Four Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Many people are afraid of speaking in public, but if they are prepared, the process does not have to be daunting. By carefully selecting a topic and understanding the audience, a speaker can successfully present information that the audience will be interested in. In order to do this, a speaker should conduct extensive research and make sure that they are able to support the claims they make in their speech.
Other People Are Reading
-
Topic
-
One of the most important elements of public speaking is selecting a topic that is appropriate for the speech occasion. A good speech topic will address the interests or needs of the audience, it will be important enough to get the audience to pay attention and will be sensitive to the backgrounds of the audience members. To find a speech topic that is appropriate for the occasion, speakers can brainstorm, or think of many topics in a short period of time and select the best one.
Audience
-
When preparing a speech, a speaker should know as much as possible about the audience. By analyzing who will be attending the speech, a speaker can tailor the message to best appeal to audience members. Factors that speaker should take into account include the audience's age, gender, religious beliefs, social attitudes and cultural backgrounds.
-
Research
-
To support the points that are made in a speech, a speaker must research the speech topic. Speakers can conduct research by obtaining books from the library or bookstore, searching library databases, interviewing experts, using news sources and using Internet sites. Speakers should be careful to evaluate the credibility of the sources that they use online to ensure that the information is accurate and unbiased.
Organization
-
Before a speaker writes a speech, it is important to organize the main points that will be discussed. A speaker should identify the main thesis of a speech, which is the central focus. In addition, the speaker will come up with several points that will support this assertion. Ways that a speaker can do this includes the use of analogies, examples, statistics and quotes from experts.
-
References
- "Speaking with a Purpose"; Arthur Koch; 2007
- "Human Communication: The Basic Course"; Joseph A. DeVito; 2008
- "Public Speaking: An Audience-Centered Approach"; Steven Beebe; 2003
- "Public Speaking: Strategies for Success"; David Zarefsky; 2007
- "Mastering Public Speaking"; George L. Grice and John F. Skinner; 2009
