Public Speaking

in a Democratic
Society
What is persuasion?
Persuasion is a communication process that
attempts to reinforce or change listeners
attitude, beliefs, values or behaviors
Democratic Citizenship and Public
Speaking
Being a citizen means communicating with others

We need public speaking skills to get involved

In democracy, everyone has the right to his/her opinion. At the

same time, we have an ethical obligation to speak honestly

We should first develop the knowledge and skills we need to

"speak out" effectively and responsibly
The Rhetorical Tradition
The ability to communicate in public has long been considered
an important part of democratic citizenship

Rhetoric- an ancient discipline concerned with the techniques

and ethics of speech

Three aspects of the rhetorical tradition that help define public

speaking today
A. Rhetorical theory
B. Rhetorical criticism
C. Historical studies in public addresses
Challenges of public speaking in
the modern world
Diverse, multicultural society

Changing values

New information technologies

Does the classical rhetorical tradition still has something to teach?

Classical theories

Plato vs. Sophists

Aristotle rhetoric is the faculty of observing in any

given case the available means of persuasion."
Rhetoric is the counter part of dialectics

Isocrates-rhetoric is more than a collection of techniques

to persuade

Quintilian-the ideal orator is a good man skilled in

speaking
Thinking critically (citizen-critics)
Citizens must be more than speakers-rhetorical critics

We should protect ourselves from manipulative speeches in the

market place of ideas

Students of public speaking learn to take nothing at face value

Lessons of the past
A healthy democracy requires some sort of historical and civic
literacy

"We can't see clearly ahead if we are blind to history"

"One of the best ways to learn about the past is by studying the
great speakers and speeches in history"

"By studying the great speakers and speeches of the past, we

learn not only about the origins of contemporary controversies
but also about the principles of public advocacy and democratic
deliberation" (p.11)
Democracy, dictatorship, deliberation

What clearly distinguishes a democracy from a dictatorship?

What is public controversy and what does it mean to deliberate

in good faith?

Do you think most politicians today deliberate in good faith?

What about the political commentators and representatives of
interest groups and think tanks that you hear on radio or TV
talk shows? Do they deliberate in good faith?
The Ethics of Speech

Demagoguery
America has seen its share of demagogues and propagandists
(Joseph McCarthy, KKK)
Do we have similar experiences in Ethiopia?

Plagiarism
"getting ahead" is more important than honesty

Ghostwriting
( a whole team of researchers and writers)
Demagoguery in the 21st Century
Demagogues- speakers who deceive or manipulate their
audiences, usually by provoking strong emotional responses
Demagogues typically appeal to the darker emotions, such as
fear, anger, or hatred. They employ excessive emotional appeals
and name-calling.
There is nothing inherently wrong about appealing to emotions
as long as we are ethical and honest in what we say

Senator Daniel Moynihan- "we are all entitled to our own

opinions but not to our own facts"

"deliberate in good faith"

Characteristics of the Responsible
Citizen-Speaker
Honesty

Accountability

Good faith and commitment to the larger "public good"

Ethical speakers:

Speak honestly and truthfully with a genuine concern for the

well-being of listeners

Examining their own motives

Commitment to respectful dialogue

Honor the rights of their listeners to raise questions, suggest

alternatives, or even disagree

Carefully research their topics and present their findings

accurately
 Persuasion vs. demagoguery

Persuasion Demagoguery
Educates people for Create temporary
citizenship delusions / manipulation of
high and noble thoughts public pinion
Reasoned arguments Relies on personal and
emotional appeals
Slide design 2007, The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved.