Use of Language in Speech

Why is Language so Important in Speech Making?

-Language is the major tool for speaker-audience interaction.

There are other non-verbal tools, but language, in both spoken and written forms, is the
major avenue for reaching our targets in speech-making.

-The point is often stressed that *good language connects the speaker, message, and
audience.*

This means that when language is effectively deployed, the speaker is able to achieve the
goal of public speaking with the least friction.

-A good speaker must be able to use language to achieve the desired communication goals.

Elements of Good Language

Language evolved out of the need to communicate beyond the use of signs and symbols.

Therefore, language became necessary for easier understanding.

- For everyone to have understanding, it is necessary that both *the speaker* and *the
audience* have a common perception of the message.

👇👇👇
-The use of language in public speaking is usually summarized under the following
parameters:

1. Clarity- Using Language Clearly

2. Accuracy- Using Language Accurately
3. Appropriateness- Using Language Appropriately
4. Vividness- Using Language Vividly

We shall now discuss each in detail👇👇👇

*1. CLARITY*
Clarity in language use is concerned with using language to say exactly what we mean,
without confusing the audience.

In many languages, words have different shades of meaning, depending on the context of
usage. English is no different.

In fact, word meaning is so complex in English that we need to clearly distinguish the
meaning of a word in different contexts of usage.
For example:

-Denotation and Connotation

e.g pedestrian - denotation:

(someone walking on the street)
‘There is a pedestrian crossing down the road’

Pedestrian- connotation: (of a person’s attitude, action or behavior)

‘ Her language is so pedestrian’
(ordinary, boring, unimaginative).

Points to note about Clarity:

1. Avoid ambiguity e.g
‘Flying animals can be dangerous’

2. Avoid clutter e.g

‘June 12 remains a significantly important event with an enviable and prestigious position as
a memorable and unforgettable day in the history of democratic sovereignty in Nigeria’

Say instead: June 12 is an important day in the political history of Nigeria’

3. Avoid unfamiliar words e.g technical words, professional registers, archaic expressions
like ‘sonambuliism,’
‘egregious’, ‘hunkum bunkum’ , ‘cacophonous extrapolations’ etc.

4. Use Concrete words instead of abstract words.

2. ACCURACY
Speaking accurately is crucial to a speaker’s craft because it entails precision.

*Accuracy* involves knowing the correct spelling and correct pronunciation of words.

It also has to do with knowing the etymology of certain words in order to know their proper
application in speech.

*Spelling:*
Correct spelling is important for word recognition.

Many English words have similar spellings which may cause confusion when pronouncing or
using them.

*Examples:*
route/ root
being/ been
mop/ mob
desert/ dessert
stationary/ stationery
continual/ continuous
sensual/ sensuous
alumna/alumnae

Pronunciation:
There are also many English words which have similar pronunciations.

A good speaker must be conversant with these problems and endeavor to know the correct
pronunciation of the words.
Examples:
Partial homophones such as:
cemetery/symmetry
thud/ thawed
mug/ morgue
porch/ perch
libel/ liable
pint/pant
oyster/ouster
chatter/ charter
fuss/fuzz
razor/racer
quite/quiet
ingenious/ ingenuous
please/ police

-*Homophones which have different spellings:*

e.g.
missed/ mist
Buy/ bye
bored/ board
Kill/ kiln
Quay/ key
sea/ see

-*Mispronunciation and spelling-induced pronunciation* often cause confusion and

disruption of the speaker’s message.

Speakers must work with a good pronunciation dictionary to overcome these problems.

3. APPROPRIATENESS
Appropriateness in language is applied in four ways:

a)Appropriateness to Audience
b)Appropriateness to Occasion
c)Appropriateness to Topic or Message
d)Appropriateness to the Speaker

Let us examine each more closely 👇👇👇

*Appropriateness to Audience*
Language use in public speaking must be adapted to specific audiences in terms of their
background, ideology, gender and even their attitudes.

