1 Foundations of Public Speaking Free Online FlashCards

What is public speaking?

Public speaking is the purposeful sharing of a message with an audience.

What makes a speech topic useful?

A useful topic fits the assignment and occasion, interests or benefits the audience, and is manageable in the time available.

What is a speech’s general purpose?

The general purpose is the speech’s broad goal: to inform, persuade, or entertain.

What is a central idea?

A central idea is a concise statement expressing the speech’s main message.

What do signs of speech anxiety prove about a speaker?

Nervousness is common; reactions such as a racing heart or shaky hands do not prove that a speaker is unprepared or incapable.

What five elements shape a speech?

A speech is shaped by its speaker, audience, purpose, message, and occasion.

How can a speaker make a broad topic manageable?

Narrow a broad area to a focused subject that can be explained within the speech’s time limit.

What are useful ways to generate speech topics?

Brainstorm personal interests, audience questions, current concerns, and subjects you know or want to research.

What does a specific purpose state?

A specific purpose states what the speaker intends to accomplish with a particular audience.

How do a specific purpose and central idea differ?

The specific purpose guides what the speaker aims to accomplish; the central idea states the main message listeners should take away.

How should a speaker prepare early?

Prepare early by clarifying the purpose, organizing the main message, and becoming familiar with the material instead of memorizing every word.

What makes rehearsal useful?

Rehearse aloud in conditions similar to the real speech, such as standing and keeping within the time limit; feedback from a supportive listener can help.