Discussion Question 3

3). Pick one concept from the reading this week and discuss it in detail.

3- Speakers commonly use Testimonies to support points. Using this technique will only be impactful if the audience believes in the source’s credibility.  There are multiple types of testimonies a speaker can present: expert, celebrity, lay.  Expert testimony will only be effective if the group or individual’s qualifications relate to the topic of speech.  For example, Shen Tong uses a testimony from civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. to support his viewpoint on meeting oppression with nonviolence.  In contrast, celebrity testimony is not found credible based on knowledge of topic however; it becomes compelling based on the person’s fame or state power. For example, actors who play a particular role in a film portraying a character with a disability will be able to attract an audience not because of there knowledge, but fame. Finally, lay testimony is common among journalists when reporting on human-interest stories. This is due to the fact that lay testimonials are not considered experts, but individuals who have had experience on the topic.  

Discussion Question 2

2). When do you find that giving facts and statistics are most effective in a speech?  When are giving facts and statistics not as effective? 

 In my opinion, a speech which provides information that enables an audience to make a logical connection to the presenter is the defining factor for a successful speech. The use of facts and statistics is what creates this experience. I think there can me numerous times or areas one can present a fact or statistic and have it be impactful. I believe in an informative or persuasive speech beginning with a fact or statistic can establish creditability, engage audience, and create an attentive audience. All these outcomes are desirable when presenting. Furthermore, as a speech continues one can use facts or statistics to support their inferences. Just as facts and statistics can be a great tool in a speech, it can easily be the cause of a lost audience. The miss use or overuse of facts and statistics can easily shut down an audiences’ attentiveness. For example, last weeks drinking and driving video. In my opinion, the speaker’s heavy use of statistics caused the audience to lose interest.  

Discussion Question 1

1). In regards to the following Speech Buddy videos, 7.1, 7.2, 8.1 and 8.2:  What did you learn that could be helpful in your speech? 

      

The first video highlights the importance of using a mix of supporting materials, narratives, definitions, testimony and examples. It is important to identify the advantages and disadvantages in each source. Applying this simple strategy in preparation, gives you a broad view and perspective on your topic. In my Demo speech, I have reviewed a verity of texts and I have gathered different supporting materials from each. Currently, I have not come up with a way in which I could include a narrative in this speech. On the other hand, I will be sure to define some terms I might use in my speech, terms that the audience might not be familiar with.

Evaluating media credibility (internet, newspaper, magazines) is important in insuring you are presenting information without bias. For my speech I have used mostly books as my supporting material. Therefore, less evaluation is necessary.

In reviewing the 7patternes of organization, I intend on using a topical pattern in presenting my Demo speech. I believe this pattern will best allow me to break down and present my points. The use of transition is a necessary step in leading the audience to my next point. I have developed a few different transitions statements I intend to include in my speech.  

Discussion Question 3

3). Pick one concept from the reading this week and discuss it in detail.

In contrast to audience demographics, using psychographic information centers on psychological connection with your audience, such as, values, attitudes and beliefs.  First, one must identify the standpoint of the audiences. Which refers to the location or viewpoint one interprets his/her world.  An individual’s standpoint can stem from their culture, family or many other sociological influences. Furthermore, identifying an audiences’ standpoint helps the speaker recognize the audience in a more subjective way.  Audience Values- “a value is an enduring concept of what is good, right, worthy, and important” (Coopman 83). In conjunction with standpoint, values play a large role on how the audience interprets a speech.  The book uses an eye-opening example, comparing the advertising campaign of Apple deployed in the US compared to Great Britain. They concluded, what was view as hip and trendy in the US was perceived as smug and overbearing in Britain.  Ultimately, knowing the values of your target audience will increase the effectiveness of ones speech.

Discussion Question 2

2). Discuss the importance of audience analysis and audience adaptation in the speech development process.  Also discuss how you plan on using audience analysis in your speech. 

Without an audience there will be no speech. So, is it crazy to think your audience is the most important part of ones speech?? I don’t think so. Regardless how fascinating or invigorating ones speech is, without an attentive audience, you have nothing. Furthermore, if the content of your speech is not designed to be appealing to your audience, again, you are left with a terrible experience. Tailoring your speech to fit your audience requires research. First, you must identify the demographic of the audience. In other words, what type of individuals will you be speaking to. Is your audience mostly consisting of middle-aged housewives?  If so, one would be hard-pressed presenting a speech on economic growth by increasing the work force. Once you have identified the audiences’ demographic, it would be wise to include a statement within the introduction that demonstrates sharing a common ground. 

