Observe Ethical Ground Rules

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Whether your speech focuses on a sensitive social issue or a dispassionate factual matter, the qualities of dignity and integrity should infuse every aspect of a speech. Dignity refers to ensuring that listeners feel worthy, honored, or respected as individuals.6 Integrity signals the speaker’s incorruptibility—that he or she will avoid compromising the truth for the sake of personal expediency.7

Speaking ethically also requires that we adhere to certain “pillars of character,” or ethical ground rules.8 These include being trustworthy, respectful, responsible, and fair in our presentations.

Trustworthiness is a combination of honesty and dependability. Trustworthy speakers support their points truthfully and don’t offer misleading or false information.

We demonstrate respect by addressing audience members as unique human beings and refraining from any form of personal attack. The respectful speaker focuses on issues rather than on personalities and allows the audience the power of rational choice.

Responsibility means being accountable for what you say. For example, will learning about your topic in some way benefit listeners? Do you use sound evidence and reasoning? Do you offer emotional appeals because they are appropriate rather than to shore up otherwise weak arguments?

Fairness refers to making a genuine effort to see all sides of an issue and acknowledging the information listeners need in order to make informed decisions.9 Few subjects are black and white; rarely is there only one right or wrong way to view a topic.