. Instead of just receiving
messages and accepting them as is, we consider what they are saying. We ask if
messages are well-supported. We determine if their logic is sound or slightly flawed. In
other words, we act on the messages before we take action based on them. When we
enact critical thinking on a message, we engage a variety of skills including: listening,
analysis, evaluation, inference and interpretation or explanation, and self-regulation[2]
Next, we will examine each of these skills and their role in critical thinking in greater
detail. As you read through the explanation of and examples for each skill, think about
how it works in conjunction with the others. It’s important to note that while our
discussion of the skills is presented in a linear manner, in practice our use of each skill is
not so straightforward. We may exercise different skills simultaneously or jump forward
and backward.
Without an open-minded mind, you can

never be a great success. ~ Martha
Stewart
Listening
In order to understand listening, we
must first understand the difference
between listening and hearing. At its
most basic, hearing refers to the
physiological process of receiving “Martha Stewart” by nrkbeta. CC-BY-SA.
sounds, while listening refers to the psychological process of interpreting
or making sense of those sounds.
Every minute of every day we are surrounded by hundreds of different noises and
sounds. If we were to try to make sense of each different sound we would probably
spend our day just doing this. While we may hear all of the noises, we filter out many of
them. They pass through our lives without further notice. Certain noises, however, jump
to the forefront of our consciousness. As we listen to them, we make sense of these
sounds. We do this every day without necessarily thinking about the process. Like many
other bodily functions, it happens without our willing it to happen.
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Critical thinking requires that we consciously listen to messages. We must focus on what
is being said – and not said. We must strive not to be distracted by other outside noises
or the internal noise of our own preconceived ideas. For the moment we only need to
take in the message.
Listening becomes especially difficult when the message contains highly charged
information. Think about what happens when you try to discuss a controversial issue
such as abortion. As the other person speaks, you may have every good intention of
listening to the entire argument.
However, when the person says something you feel strongly about you start formulating
a counter-argument in your head. The end result is that both sides end up talking past
each other without ever really listening to what the other says.
Analysis
Once we have listened to a message, we can begin to analyze it. In practice we often
begin analyzing messages while still listening to them. When we analyze something, we
consider it in greater detail, separating out the main components of the message. In a
sense, we are acting like a surgeon on the message, carving out all of the different
elements and laying them out for further consideration and possible action.
Let’s return to Shonda’s persuasive speech to see analysis in action. As part of the needs
section of her speech, Shonda makes the following remarks:
Americans today are some of the unhealthiest people on Earth. It seems like not a week
goes by without some news story relating how we are the fattest country in the world. In
addition to being overweight, we suffer from a number of other health problems. When I
was conducting research for my speech, I read somewhere that heart attacks are the
number one killer of men and the number two killer of women. Think about that. My
uncle had a heart attack and had to be rushed to the hospital. They hooked him up to a
bunch of different machines to keep him alive. We all thought he was going to die. He’s
ok now, but he has to take a bunch of pills every day and eat a special diet. Plus he had
to pay thousands of dollars in medical bills. Wouldn’t you like to know how to prevent
this from happening to you?
If we were to analyze this part of Shonda’s speech (see Table 6.2), we could begin by
looking at the claims she makes. We could then look at the evidence she presents in
support of these claims. Having parsed out the various elements, we are then ready to
evaluate them and by extension the message as a whole.
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Evaluation
When we evaluate something we continue the process of analysis by assessing the
various claims and arguments for validity. One way we evaluate a message is to ask
questions about what is being said and who is saying it. The following is a list of typical
questions we may ask, along with an evaluation of the ideas in Shonda’s speech.
Is the speaker credible?
Yes. While Shonda may not be an expert per se on the issue of health benefits related to
wine, she has made herself a mini-expert through conducting research.
Does the statement ring true or false based on common sense?
It sounds kind of fishy. Four or more glasses of wine in one sitting doesn’t seem right. In
fact, it seems like it might be bordering on binge drinking.
Does the logic employed hold up to scrutiny?
Based on the little bit of Shonda’s speech we see here, her logic does seem to be sound.
As we will see later on, she actually commits a few fallacies.
What questions or objections are raised by the message?
In addition to the possibility of Shonda’s proposal being binge drinking, it also raises the
possibility of creating alcoholism or causing other long term health problems.
How will further information affect the message?
More information will probably contradict her claims. In fact, most medical research in
this area contradicts the claim that drinking 4 or more glasses of wine a day is a good
thing.
Will further information strengthen or weaken the claims?
Most likely Shonda’s claims will be weakened.
What questions or objections are raised by the claims?
In addition to the objections we’ve already discussed, there is also the problem of the
credibility of Shonda’s expert “doctor.”
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Table 6.2 Analysis of Shonda’s Speech
Claims Evidence
● Americans are unhealthy

● American is the fattest
● country Some news stories about
● America as the fattest country
●
Americans suffer from
Research about heart attacks
many health problems
● Story of her uncle’s heart attack
● Heart attacks are the
● number one killer of men
Heart attacks are the

number-two killer of women
A wise man proportions his belief to the evidence. ~ David Hume
Inference and Interpretation or Explanation “Imply”

or “Infer”?
For two relatively small words, imply and infer seem to generate an inordinately large
amount of confusion. Understanding the difference between the two and knowing
when to use the right one is not only a useful skill, but it also makes you sound a lot
smarter!
Let’s begin with imply. Imply means to suggest or convey an idea. A speaker or a piece
of writing implies things. For example, in Shonda’s speech, she implies it is better to
drink more red wine. In other words, she never directly says that we need to drink more
red wine, but she clearly hints at it when she suggests that drinking four or more glasses
a day will provide us with health benefits.
Now let’s consider infer. Infer means that something in a speaker’s words or a piece of
writing helps us to draw a conclusion outside of his/her words. We infer a conclusion.
Returning to Shonda’s speech, we can infer she would want us to drink more red wine
rather than less. She never comes right out and says this. However, by considering her
overall message, we can draw this conclusion.
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Another way to think of the difference between imply and infer is: A speaker (or writer
for that matter) implies.
The audience infers.
Therefore, it would be incorrect to say that Shonda infers we should drink more rather
than less wine. She implies this. To help you differentiate between the two, remember
that an inference is something that comes from outside the spoken or written text.
The next step in critically examining a message is to interpret or explain the conclusions
that we draw from it. At this phase we consider the evidence and the claims together. In
effect we are reassembling the components that we parsed out during analysis. We are
continuing our evaluation by looking at the evidence, alternatives, and possible
conclusions.
Before we draw any inferences or attempt any explanations, we should look at the
evidence provided. When we consider evidence we must first determine what, if any,
kind of support is provided. Of the evidence we then ask:
1. Is the evidence sound?

2. Does the evidence say what the speaker says it does?
3. Does contradictory evidence exist?
4. Is the evidence from a valid credible source?
Even though these are set up as yes or no questions, you’ll

probably find in practice that your answers are a bit more
complex. For example, let’s say you’re writing a speech on why
we should wear our seatbelts at all times while driving. You’ve
researched the topic and found solid, credible information
setting forth the numerous reasons why wearing a seatbelt can
help save your life and decrease the number of injuries
experienced during a motor vehicle accident. Certainly, there
exists contradictory evidence arguing seat belts can cause more
injuries. For example, if you’re in an accident where your car is SeatbeltCC-BY-SA by
M.Min. derhoud, partially submerged in water, wearing a seatbelt may impede your
ability to quickly exit the vehicle. Does the fact that this evidence exists negate your
claims? Probably not, but you need to be thorough in evaluating and considering how
you use your evidence.
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A man who does not think for himself does not think at all. ~ Oscar Wilde
Self-Regulation
The final step in critically examining a message is actually a skill we should exercise
throughout the entire process. With self-regulation, we consider our pre-existing
thoughts on the subject and any biases we may have. We examine how what we think
on an issue may have influenced the way we understand (or think we understand) the
message and any conclusions we have drawn. Just as contradictory evidence doesn’t
automatically negate our claims or invalidate our arguments, our biases don’t
necessarily make our conclusions wrong. The goal of practicing self-regulation is not to
disavow or deny our opinions. The goal is to create distance between our opinions and
the messages we evaluate.
The Value of Critical Thinking

In public speaking, the value of being a critical
thinker cannot be overstressed. Critical thinking
helps us to determine the truth or validity of
arguments. However, it also helps us to formulate
strong arguments for our speeches. Exercising
critical thinking at all steps of the speech writing
and delivering process can help us avoid situations
like Shonda found herself in. Critical thinking is not
a magical panacea that will make us super speakers.
However, it is another tool that we can add to our
speech toolbox.
As we will learn in the following pages, we

construct arguments based on logic. Understanding Man thinking on bus, by IG8. CC-BY. the
ways logic can be used and possibly misused is a vital skill. To help stress the importance
of it, the Foundation for Critical Thinking has set forth universal standards of reasoning.
These standards can be found in Table 6.3.
When the mind is thinking, it is talking to itself. ~ Plato
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Table 6.3
Universal Standards of Reasoning
All reasoning has a purpose.
All reasoning is an attempt to figure something out, to settle some question, to solve some
problem.
All reasoning is based on assumptions.
All reasoning is done from some point of view.
All reasoning is based on data, information, and evidence.
All reasoning is expressed through, and shaped by, concepts and ideas.
All reasoning contains inferences or interpretations by which we draw conclusions and give
meaning to data.
All reasoning leads somewhere or has implications and consequences.
Logic and the Role of Arguments We use logic every day. Even if we have never formally
studied logical reasoning and fallacies, we can often tell when a person’s statement
doesn’t sound right. Think about the claims we see in many advertisements today—Buy
product X, and you will be beautiful/thin/happy or have the carefree life depicted in the
363 | F u
“Sharia Law Billboard” by Matt57. Public domain.
advertisement. With very little critical thought, we know intuitively that simply buying a
product will not magically change our lives. Even if we can’t identify the specific fallacy
at work in the argument (non causa in this case), we know there is some flaw in the
argument.
By studying logic and fallacies we can learn to formulate stronger and more cohesive
arguments, avoiding problems like that mentioned above. The study of logic has a long
history. We can trace the roots of modern logical study back to Aristotle in ancient
Greece. Aristotle’s simple definition of logic as the means by which we come to know
anything still provides a concise understanding of logic.[3] Of the classical pillars of a core
liberal arts education of logic, grammar, and rhetoric, logic has developed as a fairly
independent branch of philosophical studies. We use logic everyday when we construct
statements, argue our point of view, and in myriad other ways. Understanding how
logic is used will help us communicate more efficiently and effectively.
Defining Arguments
When we think and speak logically, we pull together statements that combine reasoning
with evidence to support an assertion, arguments. A logical argument should not be
confused with the type of argument you have with your sister or brother or any other
person. When you argue with your sibling, you participate in a conflict in which you
“Man and Woman Arguing” by

mzacha. morgueFile.
disagree about something. You may, however, use a logical
argument in the midst of the argument with your sibling.
Consider this example:
Brother and sister, Sydney and Harrison are arguing about
whose turn it is to clean their bathroom. Harrison tells Sydney
she should do it because she is a girl and girls are better at
cleaning. Sydney responds that being a girl has nothing to do
with whose turn it is. She reminds Harrison that according to
their work chart, they are responsible for cleaning the
bathroom on alternate weeks. She tells him she cleaned the
bathroom last week; therefore, it is his turn this week. Harrison,
still unconvinced, refuses to take responsibility for the chore.
Sydney
then points to the work chart and shows him where it specifically says it is his turn this
week. Defeated, Harrison digs out the cleaning supplies.
Throughout their bathroom argument, both Harrison and Sydney use logical arguments
to advance their point. You may ask why Sydney is successful and Harrison is not. This is
a good question. Let’s critically think about each of their arguments to see why one fails
and one succeeds.
Let’s start with Harrison’s argument. We can summarize it into three points:
1. Girls are better at cleaning bathrooms than boys.

2. Sydney is a girl.
3. Therefore, Sydney should clean the bathroom.
Harrison’s argument here is a form of deductive reasoning, specifically a syllogism. We
will consider syllogisms in a few minutes. For our purposes here, let’s just focus on why
Harrison’s argument fails to persuade Sydney. Assuming for the moment that we agree
with Harrison’s first two premises, then it would seem that his argument makes sense.
365 | F u n d a m e n t a l s o f P u b l i c S p e a k i n g - C o l l e g e o f t
heCanyons
We know that Sydney is a girl, so the second premise is true. This leaves the first
premise that girls are better at cleaning bathrooms than boys. This is the exact point
where Harrison’s argument goes astray. The only way his entire argument will work is if
we agree with the assumption girls are better at cleaning bathrooms than boys.
Let’s now look at Sydney’s argument and why it works. Her argument can be
summarized as follows:
1. The bathroom responsibilities alternate weekly according to the work chart.
2. Sydney cleaned the bathroom last week.
3. The chart indicates it is Harrison’s turn to clean the

bathroom this week.
4. Therefore, Harrison should clean the bathroom.
Sydney’s argument here is a form of inductive reasoning. We

will look at inductive reasoning in depth below. For now, let’s
look at why Sydney’s argument succeeds where Harrison’s
fails. Unlike Harrison’s argument, which rests on assumption
for its truth claims, Sydney’s argument rests on evidence. We “Decorative toilet seat” by
can define evidence as anything used to support the validity of Bartux~commonswikiv.
Public an assertion. Evidence includes: testimony, scientific findings, domain.
statistics, physical objects, and many others. Sydney uses two primary pieces of
evidence: the work chart and her statement that she cleaned the bathroom last week.
Because Harrison has no contradictory evidence, he can’t logically refute Sydney’s
assertion and is therefore stuck with scrubbing the toilet.
Defining Deduction
Deductive reasoning refers to an argument in which the truth of its premises
guarantees the truth of its conclusions. Think back to Harrison’s argument for Sydney
cleaning the bathroom. In order for his final claim to be valid, we must accept the truth
of his claims that girls are better at cleaning bathrooms than boys. The key focus in
deductive arguments is that it must be impossible for the premises to be true and the
conclusion to be false. The classic example is:
All men are mortal.

Socrates is a man.
Therefore, Socrates is mortal.
We can look at each of these statements individually and see each is true in its own
right. It is virtually impossible for the first two propositions to be true and the
conclusion to be false. Any argument which fails to meet this standard commits a logical
error or fallacy. Even if we might accept the arguments as good and the conclusion as
possible, the argument fails as a form of deductive reasoning.
A few observations and much reasoning lead to error; many observations and a little
reasoning to truth. ~ Alexis Carrel
Another way to think of deductive reasoning is to think of it as

moving from a general premise to a specific premise. The
basic line of reasoning looks like this:
This form of deductive reasoning is called a syllogism. A

syllogism need not have only three components to its
argument, but it must have at least three. We have Aristotle
to thank for identifying the syllogism and making the study of
logic much easier. The focus on syllogisms dominated the field
of philosophy for thousands of years. In fact, it wasn’t until
the early nineteenth century that we began to see the
discussion of other types of logic and other forms of logical
reasoning.
It is easy to fall prey to missteps in reasoning when we focus

on syllogisms and deductive reasoning. Let’s return to “Deductive Reasoning”
CCHarrison’s argument and see what happens. BY-NC-ND.
Logic: the art of thinking and reasoning in strict accordance with the limitations and
incapacities of the human misunderstanding. ~ Ambrose Bierce
Considered in this manner, it should be clear how the
strength of the conclusion depends upon us accepting
as true the first two statements. This need for truth sets
up deductive reasoning as a very rigid form of
reasoning. If either one of the first two premises isn’t
true, then the entire argument fails.
Let’s turn to recent world events for another

example.
In the debates over whether the United States should

take military action in Iraq, this was the basic line of
reasoning used to justify an invasion. This logic was
sufficient for the United States to invade Iraq; however,
as we have since learned, this line of reasoning also
shows how quickly logic can go bad. We subsequently
“Applied Deductive Reasoning” CC- learned that the “experts” weren’t quite so confident,
BY-NC-ND. and their “evidence” wasn’t quite as concrete as originally represented.
Defining Induction
Inductive reasoning is often thought of as the opposite of deductive
reasoning; however, this approach is not wholly accurate. Inductive
reasoning does move from the specific to the general. However, this fact
alone does not make it the opposite of deductive reasoning. An argument
which fails in its deductive reasoning may still stand inductively.
Unlike deductive reasoning, there is no standard format inductive
arguments must take, making them more flexible. We can define an
inductive argument as one in which the truth of its propositions lends
support to the conclusion. The difference here in deduction is the truth of
the propositions establishes with absolute certainty the truth of the
conclusion. When we analyze an inductive argument, we do not focus on
the truth of its premises. Instead we analyze inductive arguments for their
strength or soundness.
“US Invasion Deductive Reasoning

Example” CC-BY-NC-ND.
Another significant difference between deduction and induction is inductive arguments
do not have a standard format. Let’s return to Sydney’s argument to see how induction
develops in action:
1. Bathroom cleaning responsibilities alternate weekly according to the work chart.

2. Sydney cleaned the bathroom last week.
3. The chart indicates it is Harrison’s turn to clean the bathroom this week.
4. Therefore, Harrison should clean the bathroom.
“Inductive Reasoning Model” CC-BY-NC-ND.
What Sydney does here is build to her conclusion that Harrison should clean the
bathroom. She begins by stating the general house rule of alternate weeks for cleaning.
She then adds in evidence before concluding her argument. While her argument is
strong, we don’t know if it is true. There could be other factors Sydney has left out.
Sydney may have agreed to take Harrison’s week of bathroom cleaning in exchange for
him doing another one of her chores. Or there may be some extenuating circumstances
preventing Harrison from bathroom cleaning this week.
You should carefully study the Art of Reasoning, as it is what most people are very
deficient in, and I know few things more disagreeable than to argue, or even converse
with a man who has no idea of inductive and deductive philosophy. ~ William John Wills
Let’s return to the world stage for another example. After the 9/11 attacks on the World
Trade Center, we heard variations of the following arguments:
1. The terrorists were Muslim (or Arab or Middle Eastern)

2. The terrorists hated America.
3. Therefore, all Muslims (or Arabs or Middle Easterners) hate America.
Clearly, we can see the problem in this
line of reasoning. Beyond being a scary
example of hyperbolic rhetoric, we can
all probably think of at least one
counter example to disprove the
conclusion. However, individual
passions and biases caused many
otherwise rational people to say these
things in the weeks following the
attacks. This example also clearly
illustrates how easy it is to get tripped
“1993 Word Trade Center bombing” by Bureau of ATF
1993 Explosives Incident Report. Public domain. up in your use of logic and the
importance of practicing self-regulation.
1. Adapted from Facione, P. A. (1990). Critical Thinking: A Statement of Expert

Consensus for Purposes of Educational Assessment and Instruction, The Delphi
Report (Executive Summary). Millbrae, CA: California Academic Press.
2. Adapted from Facione, P. A. (1990).
3. Aristotle. (1989). Prior Analytics (Trans. Robin Smith). Cambridge, MA: Hackett
Publishing.
Critical Thinking & Reasoning: Understanding Fallacies

When we form arguments or examine others’ arguments, we need to be cognizant of
possible fallacies. A fallacy can be defined as a flaw or error in reasoning. At its most
basic, a logical fallacy refers to a defect in the reasoning of an argument that causes the
conclusion(s) to be invalid, unsound, or weak. The existence of a fallacy in a deductive
argument makes the entire argument invalid. The existence of a fallacy in an inductive
argument weakens the argument but does not invalidate it.
It is important to study fallacies so you can avoid them in the arguments you make.
Studying fallacies also provides you with a foundation for evaluating and critiquing other
arguments as well. Once you start studying and thinking about fallacies, you’ll find they
are everywhere. You could say that we live in a fallacious world!
The study of fallacies can be dated back to the start of the study of logic. In ancient
Greece, Aristotle classified fallacies into two categories—linguistic and non-linguistic.
Within these two categories, he identified 13 individual fallacies. Through time we have
reclassified fallacies using various typologies and criteria. For our purposes, we will
focus on formal and informal fallacies. Critical Thinking & Reasoning: Formal Fallacies
A formal fallacy exists because of an error in the
structure of the argument. In other words, the
conclusion doesn’t follow from the premises. All
formal fallacies are specific types of non sequiturs, or
arguments in which the conclusions do not follow
from the premises. Formal fallacies are identified by
critically examining the structure of the argument
exclusive of the individual statements. As you read
through the following types of formal fallacies and
examples, this definition will become more clear.
“Exclamation in a circle” by
Orikrin1998. CC-BY.
Bad Reasons Fallacy (Argumentum ad Logicam)

In this fallacy, the conclusion is assumed to be bad because the arguments are bad. In
practice, a premise of the argument is bad and therefore the conclusion is bad or
invalid. This fallacy is seen often in debate or argumentation. We summarize the fallacy
as: He gave bad reasons for his argument; therefore, his argument is bad. Consider the
following claim:
The new employee is too quiet and has no sense of style. We should fire him.
The problem here should be obvious. To be a

good employee does not require a certain look or
the ability to put together interesting outfits. (Just
look around your campus or workplace and you’ll
probably see how true this is.) As such, the reasons
for concluding the new faculty member should be
fired are bad. We commit a fallacy if the
conclusion to fire him is also bad or wrong. While the given “Bow Tie” by ambimb. CC-BY-
NC-SA. reasons don’t necessarily support the conclusion,
there may be others that do.
Bad reasoning as well as good reasoning is possible; and this fact is the foundation of
the practical side of logic. ~ Charles Sanders Peirce
Masked Man Fallacy (Intentional Fallacy)

The masked man fallacy involves a substitution of parties. If the two things we
substitute are identical, then the argument is valid:
Rosamond Smith wrote the book Nemesis.

Rosamond Smith is an alias for Joyce Carol Oates.
Joyce Carol Oates wrote the book Nemesis.
This argument is valid because Rosamond Smith is in fact an alias for Joyce Carol Oates,
so there is no flaw in the structure of the argument.
Consider the following example:
Chris told police that a red-haired woman stole her car. Ginny is a
red-haired woman. Therefore, Chris told police that Ginny stole her
car.
The fallacy in this example occurs between the second premise and
the conclusion. Looking at each premise individually, we can see
that each is true. However, simply because each premise is true
doesn’t mean the conclusion is necessarily true. Even if Ginny did
steal Chris’s car, this fact doesn’t make the conclusion true. The “Callan” by Kristy
existence of this fact cannot be presumed to change what Chris told Davies. CC-BY-NC.
the police.

Fallacies of quantitative logic revolve around the grammatical structure of the
proposition. The focus is on the use of some sort of quantifying word such as “all” or
“some.” Consider this example:
All philosophers are wise.
We can show the flaw in this statement by simply finding a counter-example. And since
the fact of being wise is abstract, how do we truly know if one is wise or not? Consider
how the statement changes with the use of a different quantifier:
Some philosophers are wise.
This statement is stronger because it allows for the possibility there are
counterexamples. However, the error arises from the fact that it is not a known
quantity. We must infer from the statement that some philosophers are not wise.
Let’s look at another example:
All conservatives are Republicans.

