Class-public speaking

A question no public speaker ever wants to hear is "So what?" Yet speakers must answer this question as they prepare a speech. Putting yourself in the place of a listener and answering this question can help you focus on the needs of the audience. How does the "So what?" test help you predict listeners' wants, needs, and expectations? What other questions can speakers ask about audience expectations?

Generate a list of questions. Then discuss how focusing on communicating with the audience during the preparation and presentation of a speech can help speakers minimize anxiety. What steps can speakers take to focus on listeners? What can speakers learn from the nonverbal feedback live audiences?

For this discussion, you will use your knowledge of the components of communication and public speaking best practices. You have been asked to deliver a message to a specific person or group of people during the course of your work and the news is not good. Think of a scenario that would be specific to your career, such as telling a group of employees they are going to be laid off or needing to tell hospital patients that they need to evacuate during a natural disaster. Please describe the scenario you have come up with, and answer the following question:

Which of the components of the communication process are the most important in your scenario, and which best practices of public speaking will you use to assist you in delivering your message?

For your peer response, consider other components that you feel could fit the scenario.

For your citation, use articles that give examples or strategies of best practices when speaking and/or articles about communication components. You can also find articles from experts that suggest ways to improve your public speaking skills.

Think about a commercial you’ve seen, a YouTube video you’ve watched, a podcast you’ve listened to, or a presentation you’ve attended. How did the speaker gain your attention and establish their credibility on the topic? What was effective—and what could they have done better?

For your citation, you might use articles that show examples of what to do and what not to do when introducing a message. You can also find articles from experts that suggest best practices for establishing credibility.

Think about a commercial you’ve seen, a YouTube video you’ve watched, a podcast you’ve listened to, or a presentation you’ve attended. How did the speaker gain your attention and establish their credibility on the topic? What was effective—and what could they have done better?

For your citation, you might use articles that show examples of what to do and what not to do when introducing a message. You can also find articles from experts that suggest best practices for establishing credibility.