- The kind and tone of language to use when speaking to students in I’ll differ from that to be
used when speaking to a more elderly audience.

For instance, while the use of Slang and catch phrases may apply to students, such usages
may be seen as rude or impolite by an older audience.

Similarly, a good speaker should use very simple and playful language for children.

Generally, a good speaker should study the language preferences of different audiences and
apply them appropriately.
Civil servants, trade unions, academics, women groups, youth groups, market women all
require specific language.

*Appropriateness to Topic or Message*

Different topics normally determine the appropriate forms of expression to use.

- Here, the speaker must be knowledgeable about Registers and their uses.

-While a speech to professionals like doctors, lawyers, educationists, etc, may allow the use
of technical language and scientific terminologies, a speech given at a theatre or an artistic
event will require the use of poetic or metaphoric language.

*Appropriateness to the Occasion*

Just like topic, different occasions also require specific kinds of language.

Here, we distinguish between formal and informal occasions, serious versus light-hearted
occasions, happy versus sad or solemn occasions.

-A good speaker must be sensitive about matching language with different occasions.

*Appropriateness to the Speaker*

Public speakers are recognized and appreciated on the basis of their individual style of
speaking.
Therefore, your unique way of speaking must be a reflection of your personality- your true
self.

For example, a pastor will be in expected to speak in parables, bible quotations; a politician
would be a expected to make lots of promises and also use mainly coercive language in
order to win voters to their side.

- Another dimension to this kind of appropriateness is that the speaker’s language must
reflect his/ her level of education or knowledge about the topic.

It must also reflect the speaker’s level of experience or exposure.

*4. VIVIDNESS*

Vividness involves using language that appeals to the audience in terms of its liveliness,
friendliness and relatability.

-Audiences are always captivated by the use of relatable imageries, poetic language that
entertains.

Generally, language that paints pictures in the minds of the audience.

- A good speaker must be able to hold the audience’s attention by engaging them with vivid
language.

-Vividness in speech may be achieved by the use of features like:

*metaphor*: ‘She moved like a gazelle, graceful and glorious in her gorgeous apparel’

*simile*: ‘His gaze was as cold as the snow on the street’

*personification *: the cold wind sang melodious tunes in our faces as we travelled down the
plains’

- A good component of vividness is also the use of diversified expressions (avoid being
monotonous).

This includes use of features like euphemism, repetition, suspense, climax, among others.

Vividness makes your speech memorable, exciting and rewarding.

*Language Ethics in Public Speaking*

1. A good public speaker must strive to *speak the truth always.*

It is not professional to deceive your audience.
Being forthright and truthful compliments your personality and raises your value.

Do not tell lies or promote falsehood!

2. *Avoid abusive language,* no matter the provocation.

Good public speakers must always maintain a cool and calm composure during and after the
speech event.

People may sometimes ask annoying questions or try to rattle you.

Keep your cool!

3. *Avoid sexist language.*

Global trends in public communication have moved towards dropping sexist terms like:
mankind, chairman,
it’s a man’s world, etc.

Generally, avoid expressions that may pitch the genders against each other.

Avoid statements that make one gender feel inferior to another.

Do not run down any gender or elevate one over the other.

Be neutral; use neutral and sensitive language

4. *Avoid derisive or derogatory language.*

Your job is to make people feel good, not bring them down in the estimation of others.

Be pleasant and friendly.

Lecture 4:
Behavioral Skills in Public Speaking
Behavioural Skills or Non-verbal Communication Cues may be examined under the following
sub-headings:

1. Eye Communication (eye contact)

2. Personal Appearance (clothes, hair, hygiene)
3. Posture and Movement (body language)
4. Gestures and facial expression.
5. Voice and Vocal Variety
6. Listener Involvement
Behavioural Skills in public speaking deal with aspects of non- verbal communication which
affect the speaker’s craft.

What is the importance of behavioural skills in public speaking?