Therefore, all Republicans are conservatives.
Without thinking too hard you can probably think of one counter-example. Let’s try one
more:
Some doctors are not MDs. Therefore, some MDs are not doctors.
While the first premise is true (there are other types of doctors), the second is clearly
not true.
Critical Thinking & Reasoning: Informal
Fallacies
An informal fallacy occurs because of an
error in reasoning. Unlike formal
fallacies which are identified through
examining the structure of the
argument, informal fallacies are
identified through analysis of the
content of the premises. In this group of
fallacies, the premises fail to provide
“…oops?” by jasmeet. CC-BY-NC-ND. adequate reasons for believing the truth
of the conclusion. There are numerous different types of informal fallacies. In the
following, we consider some of the more common types.
Accident (sweeping generalization)

A fallacy by accident occurs when a generally true statement is applied to a specific case
that is somehow unusual or exceptional. The fallacy looks like this:
Xs are normally Ys. Z is an (abnormal) X. Therefore, Z is an Y.
Let’s look at a specific example to see how this fallacy can easily occur:
Dogs are good pets.

Coyotes are dogs.
Therefore, coyotes are good pets.
The fallacy here should be clear. I love dogs and coyotes, but I don’t know that I would
want a coyote for a pet. The fallacy in this case could be easily fixed with the use of a
simple qualifier such as the word “some.” If we changed the first premise to read “Some
dogs make good pets,” then we can see how even if the second premise is true it
doesn’t automatically lead to the stated conclusion. The basic problem here is that a
sometimes true statement is assumed to be universally true.
I do personal attacks only on people who specialize in personal attacks.~ Al Franken
Genetic fallacy (ad hominem)

If we examine this exchange we can see that Bill’s arguments are sound and supported
by what appears to be good evidence. However, Jane ignores these and focuses on Bill’s
supposed character – he’s a big jerk. The fallacy happens when we connect the truth of
a proposition to the person asserting it.
The ad hominem fallacy occurs when we shift our focus from the premises and
conclusions of the argument and focus instead on the individual making the argument.
An easy way to remember this fallacy is to think of it as the personal attack fallacy. It is
the weak form of arguing that many of us employed on our elementary school
playgrounds such as this exchange:
Bill: I think we should go back to class now.
Jane: I don’t think we need to worry about it.
Bill: Well, the bell rang a few minutes ago. We’re going to be late.
Jane: Well, you’re a big jerk and don’t know anything, so we don’t have to go back to
class.
If we examine this exchange we can see that Bill’s arguments are sound and supported
by what appears to be good evidence. However, Jane ignores these and focuses on Bill’s
supposed character – he’s a big jerk. The fallacy happens when we connect the truth of
a proposition to the person asserting it.
Let’s consider a more serious example that we see in many political campaigns. We can
map out the fallacy as follows:
My opponent has trait X. Therefore, she is not qualified to do the job.
The focus here is on the individual’s trait, even when the trait in question has nothing to
do with the job. We saw this fallacy in play in the early days of the 2012 U.S. presidential
campaign:
We will never get out of debt if we allow a Democrat to remain as president.
The focus here has nothing to do with any individual candidate’s skills, experience, or
abilities. The focus is solely on their political affiliation.
There is no greater impediment to the advancement of knowledge than the ambiguity of

words. ~ Thomas Reid
Ambiguity (equivocation)
Fallacies caused by ambiguity occur, not surprisingly, when some ambiguous term is
used in the argument. An ambiguous term is one that has more than one meaning. The
structure of the argument may be clear, and there may be solid evidence supporting the
propositions. The problem arises from having nothing solid on which to base our
conclusion. We saw this fallacy in play during the Clinton/Lewinsky investigations. If you
recall, when questioned about his relationship with Monica Lewinsky, President Clinton
responded that he never had “sexual relations” with that woman. The phrase “sexual
relations” can include a whole range of sexual behaviors.
Let’s look at a more recent example:
We won’t be safe until we win the war on terrorism.
Can you spot the ambiguity? Actually there are two: safe and terrorism. What is safe to
one person is much less so to another. Likewise, behaviors that appear terrorist-like to
one person are simply impassioned acts to another.
An appeal to the reason of the people has never been known to fail in the long run. ~
James Russell Lowell
Fallacies of appeal
This type of fallacy is actually a group of fallacies. At its most basic, the truth of the
argument rests on reference to some outside source or force. We will consider four of
the most popular appeal fallacies – appeals to authority, emotion, ignorance, and pity.
Appeal to authority (ad vericundiam)

When we appeal to authority we claim the truth of a proposition is guaranteed because
of the opinion of a famous person. Appeals to authority look like this:
Authority figure X says Y. Therefore, Y is true.
We see this fallacy in play regularly in commercials or other advertisements featuring a

doctor, lawyer, or other professional. Think about, for example, ads for the latest weight
loss supplement. A doctor will discuss the science of the supplement. At times she will
mention that she used the supplement and successfully lost weight. Even though we do
learn something about the specifics of the supplement, the focus is on the doctor and
her implied authoritative knowledge. We are to infer that the supplement will work
because the doctor says it will work.
The fallacy in this type of reasoning occurs when we confuse the truth of the
proposition with the person stating it. Instead of considering the strength of the
argument and any evidence associated with it, we focus solely on the individual.
It can be easy to fall into the trap of this fallacy. For many of your speeches, you will be
asked to research the issue at hand and present supporting evidence. This is a prime
place for the fallacy to occur. While it is important to support your arguments with
outside research, it is also important to critically evaluate all aspects of the information.
Remember the example of Shonda’s speech that opened this chapter? Her blind
reliance on the research of Dr. Gray is an example of the appeal to authority fallacy.
Anyone who conducts an argument by appealing to authority is not using his

intelligence; he is just using his memory. ~ Leonardo da Vinci
Appeal to emotion
This fallacy occurs with the use of highly emotive or charged language. The force of the
fallacy lies in its ability to motivate the audience to accept the truth of the proposition
based solely on their visceral response to the words used. In a sense, the audience is
manipulated or forced into accepting the truth of the stated conclusions. Consider the
following example:
Any campus member who thinks clearly should agree that Dr. Lenick is a flaming, radical,
feminist, liberal. Dr. Lenick has made it clear she believes that equal rights should be
granted to everyone without regard to the traditions and history of this campus or this
country. Therefore, Dr. Lenick is a bad teacher and should be fired immediately.
The thrust of this argument revolves around two interrelated components – Dr. Lenick’s
advocacy of equal rights for all and her alleged disregard for tradition and history. The
emotional appeal rests in the phrase “flaming, radical, feminist, liberal” – words that
indicate ideological beliefs, usually beliefs that are strongly held by both sides.
Additionally, hot button words like these tend to evoke a visceral response rather than a
logical, reasoned response.
The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you don’t know anything
about. ~ Wayne Dyer
Appeal to Ignorance (argumentum ad ignorantiam)

When we appeal to ignorance, we argue that the proposition must be accepted unless
someone can prove otherwise. The argument rests not on any evidence but on a lack of
evidence. We are to believe the truth of the argument because no one has disproven it.
Let’s look at an example to see how appeals to ignorance can develop:
People have been seeing ghosts for hundreds of years. No one has been able to
prove definitively that ghosts don’t exist. Therefore, ghosts are real.
Though rather simplistic, this example makes clear the thrust of this fallacy. The focus is
not on supporting evidence, but on a blatant lack of evidence. While ghosts may exist,
we don’t know for sure they do – or don’t for that matter. As such, we could also argue
that because we can’t prove that ghosts are real they must not exist.
Appeal to pity (argumentium ad misericordium)

Appeals to pity are another form of pulling on the emotions of the audience. In the
appeal to pity, the argument attempts to win acceptance by pointing out the
unfortunate consequences that will fall upon the speaker. In effect, the goal is to make
us feel sorry for the speaker and ignore contradictory evidence. This form of fallacy is
used often by students. Consider this message a professor recently received at the end
of the semester:
I know I have not done all the work for the semester and have been absent a lot.
However, I am the key point guard for the basketball team. If I get any grade lower than
a C, I will not be able to play basketball next semester. If I don’t play, the team will lose.
Will you please make sure that you give me at least a C for my final grade?
The student here acknowledges he does not deserve a grade of C or higher. He has
missed assignments, failed the midterm, and accrued a number of absences. His
argument asks the professor to ignore these facts, though, and focus on the fact that
without him the team would lose. In other words, he hopes the professor will feel sorry
for him and ignore the evidence.
Begging the question (petitio principii)

A begging the question fallacy is a form of circular reasoning that occurs when the
conclusion of the argument is used as one of the premises of the argument. Arguments
composed in this way will only be considered sound or strong by those who already
accept their conclusion.
Dilbert: And we know mass creates gravity because more dense planets have more
gravity.
Dogbert: How do we know which planets are more dense?
Dilbert: They have more gravity.
To see how begging the question develops as a fallacy, let’s turn to standard arguments
in the abortion debate. One of the common arguments made by those who oppose
legalized abortion is the following:
Murder is morally wrong. Abortion is murder. Therefore, abortion is morally wrong.
Most people would agree with the first premise that murder is morally wrong. The
problem, then rests in the second premise. Not all individuals would agree that abortion
is murder. However, as presented, the premise creates a presumption it is valid in all
cases.
Those who advocate for legalized abortion are not immune from this fallacy. One of
their standard arguments is:
The Constitution guarantees Americans the right to control their bodies.

Abortion is a choice affecting women’s bodies.
Therefore, abortion is a constitutional right.
Like the previous example, the second premise generates a potential stopping point.
While the choice to have or not have an abortion does clearly impact a woman’s body,
many individuals would argue this impact is not a deciding issue.
Black-or-white Fallacy (bifurcation)

This fallacy is also known as an Either/or fallacy or False Dichotomy. The thrust of the
fallacy occurs when we are only given the choice between two possible alternatives,
when in fact more than two exist.
Returning to the abortion debates, we can see a form of this fallacy in play by simply
looking at the way each side refers to itself. Those who oppose legalized abortion are
Pro-Life. The implication here is that if you are for abortion then you are against life. The
fallacy in this case is easy to figure out – there are many facets of life, not just abortion.
Those who favor legalized abortion are Pro-Choice. The implication here is that if you
are against abortion, then you are against choices. Again, the reasoning is faulty.
There is no black-and-white situation. It’s all part of life. Highs, lows, middles. ~ Van
Morrison
Let’s look at another hot button topic to see how this fallacy develops in action. In
recent years many family advocacy groups have argued that, what they call, the “liberal
media” has caused the rapid moral decline of America. They usually ask questions like:
Do you support families or moral depravity? This question ignores the whole range of
choices between the two extremes.
Composition
This fallacy occurs when we assume that if all the parts have a given quality, then the
whole of the parts will have it as well. We jump to a conclusion without concrete
evidence. We see this fallacy at work in the following example:
All of the basketball team’s players are fast runners, high jumpers, and winners.
Therefore, the team is a winner.
The problem here is the individuals must work together to make the team a winner. This
might very well happen, but it might not.
To make this fallacy more clear, let’s look at a humorous, though not so appetizing
example:
I like smoothies for breakfast because I can drink them on the run. My favorite breakfast
foods are scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, bagels with cream cheese, soy sausage links,
cottage cheese, oatmeal, cold pizza, and triple espressos. Therefore, I would like a
breakfast smoothie made of scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, bagels with cream cheese, soy
sausage links, cottage cheese, oatmeal, cold pizza, and triple espressos.
If you’re not feeling too nauseated to keep reading, you should be able to see the
composition fallacy here. While each of these breakfast items may be appetizing
individually, they become much less so when dropped into a blender and pureed
together.
Division
The opposite of the composition fallacy, a division fallacy occurs when we think the
parts of the whole contain the same quality as the whole. Let’s turn to another
foodbased example to see how this fallacy occurs:
Blueberry muffins taste good. Therefore, the individual ingredients comprising blueberry
muffins also taste good.
On the surface, this argument may not appear to be problematic. However, think about
the individual ingredients: blueberries, raw eggs, flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, oil, and
vanilla. Of these, blueberries are the only items that generally taste good on their own. I
don’t know about you, but sitting down to a bowl of baking soda doesn’t sound too
appetizing.
Here’s one more example to make the fallacy clearer:
Women in general make less money than men. Therefore, Brenda Barnes, CEO of the
Sara Lee company, makes less money than the male delivery drivers who work for the
company.
Common sense will tell you the CEO of a company makes more money than the hourly
delivery drivers. Additionally, a few quick minutes of research will confirm this
inference.
False cause (non causa, pro causa)

Sometimes called a Questionable Cause fallacy, this occurs when there exists a flawed
causal connection between events. The fallacy is not just a bad inference about
connection between cause and effect, but one that violates the cannons of reasoning
about causation. We see two primary types of this fallacy.
Accidental or coincidental connection occurs when we assume a connection where one

might or might not exist. We say event C caused event E when we have no clear proof.
Here’s an example:
Yesterday Jen went out in the rain and got soaked. The next day she was in bed with the
flu. Therefore, the rain caused her to get sick.
Most of us probably grew up hearing statements like this without ever realizing we were
being exposed to a logical fallacy in action. Flu is caused by exposure to a virus, not to
bad weather.
The other type of causal fallacy occurs with a general causation between types of
events. For example, we know that drinking excessive amounts of alcohol leads to
alcoholism and cirrhosis of the liver. However, not every individual who drinks
excessively develops either of these diseases. In other words, there is a possibility the
disease will occur as a result of excessive drinking, but it is not an absolute.
Red herring (Irrelevant thesis)

This fallacy occurs when we introduce an irrelevant issue into the argument. The phrase
“red herring” comes from the supposed fox hunting practice of dragging a dried smoke
herring across the trail so as to throw off the hound from the scent. In logical reasoning,
the red herring fallacy works in much the same way. No, this doesn’t mean you make
the argument while smelling like an old fish. What it does mean is that we attempt to
distract the audience by introducing some irrelevant point, such as this:
Each year thousands of people die in car accident across the country. Why should we
worry about endangered animals?
This argument is trying to get us to focus on dead people instead of animals. While car
accidents and the deaths resulting from them are a serious issue, this fact does not
lessen the importance of worrying about endangered animals. The two issues are not
equated with each other.
Political campaigns are a fertile ground for growing red herring fallacies. If you think
back to the 2004 Presidential campaign you will find a number of red herrings. For
example, at one point we were inundated with ads reminding us that John Kerry’s wife
was heir to the Heinz ketchup fortune. The implication was that by extension John Kerry
was a rich elitist incapable of understanding the plight of working class and middle class
individuals.
Slippery slope
This fallacy occurs when we assume one action will initiate a chain of events culminating
in an undesirable event later. It makes it seem like the final event, the bottom of the
slope, is an inevitability. Arguments falling prey to the slippery slope fallacy ignore the
fact there are probably a number of other things that can happen between the initial
event and the bottom of the slope.
We hear examples of the slippery slope fallacy all around us:
If we teach sex education in school, then students will have more sex. If students have
more sex, we will have a rash of unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted
diseases. Students will be forced to drop out of school and will never have the chance to
succeed in life.
Clearly, just learning about sex doesn’t automatically mean that you will engage in sex.
Even more unlikely is the fact that merely learning about sex will force you to drop out
of school.
Strawman
This fallacy occurs when the actual argument appears to be refuted, but in reality a
related point is addressed. The individual using a strawman argument will appear to be
refuting the original point made but will actually be arguing a point not made in the
original. The best strawman arguments will argue the new point to a conclusion that
appears solid; however, because their point is not the original point, it is still a fallacy.
Examples of the strawman fallacy are everywhere and can appear to be quite
persuasive:
President Obama cannot truly have American interests in mind because he’s not truly
American but Muslim.
Statements similar to this were quite prevalent during the 2008 Presidential election
and still appear on occasion. The assumption here is that if a person follows Islam and
identifies as Muslim they clearly can’t be American or interested in America. While
there are many potential flaws in this argument as presented, for our purpose the most
obvious is that there are many Americans who are Muslim and who are quite interested
and concerned about America.
False Analogy
When we use analogies in our reasoning, we are comparing things. A fallacy of weak
analogy occurs when there exists a poor connection between examples. Structurally,
the fallacy looks like this:
A and B are similar.

A has characteristic X. Therefore, B has characteristic X.
This fallacy often occurs when we try to compare two things that on the surface appear
similar. For example:
Humans and animals are both living, breathing beings. Humans have civil rights.
Therefore, animals have civil rights.
The problem in this argument is that while humans and animals are alike in their living
and breathing status, there are numerous other ways they differ. We commit a fallacy
when we infer that based on this initial similarity, they are similar in all other ways as
well.
The other day while looking at houses, I heard another version of this argument from a
real estate agent. The house I was looking at was an older house needing some TLC. I
asked how old the roof was and the real estate agent responded:
I don’t know for sure, but it’s either 10 or 20 years old. You know, though, I put a roof on
a house similar to this when I was younger and we haven’t had to worry about it. It’s
been over 20 years now.
Ignoring for the moment that there’s a big difference between a 10-year-old roof and a
20-year-old roof, the real estate agent mistakenly assumes that his roof and the roof
of the TLC house are the same. They both provide a covering for the home, but that’s
about where their similarities end. Critical Thinking & Reasoning: Conclusion
In this chapter we have examined what critical thinking is and how it involves more than
simply being critical. Understanding critical thinking helps in formulating and studying
arguments. We see arguments every day in advertising, use arguments to persuade
others, and we use them to benefit us. The overview of fallacies showed not all
arguments are valid or even logical. Always critically think and examine any argument
you confront, and remember that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is a
fallacious argument.
We practice critical thinking on a daily

basis, often without any extra effort.
Now that you know a bit more about
how to do these things better, you
should find that you can put together
more persuasive arguments that avoid
the pitfalls of fallacious thinking. More
importantly, when you hear a statement
such as, “You should drink at least four
glasses of wine per day,” you’ll know
that something isn’t right. And if you do
“Quiet Moment” by anitapeppers. morgueFile.hear a statement like this, you will be
prepared to think critically about the statement, and will be in a position to make a
more educated decision about the information.
Critical Thinking & Reasoning: Review Questions and Activities

REVIEW QUESTIONS
1) Explain the difference between critical thinking and being critical. Why should we
care?
2) Explain how listening differs from hearing and why listening is the first component of
practicing critical thinking.
3) List and discuss at least three ways that we use logic and argumentation in our daily
lives.
4) If I say, “There is plenty of pasta, so you should have some more,” am I implying or
inferring that you have not eaten enough?
5) What are a fallacies and why is it important that we study them?
6) Television commercials that use pictures of starving children and sad music as a way
to get you to donate money are an example of what type of fallacy?
7) Name, define, and give examples of three different fallacies you have heard
recently.
ACTIVITIES
1) Throughout this chapter, we have turned to the abortion debates for examples. In
order to practice critical thinking in action, spend some time researching the major
arguments each side uses. Because the debates in this area are so complex, you
might want to narrow your focus just a bit. For example, you could focus on the
issue of minors consenting to abortion or abortion in the case of rape or other
sexual assault. Compile a list of the most common arguments used by each side.
Your list should include: any evidence used to support claims, a list of the major
claims, any conclusions. Return to the core critical thinking skills and critically
evaluate how each side forms arguments and uses evidence. How do your own
biases and thoughts on the issue of abortion influence your evaluation? If you were
an advisor, what advisee would you give to each side to make their arguments
stronger and more logically sound?
2) Your local newspaper’s Letters to the Editor section is a prime spot to find logical
fallacies in action. For several days, read the Letters to the Editor and identify all of
the fallacies you find. Keep a log of the specific fallacies you find, dividing them by
type. Once you have compiled a variety of example, take a step back and evaluate
them. Questions that you might want to ask include: what fallacy or fallacies seem
to be most popular? Why do you think this is? Pick a few of the most egregious
fallacies and rewrite them correcting for the flaw in reasoning.
3) Throughout this chapter, we have studied arguments by looking at their various
parts. In practice, arguments occur as part of larger statements or speeches making
their analysis a bit more complicated. To understand the ways arguments occur in
daily life, visit the American Rhetoric page (www.americanrhetoric.com). On this
page you will find a number of political, activist, movie, and other speeches. Pick one
and try to identify the major arguments that are set forth. What are the main
claims? What are the sub-claims? What sorts of evidence or support are provided?
Are there any fallacies present in the argument? If you were a speech writer, what
advice would you give to improve the argument?
Glossary
Accident Fallacy
A fallacy that occurs when a generally true statement is applied to a specific case that is
unusual.
Ambiguity Fallacy
A fallacy that occurs when a word having more than one meaning appears in the
argument.
Analysis
The process of asking what is happening in a message through breaking it into its
individual components and asking questions of each section.
Appeal to Authority
A fallacy that occurs when the truth of a proposition is thought to rest in the opinion of
a famous other or authority.
Appeal to Ignorance
A fallacy that occurs when we argue something must be accepted because it cannot be
proven otherwise.
Appeal to Pity
A fallacy that occurs when an argument attempts to win acceptance by focusing on the
unfortunate consequences that will occur if it is not accepted.
Argument
Statements that combine reasoning with evidence to support an assertion.
Bad Reasons Fallacy

A fallacy that occurs when then we assume the conclusion of an argument to be bad
because a part of the argument is bad.
Begging the Question

A fallacy that occurs when the conclusion of the argument is also used as one of the
premises.
Black and White Fallacy

A fallacy that occurs when the audience is only given two choices.
Composition Fallacy
A fallacy that occurs when we assume that traits inherent in the parts are also present
when the parts are combined into a whole.
Critical Thinking
Active thinking in which we evaluate and analyze information in order to determine the
best course of action.
Deduction
An argument in which the truth of the premises of the argument guarantee the truth of
its conclusion.
Division
A fallacy that occurs when we assume that the trait of a whole occurs when the whole is
divided into its parts.
Evaluation
The process of assessing the various claims and premises of an argument to determine
their validity.
Evidence
Research, claims, or anything else that is used to support the validity of an assertion.
Fallacy
A flaw or error in reasoning.