I’m not sure how I plan on analyzing the audience in our class. Unfortunately, I only participated in class one day. From what I remember, this class has quite the spectrum of individuals. Therefore, I intend on making note of the men, women, and ethnicity next class period.

Discussion Question 1

1). Speech Buddy:  Review Drinking and Light Pollution Videos on the Speech Buddy website in accordance with Chapter 5.  Respond to each video.  What did the speaker to well?  What can you learn from watching these videos?

In the pollution video, Courtney had a well-formulated introduction. She expressed to her audience her purpose and included actions the audience could take to prevent pollution. She spoke clearly and confidently. Inversely, in the drinking video, Matthew’s presentation began a little shaky. He stumbled over some of his words, and referred to his note cards to often.  Further along the presentation, Matthew does a good job at presenting the statistics he had gathered. I can’t confess to its accuracy but nonetheless, it did seem logical and it adds credibility to him as a speaker. However, it is my opinion that speech seemed dry. I could imagine loosing interest in his speech. It appeared to me that there were all too much statistics and not enough content. Finally, I feel like he did well in his closing statements. He paraphrased the purpose of his speech, included a bold statement about drinking and drive, and finished by encouraged the audience to practice safe drinking.

Discussion Question 3

3)   Pick one concept from the reading this week and discuss it in detail.

The book identifies the first step in developing a clear research plan is “determining what you already know about a topic”(Coopman).  It recommends that the first step in the process should consist of making a list , or jotting down some aspects of your topic. Followed by writing out a few phrases about each. For example, if I were to be giving a speech on Mutual Funds, I would site such things like: Long term, investment, retirement, growth funds, small cap, mid cap, etc. Next, I would write out a few sentences about each one of the listed aspects. Next, I would identify how I learned about the topic. These steps should provide a solid foundation for one to begin the research step. As I discussed in my previous post, the research step is just as crucial in the quality of the final speech, as is, the development stage of the speech.

Discussion Question 2

2)   Watch all Speech Buddy videos that are related to Chapter 6.  Respond to the videos.   What did you learn that was helpful? What information from these videos will you use in the preparation process for your speeches in this course?

The video with the women giving a speech on Gastropods was, in my opinion, very well prepared for. The speaker clearly was well versed on the biology and anatomy of the Gastropods. Obviously, she invested a great deal of time preparing for the speech.  Therefore, seeming confident and comfortable with the subject matter.

The Managing the Research Process video highlights some valuable tools and processes one can implement in preparation for a speech. The video states “doing sound research is a crucial step in the speech making process” this step is clearly one the most important, as demonstrated by the Gastropod speech.  Completing sound research will give the speaker the confidence and knowledge to be perceived by the audience as creditable on their topic. Which ultimately could make or break ones speech.

Discussion Question 1

1)   What experience do you have with conducting research interviews?  What went well?  What needed improvement?  Share your advice with your class members.

My experience with conducting research interviews is limited. I last conducted a research interview with my grandfather preparing a report for my nutrition class. My research interview with my grandfather was a question and answer session that discussed nutritional habits of individuals in the foreign country of Spain. My greatest takeaway from my experience was that, as the interviewer, you must stay on track with the questioning. Specifically, when my interviewee responded to a question it was so elaborate that it began to stray away from the subject matter. I quickly realized that if I do not cut him off, he would continue to speak for an hour on my first question.  Now that I am reflecting on my interview, when I began to write my paper, I recall thinking to myself, I wish I had better developed questions. When reviewing my notes, it seemed that most of my questions were close-ended and did not lead the interviewee in the direction that I had hoped. Ultimately, making my paper difficult to write.

Discussion Question 3

3) Pick one concept from the reading this week and discuss it in detail.

The concept of “Determining your general purpose” especially resonated with me. I can recall listening to countless speeches where the speaker seemed unable to clue his audience in on his purpose until midway through his speech. Whether you are giving an informative, persuasive or entertaining speech, identifying a clear purpose from the beginning is essential. The general purpose of a speech answers the question, “what I want my speech to do” (Coopmen 62)? Once you have identified the purpose of your speech, it is important, as you develop your speech, that you keep your general purpose in mind. It is ok to include humor in an informative speech. Similarly, offering explanations in a persuasive speech. However, you do not want to stray to far from your general purpose. For example, if your general purpose is to inform you do not want to include so much humor that your speech will be recalled by the jokes you included and not the purpose to inform.