Man is a creature of behaviour, and it is important to see glimpses of a speaker’s character

during a speaking task.

These character traits may make or mar the speaker’s delivery depending on how they are
received by the audience.

Behavioural issues in public speaking often come up subconsciously, either as part of the
speaker’s personality or just as an attitudinal thing.

Either way, it is important for a good speaker to be mindful of any behavioural trait which
may distort the audience’s assessment or appreciation of the speaker’s message.
This sub-heading will be briefly explained here.
Further details can be found in Chapter 12 of our course text: The Art of Public Speaking’ by
Stephen Lucas.

1. Eye Communication
Eye communication involves the use of eye contact for positive engagement with members
of the audience.

-“Eyes are the windows of the soul”, so it is important to use the eyes effectively to achieve
the 3 I’s of eye communication:

- Create *intimacy* by looking directly at your audience; never look away, down, or
sideways!

- Avoid *intimidation* by keeping a steady gaze. Rolling of the eyes, unnecessary blinking
and fluttering of the eyes send the wrong message.

- Create *Involvement* with the audience by presenting friendliness with eye contact.

Moreover, the eyes reveal the speaker’s state of mind and may attract, annoy, or frighten,
the audience.

2. Personal Appearance

Appearance is almost everything in Public speaking.

Studies have shown that most audiences pay 70 percent more attention to the speaker’s
appearance than the actual speech.

Good appearance can be achieved in the following ways:

 ● Neat and presentable clothing.
● Excellent personal hygiene; avoid sweating or rough look. Neat hair, nails, shoes,
and appropriate jewelry.
● Reasonable make up, accessories.
● Appearance must align with the occasion, and the setting.
● Cool colours are preferable.

In terms of appearance, it is important to dress for comfort and to look responsible than
dress to impress. A speaker’s appearance must portray decency and respectability.

3. Body Language
(Posture and Movement)

Body language is very critical in a speaking task.

Speakers must stand in front of a mirror and examine their body language before addressing
an audience.

-Poor body language includes: fidgeting, frowning, scratching parts of the body, touching the
face, putting hands in the pockets, shifting, bending, etc.

Any of these may portray nervousness, hostility, stage fright, or lack of confidence.

-Other negative body language are:

● excessive movement,

● no movement at all,

● latching on to the podium,

● excessive use of hand gestures.

Poor posture (bending, standing with arms akimbo, leaning on the wall or furniture, etc; )
should be avoided.

4. Gestures and Facial Expression

Speakers must look out for certain gestures that may tend to send wrong messages to
different audiences, such as tapping of the fingers, putting up a finger, putting finger in the
nose, rubbing hands on the body, touching members of the audience unnecessarily, wrong
hand shaking, shaking of the head, flipping back the hair, etc.

-Many of these gestures can be distracting or even annoying.

Facial expression

It is important to present a friendly and confident expression, even when under tension.
A good public speaker must not carry their tension on their face!

A friendly facial expression also includes maintaining a welcoming smile, especially in the
beginning of the presentation.

Smiling relaxes the speaker’s nerves and relaxes the audience as well.

Smiling tells the audience: “I’m glad to be here”

However, avoid excessive smoking which may portray the speaker as being u serious,
flippant or frivolous.
Maintain a friendly but serious expression.

5. Voice and Vocal Variety

The speaker’s voice is very important to the success of a speaking task.

Need I emphasize that it is critical for every member of an audience to HEAR the speaker
clearly.?

A clear, reaching voice is essential to a speaking task.

-For vocal variety, the speaker should avoid speaking in monotone. Voice range, voice
quality, tone and volume must align with the atmosphere.

- A good speaker must use his/ her voice to engage and excite the audience.

Avoid shouting or screaming. Instead, use your voice to portray passion, feeling, interest,
friendliness, humility, frankness, humour.

Of course, using a microphone

( regular or hidden mic) helps to project the speaker’s voice.