A fallacy that occurs when we misuse quantifying words such as “all” or “some.”
False Analogy
A fallacy that occurs when there exists a poor connection between two examples used
in an argument.
False Cause
A fallacy that occurs when there exists a flawed connection between two events.
Genetic Fallacy
A fallacy that occurs when the individual is attacked.
Hearing
The physiological process of receiving noise and sounds.
Imply
To suggest or convey an idea.
Induction
An argument in which the truth of its propositions lend support to the conclusion.
Infer
To draw a conclusion that rests outside the message.
Interpretation
Explaining and extrapolating the conclusions that we draw from a statement.
Listening
The psychological process of attaching meaning to the sounds and noises we hear.
Masked Man Fallacy

A fallacy that occurs when we substitute parties that are not identical within an
argument.
Non sequitor
An argument where the conclusion may be true or false, but in which there exists a
disconnect within the argument itself.
Premise
A proposition (statement) supporting or helping to support a conclusion; an assumption
that something is true
Red Herring Fallacy

A fallacy that occurs when an irrelevant issue is introduced into the argument.
Self-regulation
The process of reflecting on our pre-existing thoughts and biases and how they may
influence what we think about an assertion.
Slippery Slope Fallacy

A fallacy that occurs when we assume one action will initiate a chain of events that
culminate in an undesirable event.
Strawman Fallacy
A fallacy that occurs when the actual argument appears to be refuted, but in reality a
related point is addressed.
Syllogism
A form of deductive argument in which the conclusion is inferred from the premises.
Most syllogisms contain a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion.
Critical Thinking & Reasoning: References

Aristotle. (1989). Prior Analytics (Trans. Robin Smith). Cambridge, MA: Hackett Publishing.
Beyer, B. K. (1995) Critical thinking. Bloomington, IN: Phi Delta Kappa Educational
Foundation.
Dewey, J. (1933). Experience and education. New York: Macmillan, 1933.
Elder, L. & Richard, P. (1996). Universal Intellectual Standards. Dillon Beach, CA:
Foundation for Critical Thinking. Retrieved from:
http://www.criticalthinking.org/page.cfm?Pag eID=527&CategoryID=68
Facione, P. A. (1990). Critical Thinking: A Statement of Expert Consensus for Purposes of

Educational Assessment and Instruction, The Delphi Report (Executive Summary).
Millbrae, CA: California Academic Press.
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mmons/9/91/John_Dewey_in_1902.jpg By Postdlf
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Martha_Stewart_nrkbeta.jpg By Alĥemiisto
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1972
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Billboard.jpg By Matt57
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Bartux
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Julianne_Moore_March_for_Women%27 s_Lives_2004.jpg By Pattymooney
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Musilupa
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Drew
Chapter 14: Persuasive Speaking

by Sarah Stone Watt, Pepperdine University and Joshua Trey Barnett, Indiana University
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
● Explain what a persuasive speech is.
● Describe the functions of persuasive speeches.
● List the different types of persuasive speeches.
● Identify persuasive strategies that make a speech more effective.
● Apply the appropriate organizational pattern based on your persuasive goals.
● Distinguish between ethical and unethical forms of persuasion. ● Apply module
concepts in final questions and activities. Chapter Outline
● Introduction
● What is Persuasive Speaking?
● Functions of Persuasive Speeches o Speeches to Convince o Speeches
to Actuate
● Types of Persuasive Speeches o Propositions of Fact o Propositions of Value o
Propositions of Policy
● Choosing a Persuasive Speech Topic
● Approaching Audiences o Receptive Audiences o Neutral Audiences o Hostile
Audiences
● Persuasive Strategies o Ethos o Logos o Pathos
● Organizing Persuasive Messages o Monroe’s Motivated Sequence o
Direct Method Pattern o Causal Pattern o Refutation Pattern
● Conclusion
● Module Activities
● Glossary
● References
Persuasive Speaking: Introduction At the gas pump, on eggs in the grocery store, in the
examination room of your doctor’s office, everywhere you go, advertisers are trying to
persuade you to buy their product. This form of persuasion used to be reserved for
magazines and television commercials, but now it is unavoidable. One marketing
research firm estimates that a person living in a large city today sees approximately
5,000 ads per day.[1] It is easy to assume that our overexposure to persuasion makes us
immune to its effect, but research demonstrates that we are more susceptible than
ever. In fact, advertisers have gotten even better at learning exactly the right times and
places to reach us by studying different audiences and
techniques.[2][3][4]
“Judi Chamberlin” by Tom Olin. CC-BY-SA.
I do not read advertisements. I would spend all of my time wanting things. ~ Franz Kafka
We also encounter persuasion in our daily interactions. Imagine you stop at a café on
your way to school, and the barista persuades you to try something new. While enjoying
your espresso, a sales person attempts to persuade you to upgrade your home Internet
package. Later, while walking across campus, you observe students who are
enthusiastically inviting others to join their organizations. Within thirty minutes, you
have encountered at least three instances of persuasion, and there were likely others
emanating in the background unbeknownst to you. Amidst being persuaded, you were
also actively persuading others. You may have tried to convince the Internet sales
person to give you a better deal and an extended contract, and later persuaded a group
of friends to enjoy a night on the town. Persuasion is everywhere.
1. Story, L. (2007, January 15). Anywhere the eye can see, it’s likely to see an ad. The
New York Times. Retrieved from:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/15/business/media/15everywhere.html? pagewanted=all
2. Aral, S. & Walker, D. (2012, 20 July). Identifying influential and susceptible

members of social networks. Science, 327(6092), 337–341. Retrieved from:
392 | F u n d a m e n t a l s o f P u b l i c
Speaking-CollegeoftheCany
ons
3. Blackman, S. (2009, September 3). Tired consumers more susceptible to
advertising. CBS Money Watch. Retrieved from:
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/tired-consumers-more-susceptible-to-
4. Rosendaal, E., Lapierre, M.A., vanReijmersdal, E.A., & Buijzen, M. (2011).

Reconsidering advertising literacy as a defense against advertising effects. Media
Psychology,
Persuasive Speaking: What is Persuasive Speaking?

You are used to experiencing persuasion in many forms, and may have an easy time
identifying examples of persuasion, but can you explain how persuasion works? Osborn
and Osborn define persuasion this way: “the art of convincing others to give favorable
attention to our point of view.”[1] There are two components that make this definition a
useful one. First, it acknowledges the artfulness, or skill, required to persuade others.
Whether you are challenged with convincing an auditorium of 500 that they should sell
their cars and opt for a pedestrian lifestyle or with convincing your friends to eat pizza
instead of hamburgers, persuasion does not normally just happen. Rather it is planned
and executed in a thoughtful manner. Second, this definition delineates the ends of
persuasion—to convince others to think favorably of our point of view. Persuasion
“encompasses a wide range of communication activities, including advertising,
marketing, sales, political campaigns, and interpersonal relations.”[2] Because of its
widespread utility, persuasion is a pervasive part of our everyday lives.
Although persuasion occurs in

nearly every facet of our day-
today lives, there are occasions
when more formal acts of
persuasion—persuasive
speeches—are appropriate.
Persuasive speeches “intend to
influence the beliefs, attitudes,
values, and acts of others.”[3]
Unlike an informative speech,
where the speaker is charged
with making some information
“Michael Bruno” by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast known to an audience, in a
Region. CC-BY. persuasive speech the speaker attempts to influence people to think or
behave in a particular way. This art of convincing others is propelled by reasoned
argument, the cornerstone of persuasive speeches. Reasoned arguments, which might
consist of facts, statistics, personal testimonies, or narratives, are employed to motivate
audiences to think or behave differently than before they heard the speech.
There are particular circumstances that warrant a persuasive approach. As O’Hair and
Stewart point out, it makes sense to engage strategies of persuasion when your end
goal is to influence any of these things—“beliefs, attitudes, values, and acts”—or to
reinforce something that already exists. For instance, safe sex advocates often present
messages of reinforcement to already safe sexual actors, reminding them that wearing
condoms and asking for consent are solid practices with desirable outcomes. By the
same token, safer sex advocates also routinely spread the message to populations who
might be likely to engage in unsafe or nonconsensual sexual behavior.
In a nutshell, persuasive speeches must confront the complex challenge of influencing

or reinforcing peoples’ beliefs, attitudes, values, or actions, all characteristics that may
seem natural, ingrained, or unchangeable to an audience. Because of this, rhetors (or
speakers) must motivate their audiences to think or behave differently by presenting
reasoned arguments.
The triumph of persuasion over force is the sign of a civilized society. ~ Mark Skousen
1. Osborn, M., & Osborn, S. (1997). Public speaking (4th ed.). Boston: Houghton
Mifflin Company.
2. German, K. M., Gronbeck, B. E., Ehninger, D., & Monroe, A. H. (2004). Principles of
public speaking (15th ed.). Boston: Pearson.
3. O’Hair, D., & Stewart, R. (1999). Public speaking: Challenges and choices. Boston:
Bedford/St. Martin’s.
Persuasive Speaking: Functions of Persuasive Speeches

So far, we have discussed the functions of persuasive speeches—to influence or
reinforce—only peripherally as they relate to our working definition. Next, we turn to an
in-depth discussion about how persuasive speeches function.
Speeches to Convince
Some persuasive speeches attempt to influence or reinforce
particular beliefs, attitudes, or values. In these speeches, called
speeches to convince, the speaker seeks to establish
agreement about a particular topic. For instance, a
climatologist who believes that global warming is caused by
human behavior might try to convince an audience of
government officials to adopt this belief. She might end her
speech by saying, “In recent years, humans have been
producing machines that expel CO2 either in their production,
their consumption, or in both. At the same time, the level of
CO2 in the atmosphere increased dramatically. The connection is “AirPollutionSource” by US
clear to many of us that humans have caused this damage Environmental Protection
Agency. Public domain.
and that it is up to us to similarly intervene.” Throughout her speech, the scientist would
likely recite a number of statistics linking human productivity with global warming in her
effort to convince the government officials that both the causes and solutions to the
climatic changes were a distinctly human problem.
Speeches to Actuate
Other times, persuasive speeches attempt to influence or reinforce actions. Speeches to
actuate are designed to motivate particular behaviors. Think of a time when you found
yourself up at 2 a.m. watching infomercials. Someone on the television screen was
trying very hard to sell you a $20 spatula that morphed into a spoon with the click of a
button. The salesperson described its utility and innovation for your kitchen, and he
described why it would be a good purchase for you—after all, how does a busy person
like you have time to use two different utensils? “But wait,” he would say, “there’s
more!” In case he had not already convinced you that you needed this kitchen tool, he
ended his spiel with a final plea—an extra Spoonatula for free. In this infomercial, the
salesperson attempted to convince you that you needed to buy the kitchen tool—it will
save you time and money. Thus, not only was the commercial an attempt to convince
you to change how you felt about spoons and spatulas, but also an effort to incite you
to action—to actually purchase the Spoonatula. This illustrates a function of persuasive
speeches, to motivate behavior.
Persuasive Speaking: Types of Persuasive Speeches

Persuasive speeches revolve around propositions that can be defended through the use
of data and reasoning. Persuasive propositions respond to one of three types of
questions: questions of fact, questions of value, and questions of policy. These
questions can help the speaker determine what forms of argument and reasoning are
necessary to support a specific purpose statement.
Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the
truth. ~ Marcus Aurelius
Propositions of Fact
Questions of fact ask whether something “can potentially be verified as either true or
false.”[1] These questions can seem very straightforward—something is or it is not—but
in reality, the search for truth is a complex endeavor. Questions of fact rarely address
simple issues such as, “is the sky blue?” They tend to deal with deep-seated
controversies such as the existence of global warming, the cause of a major disaster, or
someone’s guilt or innocence in a court of law. To answer these questions, a
proposition of fact may focus on whether or not something exists. For example, in the
U.S. there is a debate over the prevalence of racial profiling, the practice of law
enforcement officers targeting people for investigation and arrest based on skin color.
On one hand, the American Civil Liberties Union advances the proposition: “Racial
profiling continues to be a prevalent and egregious form of discrimination in the United
States.”[2] They verify this claim using data from government studies, crime statistics,
and personal narratives. However, journalist Heather MacDonald proposes that studies
confirming racial profiling are often based in “junk science”; in fact she says, “there’s no
credible evidence that racial profiling exists.”[3] To substantiate her proposition,
MacDonald relies on a study of traffic stops on the New Jersey turnpike along with
personal narratives, policy analysis, and testimony from a criminologist. The claim that
racial profiling exists is either true or false, but there is evidence for and against both
propositions; therefore no consensus exists.
While some propositions of fact deal with the existence of a particular phenomenon or
the accuracy of a theory, others focus on causality. For example, the U.S. government
appointed a commission to evaluate the causes of the nation’s recent economic crisis. In
their report the commission concluded by proposing that recklessness in the financial
industry and failures on the part of government regulators caused the economic crisis.
However, Congressman Paul Ryan has proposed that Medicare is to blame, and the
chief investment officer at JP Morgan has proposed that U.S. housing policy is the root
cause of the problem.[4] Each of these three propositions of fact is backed by its own set
of historical and economic analysis.
Propositions of fact may also be used to
make predictions concerning what will
happen in the future. In the summer of
2011, ten miles of a popular Southern
California freeway were closed for an
entire weekend. Motorists, news
outlets, and government officials called
the closure “Carmageddon” because
they proposed there would be an
“inevitable and likely epic traffic
tieup.”[5] As a result of the predictions
“Interstate 10 looking east from Crenshaw Boulevard”
by Downtowngal. CC-BY-SA. motorists stayed off the roads and
made alternative plans that weekend
resulting in much lighter traffic than expected. The proposition may have been true, but
the prediction was not fulfilled because people were persuaded to stay off the freeway.
When advancing propositions of fact, you should focus on the evidence you can offer in
support of your proposition. First, make sure that your speech contains sufficient
evidence to back up your proposition. Next, take the time to interpret that evidence so
that it makes sense to your audience. Last, emphasize the relationship between your
evidence and your proposition as well as its relevance to the audience.[6]
Bitter experience has taught us how fundamental our values are and how great the
mission they represent. ~ Jan Peter
Balkenende
Propositions of Value
Persuasive speakers may also be called
to address questions of value, which call
for a proposition judging the (relative)
worth of something. These propositions
make an evaluative claim regarding
morality, aesthetics, wisdom, or
desirability. For example, some
vegetarians propose that eating meat is
immoral because of the way that
“McLarenF1” by Jagvar. Public domain.
animals are slaughtered. Vegetarians may base this claim in a
philosophy of utilitarianism or animal rights.[7]
Sometimes a proposition of value compares multiple options to determine which is
best. Consumers call for these comparisons regularly to determine which products to
buy. Car buyers may look to the most recent Car and Driver “10 Best Cars” list to
determine their next purchase. In labeling a car one of the best on the market for a
given year, Car and Driver says that the cars “don’t have to be the newest, and they
don’t have to be expensive . . . They just have to meet our abundant needs while
satisfying our every want.”[8]
Both the vegetarian and car examples offer standards for evaluating the proposition.
Since propositions of value tend to be more subjective, speakers need to establish
evaluation criteria by which the audience can judge and choose to align with their
position. When advancing a proposition of value, offer a clear set of criteria, offer
evidence for your evaluation, and apply the evidence to demonstrate that you have
satisfied the evaluation criteria.[9]
An inner process stands in need of outward criteria. ~ Ludwig Wittgenstein
The 2005 disagreement between family members over removing a woman’s feeding
tube after she had been in a coma for 15 years sparked a national debate over the value
of life that highlights the importance of evaluation criteria. After years of failed medical
treatments and rehabilitation attempts, Terri Schiavo’s husband petitioned the court to
remove her feeding tube, initiating a legal battle with her parents that went all the way
to the President of the United States.[10] Opposing sides in the debate both claimed to
value life. To support his proposition that his wife had a right to die, Mr. Schaivo applied
the evaluation criteria of quality of life and argued that she would not want to continue
to live in a vegetative state.[11] Ms. Schiavo’s parents vehemently disagreed with his
argument. They also claimed to value life and, with the support of religious groups,
relied on the evaluation criteria of the sanctity of life to contend that she should be kept
alive.[12] Both sides gained widespread support based on people’s agreement or
disagreement with their evaluation criteria. Despite intervention on behalf of both state
and federal legislators, the courts eventually ruled that Mr. Schiavo had the right to
have his wife’s feeding tube removed and allow her to die.
A policy is a temporary creed liable to be changed, but while it holds good, it has got to
be pursued with apostolic zeal. ~ Mahatma Gandhi
Propositions of Policy
Although the Schiavo case was rooted in a question of value, the debate resulted in a
question of policy. Questions of policy ask the speaker to advocate for an appropriate
course of action. This form of persuasive speech is used every day in Congress to
determine laws, but it is also used interpersonally to determine how we ought to
behave. A proposition of policy may call for people to stop a particular behavior, or to
start one. For example, some U.S. cities have started banning single use plastic bags in
grocery stores. Long before official public policy on this issue was established,
organizations such as The Surfrider Foundation and the Earth Resource Foundation
advocated that people stop using these bags because of the damage plastic bags cause
to marine life. In this case local governments and private organizations attempted to
persuade people to stop engaging in a damaging behavior— shopping with single use
plastic bags. However, the organizations also attempted to persuade people to start a
new behavior—shopping with reusable bags.
When answering a question of policy, speakers will typically begin by describing the
status quo. If you are arguing that a change must be made, you must first identify the
problem inherent in the current behavior, and then demonstrate that the problem is
significant enough to warrant immediate consideration. Once you have established
that there is a problem which the audience ought to consider, you can then offer your
proposal for a preferable course of action.[13] Then, it is up to you to demonstrate that
your proposed policy will have more
benefits than costs.
In 2011 the U.S. Postal Service, the

nation’s second-largest employer, told
Congress it was facing an $8.3 billion
budget shortfall.[14] To solve the
problem, the Postal Service proposed
that be permitted to end Saturday mail
delivery and close some post offices. To
make their argument, they first
described the status quo saying that the
demand for their service had
dramatically decreased with the
popularity of email and online bill-pay
services. They explained that in “USPS mailboxes” by EraserGirl. CC-BY.
preceding years they laid off workers and cut spending to help with the shortfall of
revenue, but now another plan was necessary to avoid defaulting on their financial
obligations. They offered evidence that people preferred ending Saturday mail to
alternatives such as paying more for stamps or allocating more tax money to post
offices.[15] Although they made a compelling case, the USPS still needed to overcome
perceived disadvantages to their proposition such as the negative impact on businesses
and rural towns.[16][17] A full year later, the policy proposition passed the U.S. Senate but
continues to await approval in the House.[18]
1. Herrick, J.A. (2011). Argumentation: Understanding and Shaping Arguments. State

College, PA: Strata Publishing.
2. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). (2012). Racial Profiling. Retrieved from:
http://www.aclu.org/racialjustice/racial-profiling
3. MacDonald, H. (2002, March 27). The racial profiling myth debunked. City Journal.
Retrieved from:
4. Angelides, P. (2011, June 28). The real causes of the economic crisis? They’re
history. The Washington Post. Retrieved from:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-real-causes-of-theeconomic-
5. Kandel, J. (2011, July 14). Los Angeles braces for weekend of “Carmageddon.”
Reuters. Retrieved from:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/15/uscarmageddon-losangeles-
idUSTRE76D2D720110715
6. Herrick 2011
7. DeGrazia, D. (2009). Moral vegetarianism from a very broad basis. Journal of
Moral Philosophy, 6. Retrieved from:
https://philosophy.columbian.gwu.edu/sites/philosophy.columbian.gwu.edu/files
8. Car and Driver (2011, December). 2012 10Best Cars. Car and Driver. Retrieved
from: http://www.caranddriver.com/features/2012-10best-cars-feature
9. Herrick 2011
10. Cerminara, K. & Goodman, K. (2012). Schiavo Timeline. Retrieved from University
of Miami Ethics Program:
11. Caplan, A. (2005). The time has come to let Terri Schiavo die: Politicians, courts
must allow husband to make final decision. NBC News. Retrieved from:
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/7231440/ns/health-health_care/t/time-has-
die/ ↵
comelet-terri-schiavo-
12. Catholic Culture. (2005). The death of Terri Schiavo. Catholic World News.
Retrieved from:
13. Herrick 2011

14. Bingham, A. (2011, July 22). Postal Service pushes to end Saturday delivery. ABC
News. Retrieved from: http://abcnewsradioonline.com/business-
news/postalservice-pushes-to-end-saturday-delivery.html
15. Bingham 2011
16. Bingham 2011
17. Stephenson, E. (2012, August 1). Senators blast House leaders over Postal Service
default. Reuters. Retrieved from: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/01/us-
- - -
18. Stephenson 2012
Persuasive Speaking: Choosing a Persuasive Speech

Topic
In order to offer a persuasive speech, you must decide
precisely what it is you want to talk about, to whom you
will be speaking, and to what ends you hope the speech
will lead. Persuasive speeches do not normally happen
within a vacuum, even in a public speaking course where
that might seem to be the case. In fact, most persuasive
speeches serve as a response to larger circumstances—
gas prices increase dramatically and drivers cannot
afford to fill up their tanks; war veterans suffer from
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and can find little
governmental assistance for the necessary treatments;
an election is forthcoming and candidates need to
secure votes. These are just a few times when a
persuasive speech would make sense. A driver might try
to persuade their employer to embrace telecommuting as a response to the high rate
of gasoline. Veterans with
“Jade Raymond” by Gamerscore Blog.
CC-BY-SA. PTSD might stage speeches to a national audience
imploring them to advocate for better mental health
care for people who have fought in wars. And candidates, of course, will give many
speeches during a campaign that tease out the various reasons they, and not another
candidate, should be elected. Appendix A (at the end of the chapter) offers a lengthier
list of possible topics for persuasive speaking, but keep in mind the advice that Burnett
offers in Chapter 8 (public speaking: the virtual text) regarding topic selection. The
topics in Appendix A are written as propositions that can be defended. Some are
propositions of fact, others are propositions of value, and yet others are propositions of
policy.
Persuasive Speaking: Approaching Audiences

If I can get you to laugh with me, you like me better, which makes you more open to my
ideas. And if I can persuade you to laugh at the particular point I make, by laughing at it
you acknowledge its truth. ~ John Cleese
When choosing a topic for your persuasive speech, it is crucial to consider the
composition of your audience. Because persuasive speeches are intended to influence
or reinforce an audience’s thoughts or behaviors, speakers must consider what and how
the audience thinks, feels, and does. Your audience might be ambivalent about your
topic, or they may be strongly opposed, in strong agreement, or somewhere along the
spectrum. In persuasive speeches, it matters where they fall on this continuum. For
instance, if you want to argue that abortion should be illegal and your audience is
composed of pro-life advocates, your speech might seem like you are preaching to the
choir. But if your audience is made up of staunch pro-choice activists, your speech
would be raising a significant objection to a set of beliefs, values, attitudes, and actions
the audience was already committed to.
Decaro, Adams and Jefferis offer advice

for carrying out a thorough audience
analysis in the other chapter of this
book. Some questions you might ask
before giving a speech include, “Who is
hosting the speech?” Often this can
provide a great deal of information
about who will be in the audience.
Audience members at a National Rifle
Association gathering probably do not
“Photo Essay” by United States Armed Force. Public domain. need to be convinced that the Second
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution—
the right to keep and bear arms—is worth upholding. You should also ask, “Is the
audience fairly heterogeneous?” In a public speaking class, you may be able to gauge
that through your interactions with your fellow classmates before you make your way to
the podium; but in other settings this may not be the case. If an organization is
sponsoring or has invited you to speak, this is a question that can be directed to
organizational staff with access to demographic information. Some demographics that
may be useful as you craft your speech include age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic or
cultural background, socioeconomic status, religion, and political affiliation. Each of
these characteristics is known to influence a listener’s beliefs, attitudes, values, and
actions.
Receptive Audiences Persuasive speakers will not generally address an audience that
already fully agrees with them and is behaving in the way they would like, because that
audience no longer needs to be persuaded. However, you may find yourself in situations
that allow you to appeal to a receptive audience which already knows something about
your topic and is generally supportive of, or open to, the point you are trying to make.
For example, parents are
“Children Play in Push Car” by Nils Fretwurst. CC-BY-SA.

