Emily Ravelo's Post Reflection

Hello everyone! My name is Emily Ravelo and I will be covering the main parts that stuck out to me during out classes presentations. I will be covering chapters 13-15. Here, I learned a lot about the type of speech an audience wants to hear and all the tools that I will be able to use to successfully write and tell a speech like a pro!  

Introduction to Public Speaking

Presentation Reflections

Public speaking, or the act of delivering a speech to a live audience, is an integral part of scientific communication. Your reason for giving a talk may vary—whether you want to share your latest results with a broader audience, impress potential employers, or educate others.

When starting out in public speaking there is a basis set for every single speech. You must get to know your audience and tailor what you're about to share with them to their interests, not just by choosing the right topic, but by delivering it the right way. 

The basis for a good speech is as follows:

• Collect up-to-date, credible information that is relevant to your topic
• Remain unbiased and ethical 
• Deliver your speech confidently 
• Organize your speech in an engaging way
• Have fun!

                                        Chapter 13: Informative speaking

 When organizing an informative speech, there are several criteria that must be followed in order to deliver the speech to an audience successfully and effectively. 

• Clear purpose
• Thorough research 
• Organized Structure
• Engaging Delivery
• Audience Awareness
• Clarity and Simplicity 
• Effective Conclusion 

Clear Purpose: It has a well-defined objective, focusing on delivering specific information rather than persuading or entertaining.

Thorough Research: The speaker relies on credible sources, presenting accurate and up-to-date information that enhances the audience’s understanding.

Organized Structure: A clear structure—typically an introduction, body, and conclusion—helps the audience follow along. The use of signposts can guide listeners through the speech.

Engaging Delivery: The speaker uses a conversational tone, varying their vocal tone and pace to maintain interest. Visual aids, stories, or examples can enhance understanding and engagement.

Audience Awareness: Understanding the audience’s prior knowledge and interests allows the speaker to tailor the message, making it relevant and relatable.

Clarity and Simplicity: Complex ideas should be broken down into easily digestible segments, using straightforward language to avoid overwhelming the audience.

Effective Conclusion: A strong conclusion reinforces the main points and leaves the audience with a lasting impression or call to action, encouraging further exploration of the topic.

By combining these elements, informative speeches can effectively educate and engage the audience, making the learning experience enjoyable and memorable.

          Five Most Common Types of Informative Speeches

• People and other living creatures 
• Processes
• Events
• Ideas and Concepts
• Objects and Places                                 

        

                                             Chapter 14-3 Based Persuasion   

-When public speakers choose to add questions into their speeches in order to keep the audience engaged and interactive, there are three different ways to state their question. 

1. Speeches on question of fact.
2. Speeches on question of value. 
3. Speeches on questions of policy 

Although each of these types of speeches has a general purpose of persuading their audience, but they differ in the type of outcome or result the speaker is looking for. 

Based persuasion typically refers to persuasive techniques based around evidence and logical reasoning, instead of emotional appeals by themselves. Here are some key views:

1. Evidence-Based Arguments: Effective persuasive speeches rely on data, statistics, expert opinions, and credible sources to back up claims. This enhances credibility and persuades the audience through logic.

2. Clear Reasoning: Organizing arguments in an organized and logical structure aids the audience in follow your reasoning. This can include outlining potential issues presenting solutions, and demonstrating benefits concisely.

3. Audience Analysis: Understanding the audience’s values, beliefs, and knowledge level allows for tailored arguments that resonate more deeply.

4. Counterarguments: Addressing potential counterarguments shows thorough understanding and helps develop a new level of trust. Reiterating these points with solid evidence strengthens the original argument.

5. Call to Action: A strong conclusion should summarize the key points and encourage the audience to take specific actions based on the information given to them.

By putting together logical reasoning with credible evidence, based persuasion effectively influences attitudes and behaviors, fostering informed decision-making. 

             Chapter 14-4 Persuading Different Types of Audiences

            Just as advertisers and influencers need to understand their audiences and find effective ways to connect with them, you also need to gauge where your audience stands on your topic. There are five common audience positions: negative (or hostile), positive (or sympathetic), divided, uninformed, and apathetic. A negative audience is informed on the topic but is not in support of it,  a positive audience is informed on the topic and is in support of it, a divided audience is informed on the topic but split in its' views, an uninformed audience is uninformed on the topic, therefore hold no opinion or preference on the topic, and an apathetic audience is informed on the topic, but is not interested in what you have to say.

                   Chapter 14-5 The Ethics of Persuasive Speaking

            When public speakers are trying to persuade an audience they need to start and end the speech on firm moral ground. This means that ethical speakers do not attempt to coerce, manipulate, or deceive their audience. Instead, they present their arguments and information honestly and accurately. 

                    Ethical Speakers: Will consider both parts of an argument, meaning the pros and the cons. They will also prioritize honesty and integrity in their speech.

                    Non-ethical Speakers: Will cover only the favorable aspects of a topic, not telling the full truth, therefore influencing an audience in a dishonest manor. 

            

                                    Chapter 15 Understanding Argument

        An argument includes a claim that the speaker wants the audience to understand which is backed up by evidence to understand the reasoning behind it. The argument is a disagreement or conflict, however, in public speaking the argument is developed to support the speakers position on a question. It's a way to persuade ones reasoning in an argument. 

                                                       Fallacies in Evidence

    Fallacies in evidence are errors in reasoning that can undermine the credibility of an argument in public speaking. If a speaker presents valid claims, the evidence must match those same claims in order to be considered credible. When speakers present evidence that strays away from the idea of their claim, this causes an audience to consider the speech as unreliable or dishonest.     

                                                           Casual Reasoning

            In casual reasoning , the speaker argues that one action or event brought about another action or event. Persuasive speakers use casual reasoning in these four ways:

1. To explain why something happened  
2. To identify who's responsible for something 
3. To determine whether people can control an event 
4. To predict what might occur in the future.                                           

                                Pathos: Appeals to Emotion

    Pathos refers to the emotional appeal used in public speaking to persuade and engage the audience. It aims to evoke feelings that align with the speaker's message, making it more relatable and impactful. Physiological needs are those necessary for our body to function, including food, water, and sleep. Safety needs are associated with the desire to feel free from harm. 

                                                                       Conclusion

In conclusion I took many mental notes during our presentations and learned so many helpful tips for becoming an exceptional public speaker. The aspects that I covered in this blog post are the ones that stuck out to me the most. I look forward to learning more about public speaking as the semester continues!