6. Listener Involvement

A good speaker knows that there are many ways to engage an audience purposefully.

1. Asking questions
2. Calling for ideas
3. Using relatable analogies
4. Telling interesting stories, etc.

- The hallmark of effective speaking is to be able to sustain the interest of the audience till
the end of the speaking task.

Thus, a good speaker must be spontaneous, resourceful, and attentive.

NB: I want you to note that behavioural skills in public speaking are otherwise known as
‘Kinesics’ or non- verbal communication.

27-02-2023
Lecture 5:

-Some Points on Ethics of Language Use in Public Speaking.

-Stages of Speech Preparation

1. Ethics of Language Use

👇👇👇👇👇
1. Truthfulness:

A good public speaker must strive to speak the truth always.

It is not professional to deceive your audience.

Speaking the truth compliments your personality and raises your value.

Do not tell lies or promote falsehood!

2. Avoid Abusive Language

Do not use abusive language, no matter the provocation.

Good public speakers must always maintain a cool and calm composure during and after the
speech event.

People may sometimes ask annoying questions or try to rattle you.

Keep your cool!

3. Avoid sexist language.

Global trends in public communication have moved towards dropping sexist terms like
mankind, chairman; it’s a man’s world, menfolk, etc.

Generally, avoid expressions that may pitch the genders against each other.

Avoid statements that make one gender feel inferior to another.

Do not run down any gender or elevate one over the other.

Be neutral; use neutral and sensitive language

4. Avoid derisory or derogatory language.

Your job is to make people feel good, not bring them down in the estimation of others.

Be pleasant and friendly.

The Stages of Speaking, also known as the Speech Preparation Process.

The Stages of Speaking consist of the following components 👇

The Stages of Speaking
1. Selecting a topic or Purpose
2. Gathering Information
3. Supporting your Ideas
4. The Writing Process
5. Audience Analysis
6. Presentation

👇👇👇
Each of these stages involves a series of activities required of the speech writer-speaker.
We now examine each in detail.

1. Selecting a topic or purpose

Most speakers usually have a topic either pre-selected for them or determined by the
occasion or purpose of the speech event.

Where the topic is not provided, the onus falls on the speaker/speech writer to come up with
an appropriate topic. This may involve some research, or fact-finding to determine what is
most topical at that point in time.

2. Gathering Information

Once a topic emerges, the next step is to flesh out the topic by way of research and
information gathering.

Researching a speech topic may be as broad as the field allows or as intense as the
situation dictates.

The way a speaker researches a topic on national economic policy would differ from the kind
of information needed for a topic like ‘child and women trafficking’ or ‘corruption’

The important point to note is that fleshing out a topic requires a committed search for
information / knowledge, especially for serious topics/ events.
There are many ways of gathering information for a speech-making task:

● Observation: (where the information may be found in observing a process, an event,

people or places in order to get the necessary insight for your speech)
- *using the library* ( of course, there is a lot of knowledge / insight to be gained from
documented sources- both print and electronic- within the library)

● Calling for information: The speech may require some official information in the
form of history, statistics, gazettes, or other institutionalized information.

- Accessing such information may involve writing in to gain access or calling through
telephony and request for the needed information.

Other means of accessing information for speeches are:

● Interviewing
● questionnaires and
● the internet

3. Supporting your ideas

It is not enough for the speech writer to have access to the necessary documentation on a
speech topic, it is also necessary to have means of supporting ideas.

Why?

Public speaking is aimed at educating, informing, and influencing people through the power
of persuasion.

-Therefore, information or documents must be validated or verified before transmitting such

to the audience.

There are many ways of supporting ideas in speech preparation:

A. Using examples:
Examples make your points come across in clearer form.

Examples are of three types: brief examples, Extended examples, and Hypothetical
examples.

B. Using Statistics
Statistics and evidential figures lend credence to the speaker’s thoughts and validate his/ her
ideas.