generally interested in keeping their children safe. If you seek to persuade them that
they should work with their kids to prevent them from being taken advantage of on
social networking sites, they are likely to welcome what you have to say. Although they
are already convinced that it is important to keep their children safe, this audience may
not yet be persuaded that they have the need or ability to keep their kids safe in an
online environment. In order to persuade this receptive audience, you should first
attempt to foster identification with them by highlighting things you have in common. If
you are a parent you might say something like, “I have two children and one of my
biggest concerns is making sure they are safe.” If you are not a parent you might say,
“one of the things I appreciate most about my parents is that I know they are always
trying to keep me safe.” With these statements, you not only relate to the audience, but
also demonstrate that you share a common concern.
If you would persuade, you must appeal to interest rather than intellect. ~ Benjamin
Franklin
Next, offer a clear statement of purpose and tell the audience what you would like them
to do in response to your message. If the audience is already likely to agree with your
point, they will be looking for ways to act on it. Offer practical steps that they can take.
Even if the steps must be carried out later (i.e. the parents in our example may have to
wait to get home and start talking with their child about social networking habits), give
them a way to respond to the message immediately and show their support. In this case
you may have them write down the first thing they will say to their child, or practice
saying it to the person next to them. Having them act on your message before leaving
reinforces their already favorable response to what you are asking.[1]
I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and
humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.
Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. ~ Elie Wiesel
Neutral Audiences
Most of the groups that a persuasive
speaker addresses are neutral
audiences. These audiences are not
passionate about the topic or speaker,
often because they do not have enough
information or because they are not
aware that they should be concerned.
Beebe & Beebe explain that the
challenge in addressing a neutral
audience is to foster their interest in [2] They offer a few tips “Untitled” by Petr Kratochvil. CC-
0. your proposition. for cultivating interest in a neutral audience. Begin by gaining their
attention. To do this you might offer a story or statistic that relates the topic directly to
the dominant demographic in the audience. If you are trying to convince first-year
college students to avoid credit card solicitors on campus you might start with
something like, “I know those t-shirts the credit card vendors are handing out are stylish
and, best of all, free! But that t-shirt could cost you thousands of dollars before you
even graduate.” Rather than beginning with a diatribe on the evils of debt, which many
of them may not yet have experienced, you relate to their desire for a free t-shirt and a
common belief they are likely to share, that “free” should not translate to “expensive.”
If you cannot relate the topic directly to the audience, another approach is to relate the
topic to someone they care about, like a family member or friend. Keep in mind that,
while the receptive audience may be eager to respond immediately, the neutral
audience may simply be more concerned about the topic or more inclined to consider
the behavior change you are advocating.[3] In this case, consider offering resources for
more information, or a few minor steps they can take when they are ready.
He who dreads hostility too much is unfit to rule. ~ Lucius Annaeus Seneca
Hostile Audiences
Unfortunately, some audiences may be resistant or even hostile to your persuasive
speech. A hostile audience may take issue with your topic or with you as a speaker. In
this case, your primary goal is to persuade the audience to listen to what you have to
say.[4] Once they are willing to listen, then you will have the ability to change their minds
in the future. Later in this chapter we will address ways that you can foster a better
relationship with the audience by building your ethos. However, if the audience is
opposed to your proposition, there are a few steps that you can take to encourage them
to at least hear you out. If the audience is not likely to agree with your proposition, wait
until later in the speech to offer it. Opening with a clear statement of purpose, which a
receptive audience welcomes, will make an unreceptive audience more hostile to your
goals. For example, if you begin by telling business owners that you think they should
pay workers more, they are likely to think of all the reasons that will threaten their
livelihood rather than listening to your message. Instead, begin by highlighting issues on
which you agree. You might open with a discussion of the challenges businesses face in
attempting to retain quality workers and increase productivity.
I have spent many years of my life in opposition, and I rather like the role. ~ Eleanor
Roosevelt
Once you have identified areas of agreement, you can offer your proposition as a way of
addressing your shared goals. To promote an increase in wages, you might explain that
a study of more than 10,000 workers and managers in a variety of industries
demonstrated that companies who pay their workers more were also more motivated
to invest in new technology, enhance their management techniques, better train
workers, and better deliver their services, all of which lead to higher productivity and
increased profits.[5] Focusing on areas of agreement will make the audience more
receptive to your proposition, but they will still hold some reservations. Acknowledge
those reservations and demonstrate that you have given them ample consideration.
Cite credible evidence that supports your proposition in light of those reservations.
Showing that you understand and respect their opposing position is the most important
step toward encouraging a hostile audience to at least hear you out.
1. Beebe, S.A. & Beebe, S.J. (2003). Public Speaking: An Audience Centered Approach
(5th ed.). Boston: Pearson.
2. (Beebe & Beebe 2003)
3. (Beebe & Beebe 2003) ↵

4. (Beebe & Beebe 2003)
5. Applebaum, E. & Berhardt, A. (2004, December 18). Employers also benefit from a
higher minimum wage. Brennan Center for Justice. Retrieved from:
http://www.brennancenter.org/analysis/employers-also-benefit-higher-
Persuasive Speaking: Persuasive Strategies

Ethos
In addition to understanding how your audience feels about the topic you are
addressing, you will need to take steps to help them see you as credible and interesting.
The audience’s perception of you as a speaker is influential in determining whether or
not they will choose to accept your proposition. Aristotle called this element of the
speech ethos, “a Greek word that is closely related to our terms ethical and ethnic.”[1]
He taught speakers to establish credibility with the audience by appearing to have good
moral character, common sense, and concern for the audience’s well-being.[2] Campbell
& Huxman explain that ethos is not about conveying that you, as an individual, are a
good person. It is about “mirror[ing] the characteristics idealized by [the] culture or
group” (ethnic),[3] and demonstrating that you make good moral choices with regard to
your relationship within the group (ethics).
“Danny Shine Speaker’s Corner” by
Acapeloahddub. Public domain.
While there are many things speakers can do to build their ethos throughout the
speech, “assessments of ethos often reflect superficial first impressions,” and these first
impressions linger long after the speech has concluded.[4] This means that what you
wear and how you behave, even before opening your mouth, can go far in shaping your
ethos. Be sure to dress appropriately for the occasion and setting in which you speak.
Also work to appear confident, but not arrogant, and be sure to maintain enthusiasm
about your topic throughout the speech. Give great attention to the crafting of your
opening sentences because they will set the tone for what your audience should expect
of your personality as you proceed.
I covered two presidents, LBJ and Nixon, who could no longer convince, persuade, or
govern, once people had decided they had no credibility; but we seem to be more
tolerant now of what I think we should not tolerate. ~ Helen Thomas
Logos
Another way to enhance your ethos, and your chances of persuading the audience, is to
use sound arguments. In a persuasive speech, the argument will focus on the reasons
for supporting your specific purpose statement. This argumentative approach is what
Aristotle referred to as logos, or the logical means of proving an argument.[5]
407 | F u n d a m e n t a l s o
fPublicSpeaking-Col
legeoftheCanyons
When offering an argument you begin by making an assertion that requires a logical
leap based on the available evidence.[6] One of the most popular ways of understanding
how this process works was developed by British philosopher Stephen Toulmin.[7]
Toulmin explained that basic arguments tend to share three common elements: claim,
data, and warrant. The claim is an assertion that you want the audience to accept. Data
refers to the preliminary evidence on which the claim is based. For example, if I saw
large gray clouds in the sky, I might make the claim that “it is going to rain today.” The
gray clouds (data) are linked to rain (claim) by the warrant, an often unstated general
connection, that large gray clouds tend to produce rain. The warrant is a connector that,
if stated, would likely begin with “since” or “because.” In our rain example, if we
explicitly stated all three elements, the argument would go something like this: There
are large gray clouds in the sky today (data). Since large gray clouds tend to produce
rain (warrant), it is going to rain today (claim). However, in our regular encounters with
argumentation, we tend to only offer the claim and (occasionally) the warrant.
To strengthen the basic argument, you will need backing for the claim. Backing provides
foundational support for the claim[8] by offering examples, statistics, testimony, or other
information which further substantiates the argument. To substantiate the rain
argument we have just considered, you could explain that the color of a cloud is
determined by how much light the water in the cloud is reflecting. A thin cloud has tiny
drops of water and ice crystals which scatter light, making it appear white. Clouds
appear gray when they are filled with large water droplets which are less able to reflect
light.[9]
Table 16.1: The Toulmin Model
Basic Argument
data claim
I had a hard time finding a place
The school needs more parking spaces. to
park on campus.
warrant
If I can’t find a place to park, there must be a shortage of spaces.
Argument with Backing
data claim
Obesity is a serious problem in U.S. citizens should be encouraged to eat the

U.S. less processed foods.
warrant
Processed foods contribute to obesity more than natural or unprocessed foods.
backing
“As a rule processed foods are more ‘energy dense’ than fresh foods: they contain
less water and fiber but more added fat and sugar, which makes them both less
filling and more fattening.” (Pollan, 2007)[10]
Logic is the beginning of wisdom, not the end. ~ Leonard Nimoy
The elements that Toulmin identified (see Table 16.1) may be
arranged in a variety of ways to make the most logical argument.
As you reason through your argument you may proceed
inductively, deductively, or causally, toward your claim. Inductive
reasoning moves from specific examples to a more general claim.
For example, if you read online reviews of a restaurant chain
called Walt’s Wine & Dine and you noticed that someone
reported feeling sick after eating at a Walt’s, and another person
reported that the Walt’s they visited was understaffed, and
another commented that the tables in the Walt’s they ate at had
crumbs left on them, you might conclude (or claim) that the
“Dining Booth” by
Wayne Truong. CC-BY. restaurant chain is unsanitary. To test the validity of a general
claim, Beebe and Beebe encourage speakers to consider whether
there are “enough specific instances to support the conclusion,” whether the specific
instances are typical, and whether the instances are recent.[11]
The opposite of inductive reasoning is deductive reasoning, moving from a general
principle to a claim regarding a specific instance. In order to move from general to
specific we tend to use syllogisms. A syllogism begins with a major (or general) premise,
then moves to a minor premise, then concludes with a specific claim. For example, if
you know that all dogs bark (major premise), and your neighbor has a dog (minor
premise), you could then conclude that your neighbor’s dog barks (specific claim). To
verify the accuracy of your specific claim, you must verify the truth and applicability of
the major premise. What evidence do you have that all dogs bark? Is it possible that
only most dogs bark? Next, you must also verify the accuracy of the minor premise. If
the major premise is truly generalizable, and both premises are accurate, your specific
claim should also be accurate.
Your reasoning may also proceed

causally. Causal reasoning examines
related events to determine which one
caused the other. You may begin with a
cause and attempt to determine its
effect. For example, when the
Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded
in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, scientists
explained that because many animals in
the Gulf were nesting and reproducing
at the time, the spill could wipe out “an
entire generation of hundreds of “Deepwater Horizon offshore drilling unit on fire” by
species.”[12] Their argument reasoned
US Coast Guard. Public domain. that the spill (cause) would result in
species loss (effect). Two years later, the causal reasoning might be reversed. If we were
seeing species loss in the Gulf (effect), we could reason that it was a result of the oil spill
(cause). Both of these claims rely on the evidence available at the time. To make the
first claim, scientists not only offered evidence that animals were nesting and
reproducing, but they also looked at the effects of an oil spill that occurred 21 years
earlier in Alaska.[13] To make the second claim, scientists could examine dead animals
washing up on the coast to determine whether their deaths were caused by oil.
Pathos
While we have focused heavily on logical reasoning, we must also recognize the strong
role that emotions play in the persuasive process. Aristotle called this element of the
speech pathos. Pathos draws on the emotions, sympathies, and prejudices of the
audience to appeal to their non-rational side.[14][15] Human beings are constantly in
some emotional state, which means that tapping into an audience’s emotions can be
vital to persuading them to accept your proposition.[16]
One of the most helpful strategies in appealing to your audience’s emotions is to use
clear examples that illustrate your point. Illustrations can be crafted verbally,
nonverbally, or visually. To offer a verbal illustration, you could tell a compelling story.
For example, when fundraising for breast cancer research, Nancy Brinker, creator of
Susan G. Komen for the Cure, has plenty of compelling
statistics and examples to offer. Yet, she regularly talks
about her sister, explaining:
Susan G. Komen fought breast cancer with her heart,

body and soul. Throughout her diagnosis, treatments,
and endless days in the hospital, she spent her time
thinking of ways to make life better for other women
battling breast cancer instead of worrying about her
own situation. That concern for others continued even
as Susan neared the end of her fight.[17]
Brinker promised her sister that she would continue her

fight against breast cancer. This story compels donors
to join her fight.
Speakers can also tap into emotions using nonverbal behaviors to model the desired
emotion for their “Nancy Brinker” by Cliff. CC-BY.
audience. In the summer of 2012, the U.S. House of
Representatives debated holding the Attorney General in contempt for refusing to
release documents concerning a controversial gun-tracking operation. Arguing for a
contempt vote, South Carolina Representative Trey Gowdy did not simply state his
claim; instead he raised his voice, slowed his pace, and used hand motions to convey
anger with what he perceived as deception on the part of the Attorney General.[18] His
use of volume, tone, pace, and hand gestures enhanced the message and built anger in
his audience.
Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel. It is to bring another out

of his bad sense into your good sense. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
In addition to verbal and nonverbal illustrations, visual imagery can enhance the
emotional appeal of a message. For example, we have all heard about the dangers of
drugs, and there are multiple campaigns that attempt to prevent people from even
trying them. However, many young adults experiment with drugs under the assumption
that they are immune from the negative effects if they only use the drug recreationally.
To counter this assumption regarding methamphetamines, the Montana Meth project
combines controversial statements with graphic images on billboards to evoke fear of
the drug (see the Montana Meth Project for some disturbing examples). Young adults
may have heard repeated warnings that meth is addictive and that it has the potential
to cause sores, rotten teeth, and extreme weight loss, but Montana Meth Project’s
visual display is more compelling because it turns the audience’s stomach, making the
message memorable. This image, combined with the slogan, “not even once,” conveys
the persuasive point without the need for other forms of evidence and rational
argument.
Appeals to fear, like those in the Montana Meth Project ads, have proven effective in
motivating people to change a variety of behaviors. However, speakers must be careful
with their use of this emotion. Fear appeals tend to be more effective when they appeal
to a high-level fear, such as death, and they are more effective when offered by
speakers with a high level of perceived credibility.[19] Fear appeals are also more
persuasive when the speaker can convince the audience they have the ability to avert
the threat. If audiences doubt their ability to avoid or minimize the threat, the appeal
may backfire.[20]
I would rather try to persuade a man to go along, because once I have persuaded him,
he will stick. If I scare him, he will stay just as long as he is scared, and then he is gone. ~
Dwight D. Eisenhower
David Brooks argues that, “emotions are not separate from reason, but they are the
foundation of reason because they tell us what to value.”[21] Those values are at the
core of fostering a credible ethos. All of Aristotle’s strategies, ethos, logos, and pathos,
are interdependent. The most persuasive speakers will combine these strategies to
varying degrees based on their specific purpose and audience.
Ethics of Persuasion
In addition to considering their topic
and persuasive strategy, speakers must
take care to ensure that their message
is ethical. Persuasion is often confused
with another kind of communication
that has similar ends, but different
methods—coercion. Like persuasion,
coercion is a process whereby thoughts
or behaviors are altered. But in coercive
acts, deceptive or harmful methods
propel the intended changes, not “Speakers Corner Speaker 1987” by Deborah MacLean.
reason. Strong and Cook contrasted the Public domain. two: “persuasion uses
argument to compel power to give way to reason while coercion uses force to compel
reason to give way to power.”[22] The “force” that Strong and Cook mention frequently
manifests as promises for reward or punishment, but sometimes it arises as physical or
emotional harm. Think of almost any international crime film you have seen, and you
are likely to remember a scene where someone was compelled to out their compatriots
by way of force. Jack Bauer, the protagonist in the American television series 24,
became an infamous character by doing whatever it took to get captured criminals to
talk. Although dramatic as an example, those scenes where someone is tortured in an
effort to produce evidence offer a familiar reference when thinking about coercion. To
avoid coercing an audience, speakers should use logical and emotional appeals
responsibly.
The pendulum of the mind alternates between sense and nonsense, not between right
and wrong. ~ Carl Jung
Persuasive speakers must be careful to avoid using fallacies in their reasoning. Fallacies
are errors in reasoning that occur when a speaker fails to use appropriate or applicable
evidence for their argument. There are a wide variety of fallacies, and it is not possible
to list them all here. However, speakers should watch for four common categories of
fallacies: “fallacies of faulty assumption,” which occur when the speaker reasons based
on a problematic assumption; “fallacies directed to the person,” which occur when the
speaker focuses on the attributes of an individual opponent rather than the relevant
arguments; “fallacies of case presentation,” which occur when the speaker
mischaracterizes the issue; and “fallacies of suggestion,” which occur when the speaker
implies or suggests an argument without fully developing it.[23] See the Table 16.2 on the
following page for examples of each of these types of fallacies. To learn more about
fallacies, see the chapter by Russ (Critical Thinking and Reasoning), or see the
supplemental handout found on the Persuasive Speaking chapter homepage.
Table 16.2: Examples of Fallacies
Fallacies of Faulty Assumption
It is cloudy outside, and I feel sick. Cloudy days make me sick.
The school board voted to buy new picnic tables for the lunch
Casual Fallacy room. Many students were out sick the following day. The
students must be upset about the picnic tables.
Everyone takes out a loan to buy a car, so you should too.

Bandwagon None of the cool kids wear helmets when they ride bikes. You
Fallacy should take yours off.
The Lion King is an excellent film because it has excellent

animation.
Begging the
Question Marijuana is good for you because it is natural.
Fallacies Directed to the Person
We should reject President Obama’s healthcare legislation
Ad Hominem
because it is socialism.
Before the defense makes their closing statement, keep in mind

that their client has not said one truthful word throughout the
trial.
Poisoning the Well
My opponent is going to try to manipulate you into thinking her
plan is better for the city.
First, I wanted to tell you that this is my favorite class. I tell all
my friends how much I love it. I just think I deserve a better
grade on my exam.
Appeal to Flattery
You are such a generous person. I know you’ll want to donate to
this cause.
Fallacies of Case Presentation
I don’t plan to vote today because I am moving next week.
Non Sequitur You should clean your room because I am going to do the
laundry.
I should not be fined for parking in a red zone when there are so
many people out there committing real crimes like robbery and
murder.
Red Herring
War is wrong, but in times of crisis we should support the
president.
This diet is the best one for people with my health condition. Oprah
said so.
Appeal to
Misplaced I want to visit the Museum of Modern Art. My English professor
Authority says they have the best collection anywhere!
Fallacies of Suggestion
I’m not saying he cheated; he just did uncharacteristically well on

that exam.
Paralepsis
If she wants to work for a crook, that’s her business.
Either you’re with us or against us.

Either/Or Love it or leave it.
I have so much to do today. I have to get my car fixed, finish a

paper, take a nap, and pick my mom up from the airport.
Arrangement So many highly respected musicians will be there: Paul
McCartney, Elton John, LMFAO, Billy Joel…
There are some positive steps you can take to avoid these pitfalls of persuasive speaking
and ensure that you are presenting your message in the most ethical manner. We have
already discussed some of these, such as offering credible evidence for your arguments
and showing concern for the audience’s wellbeing. However, you should also offer a
transparent goal for your speech. Even with a hostile audience, where you may wait
until later in the speech to provide the specific purpose statement, you should be
forthcoming about your specific purpose. In fact, be truthful with your audience
throughout the speech.
It is appropriate to use fictional scenarios to demonstrate your point, but tell the
audience that is what you are doing. You can accomplish this by introducing fictional
examples with the phrase, “hypothetically,” or “imagine,” to signal that you are making
it up.[24] Additionally, be sure to offer a mix of logical and emotional appeals. Blending
these strategies insures that you have evidence to back up emotional claims, and that
you are sensitive to the audiences’ emotional reactions to your logical claims. Attending
to both aspects will help you be more ethical and more persuasive.
The most important persuasion tool you have in your entire arsenal is integrity. ~ Zig
Ziglar
1. Campbell, K.K. & Huxman, S.S. (2009). The Rhetorical Act: Thinking, Speaking, and Writing
Critically. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
2. Beebe, S.A. & Beebe, S.J. (2003). Public Speaking: An Audience Centered Approach (5th
ed.). Boston: Pearson.
3. Campbell & Huxman 2009
4. Zarefsky, D. (2005). Public Speaking: Strategies for Success (Special edition for The
Pennsylvania State University). Boston: Pearson.
5. Braet, A.C. (1992). Ethos, pathos, and logos in Aristotle’s rhetoric: A reexamination.
Argumentation,
6. Campbell & Huxman 2009
7. Herrick, J.A. (2011). Argumentation: Understanding and Shaping Arguments. State
College, PA: Strata Publishing.
8. Herrick 2011
9. Brill, R. (2003, July 21). Why do clouds turn gray before it rains? Scientific American.
Retrieved from:
10. Pollan, M. (2007, April 22). You are what you grow. The New York Times. Retrieved from:

12. Donovan, T.W. (2010, July 10). 7 Long term effects of the Gulf oil spill. Huffington Post.
Retrieved from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/10/7-long-term-effects-of-
13. Donovan 2010

15. Reike, R.D., Sillars, M.O., & Peterson, T.R. (2009). Argumentation and Critical Decision
Making (7th ed.). Boston: Pearson.
16. Dillard, J.P. & Meijnders, A. (2002). Persuasion and the structure of affect. In J.P. Dillard &
M. Pfau (Eds.), The Persuasion Handbook: Developments in Theory and Practice (309–
328). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
17. Komen National. (n.d.). St. Louis Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure: Who We Are.
Retrieved from:
18. Gowdy, T. (2012). Trey Gowdy’s emotional speech on Holder contempt [Video file].
Retrieved from: https://youtu.be/2bP-G4Btwp0
20. Witte, K. & Allen, M. (2000). A metaanalysis of fear appeals: Implications for effective
public health campaigns. Health Education & Behavior,
21. Brooks, D. (2011, November 17). TED 2001: David Brooks explains why there is no reason
without emotion. Huffington Post. Retrieved from:
22. Strong, W. F., & Cook, J. A. (1992). Persuasion: Strategies for public influence (3rd ed.).
Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing.
23. Herrick 2011
Persuasive Speaking: Organizing Persuasive Messages

Once you have selected your topic, know who your audience is, and have settled on an
end goal for your persuasive speech, you can begin drafting your speech. Outlines are
organized according to the particular speech, and the following organizational patterns
are used routinely for persuasive speeches.
Monroe’s Motivated Sequence

