Public Speaking

Week 1 – Instructor: Dr. Jim McKinley

DQs Ch. 1 [Jaffe]: Introduction to PS and Culture (1-14)

1. Answer the questions in the first paragraph of the Stop & Check section on page 9 (“Recognize your cultural
speaking traditions”).

I have a mix of cultural backgrounds that affect my approach to public speaking; I was raised in Japan where self
expression is not really pushed forward, but was raised by my mother who is from the Philippines where regardless of
being a woman, being outspoken is looked up to. I suppose as a predominantly Christian (Catholic) country, talking
about religion or fundaments of it, especially openly questioning aspects of it, was a taboo; “sins” discussed in the
sacred text which include sex are demonized and so is a taboo to discuss. In Japanese schools, or at least where I went,
being the first person to raise your hand to share your opinion was embarrassing and by extension, something people
avoided. That being said, I don’t think I would be super shy about this class, because when I was moved to an
international school, I was forced to do many presentations.

2. Why do most universities require a public speaking course? Do YOU think it’s necessary?

Universities require them because it hones the ability to think critically and to study rhetoric, more over build
confidence to talk about issues they are comfortable in. I think it is necessary to take classes like public speaking,
because looking forward to societal growth, discussions must be done and a lot of convincing others need to happen.

3. How does public speaking affect culture? Provide your own example.

Public speaking affect culture in the sense that having strong ability for it will, or could at least, move an entire group
of culture. For example, Marcos was a strong public speaker, and when he did his presidential speeches with no script,
confidently used sophisticated words, the public trusted him and elected him for several terms. Public speaking also
affects culture because one must know the core values of the culture in order to effectively appeal to the group.

4. How does culture affect public speaking? Provide your own example.

The core values of a culture affect the ways in which one speaks, and what they discuss. Taboo subjects are usually
avoided except for when the purpose of the speaker is to shock the audience, or to be more “memorable.” Culture
affects the pace of speaking, how fast one person goes into the main subject. Personally, presidents in the Philippines
are always a subject of interest for me. In their state of the nation address (SONA), some presidents choose to speak
in pure Tagalog, and some in English. The difference in choice of language are perceived as having a different suave
or class, and people react differently when they watch/listen to them. Culture affects the way in which one speaks, but
also how one hears.

5. Briefly describe the dialogical theory of communication and the transactional model of communication.

The speaker and listener must have a shared experience (the conversation); the speaker is free to say whatever they
like to communicate to the listener, and the listener will reciprocate with feedback to let the former know they
understand, agree or disagree. The beauty of this, is that the interpretation of words and sentences rely solely on the
definition or confines that the listener sets, so despite the model relying on communication in its purest form and
definition, the ambiguity is there.
DQs Ch. 2 [Ver]: Developing Confidence (19-38)

1. What is public speaking apprehension and how can it be overcome?

Level of fear experienced when giving a speech

1. Modelling; imitating a role model

2. Reinforcement; take personal experience

Techniques
 Public Speaking
Week 1 – Instructor: Dr. Jim McKinley

1. COM tech; viewing speech as an opportunity

2. Visualisation
3. Relaxation exercises
4. systematic

2. What are the specific techniques to reduce anxiety?

1. Time to prepare
2. Dress up – confidence
3. Time to speak
4. Presentation
5. Face the audience with confidence
6. Deliver the message

3. How does the rhetorical situation affect public speaking?

1. Select a speech goal

2. Know your audience
3. Gather + evaluate information
4. Organise + develop ideas into a structure
5. Choose, prepare, and use appropriate presentation aids
6. Practice and choose your presentation style/delivery style

4. What are the steps of effective speech planning and how do they work?

setting characters, events, good reason to immoral (not very moral) persuasion

5. What are the elements to consider when you use narratives/personal experiences as a speech?

1) Does the narrative have coherence?

2) Does the narrative truly represent what you know about the world and how it works?
3) Does the story have narrative merit?

1) Purpose
2) Story set up
3) Character/plot
4) Make your speech a story