Statistics are most useful for topics that affect humanity, such as HIV/AIDS, COVID-19
pandemic, Sickel cell Anaemia, natural disasters, etc

C. Using testimonies
Testimonies also lend credence to the speaker’s point, especially for persuasive speeches.

-There are 2 types of testimonies that a speech writer will find useful. They are:
 ● Peer testimony: ( testimonies from friends, classmates, and co- workers boost the
speaker’s insight and helps to establish social and cultural basis for relationships).

These may be useful to a speech writer in writing human interest speeches that appeal to
people’s sensibilities, such as domestic violence, child trafficking, terrorism, etc.

● Expert testimonies
experts are often relied upon to provide authoritative knowledge or professional insight into
complex issues or matters of general interest.

Expert testimonies thus help to validate speeches in terms of relevant background

information about processes, laws, regulations, procedures, or principles of doing things.

Expert opinion is usually valued and respected, as they add credible support to speeches.

D. Using Visual Aids

Visual content is always much more appreciated in speeches than the textual aspect, in
many cases, because audiences are always more influenced by what they see.

Good speech writing should thus consider the power of visual information to enhance the
speech.

-Visual aids as the name implies, enhance the acceptability of information in a speech.

Visual aids come in many formats. They include:

● Pictures
● Slides
● Video tapes
● Charts and Graphs
● PowerPoint
● Multi-media projections, etc.

Contemporary technologies in speech writing lend tremendous support to the use of various
media for visual impact in speeches.

Good visuals, used appropriately have the power to shock, impress, inform, educate and
inspire audiences.
The points discussed so far are those which a good speech writer ought to consider
seriously in preparing a speech.

Once these issues have been attended to, the next task for the speech writer is to proceed
to the actual writing of the speech

This is the stage where all the researched materials, facts and illustrations are put together
in a good piece of coherent and interesting speech
E. The Writing Process involves the following stages:

● Outlining: Writing out the points which will be discussed in each paragraph of the
speech, usually in order of their importance.

● Drafting: Starting to pen down initial thoughts in the form of sentences and
paragraphs. These may be rewritten, re-arranged or -focused as the case may be.

Each progression of the draft gets the speech writer closer to a perfect speech.

● Writing: This stage involves:

a) The Introduction
b) The Body of the speech
c) The Conclusion

● Organizing the Body of the speech

- Main points
- Supporting Materials
- Making connections
- Transitions
- Internal structuring
- Summaries

I’m sure we are all familiar with this structure of the writing Process. It is the same for
speech, except that speech may require more elaboration, more illustration and of course, a

👇
robust content of quotable quotes!
The final stage of speech preparation is the *Rehearsal* which involves the following:

Rehearsal:

It is important to rehearse every aspect of the speech. Rehearsal can be done by at ding
before a mirror to observe one’s comportment, reading speed, demeanour, among other
critical points.
(speech length, duration, pronunciation, pauses, audience connection, etc)

- Delivery formats:
Reading, extemporaneous, memorization, etc
Knowing the specific speech format and how to prepare for it helps to prepare the speaker.

- Managing stage fright:

composure, audience affinity, voice quality, audience feedback, etc.

The speaker needs to work on anything that triggers stage fright and address it.
Presentation:

The presentation as the final stage of the speech-making process is quite crucial because it
is the culmination of all previous efforts.

As mentioned in previous classes, it is important to rehearse for time.

A good speech must start well and finish well too.

It is necessary to know how much time is available for the speech so the speaker can plan
the presentation well.

So, in a nutshell, the speech preparation process has many important stages or steps which
the speaker/ speech writer must be conversant with and follow diligently.

O6-03-2023
Lecture 6

Audience Analysis
Audience analysis is usually approached from two dimensions as follows:

1. Demographic Audience Analysis

2. Situational Audience Analysis

Demographic Audience Analysis

Demographics refers to personal or individual information about people.

Demographic information is always a useful tool in understanding social components of a

society or community, that is, the individual traits or features that we can use to gauge their
behaviour or attitude at specific periods or occasions.