Monroe’s Motivated Sequence is an organizational pattern that attempts to convince
the audience to respond to a need that is delineated in the speech.[1] Five separate
steps characterize the Motivated Sequence organization style:
1. The attention step should get the audience’s attention as well as describe your
goals and preview the speech.
2. The need step should provide a description of the problem as well as the
consequences that may result if the problem goes unresolved. In this step, the speaker
should also alert audience members to their role in mitigating the issue.
3. The satisfaction step is used to outline your solutions to the problems you have
previously outlined as well as deal with any objections that may arise.
4. In the visualization step, audience members are asked to visualize what will
happen if your solutions are implemented and what will happen if they do not come to
fruition. Visualizations should be rich with detail.
5. The action appeal step should be used to make a direct appeal for action. In this
step, you should describe precisely how the audience should react to your speech and
how they should carry out these actions. As the final step, you should also offer a
concluding comment. See Figure 16.1 to see this method of arrangement illustrated.
Figure 16.1: Monroe’s Motivated Sequence Sample Outline
I. Attention step
A. When was the last time you saw a dog chained to a tree in a neighbor’s yard, heard
about a puppy mill in your town, or went into a pet store only to find dogs and cats for
sale?
B. I work with the Morris County Animal Protection Group, and I would like to share
some ways in which you can help prevent these travesties.
C. First, I will describe some of the major problems in Morris County, and then I will
tell you how you can get involved.
II. Need step: Many animals in Morris County are abused and neglected.
A. There are too many stray animals that are neither spayed nor neutered, resulting
in an overabundance of cats and dogs.
B. These animals often cannot find enough food to survive, and the local shelter
cannot accommodate such high populations.
C. The cost of local spay/neuter programs is too high for our agency to handle.
III. Satisfaction step: Raising $1 million for the Morris County Animal Protection Agency
can effectively solve these problems.
A. We could afford to spay or neuter most stray animals.
B. Obtained animals could be fed and accommodated until a home can be secured for
them.
C. Additionally, we could subsidize spay/neuter costs for local citizens.
IV. Visualization step: Imagine what we can do for our animals with this money.
A. What will it be like if we can carry out these actions?
B. What will it be like if we cannot do these things?
V. Action appeal step: Donate to the Morris County Animal Protection Agency.
A. If you want to help protect the many struggling stray animals in Morris County,
make a donation to our organization.
B. Your donation will make a real difference in the lives of our animals.
C. We cannot effect real change for the animals of our county without each and every
one of you.
Direct Method Pattern

If your goal is to convince your audience to adopt a particular idea, you might prefer the
direct method pattern as a way of organizing your speech. This pattern consists of a
claim and a list of reasons to support it. Every piece of support in the speech directly
supports the central claim you wish to make. As Jaffe points out, “It’s a good pattern to
use when listeners are apathetic or neutral, either mildly favoring or mildly opposing
your claim.”[2] The outline for a speech on vegetarianism in Figure 16.2 provides three
reasons that vegetarianism provides
“Roman Rackwitz Presentation” by
Romrack. CC-BY-SA.
useful health benefits for people struggling with obesity.
Figure 16.2: Direct Method Pattern Sample Outline
Proposition: Vegetarianism offers many positive health benefits for people struggling with obesity.
I. Vegetarianism often reduces the amount of processed food that one eats.
II. Vegetarianism promotes a sense of reflective consumption.
III. Vegetarianism decreases the likelihood that one will contract some diseases, such as cancer
and heart disease.
As you can see from this example, the statement of reasons that follows the proposition directly
supports the central claim of the speech. Each reason offers another bit of evidence that
vegetarianism is a good option for people struggling with obesity.
History creates comprehensibility primarily by arranging facts meaningfully and only in
a very limited sense by establishing strict causal connections. ~ Johan Huizinga
Causal Pattern
Similar to a problem-solution speech, which was covered in Chapter 8, a causal speech
describes a general cause and a specific effect. In other words, a causal pattern first
addresses some cause and then shares what effects resulted. A causal speech can be
particularly effective when the speaker wants to convince their audience of the
relationship between two things. With sound causal reasoning, a speech of this sort can
422 | F u n d a m e n t a l s o
fPublicSpeaking-Col
legeoftheCanyons
be used to convince the audience of something they were previously opposed to
believing.
As the example in Figure 16.3 illustrates, the basic components of the causal speech are
the cause and the effect. Such an organizational style is useful when a speaker needs to
share the results of a new program, discuss how one act led to another, or discuss the
positive/negative outcomes of taking some action. Through this pattern, the speaker
can convince audiences to adopt a new belief about a particular phenomenon.
Figure 16.3: Causal Pattern Sample Outline
Proposition: Macintosh computers make people more creative.
I. Macintosh computers rely on a simple, intuitive interface and are sold through a marketing campaign
that encourages users to “Think Different.” (cause)
II. The simplicity of Macintosh computers allows people to be more creative since they are not
spending their time figuring out how to use their computer. And these same consumers are socialized to
“think differently” with their Macintosh computers from the moment they consider purchasing one. (effect)
Refutation Pattern
Sometimes an occasion will arise when
your audience is already opposed to
your argument. In this case, a refutation
pattern can be engaged to persuade
audience members that your side of the
argument is better or more accurate. In
a refutation speech, the speaker must
anticipate the audience’s opposition,
then bring attention to the tensions
between the two sides, and finally
refute them using evidential support.
Refutation patterns are frequently seen
in debates, where speakers are “Jeanette Chong-Aruldoss” by Terence Lee. CC-BY.
fundamentally opposed to one another’s arguments. Refutation generally happens
through a set of four steps: (1) signaling the argument to which you are responding, (2)
stating your own argument, (3) providing justification or evidence for your side of the
argument, and (4) summarizing your response. An advocate of reusing as opposed to
recycling might present the argument in Figure 16.4 to respond to someone who
believes recycling is the best way to individually work on environmental stewardship. As
this example illustrates, a refutation speech should clearly delineate where the
audience is perceived to stand on an issue, why their view is in disagreement with the
speaker’s, and why the audience should adopt the speaker’s position. Moreover, the
speaker should be sure to highlight the importance of the debate, which will clue the
audience into why they should spend their time listening to a speaker who clearly
disagrees with them. An example of this pattern can be found on the next page in Figure
16.4.
Figure 16.4: Sample Outline Refutation Pattern
(Imagine that the speaker is giving the speech at a recycling convention.) Proposition:
Reusing products is better than recycling them.
I. Although Thomas argued that recycling is the most important individual act of
environmental stewardship, I would like to argue that reusing is an even better way
to care for our environment. (signaling and stating)
II. Reusing has several advantages over recycling. (providing evidence)
A. Reusing reduces consumption.
B. Reusing extends the life of a product before it needs to be recycled.
C. It is cheaper to reuse an item than to recycle it.
III. Given these advantages, it is more useful for people to reuse items when possible
than it is to recycle them.
Neither irony nor sarcasm is argument. ~ Samuel Butler
1. Monroe, A. H. (1949). Principles and types of speech. Glenview, IL: Scott,

Foresman and Company.
2. Jaffe, C. (2004). Public speaking: Concepts and skills for a diverse society (4th ed.).
Problem-Solution layout
Sometimes it is necessary to share a problem and a solution
with an audience. In cases like these, the problem-solution
speech is an appropriate way to arrange the main points of
a speech. Problems can exist at a local, state, national, or
global level. It’s important to reflect on what is of interest
to you, but is also critical to engage your audience. Today, “FEMA” by Dave
the nation has become much more aware of the problem of Gatley. Public domain.
human sex trafficking. Although we have been aware that this has been a global
problem for some time, many communities are finally learning that this problem is
occurring in their own backyards. Colleges and universities have become involved
in the fight. Student clubs and organizations are getting involved and bringing
awareness to this problem. Let’s look at how you might organize a problem-
solution speech centered on this problem.
Topic: Human Sex Trafficking
Thesis: Human sex trafficking is no longer a problem that exists on a global level,
but it has hit us here where we live with at least two girls being kidnapped and sold
into sex slavery each month.
Preview: First, I will define and explain the extent of the problem of sex trafficking
within our community while examining the effects this has on the victims, and then I
will offer possible solutions that will take the predators off the streets and allow the
victims to get their lives back.
I. The problem of human sex trafficking is best understood by looking at the

methods by which traffickers kidnap, or lure their victims into this life, how
severe the problem has become, and how it impacts the victims.
II. The problem of human sex trafficking can be solved by changing the laws
currently in place for prosecuting the pimps, working with local law
enforcement and advocacy groups that help rescue and restore victims, and
raising funds to help agencies and victims.
Claim-to-Proof layout
A claim to proof approach basically provides the audience with a statement of reasons
for the acceptance of a speech proposition. The policy is presented at the beginning of
the speech, and in the preview the audience is told how many reasons they will be
provided for the claim, but not what those reasons are. Why not? We will be using fact
claims and value claims to support our overall policy, and some of the value claims can
often be the source of a hotbed issue. If it is revealed before the speaker has had time
to defend it, the audience can shut down and stop listening. So, do not reveal too much
information until you get to that point in your speech. For example, I once had a
student do s policy speech on handguns. We all hear stories on the news about
someone who is killed by a handgun, but it is not everyday that it affects us directly, or
that we know someone who is affected by it. My student had a cousin who was killed in
a drive by shooting, and he was not even a member of a gang.
Here is how the set up for this speech would look:
Central Idea (Thesis)/Policy Claim: Handgun ownership in America continues to

be a controversial subject, as some people feel it is their constitutional right to own
handguns, however, I believe that private ownership of handguns should be illegal.
Preview: I will provide you with three reasons why handgun ownership should be illegal.
When presenting the reasons for accepting the claim, it is important to consider the
use of primacy-recency. If the audience is against your claim, put your most
important argument first. In this example, most of the class believed in gun
ownership, so here is an example of how the first main point may be written to try
and capture the audience quickly and hold their attention.
I. The first reason why private ownership of handguns should be illegal is

because handguns are killing Americans at an alarming rates.
Moving forward, the speaker would select one or two other reasons to bring into the
speech and support them with evidence.
If this is a pattern your instructor allows, speak with him or her about sample
outlines.
Persuasive Speaking: Conclusion The

primary goal of persuasive speaking is
to influence an audience’s beliefs or
behaviors so that they can make
necessary or positive change.
Persuasive speaking is a vital skill in all
areas of life, whether it is a political
candidate convincing voters to elect
them, an employee convincing the boss
to give them a promotion, or a sales
person convincing a consumer to buy a
product, individuals must understand
what persuasion is and how it functions.
“Actress Bonnie Franklin Speaks at March for Women’s
When formulating a persuasive speech, Lives 2004” by Pattymooney. CC-BY-SA. remember
to determine the type of question you seek to answer so that you can decide whether to
offer a proposition of fact, a proposition of value, or a proposition of policy. Weave the
topic and the proposition together to create a compelling argument for your specific
audience.
Knowing your audience can help when it comes to choosing the appropriate strategies
for convincing them that you are a credible speaker. Once you have established your
credibility, you can advance both logical and emotional appeals to move your audience
toward the belief or behavior you hope they will adopt. As you weave these appeals
together, be sure to offer the most ethical arguments by avoiding fallacies and
supporting emotional appeals with relevant evidence.
Once you have compiled the most relevant

arguments and emotional appeals for a given
audience, take care to organize your message
effectively. Give thought to your persuasive goals
and determine whether they can be best achieved
through the use of Monroe’s Motivated Sequence, a
direct method pattern, a causal pattern, or a
refutation pattern.
The combination of a confident and credible
speaker with the right organization of logical and
emotional appeals can go far in swaying an
audience.
It’s better to get smart than to get mad. I try not to

get so insulted that I will not take advantage of an
opportunity to persuade people to change their
“Martin Kingham, CFMEU” by minds. ~ John H. Johnson pfctdayelise. CC-BY-SA.
Persuasive Speaking: Module Activities

REVIEW QUESTIONS
1) Early in the chapter the prevalence of persuasion was discussed. Think of an instance
in which you knew you were being persuaded. What were you being persuaded to
do? Was the persuader focused on changing your beliefs, attitudes, values, or
actions? How do you know?
2) Imagine you are giving a persuasive speech on ______________ [you fill in the
blank]. Draft a specific purpose statement on this topic for a speech to convince.
Next, draft a specific purpose statement on the same topic for a speech to actuate.
3) Draft a proposition of fact, proposition of value, and proposition of policy for one or
more of the following topics:a. Shortening class time b. Pro-anorexia images on
social networking sites
c. Airline fees
4) You have been invited to speak to administrators about increasing alumni support
for the school. What steps will you take to build your ethos for this audience? What
logical appeals will you make? How will you appeal to their emotions?
5) Identify the following fallacies (adapted from Labossiere, 1995):a. If those actions
were not illegal, they would not be prohibited by law.
b. Our team had a losing record until we won the last three games. I wore blue socks
in the last three games. Blue socks are lucky, and if I keep wearing them, we can’t
lose!
c. The store Joe works at changed the dress code, requiring him to buy all new work
clothes. When he went to the manager to complain, she told him that no one else
voiced concern, so he must be the only one who had that problem.
d. Your roommate has invited his classmate, Annie, over to work on a project.
Before Annie arrives, your roommate explains that she will probably be late
because she never helps with the work and always leaves him to take care of
everything.(Answers can be found on the bottom of page)
6) Imagine you are giving a speech in which you hope to convince audience members
to begin retirement planning while they are still in their twenties. Which of the
organizational patterns described above best fits this topic? Why? Describe its
advantages over the other organization styles for the specific purpose.
ACTIVITIES
1) Using a recent newspaper, locate an example of a proposition of fact, a proposition
of value, and a proposition of policy, and underline each one. Then, see if you can
locate the data, warrant, and backing for each of these claims. If you cannot locate
one or more of the elements, write your own based on the information provided in
the article.
2) Two organizations, Mercy For Animals (MFA) and People for the Ethical Treatment
of Animals (PETA), sponsor billboard advertisements to advocate that people
transition to a vegetarian diet.MFA:
http://www.mercyforanimals.org/advertisements.aspx PETA:
http://www.peta.org/mediacenter/ads/Outdoor-Ads-Vegetarianism.aspxExamine
the billboards from each organization and consider the following:
a. What logical claims are advanced by each organization’s
billboards?
b. Are there any logical fallacies on the billboards?
c. What emotional appeals are used on the billboards?
d. Are any of the emotional appeals unethical? If so, why?
e. Which is the more ethically persuasive campaign? Why?
3) Answers to question 5:
a. begging the question, b. causal fallacy, c. bandwagon fallacy, d. poisoning the well
Glossary
Argument
A proposition supported by one or more reasons or pieces of evidence.
Backing
Foundational evidence which supports a claim, such as examples, statistics, or
testimony.
Causal Pattern
A speech designed to explain a cause-effect relationship between two phenomena.
Causal Reasoning
The process of formulating an argument by examining related events to determine
which one caused the other.
Claim
The proposition you want the audience to accept.
Coercion
A process whereby thoughts or behaviors are altered through deceptive or harmful
methods.
Data
Preliminary evidence on which a claim is based.
Deductive Reasoning
The process of formulating an argument by moving from a general premise to a specific
conclusion.
Demographics
Statistical information that reflects the make-up of a group, often including age, sex,
ethnic or cultural background, socioeconomic status, religion, and political affiliation.
Direct Method Pattern

A speech designed to present a claim with a list of several supporting pieces of data.
Ethos
The audience’s perception of a speaker’s credibility and moral character.
Evaluation Criteria
A set of standards for judging the merit of a proposition.
Fallacies
Errors in reasoning that occur when a speaker fails to use appropriate or applicable
evidence for their argument.
Hostile Audience
An audience that is opposed to the speaker or to the persuasive proposition.
Identification
A connection that is fostered between the speaker and their audience by highlighting
shared attributes or attitudes.
Inductive Reasoning
The process of formulating an argument by moving from specific instances to a
generalization.
Logos
The logical means of proving an argument.

An organizational pattern that attempts to convince the audience to respond to a need
that is delineated in the speech through five sequential steps.
Neutral Audience
An audience that is neither open nor opposed to the persuasive proposition.
Pathos
The use of emotional appeals to persuade an audience.
Persuasion
The art of influencing or reinforcing people’s beliefs, attitudes, values, or actions.
Persuasive Speeches
Speeches which aim to convince an audience to think or behave in a particular way.
Problem-Solution Speech
A speech in which problems and solutions are presented alongside one another with a
clear link between a problem and its solution.
Proposition of Fact
An argument that seeks to establish whether something is true or false.
Proposition of Policy
An argument that seeks to establish an appropriate course of action.
Proposition of Value
An argument that seeks to establish the relative worth of something.

An organization style that is designed to motivate the audience to take a particular
action and is characterized by a five-step sequence: (1) attention, (2) need, (3)
satisfaction, (4), visualization, and (5) action appeal.
Receptive Audience
An audience that is generally supportive of, or open to, the persuasive proposition.
Refutation Pattern
A speech designed to anticipate the negative response of an audience, to bring
attention to the tensions between the two sides of the argument, and to explain why
the audience should change their views.
Speeches to Actuate
Persuasive speeches which seek to change or motivate particular behaviors.
Speeches to Convince
Persuasive speeches which seek to establish agreement about a particular topic.
Status Quo
The current situation.
Syllogisms
Reasoning beginning with a major premise, then moving to a minor premise, before
establishing a specific claim.
Warrant
The (often unstated) connection between data and claim.
Persuasive Speaking: References
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). (2012). Racial Profiling. Retrieved from:
http://www.aclu.org/racial-justice/racial-profiling
Angelides, P. (2011, June 28). The real causes of the economic crisis? They’re history. The
Washington Post. Retrieved from: http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-real-causesof-
the-economic-crisis-theyre-history/2011/06/27/AG2nK4pH_stor y.html
Applebaum, E. & Berhardt, A. (2004, December 18). Employers also benefit from a higher minimum
wage. Brennan Center for Justice. Retrieved from:
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imum_wage/
Aral, S. & Walker, D. (2012, 20 July). Identifying influential and susceptible members of social
networks. Science, 327 (6092), 337 – 341. Retrieved from:
www.sciencemag.org/content/early/2012/06/20/science.1215842.short
Avlon, J. (2010, September 2). America’s 9 worst demagogues. The Daily Beast. Retrieved from:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2010/09/02/glenn-beck-and-the-history-of-
americasworst- demagogues.html
Beebe, S.A. & Beebe, S.J. (2003). Public Speaking: An Audience Centered Approach (5th ed.).
Boston: Pearson.
Begala, P. (2012, May 28). Paul Begala: The Right hates spending, unless it pockets the cash. The
Daily Beast. Retrieved from: http://www.
thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/05/27/paulbegala-the-right-hates-spending-unless-it-
pockets-the-cash.html
Bingham, A. (2011, July 22). Postal Service pushes to end Saturday delivery. ABC News. Retrieved
from: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/07/postal-service-pushes-to-end-
saturdaydelivery/
Blackman, S. (2009, September 3). Tired consumers more susceptible to advertising. CBS Money
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31041103/tiredconsumers-more-susceptible-to-advertising/
Braet, A.C. (1992). Ethos, pathos, and logos in Aristotle’s rhetoric: A re-examination.
Argumentation, 6 (3), pp. 307-320.
Brill, R. (2003, July 21). Why do clouds turn gray before it rains? Scientific American. Retrieved
from: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=why-do-clouds-turn-gray-b
Brooks, D. (2011, November 17). TED 2001: David Brooks explains why there is no reason without
emotion. Huffington Post. Retrieved from:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/14/teddavid-brooks_n_835476.html
Campbell, K.K. & Huxman, S.S. (2009). The Rhetorical Act: Thinking, Speaking, and Writing Critically.
Caplan, A. (2005). The time has come to let Terri Schiavo die: Politicians, courts must allow
husband to make final decision. NBC News. Retrieved from:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7231440/ns/health-health_care/t/time-has-come-let-
terrischiavo-die/#.UD_oVSL4LP8
Car and Driver (2011, December). 2012 10Best Cars. Car and Driver. Retrieved
from:http://www.caranddriver.com/features/2012-10best-cars-feature
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photo credits
p. 1 Judi Chamberlin by Tom Olin
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Judi_Chamberlin_2000_From_Privileges_to_Rights.jpg p.
2 NASUWT officer speaking by Sam Saunders
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a7/NASUWT
_officer_speaking_at_Bristol_public_sector_pensions_rally_in_ November_2011.jpg p. 2 Air Pollution
by US Environmental Protection Agency
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AirPollutionSource.jpg p. 3 California Traffic by
Downtowngal http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1b/Interstate
_10_looking_east_from_Crenshaw_Boulevard.jpg
p. 4 McLaren F1 by Jagvar http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/53/MclarenF 1.JPG
p. 4 USPS mailboxes by Erasergirl http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:USPS_mailboxes.jpg
p. 5 Jade Raymond by Gamescore Blog http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jade_Raymond_-
_E3_2007_2.jpg
p. 5 Audience member at USO show by .S. Air Force Master Sgt. Adam M. Stump
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Defense.gov_photo_essay_081112-F-6684S-757.jpg
p. 6 Children at play by Nils Fretwurst
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Children_play_in_push_car.jpg
p. 6 Credit cards by Lotus Head http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4f/Credit- cards.jpg
p. 7 Danny Shine by Acapeloahddub http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Danny_Shine_Speaker
%27s_Corner.JPG
p. 8 Dining booth by Wayne Truong http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dining_Booth.jpg

p. 9 Deepwater Horizon fire by US Coast Guard
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Deepwater_Horizon_fire_2010-04-21.jpg
p. 9 Nancy Brinker by Nancy Brinker http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nancy_Brinker.jpg
p. 10 Speaker’s Corner speaker by Deborah MacLean http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Speakers-
Corner- Speaker-1987.jpg
p. 12 Roman Rackwitz by Romrack http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Roman_Rackwitz_Pres
entation.jpg
p. 13 Jeanette Chong-Aruldoss by Terence Lee
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jeanette_ChongAruldoss_at_a_Reform_Party_rally,_Speakers%
27_Corner,_Singapore_-_20110115.jpg p. 14 Bonnie Franklin by Pattymooney
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Actress_Bonnie_Franklin_Speaks_at_March_For_Women%27s
_
Lives_2004.jpg
p. 14 Martin_Kingham by pfctdayelise http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Martin_Kingham,_CF
MEU.JPG
Persuasive Speaking: Appendix A Persuasive Speech Topic Ideas Environmental

Topics
● Citizens should try to reuse items before recycling them.

● The U.S. should ban mountaintop removal as a mode of harvesting coal.
● Contemporary climate change is human-caused.
● Governmental funding for clean energy should be increased.
● All municipalities should offer public transportation.
● The U.S. should ratify the Kyoto Protocol.
● Bottled water should undergo the same quality testing as municipal water.
● Preservation is a better environmental sustainability model than is
conservation.
● Hunting should be banned on all public lands.
Social Justice Topics
● The right to marry should be extended to gays and lesbians.

● Abortion should be illegal.
● State colleges should be free to attend.
● Martin Luther King, Jr. was the most influential leader of the civil rights
movement
● The death penalty should be abolished.
● Convicted rapists should be sentenced to the death penalty.
● Women should receive equal pay for equal work.

