Analyzing your Audience before you Speak 6.5 119
banquet. Knowing the occasion helps you to predict both demographic charac-
teristics of the audience and the members’ psychological state of mind.
If you’re presenting a speech at an annual or monthly meeting, you have
the advantage of being able to ask people who have attended previous presenta-
tions what kind of audience typically gathers for the occasion. Your best source
of information may be either the person who invited you to speak or someone
who has attended similar events. Knowing when you will speak on the program
or whether a meal will be served before or after you talk will help you to gauge
what your audience expects from you.
Advance preparation will help you avoid last-minute surprises about the
speaking environment and the physical arrangements for your speech. A well-
prepared speaker adapts his or her message not only to the audience but also to
the speaking environment. Ask the following questions, and use the answers to
guide you in adapting your presentation to the speaking situation:
• How many people are expected to attend the speech?
• What is the occasion that brings the audience together?
• At what time of day will I be speaking and where will I appear on the
program?
• What are the length limitations on my talk? Does the total allotted time in-
clude time for a question-and-answer session?
• How will the audience seating be arranged? Can I rearrange the seats?
• How close will I be to the audience?
• Will I speak from a lectern?
• Will I be expected to use a microphone?
• Will I have adequate equipment for my visual aids? Is there anyone avail-
able to help me with sound and visual equipment?
• What is the room lighting like? Will the audience seating area be darkened
beyond a lighted stage? Can I control any aspects of the room lighting?
• Will there be noises or other distractions outside the room?Quick check
The Speaking Situation
learn all you can about:
• The timing of your speech
• The place you’ll be speaking
• The size and placement of the audience
• The speaking occasion