the rich Heritage of Public Speaking 1.4 11
determine if your message has achieved your objective. For this reason, we sug-
gest that you keep your audience foremost in your mind from the first moments
of thinking about your speech. In Chapter 3, we present a step-by-step guide
to preparing any speech that will connect speaker to audience regardless of the
channel used.
Quick check
The Rich Heritage of Public SpeakingPeriod Event
Fourth to first centuries b.c.e. Greek rhetoric flourishes in the Age of Aristotle. Roman orators continue the tradition.
Sixteenth century European clergy are the primary practitioners of public speaking.
Eighteenth century American patriots make impassioned public pleas for independence.
Nineteenth century Abolitionists and suffragists speak out for change; frontier lecture circuits flourish.
Twentieth century Electronic media first make possible vast audiences.
Twenty-first century Speakers adapt centuries-old traditions of public speaking to rapidly evolving technol-
ogy and media.