● Affirmative action does not work and should be ended.
● Individuals and communities affected by environmental injustices should
receive compensation.
Campus Life
● Dorm rooms should have individual thermostats.

● Professors’ office hours should be held at reasonable hours, not 7 a.m. on
Mondays.
● Free coffee should be provided in all classroom buildings before noon.
● Student fees at universities are too high.
● Dining halls should provide nutritional information for all meals.
● Student government leaders should host regular forums to answer questions
from the general student population.
● Plagiarism should be prosecuted to the fullest extent.
Everyday Life Topics
● The legal drinking age should be lowered to 18.

● Frequent flyers should not be required to remove their shoes in airport security
lines.
● Eating five meals a day is better than eating three.
● Smoking should be illegal in all public areas.
● Gmail is the best email service.
● All restaurants should offer vegan and vegetarian options or substitutes.
● Netflix and Hulu are better ways to watch movies and television shows.
● ATM fees should be outlawed.
● Proximity to religious facilities should have no bearing on alcohol sales.
Economic Topics
● Social security benefits should be guaranteed for those who pay in to the
program.
● All multi-year jobs should include pension plans.
● The U.S. should spend less on wars and more on education.
● Everyone should be required to pay an equal percentage of taxes.
● A consumption tax is more just than an income tax.
● The minimum wage in the U.S. is too low.
● Multi-million dollar bonuses for corporate executives are unjust because they
preclude better wages/reduced prices for others.
Quirky Topics
● Tacos are the greatest of human inventions.

● Ghosts are real.
● Short haircuts are more comfortable than long hairstyles.
● Bourbon should only be served “on the rocks.”
● Traditional eyeglasses make those who wear them look smarter.
● Eating chicken with a fork should be illegal. (An actual law in Gainesville,
Georgia!)
Chapter 15: Special Occasion Speaking
by Juliann Scholl, Texas Tech University
The Nature of Entertainment
Often the speaking opportunities life brings our way have nothing to do specifically with
informing or persuading an audience; instead, we are asked to speak to entertain.
Whether you are standing up to give an award speech or a toast, knowing how to deliver
speeches in a variety of different contexts is the nature of entertaining speaking. In this
chapter, we are going to explore what entertaining speeches are; we will also examine
two specific types of entertaining speeches: special-occasion speeches and keynote
speeches.
18.1 Understanding Entertaining Speeches

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Understand the purpose of entertaining speeches. 2.
Explain the four ingredients of a good entertaining speech.
In broad terms, an entertaining speech is a speech designed to captivate an
audience’s attention and regale or amuse them while delivering a message. Like more
traditional informative or persuasive speeches, entertaining speeches should
communicate a clear message, but the manner of speaking used in an entertaining
speech is typically different. Entertaining speeches are often delivered on special
occasions (e.g., a toast at a wedding, an acceptance speech at an awards banquet, a
motivational speech at a conference), which is why they are sometimes referred to as
special-occasion speeches. However, they can also be given on more mundane
occasions, where their purpose is primarily to amuse audience members or arouse
the emotionally in some way. Remember, when we use the word “entertain,” we are
referring not just to humor but also to drama. The goal of an entertaining speech is to
stir an audience’s emotions.
Of all the types of speeches we come in contact with during our lives, the bulk of them
will probably fall into the category of entertainment. If you spend just one evening
watching a major awards show (e.g., the Grammys, the Tonys, the Oscars), you’ll see
dozens of acceptance speeches. While some of these acceptance speeches are good
and others may be terrible, they all belong in the category of speaking to entertain.
Other speeches that fall into the entertaining category are designed to inspire or
motivate an audience to do something. These are, however, different from a
traditional persuasive speech. While entertaining speeches are often persuasive, we
differentiate the two often based on the rhetorical situation itself. Maybe your school
has hired a speaker to talk about his or her life story in an attempt to inspire the
audience to try harder in school and reach for the best that life has to offer. You can
imagine how this speech would be different from a traditional persuasive speech
focusing on, say, the statistics related to scholastic achievement and success later in
life.
Entertaining speeches are definitely very common, but that doesn’t mean they don’t
require effort and preparation. A frequent trap is that people often think of
entertaining speeches as corny. As a result, they don’t prepare seriously but rather
stand up to speak with the idea that they can “wing it” by acting silly and telling a few
jokes. Instead of being entertaining, the speech falls flat. To help us think through
how to be effective in delivering entertaining speeches, let’s look at four key
ingredients: preparation, adaptation to the occasion, adaptation to the audience, and
mindfulness about the time.
Be Prepared
First, and foremost, the biggest mistake you can make when standing to deliver an
entertaining speech is to underprepare or simply not prepare at all. We’ve stressed
the need for preparation throughout this text, so just because you’re giving a wedding
toast or a eulogy doesn’t mean you shouldn’t think through the speech before you
stand up and speak out. If the situation is impromptu, even jotting some basic notes
on a napkin is better than not having any plan for what you are going to say.
Remember, when you get anxious, as it inevitably happens in front of an audience,
your brain doesn’t function as well as when you are having a relaxed conversation
with friends. You often forget information. By writing down some simple notes, you’ll
be less likely to deliver a bad speech.
Be Adaptive to the Occasion

Not all content is appropriate for all occasions. If you are asked to deliver a speech
commemorating the first anniversary of a school shooting, then obviously using
humor and telling jokes wouldn’t be appropriate. But some decisions about adapting
to the occasion are less obvious. Consider the following examples:
• You are the maid of honor giving a toast at the wedding of your younger sister.
• You are receiving a Most Valuable Player award in your favorite sport.
• You are a sales representative speaking to a group of clients after a mistake has
been discovered.
• You are a cancer survivor speaking at a high school student assembly. How
might you adapt your message and speaking style to successfully entertain these
various audiences?
Remember that being a competent speaker is about being both personally effective
and socially appropriate. Different occasions will call for different levels of social
appropriateness. One of the biggest mistakes entertaining speakers can make is to
deliver one generic speech to different groups without adapting the speech to the
specific occasion. In fact, professional speakers always make sure that their speeches
are tailored for different occasions by getting information about the occasion from
their hosts. When we tailor speeches for special occasions, people are more likely to
remember those speeches than if we give a generic speech.
Be Adaptive to Your Audience

Once again, we cannot stress the importance of audience adaptation enough in this
text. Different audiences will respond differently to speech material, so the more you
know about your audience the more likely you’ll succeed in your speech. One of our
coauthors was once at a conference for teachers of public speaking. The keynote
speaker stood and delivered a speech on the importance of public speaking. While the
speaker was good and funny, the speech really fell flat. The keynote speaker basically
told the public speaking teachers that they should take public speaking courses
because public speaking is important. Right speech, wrong audience!
Be Mindful of the Time

The last major consideration for delivering entertaining speeches successfully is to be
mindful of your time. Different entertaining speech situations have their own
conventions and rules with regard to time. Acceptance speeches and toasts, for
example, should be relatively short (typically under five minutes). A speech of
introduction should be extremely brief—just long enough to tell the audience what
they need to know about the person being introduced in a style that prepares them to
appreciate that person’s remarks. In contrast, commencement speeches and
speeches to commemorate events can run ten to twenty minutes in length.
It’s also important to recognize that audiences on different occasions will expect
speeches of various lengths. For example, although it’s true that graduation
commencement speakers generally speak for ten to twenty minutes, the closer that
speaker heads toward twenty minutes the more fidgety the audience becomes. To
hold the audience’s attention and fulfill the goal of entertaining, a commencement
speaker would do well to make the closing minutes of the speech the most engaging
and inspiring portion of the speech. If you’re not sure about the expected time frame
for a speech, either ask the person who has invited you to speak or do some quick
research to see what the average speech times in the given context tend to be.
KEY TAKEAWAY S
• Entertaining speeches are speeches designed to captivate an audience’s attention and

regale or amuse them while delivering a clear message. Speakers engage in
entertaining speeches generally at special occasions (e.g., weddings, funerals) or are
asked to deliver a keynote address.
• Entertaining speeches should include four key considerations: preparation, adaptation
to the occasion, adaptation to the audience, and mindfulness of the time. As with all
speeches, speakers need to prepare the speech. Second, speakers need to think about
the specific occasion. Third, speakers need to adapt their speeches to the specific
audience. Lastly, speakers need to think about how long they should speak.
EXERCISES
1. Type in the word “roast” into YouTube and watch a few minutes of a roast.
Did the speaker clearly exhibit the four clear ingredients of an entertaining speech?
2. Watch several toasts and acceptance speeches on YouTube. Can you identify specific
ways in which each speaker adapts the speech to the occasion and the audience?
18.2 Special-Occasion Speeches

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Identify the different types of ceremonial speaking. 2.
Describe the different types of inspirational speaking.
Many entertaining speeches fall under the category of special-occasion speeches. All
the speeches in this category are given to mark the significance of particular events.
Common events include weddings, bar mitzvahs, awards ceremonies, funerals, and
political events. In each of these different occasions, speakers are asked to deliver
speeches relating to the event. For purposes of simplicity, we’ve broken
specialoccasion speeches into two groups: ceremonial speaking and inspirational
speaking.
Ceremonial Speaking
Ceremonial speeches are speeches given during a ceremony or a ritual marked by
observance of formality or etiquette. These ceremonies tend to be very special for
people, so it shouldn’t be surprising that they are opportunities for speech making.
Let’s examine each of the eight types of ceremonial speaking: introductions,
presentations, acceptances, dedications, toasts, roasts, eulogies, and farewells.
Speeches of Introduction
The first type of speech is called the speech of introduction, which is a minispeech given by
the host of a ceremony that introduces another speaker and his or her speech.
Few things are worse than when the introducer or a speaker stands up and says, “This
is Joe Smith, he’s going to talk about stress.” While we did learn the speaker’s name
and the topic, the introduction falls flat. Audiences won’t be the least bit excited
about listening to Joe’s speech.
Just like any other speech, a speech of introduction should be a complete speech and
have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion—and you should do it all in under two
minutes. This brings up another “few things are worse” scenario: an introductory
speaker who rambles on for too long or who talks about himself or herself instead of
focusing on the person being introduced.
For an introduction, think of a hook that will make your audience interested in the
upcoming speaker. Did you read a news article related to the speaker’s topic? Have
you been impressed by a presentation you’ve heard the speaker give in the past? You
need to find something that can grab the audience’s attention and make them excited
about hearing the main speaker.
The body of your introductory speech should be devoted to telling the audience about
the speaker’s topic, why the speaker is qualified, and why the audience should listen
(notice we now have our three body points). First, tell your audience in general terms
about the overarching topic of the speech. Most of the time as an introducer, you’ll
only have a speech title and maybe a paragraph of information to help guide this part
of your speech. That’s all right. You don’t need to know all the ins and outs of the
main speaker’s speech; you just need to know enough to whet the audience’s
appetite. Next, you need to tell the audience why the speaker is a credible speaker on
the topic. Has the speaker written books or articles on the subject? Has the speaker
had special life events that make him or her qualified? Lastly, you need to briefly
explain to the audience why they should care about the upcoming speech.
The final part of a good introduction is the conclusion, which is generally designed to
welcome the speaker to the lectern. Many introducers will conclude by saying
something like, “I am looking forward to hearing how Joe Smith’s advice and wisdom
can help all of us today, so please join me in welcoming Mr. Joe Smith.” We’ve known
some presenters who will even add a notation to their notes to “start clapping” and
“shake speakers hand” or “give speaker a hug” depending on the circumstances of the
speech.
Now that we’ve walked through the basic parts of an introductory speech, let’s see
one outlined:
Specific Purpose: To entertain the audience while preparing them for Janice Wright’s
speech on rituals.
Introduction: Mention some common rituals people in the United States engage in
(Christmas, sporting events, legal proceedings).
Main Points:
1. Explain that the topic was selected because understanding how cultures use
ritual is an important part of understanding what it means to be human.
2. Janice Wright is a cultural anthropologist who studies the impact that everyday
rituals have on communities.
3. All of us engage in rituals, and we often don’t take the time to determine how
these rituals were started and how they impact our daily routines. Conclusion: I
had the opportunity to listen to Dr. Wright at the regional conference in
Springfield last month, and I am excited that I get to share her with all of you
tonight. Please join me in welcoming Dr. Wright (start clapping, shake speaker’s
hand, exit stage).
Speeches of Presentation
The second type of common ceremonial speech is the speech of presentation. A speech of
presentation is a brief speech given to accompany a prize or honor. Speeches of
presentation can be as simple as saying, “This year’s recipient of the Schuman Public
Speaking prize is Wilhelmina Jeffers,” or could last up to five minutes as the speaker
explains why the honoree was chosen for the award.
When preparing a speech of presentation, it’s always important to ask how long the
speech should be. Once you know the time limit, then you can set out to create the
speech itself. First, you should explain what the award or honor is and why the
presentation is important. Second, you can explain what the recipient has
accomplished in order for the award to be bestowed. Did the person win a race? Did
the person write an important piece of literature? Did the person mediate conflict?
Whatever the recipient has done, you need to clearly highlight his or her work. Lastly,
if the race or competition was conducted in a public forum and numerous people
didn’t win, you may want to recognize those people for their efforts as well. While
you don’t want to steal the show away from winner (as Kanye West did to Taylor Swift
during the 2009 MTV Music Video Awards, for example
http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/435995/taylor-swift-wins-best-
femalevideo.jhtml#id=1620605), you may want to highlight the work of the other
competitors or nominees.
Speeches of Acceptance
The complement to a speech of presentation is the speech of acceptance. The speech of
acceptance is a speech given by the recipient of a prize or honor. For example, in the
above video clip from the 2009 MTV Music Video Awards, Taylor Swift starts by
expressing her appreciation, gets interrupted by Kanye West, and ends by saying, “I would
like to thank the fans and MTV, thank you.”
While obviously not a traditional acceptance speech because of the interruption, she
did manage to get in the important parts. There are three typical components of a
speech of acceptance: thank the givers of the award or honor, thank those who
helped you achieve your goal, and put the award or honor into perspective. First, you
want to thank the people who have given you the award or honor and possibly those
who voted for you. We see this done every year during the Oscars, “First, I’d like to
thank the academy and all the academy voters.” Second, you want to give credit to
those who helped you achieve the award or honor. No person accomplishes things in
life on his or her own. We all have families and friends and colleagues who support us
and help us achieve what we do in life, and a speech of acceptance is a great time to
graciously recognize those individuals. Lastly, put the award in perspective. Tell the
people listening to your speech why the award is meaningful to you.
Speeches of Dedication
The fourth ceremonial speech is the speech of dedication. A speech of dedication is
delivered when a new store opens, a building is named after someone, a plaque is
placed on a wall, a new library is completed, and so on. These speeches are designed
to highlight the importance of the project and possibly those to whom the project has
been dedicated. Maybe your great-uncle has died and left your college tons of money,
so the college has decided to rename one of the dorms after your great-uncle. In this
case, you may be asked to speak at the dedication.
When preparing the speech of dedication, start by explaining how you are involved in
the dedication. If the person to whom the dedication is being made is a relative, tell
the audience that the building is being named after your great-uncle who bestowed a
gift to his alma mater. Second, you want to explain what is being dedicated. If the
dedication is a new building or a preexisting building, you want to explain what is
being dedicated and the importance of the structure. You should then explain who
was involved in the project. If the project is a new structure, talk about the people
who built the structure or designed it. If the project is a preexisting structure, talk
about the people who put together and decided on the dedication. Lastly, explain why
the structure is important for the community where it’s located. If the dedication is
for a new store, talk about how the store will bring in new jobs and new shopping
opportunities. If the dedication is for a new wing of a hospital, talk about how patients
will be served and the advances in medicine the new wing will provide the
community.
Toasts
At one time or another, almost everyone is going to be asked to deliver a toast. A
toast is a speech designed to congratulate, appreciate, or remember. First, toasts
can be delivered for the purpose of congratulating someone for an honor, a new
job, or getting married. You can also toast someone to show your appreciation
for something they’ve done. Lastly, we toast people to remember them and
what they have accomplished.
When preparing a toast, the first goal is always to keep your remarks brief. Toasts are
generally given during the middle of some kind of festivities (e.g., wedding, retirement
party, farewell party), and you don’t want your toast to take away from those
festivities for too long. Second, the goal of a toast is to focus attention on the person
or persons being toasted—not on the speaker. As such, while you are speaking you
need to focus your attention to the people being toasted, both by physically looking at
them and by keeping your message about them. You should also avoid any inside
jokes between you and the people being toasted because toasts are public and should
be accessible for everyone who hears them. To conclude a toast, simply say
something like, “Please join me in recognizing Joan for her achievement” and lift your
glass. When you lift your glass, this will signal to others to do the same and then you
can all take a drink, which is the end of your speech.
Roasts
The roast speech is a very interesting and peculiar speech because it is designed to
both praise and good-naturedly insult a person being honored. Generally, roasts are
given at the conclusion of a banquet in honor of someone’s life achievements. The
television station Comedy Central has been conducting roasts of various celebrities for
a few years.
In this clip, watch as Stephen Colbert, television host of The Colbert Report, roasts
President George W. Bush. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSE_saVX_2A
Let’s pick this short clip apart. You’ll notice that the humor doesn’t pull any punches.
The goal of the roast is to both praise and insult in a good-natured manner. You’ll also
see that the roaster, in this case Stephen Colbert, is standing behind a lectern while
the roastee, President George W. Bush, is clearly on display for the audience to see,
and periodically you’ll see the camera pan to President Bush to take in his reactions.
Half the fun of a good roast is watching the roastee’s reactions during the roast, so it’s
important to have the roastee clearly visible by the audience.
How does one prepare for a roast? First, you want to really think about the person
who is being roasted. Do they have any strange habits or amusing stories in their past
that you can discuss? When you think through these things you want to make sure
that you cross anything off your list that is truly private information or will really hurt
the person. The goal of a roast is to poke at them, not massacre them. Second, when
selecting which aspects to poke fun at, you need to make sure that the items you
choose are widely known by your audience. Roasts work when the majority of people
in the audience can relate to the jokes being made. If you have an inside joke with the
roastee, bringing it up during roast may be great fun for the two of you, but it will
leave your audience unimpressed. Lastly, end on a positive note. While the jokes are
definitely the fun part of a roast, you should leave the roastee knowing that you truly
do care about and appreciate the person.
Eulogies
A eulogy is a speech given in honor of someone who has died. (Don’t confuse “eulogy”
with “elegy,” a poem or song of mourning.) Unless you are a minister, priest, rabbi,
imam, or other form of religious leader, you’ll probably not deliver too many eulogies
in your lifetime. However, when the time comes to deliver a eulogy, it’s good to know
what you’re doing and to adequately prepare your remarks. Watch the following clip
of then-Senator Barack Obama delivering a eulogy at the funeral of civil rights activist
Rosa Parks in November of 2005. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRsH92sJCr4 In
this eulogy, Senator Obama delivers the eulogy by recalling Rosa Parks importance
and her legacy in American history.
When preparing a eulogy, first you need to know as much information about the
deceased as possible. The more information you have about the person, the more
personal you can make the eulogy. While you can rely on your own information if you
were close to the deceased, it is always a good idea to ask friends and relatives of the
deceased for their memories, as these may add important facets that may not have
occurred to you. Of course, if you were not very close to the deceased, you will need
to ask friends and family for information. Second, although eulogies are delivered on
the serious and sad occasion of a funeral or memorial service for the deceased, it is
very helpful to look for at least one point to be lighter or humorous. In some cultures,
in fact, the friends and family attending the funeral will expect the eulogy to be highly
entertaining and amusing. While eulogies are not roasts, one goal of the humor or
lighter aspects of a eulogy is to relieve the tension that is created by the serious
nature of the occasion. Lastly, remember to tell the deceased’s story. Tell the
audience about who this person was and what the person stood for in life. The more
personal you can make a eulogy, the more touching it will be for the deceased’s
friends and families. The eulogy should remind the audience to celebrate the person’s
life as well as mourn their death.
Speeches of Farewell
A speech of farewell allows someone to say good-bye to one part of his or her life as
he or she is moving on to the next part of life. Maybe you’ve accepted a new job and
are leaving your current job, or you’re graduating from college and entering the work
force. Whatever the case may be, periods of transition are often marked by speeches
of farewell. Watch the following clip of Derek Jeter’s 2008 speech saying farewell to
Yankee Stadium, built in 1923, before the New York Yankees moved to the new
stadium that opened in 2009. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJrlTpQm0toIn this
speech, Derek Jeter is not only saying good-bye to Yankee Stadium but also thanking
the fans for their continued support.
When preparing a speech of farewell, the goal should be to thank the people in your
current position and let them know how much you appreciate them as you make the
move to your next position in life. In Derek Jeter’s speech, he starts by talking about
the history of the 1923 Yankee Stadium and then thanks the fans for their support.
Second, you want to express to your audience how much the experience has meant to
you. A farewell speech is a time to commemorate and think about the good times
you’ve had. As such, you should avoid negativity during this speech. Lastly, you want
to make sure that you end on a high note. Derek Jeter concludes his speech by saying,
“On behalf of this entire organization, we just want to take this moment to salute you,
the greatest fans in the world!” at which point Jeter and the other players take off
their ball caps and hold them up toward the audience.
Inspirational Speaking
The goal of an inspirational speech is to elicit or arouse an emotional state within an
audience. In Section 18.2.1 "Ceremonial Speaking", we looked at ceremonial
speeches. Although some inspirational speeches are sometimes tied to ceremonial
occasions, there are also other speaking contexts that call for inspirational speeches.
For our purposes, we are going to look at two types of inspirational speeches:
goodwill and speeches of commencement.
Speeches to Ensure Goodwill

Goodwill is an intangible asset that is made up of the favor or reputation of an
individual or organization. Speeches of goodwill are often given in an attempt to get
audience members to view the person or organization more favorably. Although
speeches of goodwill are clearly persuasive, they try not to be obvious about the
persuasive intent and are often delivered as information-giving speeches that focus
on an individual or organization’s positives attributes. There are three basic types of
speeches of goodwill: public relations, justification, and apology.
Speeches for Public Relations

