Chapter 1 Review

“Public speaking is right for you.”

In this chapter, we introduced the field of public speaking. Key elements of public speaking are communication between speaker and audience, a focus on the audience by the speaker, an emphasis on the spoken word, and a prepared presentation. We also examined the benefits of mastering public speaking—in the classroom, on the job, in your community, and in everyday situations.

Next, we turned to the rich tradition of public speaking, citing examples from across time (including ancient Greece and Rome) and from around the world (such as China, Africa, India, and the United States).

We also examined the ways in which public speaking as a discipline has evolved to reflect changes in society. We provided examples of several contemporary developments in the field—new ways of viewing the public speaking process, the effects of changing technologies, an emphasis on understanding your audience’s cultural background, the usefulness of critical thinking when you’re planning your speech, and the importance of protecting freedom of expression and making ethical use of that freedom.

Key Terms

civic engagement 12

source 19

message 19

encode 19

verbal symbol 19

nonverbal symbol 19

channel 19

receiver 19

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decode 19

noise (interference) 19

transaction 20

feedback 20

shared meaning 21

culture 23

worldview 24

critical thinking 25

freedom of expression 27

ethics 29

Review Questions

1. Question

   Describe the four basic characteristics that distinguish public speaking from other forms of communication.

2. Question

   Name and explain three ways in which becoming a competent public speaker can positively affect your life and career.

3. Question

   Define civic engagement, and explain how it is an important part of democratic self-government.

   Define civic engagement, and explain how it is an important part of democratic self-government.

4. Question

   Describe the great tradition of public speaking. Offer some examples of rhetoric playing a role in world events.

5. Question

   What is the transactional model of communication? How does it differ from the linear model?

6. Question

   How is new technology changing the nature of public speaking?

7. Question

   Why is it important to consider culture when analyzing an audience?

8. Question

   In what ways can you employ critical thinking in a public speaking situation?

9. Question

   Why is it important for speakers to behave ethically?

Critical Thinking Questions

1. Question

   In what ways might becoming a more effective and confident speaker affect your life? How could it affect your performance in classes? Help you in your career? Enable you to make a difference in your community?

2. Question

   What kinds of public speaking situations are you exposed to on a daily basis? What kind of feedback do you provide to the speaker? How might this feedback affect the speaker’s message?

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   Question

   Consider your public speaking class as an audience. In what ways are the people in the group alike? In what ways are they diverse?

4. Question

   Think of a time you believed that a speaker was being honest with the audience and another time when you thought the speaker was not being honest. What differences between the two speakers led you to these conclusions?

5. Question

   Name one person whom you believe to be an effective public speaker. What are the main characteristics that make him or her effective?

Activities

1. Question

   Review the illustration “A Model of Communication.” Then think of a speaker’s message that could be misinterpreted. Answer the following questions: What was the speaker’s message? How might an audience member decode a different message from the one that the speaker intended? What feedback might that audience member give to the speaker? Could the speaker clarify her or his idea to help create shared meaning?

   Chapter 1 - Activity Question 1

2. Question

   In small groups, develop a list of situations in which you could suddenly be called on to give an unanticipated speech. The occasion might be a wedding toast, a tribute at the retirement party of a favorite teacher, a presentation of an award, or a plea to the city council about an issue that concerns you. Have each group member select one situation and prepare a brief (one-minute) speech to deliver to the group.

   Chapter 1 - Activity Question 2

3. Question

   Consider a career of interest to you. Then identify a scenario for that career in which you may be called on to speak. Jot down two or three main ideas that you would express in that speech.

   Chapter 1 - Activity Question 3

4. Question

   Search for and watch President George W. Bush’s address to Congress after the attacks of September 11, 2001. What assumptions does he seem to be making about the worldview of his audience? How does he seek to establish shared meaning with audience members? Based on the audience’s feedback, which parts of his speech are the most successful in creating shared meaning?

   Chapter 1 - Activity Question 4