Public Speaking

Blended learning: assignment #1

Submitted to:
Dr. Najwa Fares

Prepared by:
Wiam R. Mhanna | 20160127

Meshref, September 8, 2017

1. In what ways is public speaking likely to make a difference in your life?
It makes you a better speaker or communicator, it helps you to be a professional speaker.
For me, I love public speaking because I love to present my ideas with confidence and in
very professional ways.

2. How is public speaking similar to everyday conversation?

Public speaking is similar to everyday conversation by:
a. Logically to organize your thoughts
b. Fit your message to your audience
c. Telling a story for maximum impact
d. Adjusting to listener feedback

3. How is public speaking different from everyday conversation?

Public speaking is different to everyday conversation by:
a. Public speaking is highly structured than conversation
b. Public speaking requires formal language
c. Public speaking requires a different method of delivery

4. Why is it normal even desirable to be nervous at the start of a speech?

Before any important event or appearance on stage in front of an audience your body will
produce extra amount of adrenaline. This extra amount will make your heart race, your
knees knock, your hands shake, and your skin pales.

5. How can you control your nervousness and make it work for your speeches?
Instead of trying to eliminate stage fright, transform it to stage excitement or
enthusiasm by following these 6 ways:
a. Acquire speaking experience simply by learning more about public speaking and
by giving more speeches. Thus, speechmaking will become less threatening.
b. Prepare your speech.
c. Think positive then you will gain confidence, if you think you can do it you will do
it. As Kevin Horsley mentioned in his book Unlimited Memory about your beliefs
about yourself: A belief is a sense of being certain and what you believe, you
become.
d. Use the power of visualization that works directly with the Law of Attraction. In
simple definition of the LoA is to visualize an image your head. By visualizing this
image consistently, it will be attracted to you.
e. Know that most Nervousness is visible: according to an experienced speaker your
nervous system may be giving you a thousand shocks but the viewer can see only
a few of them; a speaker must act cool and confident.
 f. Dont expect perfection: theres no perfect speech or speaker. All speakers do
things, while speaking, outside their plan. You must be very prepared and not to
panic if being perfect.

6. What are the seven elements of the speech communication process? How do they
interact to determine the success or failure of a speech?
The SEVEN elements of the speech communication process that every speaker must
understand regardless the kind of speech are:
a. SPEAKER: your success as a speaker depends on YOU. Speaking requires
enthusiasm, you must show passion about what youre talking about or the
audience will get bored.
b. MESSAGE: the message is not just about what youre saying but also how youre
saying it through your tone of voice, gestures, appearance, facial expression, and
eye contact. In other words, your body language will affect your message.
c. CHANNEL: is how the audience see you or hear you or both. In public speaking
class, the channel is the most direct.
d. LISTENER: in public speaking, theres no communication with the listener. The
listener will receive the speakers message depending on his frame of reference.
Therefore, to be an effective speaker you must be audience- centered, dont be
too basic neither too sophisticated. In other words, you must know your audience
very well.
e. FEEDBACK: its a message sent from your audience through their body language
and reactions to your sayings.
f. INTERFERENCE: there are two types of interference that interferes with you
speaking:
i. External to the audience: its like outside traffic, students conversing in the
hall
ii. Internal: it comes from the audience, like someone that doesnt pay
attention for any reason
Therefore, as a speaker you must hold your audience attention despite the
type of interference
g. SITUATION: is where and when the speech is made like in funerals, graduation
ceremonies etc. the speaker must be aware of the situation.
When the speaker is aware of these SEVEN elements they will interact when the public
speaker addresses to an audience.
7. What is ethnocentrism? Why do public speakers need to avoid ethnocentrism when
addressing audiences with diverse cultural, racial, or ethnic backgrounds?
Ethnocentrism is the belief that our group or culture is superior to all groups or cultures.
Speakers must avoid ethnocentrism to show respect to audience and their various beliefs
and cultures. In other words, you must know the audience culture to be able to convince
them with your idea and not to offend their beliefs and culture.
Finally, as a speaker your beliefs are right to you and might not be right to the audience.