In a public relations speech, the speaker is speaking to enhance one’s own image or
the image of his or her organization. You can almost think of these speeches as
cheerleading speeches because the ultimate goal is to get people to like the speaker
and what he or she represents. In the following brief speech, the CEO of British
Petroleum is speaking to reporters about what his organization is doing during the
2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCfa6AxmUHw
Notice that he keeps emphasizing what his company is doing to fix the problem. Every
part of this speech is orchestrated to make BP look caring and attempts to get some
amount of goodwill from the viewing public.
Speeches of Justification
The second common speech of goodwill is the speech of justification, which is given
when someone attempts to defend why certain actions were taken or will be taken. In
these speeches, speakers have already enacted (or decided to enact) some kind of
behavior, and are now attempting to justify why the behavior is or was appropriate. In
the following clip, President Bill Clinton discusses his decision to bomb key Iraqi
targets after uncovering a plot to assassinate former President George H. W. Bush.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mpWa7wNr5M
In this speech, President Clinton outlines his reasons for bombing Iraq to the American
people and the globe. Again, the goal of this speech is to secure goodwill for President
Clinton’s decisions both in the United States and on the world stage.
Speeches of Apology
The final speech of goodwill is the speech of apology. Frankly, these speeches have
become more and more commonplace. Every time we turn around, a politician,
professional athlete, musician, or actor/actress is doing something reprehensible and
getting caught. In fact, the speech of apology has quickly become a fodder for humor
as well. Let’s take a look at a real apology speech delivered by professional golfer
Tiger Woods. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs8nseNP4s0
When you need to make an apology speech, there are three elements that you need
to include: be honest and take responsibility, say you’re sorry, and offer restitution.
First, a speaker needs to be honest and admit to doing something wrong. The worst
apology speeches are those in which the individual tries to sidestep the wrongdoing.
Even if you didn’t do anything wrong, it is often best to take responsibility from a
public perception perspective. Second, say that you are sorry. People need to know
that you are remorseful for what you’ve done. One of the problems many experts saw
with Tiger Woods’s speech is that he doesn’t look remorseful at all. While the words
coming out of his mouth are appropriate, he looks like a robot forced to read from a
manuscript written by his press agent. Lastly, you need to offer restitution. Restitution
can come in the form of fixing something broken or a promise not to engage in such
behavior in the future. People in society are very willing to forgive and forget when
they are asked.
Speeches for Commencements

The second type of inspirational speech is the speech of commencement, which is
designed to recognize and celebrate the achievements of a graduating class or other
group of people. The most typical form of commencement speech happens when
someone graduates from school. Nearly all of us have sat through commencement
speeches at some point in our lives. And if you’re like us, you’ve heard good ones and
bad ones. Numerous celebrities and politicians have been asked to deliver
commencement speeches at colleges and universities. One famous and well-
thoughtout commencement speech was given by famed Harry Potter author J. K.
Rowling at Harvard University in 2008.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkREt4ZB-ck
JK. Rowling’s speech has the perfect balance of humor and inspiration, which are two
of the main ingredients of a great commencement speech.
If you’re ever asked to deliver a commencement speech, there are some key
points to think through when deciding on your speech’s content.
• If there is a specific theme for the graduation, make sure that your
commencement speech addresses that theme. If there is no specific theme,
come up with one for your speech. Some common commencement speech
themes are commitment, competitiveness, competence, confidence, decision
making, discipline, ethics, failure (and overcoming failure), faith, generosity,
integrity, involvement, leadership, learning, persistence, personal improvement,
professionalism, reality, responsibility, and self-respect.
• Talk about your life and how graduates can learn from your experiences to avoid
pitfalls or take advantages of life. How can your life inspire the graduates in their
future endeavors?
• Make the speech humorous. Commencement speeches should be entertaining
and make an audience laugh.
• Be brief! Nothing is more painful than a commencement speaker who drones on
and on. Remember, the graduates are there to get their diplomas; their families
are there to watch the graduates walk across the stage.
• Remember, while you may be the speaker, you’ve been asked to impart wisdom
and advice for the people graduating and moving on with their lives, so keep it
focused on them.
• Place the commencement speech into the broader context of the graduates’
lives. Show the graduates how the advice and wisdom you are offering can be
utilized to make their own lives better.
Overall, it’s important to make sure that you have fun when delivering a
commencement speech. Remember, it’s a huge honor and responsibility to be
asked to deliver a commencement speech, so take the time to really think through
and prepare your speech.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
• There are eight common forms of ceremonial speaking: introduction, presentation, acceptance,
dedication, toast, roast, eulogy, and farewell. Speeches of introduction are designed to introduce
a speaker. Speeches of presentation are given when an individual is presenting an award of some
kind. Speeches of acceptance are delivered by the person receiving an award or honor. Speeches
of dedication are given when a new building or other place is being opened for the first time.
Toasts are given to acknowledge and honor someone on a special occasion (e.g., wedding,
birthday, retirement). Roasts are speeches designed to both praise and good-naturedly insult a
person being honored. Eulogies are given during funerals and memorial services. Lastly, speeches
of farewell are delivered by an individual who is leaving a job, community, or organization, and
wants to acknowledge how much the group has meant.
• Inspirational speeches fall into two categories: goodwill (e.g., public relations, justification, and
apology) and speeches of commencement. Speeches of goodwill attempt to get audience
members to view the person or organization more favorably. On the other hand, speeches of
commencement are delivered to recognize the achievements of a group of people.
EXERCISES
1. Imagine you’ve been asked to speak before a local civic organization such as the Kiwanis or Rotary Club.
Develop a sample speech of introduction that you would like someone to give to introduce you.
2. You’ve been asked to roast your favorite celebrity. Develop a two-minute roast.
3. Develop a speech of commencement for your public speaking class.
18.3 Keynote Speaking
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Understand the purpose of keynote speeches in society.
2. Explain the basic objective of an after-dinner speech. 3. Describe the
purpose and types of motivational speeches.
The last type of entertaining speech we will examine is the keynote speech. A
keynote speech is delivered to set the underlying tone and summarize the core
message of an event. Keynotes are often given at the end of an event; there can also
be a number of keynote speeches delivered throughout a longer event that lasts for
several days. People who deliver keynote speeches are typically experts in a given
area who are invited to speak at a conference, convention, banquet, meeting, or
other kind of event for the purpose of setting a specific tone for the occasion. Some
keynote speakers will actually work for aspeakers bureau, an agency that represents
celebrity and professional speakers. One very important organization for all aspiring
keynote speakers is the National Speaker’s Association (NSA,
http://www.nsaspeaker.org). NSA also publishes a widely respected magazine for
professional speakers called Speaker magazine, which can be accessed for free from
their website (http://www.nsaspeaker-magazine.org).
In the world of professional public speaking, there are two common types of
keynotes: after-dinner speeches and motivational speeches. Let’s look at each of
these unique speeches.
After-Dinner Speaking
After-dinner speaking gets its name from the idea that these speeches historically
followed a meal of some kind. After-dinner speakers are generally asked to speak (or
hired to speak) because they have the ability both to speak effectively and to make
people laugh. First and foremost, after-dinner speeches are speeches and not stand-
up comedy routines. All the basic conventions of public speaking previously discussed
in this text apply to after-dinner speeches, but the overarching goal of these speeches
is to be entertaining and to create an atmosphere of amusement.
After-dinner speaking is probably the hardest type of speaking to do well because it is
an entertaining speech that depends on the successful delivery of humor. People
train for years to develop comic timing, or the verbal and nonverbal delivery used to
enhance the comedic value of a message. But after-dinner speaking is difficult, not
impossible. Here is the method we recommend for developing a successful
afterdinner speech.
First, use all that you have learned about informative or persuasive speeches to
prepare a real informative or persuasive speech roughly two- thirds the length of
what the final speech will become. That is, if you’re going to be giving a ten-minute
speech, then your “real” informative or persuasive speech should be six or seven
minutes in length.
Next, go back through the speech and look for opportunities to insert humorous
remarks. Table 18.1 "Forms of Verbal Humor" lists various forms of verbal humor that
are often used in the textual portion of a speech.
Table 18.1 Forms of Verbal Humor
Type of Humor Example
CIA—Certified Idiots Anonymous
Acronym/Abbreviation LAPD—Lunatics And Punishment Dispensers
“Tiger Woods Plays with Own Balls, Nike Says”

Humorous Advertisement or
News Headline “A-Rod Goes Deep, Wang Hurt”
Type of Humor Examples
“Federal Agents Raid Gun Shop, Find Weapons”
Aside They are otherwise known as oxymorons, which are not

people who don’t know how to use acne medication.
Colostomy, wasn’t he one of the Greek Gods?
“A banker is a fellow who lends you his umbrella when

the sun is shining and wants it back the minute it begins
to rain.” Mark Twain
Definition Spoiled rotten, or what happens to kids after spending

just ten minutes with their grandparents.
Scheduled emergency
Gourmet spam
Oxymoron Recreational hospital
Frozen ice
Sharp point
Pleonasm Killed dead
He’s a vast suppository of information (suppository

should berepository).
This is bound to create dysentery in the ranks (dysentery

should bedissent).
Malapropism
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to
speak and remove all doubt. —Abraham Lincoln
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match
for me at kick boxing. —Emo Philips
Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of

them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had
One-Liner or Quotation happened. —Winston Churchill
Type of Humor Example
In the first place God made idiots; this was for

practice. Then he made school boards. —Mark Twain
I looked over at my clock and it said 7:30, and I had to

be at work by 8:00. I got up, got dressed, and sped to
the office. Only then did I realize that it was 7:30 p.m.
and not 7:30 a.m.
“Thomas Jefferson once said, ‘One should not worry

about chronological age compared to the ability to
perform the task.’…Ever since Thomas Jefferson told
me that I stopped worrying about my age.” —
Self-Effacing Humor Ronald Reagan
That kid was about as useful as a football bat.

Word Combination with
Unusual Visual Effects He was finer than frog hair.
Each of these is a possible humor device that could be implemented in a speech. Read
the following speech delivered by Mark Twain on his seventieth birthday for a good
example of an after-dinner speech
(http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/railton/onstage/70bday.html).
Once you’ve looked through your speech, examining places for verbal humor, think
about any physical humor or props that would enhance your speech. Physical humor
is great if you can pull it off without being self- conscious. One of the biggest mistakes
any humorist makes is to become too aware of what his or her body is doing because
it’s then harder to be free and funny. As for props, after-dinner speakers have been
known to use everything from oversize inflatable baseball bats to rubber clown noses.
The goal for a funny prop is that it adds to the humor of the speech without
distracting from its message.
Last, and probably most important, try the humor out on real, live people. This is
important for three reasons.
First, the success of humor depends heavily on delivery, and especially timing in
delivery. You will need practice to polish your delivery so that your humor comes
across. If you can’t make it through one of your jokes without cracking up, you will
need to either incorporate the self-crackup into your delivery or forgo using that joke.
Second, just because you find something unbelievably funny in your head doesn’t
mean that it will make anyone else laugh. Often, humor that we have written down
on paper just doesn’t translate when orally presented. You may have a humorous
story that you love reading on paper, but find that it just seems to drone on once you
start telling it out loud. Furthermore, remember there is a difference between written
and verbal language, and this also translates to how humor is interpreted.
Third, you need to make sure the humor you choose will be appropriate for a specific
audience. What one audience finds funny another may find offensive. Humor is the
double-edged sword of public speaking. On one side, it is an amazing and powerful
speaking tool, but on the other side, few things will alienate an audience more than
offensive humor. If you’re ever uncertain about whether a piece of humor will offend
your audience, don’t use it.
The following are some other tips for using humor from people who have
professionally given after-dinner speeches and learned the hard way what to do and
what to avoid:
• Personalize or localize humor when possible.
• Be clear about which words need emphasis with verbal humor.
• Be sure the punch line is at the end. Don’t let on where the joke is going.
• Don’t announce, “This is funny.” or “I’m not very good at telling jokes, but…”
• Don’t try to use humor that you don’t know well.
• Don’t use humor that you personally don’t find funny.
• Don’t apologize if others don’t laugh.
• Don’t try to explain the humor if it fails—just move on. • Don’t drag it out!
Remember, brevity is the soul of wit.
• Know when to stop joking and be serious.
• Be natural and have fun!
Motivational Speaking
The second common form of keynote speaking is motivational speaking. A
motivational speech is designed not only to make an audience experience emotional
arousal (fear, sadness, joy, excitement) but also to motivate the audience to do
something with that emotional arousal. Whereas a traditional persuasive speech may
want listeners to purchase product X or agree with ideology Y, a motivational speech
helps to inspire people in a broader fashion, often without a clearly articulated end
result in mind. As such, motivational speaking is a highly specialized form of
persuasive speaking commonly delivered in schools, businesses, religious, and club or
group contexts. The Toastmasters International Guide to Successful Speaking lists four
types of motivational speeches: hero, survivor, religious, and success. [1]
The hero speech is a motivational speech given by someone who is considered a hero
in society (e.g., military speakers, political figures, and professional athletes). Just type
“motivational speech” into YouTube and you’ll find many motivational speeches given
by individuals who can be considered heroes or role models. The following clip
presents a speech by Steve Sax, a former major league baseball player.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4ITFlbcu8g
In this speech, Sax talks about his life as a baseball player, along with issues related to
leadership, overcoming obstacles, and motivation.
The survivor speech is a speech given by someone who has survived a personal
tragedy or who has faced and overcome serious adversity. In the following clip, cancer
survivor Becky M. Olsen discusses her life as a cancer survivor.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuo1u_C9_3g
Becky Olsen goes all over the country talking with and motivating cancer survivors to
beat the odds.
The religious speech is fairly self-explanatory; it is designed to incorporate religious
ideals into a motivational package to inspire an audience into thinking about or
changing aspects of their religious lives. One highly sought-after religious speaker in
the United States is Joel Osteen, head minister at Lakewood Church in Houston,
Texas.
In this clip, Joel is talking about finding and retaining joy in life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp8KixxAk60
The crux of Osteen’s speech is learning how to take responsibility of one’s own life
and let others take responsibility for their lives.
The final type of motivational speech is the success speech, which is given by
someone who has succeeded in some aspect of life and is giving back by telling others
how they too can be successful. In the following clip the then CEO of Xerox, Anne
Mulcahy, speaks before a group of students at Dartmouth College discussing the spirit
of entrepreneurship. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlnLfKWAPnw
In this speech, Mulcahy shares the leadership lessons she had learned as the CEO of
Xerox.
Sample Assessment: Audience Analysis of an Advertisement Speech
SPEAKING ABOUT AUDIENCE ANALYSIS WITH SLIDESHOW

Instructions
● Four to six minutes. Practice and time your speech for about five minutes, plus
video time.
● A slideshow with a minimum of five slides using previously established
guidelines is required. Screen shots of commercial moments and diagrams,
such as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, or graphs and charts that depict target
audience traits work well. A working link that directs to the video is needed in
the slideshow.
● The speaking style should be extemporaneous.
● Use note cards with keywords. The speaking style should be extemporaneous.
No written speeches are allowed. No reading or heavy note use is allowed.
● Use and orally cite the materials used in this course, such as textbooks, videos
and blogged articles. Some basic research might include the company’s Web
page, who narrates the commercial, and who is in it. Additional research is
required.
● Define and describe key course terminology.
Assignment explanation and discussion
Find an advertisement or infomercial on broadcast TV, cable, or the Internet for
analysis. You can certainly pick a favorite that you already know of. Typically when you
see an advert on TV/cable, you can find it on YouTube or a company’s Web site.
Analyze the advert. It is this analysis that will make up the bulk of your speech. You
should draw on everything you have studied during the semester, but find depth and
focus, not just a collection of scatter-shot observations. In other words, don’t try to
make a main point for every common area of analysis discussed below.
In short, a critical analysis of the commercial is desired. A wide variety of approaches to

this assignment are possible.
Common areas of analysis include, but are not limited to, nor must the speech have:
● Audience analysis: Who is this advert designed to appeal to? How can you tell?
What network/channel was it on and why? What time of day was it broadcast?
How long was it? Are there demographics that might find this advert offensive
or in poor taste? Are there age groups that should not view it?
● Compare/Contrast: Play two commercials for the same product that are
designed to appeal to different audiences.
● Feelings/Emotions: What emotions or feelings are created? What do you feel
when you watch this advert?
● Values: What underlying value is being played upon? Is the value the message?
Why is the value important? Is the value important to you?
● Logic & Reasoning & Evidence: What proof exists to support the claims or
conclusions reached in the commercial?
● Visuals/Pictures/Graphs/Charts: What images are used? How do the images
impact you as a viewer? Does size or color make a difference?
● Myths & Stories: Does a cultural appeal exist that is played upon? Are there
cultures or populations that would just not get it? What does a viewer have to
know or have experienced or watched to have the commercial appeal to them?
● Organization/Structure: What organizational structure was used? If Monroe’s
Motivated Sequence was used, can you break the five steps down and discuss
them?
● Needs & Motivation: What level of Maslow’s Need Hierarchy is the product or
service designed to satisfy? Does that need level as advertised differ from the
actual product or service? Often a slogan will do this, the emotional elements
of the advert will do this, or the quality or prestige of the product will appeal to
a different level. In this culture, a car is probably a level 2 need; but a 2010
Lexus RX Hybrid is probably not just transportation.
● Credibility/Testimony: Who narrates the advert? Who is in it? Why are they
credible or believable? Are there different levels of testimony? Does the
commercial cite someone else or an organization? Why would they do this? Has
the narrator or spokesperson had his or her credibility damaged?
● Historical or Issue Background: What is the history of the claims or the issue
being made in the commercial? Can you enlighten the audience or build on
what the commercial discusses? Are there serious omissions in the commercial
that should be included?
Sample Assessment: Audience Analysis for Persuasive Essay

Some audience analysis surveys look at demographic and ask about age, gender,
culture, ethnicity, race, religion, and education level. That is not what we are doing. Do
not ask any questions about income, age, or gender for this assignment.
To help you prepare for your persuasive speech, you will do an attitudinal analysis. An
attitudinal analysis studies the audience’s attitudes, beliefs, and values.
Read the following resources to help you prepare your survey questions:
● The Public Speaking Project‘s chapter on audience analysis (available in Module

5)
● Stacy DeGeer’s article “Analyzing Your Audience,” available here:
http://department.monm.edu/cata/mcgaan/classes/cata339/audienceanalysis
101.htm
● J. Floss’s article “In-class Audience Analysis,” available here:
http://users.humboldt.edu/jfloss/Aud-Surv.html Do not ask for respondent’s
names!
Use a free survey tool. Surveymonkey.com is one option. Click here for help on how to
use SurveyMonkey.
Prepare an attitudinal analysis of the audience (you classmates). You will earn 20 points
for creating a good survey and responding to your peers’ surveys.
Respond to your peer’s surveys. Your responses will be confidential.
Module Six Details

To help build your persuasive argument speech, we’ll be reading chapters from The
Public Speaking Project about Supporting Your Ideas (chapter 7) and Using Language
Well (chapter 10).
Avoid Content Farms Avoid

Content Farms!
“In the context of the World Wide Web, a content farm (or content mill) is a company
that employs large numbers of freelance writers to generate large amounts of textual
content which is specifically designed to satisfy algorithms for maximal retrieval by
automated search engines. Their main goal is to generate advertising revenue
through attracting reader page views as first exposed in the context of social spam”
(“Content Farm,” 2014).
Content farms, or content mills, are not college-level resources. They should be
avoided in favor of stronger resources from established and creditable sources.
Please visit Wikipedia’s discussion on the subject at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Content_farm, and then consider reading Mashable’s
article at http://mashable.com/category/content-farms/.
For the List of Content Farms, please

see http://www.jongales.com/blog/2011/02/14/list-of-content-farms/#comments for
updates, but I’ve posted the current ones below. ● Brothersoft
(brothersoft.com)
● All Experts (allexperts.com)
● Bytes (bytes.com)
● Answers (answers.com)
● ChaCha (chacha.com)
● Answer Bag (answerbag.com)
● eFreedom (efreedom.com)
● Articles Base (articlesbase.com)
● eHow (ehow.com)
● Ask (ask.com)
● Essortment
● Associated Content (essortment.com)
(associatedcontent.com)
● Examiner (examiner.com)
● BizRate (bizrate.com)
● Helium (helium.com)
● Buzle (buzzle.com)
● Hub Pages (hubpages.com)
● InfoBarrel (infobarrel.com) ● Twenga (twenga.com)
● Livestrong (livestrong.com) ● WiseGeek (wisegeek.com)
● Mahalo (mahalo.com) ●Wonder How To
● Mail Archive (mail-archive.com) (wonderhowto.com)
● Question Hub (questionhub.com) ●Yahoo! Answers

(answers.yahoo.com)
● Squidoo (squidoo.com)
● Xomba (xomba.com)
● Suite101 (suite101.com)
● Expert Village
(expertvillage.com)
● Experts Exchange (expertsexchange.com)
● eZine Articles (ezinearticles.com)
● Find Articles (findarticles.com)
● FixYa (fixya.com)
VIDEO: Using Wikipedia for Academic Research (CLIP)

From YouTube description: “This tutorial explains how to use Wikipedia as
an exploratory tool and where it can appropriately fit in the research
process. Created by Michael Baird, Cooperative Library Instruction Project
(CLIP).” http://youtu.be/Cql_yVUYj6A
Gathering Expertise in Your Subject Area

Wikipedia
Encyclopedias represent what is known on a subject. Whereas one does not cite
encyclopedias in college-level work, you should reach an understanding of what is
commonly known on your subject. Encyclopedias in general, and Wikipedia specifically,
will do this. If you find useful information that is cited in an article, go to that original
article and read it. Then you can cite that article. Don’t cite Wikipedia – learn from it.
See http://www.wikipedia.org/
Google News
Search Google News for the latest news articles about your
subject. See http://news.google.com/
Google Alerts
Use Google Alerts to receive news articles in your email.
See https://www.google.com/alerts
US Government Resources
Search federal and state government websites. Add your state to the search to get more
specific to your intended audience. See: http://www.usa.gov/
Data.gov
“The home of the U.S. Government’s open data.”
According to the Website: “Here you will find data, tools, and resources to conduct
research, develop web and mobile applications, design data visualizations, and more.”
See: https://www.data.gov/ Sample Assessment: Rebuttal
In week six, you conducted an audience analysis. In week seven, you will research how
“the other” side feels about your topic and prepare a rebuttal. Your rebuttal assignment
is due before midnight on Wednesday.
Listen to Elizabeth Lesser describe taking “the other” to lunch. This is a good exercise
for everyone.
http://youtu.be/AsSd2nmoKNA
Another version of the video with a transcript is available here:

http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_lesser_take_the_other_to_lunch.html
You do not have to take someone out for a meal to do this assignment. I want you to
use this as inspiration to seek out the “other” side of your topic. Demonstrate what you
learned. Cite the sources you use.
I especially want you to consider:
Why do they think they are right?
What is a good rebuttal to put into your speech?
This has to be turned in before midnight on Wednesday.
This assignment can earn you up to 10 points.
Sample Assessment: Subject Exploration, Development & Understanding