As in other aspects of public life, analysing audiences for demographics enables the public
speaker to have a glimpse of the individual and collective personality traits he/she will be
confronted with at a speaking task.

Specifically, analysing demographic information about audiences informs many aspects of

the speaking task, such as,
● the form of language to use for different audiences
● the forms of address that will be appropriate
● the kinds of greetings or courtesies that will be needed
● the kind of personal presentation that will be appropriate in terms of dressing,
appearance, gestures, and body language.

Generally, demographics enable the speaker to know the best approach to adopt in relating
with different audiences.
Demographic audience analysis is concerned with information or knowledge about the
following:

● Age or Age group

● Sex/ Gender
● Racial, Ethnic and Cultural background
● Religion
● Group membership (social, political, economic, etc)

Age or Age group:

Most general audiences typically consist of people across ages.

But many audiences may be specifically composed of certain age groups, depending on the
speech event or occasion.

It is possible for the speaker to guess the age brackets of the audience to expect, based on
the occasions. e.g. a school debate, a coronation ceremony, a company event.

Each of these events will naturally attract specific age groups.

A good speaker must be able to match their language to specific audiences.

Appropriate language must also be relative to the speaker‘s age as well.

For instance, a young graduate in his/ her 20s addressing a group of middle-aged
professionals must use language that is serious, respectful and demonstrate knowledge in
order to gain the respect of the older people.

Speaking to children requires language that is simple, vivid and easy to connect with,
because they have short attention span.

Addressing children must involve lots of demonstrations and leave room for fun and
excitement.

Speaking to teenagers or adolescent requires more vibrant language that accommodates

varieties like slang, or cliches, social media coinages, jokes, etc.

Sex/Gender:

Sex applies to biological differences while gender deals with social differences.

A good speaker must first be conversant with this distinction and know when they are
important in assessing audiences.

A good speaker must be very careful about how to relate with the opposing genders in a
speech event.
Paying too much attention to one gender to the detriment of the other is unprofessional. This
will send the wrong message to the audience.

We have earlier mentioned the need for gender balances language in public speaking.
Speakers must avoid sexist language or sexist innuendoes which may inflame the emotions
of the audience.

During the speaking task, speakers should gauge the attitude of the genders and be
sensitive to current discourses that affect the genders.

Deliberate effort must be made to align the message to the audience. The speaker should
make quick adjustments or apologize when something inappropriate has been said.

Audiences with a predominantly female population will appreciate female-centered language

and vice-versa.

I’m any case, gender balancing is key in every audience.

Racial, Ethnic and Cultural Background:

This is an area that demands the speaker’s investigative instinct.

Since the aim of public speaking is to be *educate, inform and persuade*, the speaker must
be mindful of the deep personal orientations of the members of the audience, if the message
must be well received.

Audiences that will include different races can be easily analyzed on the basis of specific
racial tendencies and values.

Africans, Europeans, Asians have different perspectives to issues like family life, raising
children, marriage, work ethics, and even perceptions of other races.

Good speakers will always do the necessary research to be conversant with these
differences and know when the knowledge may be applied to suit different audiences.

Ethnicity is often tied to cultural belief systems. Issues like rituals, omens, superstitions, and
ethnic practices are often sensitive to specific ethnicities.

A good speaker should find out what applies in certain ethnic groups which are not allowed
in others, e.g shaking hands, co-education in schools, female circumcision, teenage
marriage, food and culinary practices, etc.

Sometimes, ethnic issues are also political and can be a dangerous topic in public speaking.

So, good speakers must ask questions and seek knowledge about these issues to know
what can be said and what must be avoided at speaking events.
The next factor to consider in audience analysis is Religion or Religious Affiliation.
Religion

This is another sensitive consideration for public speaking tasks.

What normally obtains is that people typically invite speakers with similar religious
orientations to speak at their events.

