Public Speaking

Summary (^111)
• What kind of weather is shown in the photographs? Is that weather typical of the
climate where your school is located?
• What students are most typical of the student body? What students are shown in the
photographs? What types are missing from the promotional materials?
• Which buildings or interiors, if any, are shown? Why do you think they were
selected?
• What’s left out? Why?

Summary

It is vital to support your ideas with evidence that listeners understand and accept so

they can see reasons for your major ideas. Select facts, definitions, and descriptions that

you can verify in a number of sources. In addition, select up-to-date facts and take care

to not pass along distorted or incorrect information.

In a society that tends to place value on quantification, the judicious use of enu-

meration and statistics can increase your audience’s acceptance of your ideas. However,

be sure your numerical support is understandable, up-to-date, and used in ways that do

not create misleading impressions. Visual aids are often helpful in clarifying complex

numerical data.

Almost all listeners respond to examples, and using specific incidents as support-

ing material helps make abstract concepts more concrete and relevant. Whether real or

hypothetical, brief or extended, illustrations also help listeners identify emotionally with

your topic. To be effective, examples should be representative, sufficient in number, and

plausible.

The use of quotations or testimony also enhances your credibility. Directly quote

or paraphrase the opinions of experts and lay or peer sources. In addition, use cultural

proverbs, written texts, and even words of wisdom from relatively unknown sources that

your audience will accept as credible.

Comparisons or analogies are an additional means of support. Literal analogies

compare or contrast two actual things; figurative analogies compare two things that are

generally considered different but share one likeness. Both types add vividness to your

speeches.

Finally, visual evidence in the form of pictures, images, or symbols can help your

audience “see reasons,” which can lead to increased understandings and engaged emo-

tions and can provide a motivation for behaviors.

As you interweave facts, numbers, examples, quotations, comparisons, and visuals,

you give your listeners more reasons to accept the conclusions you present.

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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