By selecting a suitable college-level subject or issue area for the remaining speeches, the
student-speaker should be able to create a speech that informs the audience about the
subject in a manner that leads into a persuasive speech. Each speech needs at least five
references that are used. Sources used previously can be used, but should be in addition
to five new, unique sources to each speech. A key point to be reminded of is that the
speech subject does NOT determine whether a speech is informative or persuasive,
rather it is the treatment of the subject that will determine the general purpose of the
speech.
For instance:
● On the subject of organ donation, one can give an informative speech that
conveys the details of the process, the shortage of available organs, related
laws and potential options for resolving the problem (but will not advocate an
option).
● A Persuasive Speech of Fact might address claims that may be true or false
about attitudes and beliefs about organ donation.
● A Persuasive Speech of Value might discuss society’s values about a long,
healthy life, helping others, and being responsible as reasons why organ
donation is consistent with social and cultural values.
● The Persuasive Speech of Policy could then advocate a policy that changes
organ donation from an opt-in system to donate, to an opt-out system where if
you do NOT want to donate your organs, you would have to sign up to be
excluded from the harvesting of organs for donation.
● It is worth noting that a Policy Speech is essentially a Fact Speech and Value
Speech combined with a plan to resolve a problem. Proper research and
planning will allow a speaker to simply combine elements of previous
speeches and propose a specific solution.
This approach allows one to focus, research, and learn in a specific area without having
to relearn a new subject area during the semester. Furthermore, you do not have to be
consistent with your views during the semester – you are allowed to change your
mind. You are allowed to examine and discuss alternative viewpoints within the same
subject area. For instance, you can clearly argue that “an opt-out organ donation
plan” is morally outrageous and “should not” be adopted. Sample Assessment:
Persuasive Speech Topic Outline
You must use at least three sources in your persuasive speech. You must list three
sources that you plan to use in your speech.
Your topic outline is due before midnight on Thursday. You will earn 10 points for
turning in your outline on time. Make sure all the steps of the sequence are covered
in the outline.
You cannot present without an approved outline. If the assignment is late, you will not
get the points.
Use the Outline for Monroe’s Motivated Sequence. At the top, put what your topic is.
Then, put in your thesis statement. Then, fill out the outline demonstrating that you
plan to use the full sequence in your speech.
At the end of your outline, have a References page (do not use works cited). Cite your
sources in APA format.
I want to see the three sources in this assignment. Make sure to use credible sources
cited correctly. Be prepared to explain why the sources are credible.
Module Seven Details

In week seven, we will review Chapter 3 of the Public Speaking Project Textbook, as well
as the Logical Fallacies Poster.
About the Use of Biblio-Makers

Do not trust biblio-makers! These citation robots are only as good as their
programming, development, and data inputs. Seldom do they get an APA citation
correct. This module will assist you in learning to cite sources using APA citation style.
It is, however, difficult to avoid biblio-makers as they pop-up along with databases,
library guides, proper citation searches, and some instructional materials.
A working bibliography can be created using biblio-makers, and the results can later
be corrected using an accurate APA 6th edition handbook or similar resources. The
more popular biblio-makers are:
● Citation Machine ● KnightCite

● EasyBib ● Landmarks Citation Machine
● Cite This For Me ● OttoBit
● Citefast ● Researchomatic
● BibMe ● Zotero
● Bibomatic
Some students may have a “style sheet” provided to them by an instructor in high
school or college. These style sheets are frequently good enough to use for that
instructor, but seldom meet the specifications required for APA. Learning to do APA
citation properly is a skill that you can use throughout your college career.
Citations Index Owl

Purdue:
http://owl.english.p
urdue.edu/owl/reso
urce/560/01/
Very helpful APA tutorial:
http://flash1r.apa.org/apastyle/basics/index.htm?__utma=185732729.472565130.1326
521004.1326521004.1326749732.2&__utmb=185732729.6.10.1326749732&__utmc=18
5732729&__utmx=-
&__utmz=185732729.1326749732.2.2.utmcsr=blog.apastyle.org|utmccn=(referral)|utm
cmd=ref
How to cite art: http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2010/04/theres-an-art-to-it.html
Help with knowing what a scholarly source is:

http://libguides.olympic.edu/content.php?pid=82252&sid=1655722
How to cite an edition of a book: http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2012/03/citing-an-

edition-of-a-book-in-apa-style.html
Et al.: When and how?

http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2011/02/et-al-when-and-how.html How
to cite a Kindle:
http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2009/09/how-do-i-cite-a-kindle.html How
to cite a TEDTalk: http://blog.ted.com/2010/12/21/how-do-i-cite-a-tedtalk/
How to cite a YouTube video:
http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2011/10/how-to-create-a-reference-for-a-
youtubevideo.html
How to cite something you found on a website:
http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2010/11/how-to-cite-something-you-found-on-
awebsite-in-apa-style.html
How to cite a song:
http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2011/12/how-to-cite-recorded-music-in-apastyle.html
Crediting CC Licensed Photographs

When you use CC Licensed works, including images from Flickr and others, it is
important to attribute the work correctly where you use it, and then to make a citation
for in your references page.
At the place of use include the creator’s name and the license for the work. On the
references page use this sample citation:
Author name. (Author role). (date). Title of work [Medium of work], Retrieved date of
retrieval from: tiny URL. License.
USE Tiny URL.com:http://tinyurl.com/ to input the URL for any URLs that are over one
line of characters. Just visit tinyurl.com and follow the directions to get a shorter URL.
Here is a sample of a CC Licensed work cited correctly including the attribution in the
image and the citation for the reference page.
Weller, D. (Photographer). (2011). Baby monkey [Photograph]. Retrieved

from http://tinyurl.com/ngcnjxj. CC-BY-SA-NC.
Intellectual Property Index
Intellectual Property
Did you know that anything you create is copyrighted? According to the US Copyright
Law, any creative work fixed in time and space is protected from use, adaptation, and
distribution by an entity or person who doesn’t own it. In this section you will learn a
little bit about your intellectual property rights.
This is not intended to be legal advice. Your instructors are not lawyers. This is intended
to be an overview of the concept of intellectual property as it affects you.
Readings
What is Intellectual Property
What is Copyright by US Copyright Office
Uncertainty, Copyright, and Courage by ASCAP president Paul Williams
Tutorials and Films
Copyrights and Making Films by Turner Clay (This is a two minute film that can impact
what you choose to film in your own works.)
http://youtu.be/CuMUKxCSv0I
Open Licensing Index

Open Licensing
As discussed in the intellectual property section, under Title 17 of the US Code any
creative expression that is fixed in time or space is a protected work. This means no one,
aside from the person or entity who owns the copyright, can distribute the material
without special permission. Some people want others to use their work freely, while still
retaining some control over their work.
In this section you will learn about open licensing, or instances where the copyright law
is loosened by copyright holders so that works can be shared and adapted. In this
section you will also learn how to find images, songs, video, and other openly licensed
works for use in your own videos. Don’t forget to cite/attribute the works correctly. Use
the section on APA citations to find out how to do that.
Readings
Creative Commons: What is Creative Commons?

Wired Magazine: Creative Commons 101
The History of Creative Commons (Wired Magazine)
Some Rights Reserved (Wired Magazine)
Copyright Perspectives Remix Media (Penn State)
Free Media Sources from Penn State
Fifteen Fantastic Sources For Free Art and Images (MOOC News and Reviews)
Pictures you can legally use:
Library of Congress Photo Galleries http://www.loc.gov/pictures/
NIH Photo Galleries http://www.nih.gov/about/nihphotos.htm
Creative Commons is a great source for pictures, music, video, and text people
have created for sharing: http://search.creativecommons.org/
Sample Assessment: Reflection

Following the completion of your audience analysis and your rebuttal research journal,
write up a journal entry explaining how both exercises impacted the plan for your
speech.
What were the results of your audience analysis?

Did learning how “the other” side feels impact the plan for your speech?
This assignment can earn you up to 10 points. Sample Assessment:
Persuasive Speech
In week eight, you will present a persuasive speech.
Review the reading: Outline for Monroe’s Motivated Sequence.
This speech will be 4-6 minutes. For every 30 seconds you are over or under, your grade
will be docked a half-letter.
I encourage you to utilize the technology available to you.
If you are doing a video, the same time limits apply.
If you are using a clip of someone else’s video, the max time is one minute. If you are
using a video clip, I strongly urge you to work with the media production team to pull
out the clip.
You must post your handout and/or your references. I want to see your sources (in
APA format).
You will evaluate three of your peers. Use the Monroe’s Motivated Sequence handout
as a guideline when you do your evaluation for the persuasive speech. You should also
mention the Canons of Rhetoric. You must remove spelling and grammar errors before
you post your assignment.
You will evaluate yourself afterward (to help you prepare for speech three).
Your speech grade will depend on the following:
*Did you fulfill the Canons of Rhetoric?
*Did you include all the steps of Monroe’s Motivated Sequence? It is imperative that
you have a specific call to action.
*Time Management
*Inflection of Voice *Use
of gestures. *Non-verbal
communication (smiling
and passionate about
your topic).
*It is critical that you use credible sources!
*It is critical that you cite the sources correctly.
*Overall performance
*There will be a 10 point deduction (per incident) if you are texting during a colleague’s
speech.
*There will be a 10 point deduction if you enter or exit in the middle of a colleague’s
speech.
Sample Discussion: Persuasive Speech Handouts and References

Post your presentation materials, handouts, and References pages for your Persuasive
speech here.
Sample Rubric: Persuasive Speech

Delivery [40]
____Verbal Elements (19)
– Effective use of memory (3) Effective [ ] Ineffective: Read [ ] Somewhat Read [ ]

Other [ ] _____
– Intelligibility (3) Effective [ ] Ineffective: Rate: Fast [ ] Slow [ ] Volume: Low [ ]

Pronunciation [ ] Enunciation [ ] Other [ ] _____
– Emotional Expression & Tone (3) Effective [ ] Ineffective: Monotone [ ] Read [ ]

Other [ ] _____
– Good vocal modulation (10) – talking loud enough and clearly, talking at an
effective rate of speed
____Nonverbal Elements (11)
– Eye Contact (6) Effective [ ] Ineffective: Reading [ ] Fixed Point [ ] Missing:
Left [ ] Right [ ] Other [ ] _____
– Overall Poise (3) Effective [ ] Ineffective: Swaying [ ] Fidgeting: Legs [ ]

Hands [ ] Informal [ ] Other [ ] _____
– Facial Expression (1) Effective [ ] Ineffective [ ] Missing [ ]
– Gesticulation & Motivated Movement (1) Effective [ ] Ineffective [ ]

Missing [ ] ____Effective use of presentation aides (10)
Structure [30]
____Macro (20)
– Introduction (4)
– Listener Relevance (1) Effective [ ] Ineffective [ ] Missing [ ]
– Credibility Statement (1) Effective [ ] Ineffective [ ] Missing [ ]
– Thesis Statement (1) Effective: Fact [ ] Value [ ] Policy [ ] Ineffective:

Missing Persuasive Element [ ] Missing [ ]
– Preview of Main Points (1) Effective [ ] Ineffective [ ] Missing [ ]
– Transitions (2) Effective [ ] Ineffective [ ] Missing [ ]
– Conclusion (4) Thesis Restatement, Summary, Clincher
– Thesis Restatement (1) Effective: Fact [ ] Value [ ] Policy [ ] Ineffective:

– Summary of Main Points (1) Effective [ ] Ineffective [ ] Missing [ ]
– Clincher (2) Effective [ ] Ineffective: Missing Persuasive Element [ ]
Missing [ ] – Effectively used storytelling to gain/keep audience attention
(8)
____Micro (10)
– Language (3) Effective [ ] Ineffective: Unclear [ ] Slang [ ] Informal [ ]
Jargon [ ] Undefined [ ] Exclusive [ ]
– Ineffective Fillers (7) Avoided [ ] Ineffective: Pauses [ ] Um [ ] Uh [ ] And [ ]

So [ ] Like [ ] You Know? [ ] Other [ ] ____
Content [30]
____Use of Monroe’s Motivated Sequence (25)

– Gained our attention (5)
– Established the Need (5)
– Proposed a Solution (5)
– Helped us visualize the world with/without this solution (or both) (5)
– Offered a clear and specific call to action (5)
____Supporting Evidence (5)
– Citations(2) Evident [ ] Missing [ ] – Integration (2) Effective [ ] Ineffective

[ ] Missing [ ]
________Time (Docked 5 points for every 30 seconds you are under four minutes or
over six minutes)
Sample Rubric: Persuasive Speech Video Evaluation

Delivery [40]
____Verbal Elements (15)
– Intelligibility and Video Audio (5) Effective [ ] Ineffective: Rate: Fast [ ]

Slow [ ] Volume: Low [ ] Pronunciation [ ] Enunciation [ ]
– Emotional Expression & Tone (5) Effective [ ] Ineffective: Monotone [ ]
Read [ ] Other [ ] _____
– Good vocal modulation (5) – the video audio is loud enough and clear
____Video Elements (15)
– Lighting (10) Effective [ ] Ineffective [ ]
– Composition: (5) Effective [ ] Ineffective (Is there anything distracting?)[ ]
____Effective use of presentation aides (10) (Pictures are crisp, sections with text are
clean and not overly wordy. There aren’t typos in the text.)
Structure [30]
____Macro (20)
– Introduction (4)
– Listener Relevance (1) Effective [ ] Ineffective [ ] Missing [ ]
– Credibility Statement (1) Effective [ ] Ineffective [ ] Missing [ ]
– Thesis Statement (1) Effective: Fact [ ] Value [ ] Policy [ ] Ineffective:

– Preview of Main Points (1) Effective [ ] Ineffective [ ] Missing [ ]
– Transitions (2) Effective [ ] Ineffective [ ] Missing [ ]
– Conclusion (4) Thesis Restatement, Summary, Clincher
– Thesis Restatement (1) Effective: Fact [ ] Value [ ] Policy [ ] Ineffective:

– Summary of Main Points (1) Effective [ ] Ineffective [ ] Missing [ ]
– Clincher (2) Effective [ ] Ineffective: Missing Persuasive Element [ ] Missing
[ ] – Effectively used storytelling to gain/keep audience attention
____Micro (10)
– Language (3) Effective [ ] Ineffective: Unclear [ ] Slang [ ] Informal [ ]
Jargon [ ]
Undefined [ ] Exclusive [ ]
– Ineffective Fillers (7) Avoided [ ] Ineffective: Pauses [ ] Um [ ] Uh [ ] And [ ]

So [ ] Like [ ] You Know? [ ] Other [ ] ____
Content [30]
____Use of Monroe’s Motivated Sequence (25)
– Gained our attention (5)
– Established the Need (5)
– Proposed a Solution (5)
– Helped us visualize the world with/without this solution (or both) (5) –
Offered a clear and specific call to action (5)
____Supporting Evidence (5)
– Citations (2) Evident [ ] Missing [ ] – Integration (2) Effective [ ] Ineffective

[ ] Missing [ ]
________Time (Docked 5 points for every 30 seconds you are under four minutes or
over six minutes)
Sample Assessment: Peer Evaluation of Persuasive Speech

(Students complete 3 peer evaluations, total.)
Use the Monroe’s Motivated Sequence handout as a guideline when you do your
evaluation for the persuasive speech. You should also mention the Canons of Rhetoric.
You must remove spelling and grammar errors before you post your assignment.
Sample Assessment: Planning for Final Speech

Next week you will turn in a formal topic proposal and outline. For this assignment, I am
looking for a simple statement letting me know what you think you want to do for your
final and voting on what we spend more time on. You must get approval for your plan
and topic.
Remember that your final should be your best performance of the quarter. You get to
select the format. Answer the following questions:
What are your plans for the final? (Are you doing a demonstration speech? Are you
doing a persuasive speech? on what topic? Do you want to propose something else?)
Are you presenting a video?
What would you like more training on?
Module Nine details

This module will focus on the preparation and delivery of your final speech. You may
opt to revise and redeliver one of your earlier formal speeches, or prepare a new
informative or persuasive speech.
50 Wise Speakers
50 Wise Public Speakers is a wonderful resource put together by Phil Vendetti at
Clover Park Technical College in Tacoma, WA. Phil interviewed 50 prominent speakers,
and his public speaking students edited the interviews and wrote transcripts for
accessibility purposes.
In the category section, you can search for speakers by genre.
In the Questions section, you can search for topics like ‘overcoming stage fright’.
In the speakers section, you can search by name.
This wonderful trailer the students put together will give you an overview of the project:
http://youtu.be/g2xuOCadUPw
Everything about the project is shared under a CC BY Open Educational License. In other
words, you can legally use it, share it, etc.
Here is a link to the website: http://www.cptc.edu/fifty-wise/
VIDEO: CC Licensed student example speeches

These students volunteered to share their speeches with a Creative Commons license.
Drew Lawson demonstrating wakeboarding – CC BY

http://youtu.be/vvQkWjDLf4E
Corry Jaynes demonstrating his tips for customer service.

CC BY
http://link.videoplatform.limelight.com/media/?mediaId=d6babbca7784450e8bb41c21
77a7e8cd&width=720&height=457&playerForm=82a2bc4e7dfe444080fed33059fd9b91
Joanne Eller demonstrating how to make chocolate covered strawberries filled with
Grand Marnier. – CC BY NC
http://youtu.be/qmly4i3sFS8
Heather Pederson demonstrating how to make Kimbap – CC BY NC ND

http://youtu.be/PY4rqJnnFy0
Josh Davis demonstrating Reference Alignment – CC BY http://youtu.be/SVD9qChGXEg
Raven Wells Persuasive Speech – CC BY

http://link.videoplatform.limelight.com/media/?mediaId=16d15073a6224819aada2097
ca65841b&width=720&height=457&playerForm=82a2bc4e7dfe444080fed33059fd9b91
Alexandra Kahler Informational Speech – CC By http://youtu.be/NjnpOe6QquI
VIDEO: Amy Cuddy “Your body language shapes who you are”
From TED.com: “Body language affects how others see us, but it may also change how
we see ourselves. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy shows how ‘power posing’ — standing
in a posture of confidence, even when we don’t feel confident — can affect
testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain, and might even have an impact on our
chances for success.”
This link has transcripts in multiple languages:
http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are.ht
ml http://youtu.be/Ks-_Mh1QhMc
VIDEO: Terry Moore – “How to tie your shoes”

From TED.com: “Terry Moore found out he’d been tying his shoes the wrong way his
whole life. In the spirit of TED, he takes the stage to share a better way. (Historical note:
This was the very first 3-minute audience talk given from the TED stage, in 2005.)”
This link leads to the same talk with transcripts available:

http://www.ted.com/talks/terry_moore_how_to_tie_your_shoes
http://youtu.be/zAFcV7zuUDA
VIDEO: Demonstration Speech – How to give the perfect man hug

From YouTube.com video description: “Don’t get left behind, learn how to show your
affection for your fellow man. Give a great man to man hug to your closest friends
and family without getting that awkward feeling!” http://youtu.be/JUdWApwbudQ
VIDEO: Demonstration Speech – Easy Tube Pillow Case Tutorial

From YouTube description: “This is the easiest, cutest, quickest pillowcase you will ever
make! If you are ready to move on from a generic pillowcase, try this fun and easy
tutorial. Try it out to support the American Patchwork & Quilting Million Pillowcase
Challenge (http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/million…).” http://youtu.be/MrYWCma9wgM
VIDEO: Brene Brown – “The Power of Vulnerability”

From TED.com: “Brene Brown studies human connection — our ability to empathize,
belong, love. In a poignant, funny talk at TEDxHouston, she shares a deep insight from
her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to
understand humanity. A talk to share.”
Follow this link for another version of the video with a transcript available:
http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability?language=en
http://youtu.be/iCvmsMzlF7o
VIDEO: Elizabeth Lesser – “Take ‘the other’ to lunch”
From TED.com: “There’s an angry divisive tension in the air that threatens to make
modern politics impossible. Elizabeth Lesser explores the two sides of human nature
within us (call them “the mystic” and “the warrior”) that can be harnessed to elevate
the way we treat each other. She shares a simple way to begin real dialogue — by going
to lunch with someone who doesn’t agree with you, and asking them three questions to
find out what’s really in their hearts.”
Follow this link for the same video with transcripts

available: http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_lesser_take_the_other_to_lunch
http://youtu.be/AsSd2nmoKNA
Attending a Speech Outside of Class

Analyze the speech for invention, arrangement, style, memory, and delivery.
Further, look for logos, pathos, and ethos.
Write about your overall impression.
Giving a Speech Outside of Class

You can earn credit for giving a speech outside of class.
You must talk to me ahead of time to work out the details.
If you are giving the speech, I prefer that you have someone record you. Another option
is to have someone from class attend and fill out a review (and you will both get credit).
Again, get prior approval. Let me know your plans.
Attributions:
The Public Speaking Project by Various
Authors is licensed under a Creative
Commons Attribution-
NonCommercialNoDerivs 3.0 Unported
License.
Saylor.org – Comm101: Public Speaking is

licensed under a Creative Commons
Attribution License.
This Textbook was put together with the

help of College of the Canyons Open
Educational Resources Assistant
Natalie Miller.
www.canyons.edu/OER | [email protected]

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Fundamentals of Public Speaking

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Fundamentals of Public

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Welcome To Public Speaking

HOW TO BE A STUDENT OF PUBLIC SPEAKING

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT PUBLIC SPEAKING

Chapter 1: Introduction To Public Speaking

Introduction to Public Speaking: Introduction

The good news about public speaking is that although it may

Introduction to Public Speaking: Benefits of Public Speaking

Introduction to Public Speaking: Models of Communication

“Figure 1.1” by Public Speaking Project. CC-BY-NC-ND.

Transactional Model of Communication

“Figure 1.2” by Public Speaking Project. CC-BY-NC-ND.

Introduction to Public Speaking: Elements of the Communication Process

Encoding and Decoding

1. Epistemology is the way that we acquire knowledge and/or what counts as

5. Praxeology denotes our

It is important to understand worldview because it has a profound impact on the

your best friend as you do to a small child, your CC-BY.

History.com. (2012). The Kennedy-Nixon Debates. History.com. Retrieved from

Introduction to Public Speaking: Speaking Competencies

3. Clear organization. Competency three is to use an effective organizational pattern.

Don’t leave inferences to be

5. Closure in conclusion. The fifth speaking competency is to develop a conclusion that

7. Suitable vocal expression. Competency number seven is to effectively use vocal

8. Corresponding nonverbals. Eighth on the list of competencies is to demonstrate

9. Adapted to the audience. The ninth

Introduction to Public Speaking: Conclusion

Introduction to Public Speaking: Review Questions and Activities

• Working in groups of 3–5, generate a list of the characteristics of ineffective speakers

Introduction to Public Speaking: References

Ethics in Public Speaking: Introduction

The National Communication Association (NCA) suggests that communicators should be

2. Nielsen, T. R. (1966). Ethics of speech communication. Indianapolis, IN: Bobbs Merrill.

Ethics in Public Speaking: Defining Ethics

Some of the early leaders in philosophy—Aristotle, Socrates, and Plato—spoke

Ethics and Ethical Standards

2. Wallace, K. (1955). An ethical basis of communication. Speech Teacher,

Ethics in Public Speaking: Ethical Speaking

Be Honest and Avoid Plagiarism

A liar should have a good memory. ~ Quintilian

There are three distinct types of plagiarism—global, patchwork, and incremental

Cite Don’t Cite

Writing your own lived

When you use your own

When you are using common

Decide When to Cite

Cite Sources Properly

Understand Paraphrasing and Direct Quotations

Written Citations Oral Citations

Your best defense against

It is through the practice of

There is something you can do to

In Rohr’s 2011 book, Falling

On their website, the Centers for

[Main Point 1 Content] [Main Point 2 Content]

Figure 3.1: Sample Poster with Key Quote[10]