Public Speaking

Summary (^11)
education. Other organizations have their ideas about public speaking, and these
affect what is considered appropriate and inappropriate in the context.
Although imperfect, the transactional model effectively depicts communication as a
complex, dynamic process. It further identifies and clarifies some of the many variables
that affect the way we cooperate with one another to co-create meanings.

Summary

This chapter introduced some benefits you can gain by studying public speaking from

a perspective of cultural diversity. By definition, cultures emerge, maintain themselves,

and change through communication. Cultures include both the visible and the under-

lying (embedded) aspects of a society; they are complex and contain many co-cultural

groups, which often have different norms for speaking and listening. Culture affects

public speaking, and public speaking affects culture.

Our cultures provide us with core beliefs, values, attitudes, and behaviors that shape

our own speeches and our responses to others’ messages. In addition, our technology

provides a variety of resources we can use to research topics and present our speeches,

face-to-face as well as online. Finally, our cultural heritages provide expectations regard-

ing the how, the who, and the what of public speaking. Of course, within each culture

individual personalities and preferences also shape the ways we communicate.

Public speaking allows us to transmit core cultural beliefs, values, and attitudes to

newcomers. Speaking reinforces or supports culture as it is, and through speaking we

repair or restore community when it is threatened. We also change or transform cultural

elements that are outmoded or dysfunctional.

The study of rhetoric, a cornerstone of a liberal arts education, can equip you per-

sonally with critical thinking skills that are useful in everyday and workplace interac-

tions. Throughout this course, you will learn skills that are personally and professionally

valuable in a culture that relies on skilled speakers and listeners.

The chapter closed with the transactional model of communication that depicts

in visual form the transactional nature of communication. It emphasizes that both the

originator of the message and the receiver must cooperate if they are to transact or ne-

gotiate meaning. Although public speakers originate messages, they should remember

to adapt to feedback both as they prepare and as they speak. Listeners participate by ac-

tively decoding information and encoding feedback. All this communication, which can

be negatively affected by both internal and external noise, takes place within a specific

situation and cultural frame.

Study and Review

Public Speaking: Concepts and Skills for a Diverse Society offers a broad range of

resources that will help you better understand the material in this chapter, complete

assignments, and succeed on tests. Your MindTap resources feature the following:

•   Speech videos with viewing questions, speech outlines, and transcripts

•   Activities to help you check your understanding and to apply what you’ve learned to

your own life

•   Stop and Check and Critical Thinking exercises

•   Outline Builder

•   Web Links related to chapter content

•   Study and review tools such as self-quizzes and an interactive glossary

Reflect on what you’ve

learned.

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