However, there are cases where the speaker is not necessarily of the same or similar
religious orientation.

The speaker’s job is to inform, educate, persuade no matter their own beliefs. So a good
speaker focuses on the given task.

Good speakers avoid religious sentiments.

Good speakers do not pitch one religion against another.

Good speakers respect the religious beliefs of others.

The activities of these groups are often humanistic and are conducted overtly. They are
known as subcultures within the larger society.

However, there are other groups whose activities are not openly conducted and are such
often regarded with some level of suspicion or even fear.

They are otherwise known as counter-cultures.

They include societal/ religious cults, security-oriented groups, militia groups, terrorist
groups, among others.

Good speakers do not speak openly about counter- cultures which is not accessible to the
general public.

Wise speakers do not openly criticize or condemn counter-cultures.

Good speakers do not openly speak about or endorse the activities of counter-cultures.

So far, we have discussed the factors under demographic audience analysis; featuring the
individual/personal characteristics of audiences.

We now turn to the Situational factors 👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

Situational Audience Analysis

Situational factors are those which deal with the environment or setting of the
speech-making event.
They are additional factors to be considered in terms of how the speech event will be
organized and conducted.
Situational audience analysis involves the following considerations:

1. Physical Setting
2. Size of the audience
3. Speaker’s Disposition
- to audience
-to topic
-to the occasion
4. Adaptation (before, during and after the speech)

● Physical Setting:
This is the location of the speaking task.

It is important for the speaker to make an attempt to visit the location of the speech event
before D-day.

This helps the speaker to plan the journey and consider/prepare effective solutions to
transportation or logistics issues that may arise.

Some experts also advise that it helps if the speaker can visit the location and actually walk
around the podium to know how it feels.

This will help the speaker to master posture, positioning, audience relations, and any other
preparatory moves that will promote a successful event.

Such pre-event familiarization enhances speaker's confidence and mastery of the setting.

● Size of audience

It is important to have a good idea of audience size for proper preparation.

Smaller audiences (conference rooms, offices, compound gatherings, classrooms, etc) are
more manageable in terms of the reach of the speaker’s voice (may not need public address
system),

-intimacy and involvement (it is easier to connect facially with small audiences)

-mutual comfort of speaker and audience.

-Larger audiences call for more technical support such as using a microphone, projector,
slides, speaking from a stage or podium, adequate lighting, noise control, etc.

All these are issues to be discussed with the speaker or event organizers before the event in
order to have a smooth presentation.

● Speaker disposition
It is very important for the speaker to be well prepared for the speech event, not only
physically but emotionally and psychologically.

This must not be taken for granted.

The speaker must be in tune with the topic, the audience, and the occasion to be effectively
prepared.

For instance, a speaker who is asked to speak on a topic that brings back painful memories
is likely to have emotional issues during the speech.

Equally, a speaker with some personal bias toward the topic, the audience or the
environment will also have attitudinal issues.

A positive disposition to all aspects of the speech event is key to successful delivery.

● Adaptation

A speaking task is one that demands the total application of mind and body to all aspects of
the event.

A good speaker must be well-adapted to every task involved, all the way.

This includes paying adequate attention to what happens before, during, and after the
speech.
● Adaptation *before* involves preparing a good speech and doing an adequate
rehearsal for time management and audience involvement.

● Adaptation *during* the speech involves maintaining friendliness and openness with
the audience; checking for audience reactions, ensuring audience participation or
understanding; and ability to provide clarity and direction, especially when questions
are asked.

Adaptation *after* the speech entails the ability to maintain the tempo and tenor of the
delivery, even after the speech is over.
People may come over to say hello, well done, good job, etc.

Be gracious in acknowledging these compliments and avoid arrogant responses.

Be ready to share clips, documents, slides, contacts, and other information with members of
the audience who may need them.

With this, we have come to the end of today’s class.

Demographic and Situational Considerations make up the totality of good Audience Analysis
for public speaking tasks.