Theater Arts Module 3
Theater Arts Module 3
Theater Arts Module 3
Public Speaking
Learning Outcomes
Garber (2010) cites two scholars of public speaking from the early 20th century, Edwin
Du Bois Shurter and James Albert Winans, who wrote of public speaking as an “enlarged
conversation,” and as such it has some similarities to conversations but some major
differences, too. As a conversation, it has elements of:
• awareness of and sensitivity toward your audience (in this case, more than one
person);
• an exchange of explicit messages about content (facts, ideas,
information) and less explicit ones about relationship (how you relate to one
another, such as trust, liking, respect); [this content/relationship dichotomy will
come up again in this book and is characteristic of all communication];
• a dependence on feedback to know if you are successful in being
understood (usually nonverbal in public speaking, but still present);
• the fact that the public speaking communication is (almost always) face-to-face
rather than mediated (through a computer, telephone, mass media, or writing).
Why are so many people afraid of public speaking? This is a complex question, and the
answer is tied to many personal and psychological factors such as self-efficacy, self-
confidence, past experience, training, culture, and context. The
term “glossophobia,” combining the two Greek words for “tongue” and “fear or dread,”
has been coined to refer to …a severe fear of public speaking. People who suffer from
glossophobia tend to freeze in front of any audience, even a couple of people. They find
their mouth dries up, their voice is weak and their body starts shaking. They may even
sweat, go red and feel their heart thumping rapidly. (“Do You Suffer
From Glossophobia?,” 2015).
Mental Preparation
To mentally prepare, you want to put your focus where it belongs, on the audience and
the message. Mindfulness and full attention to the task are vital to successful public
speaking. If you are concerned about a big exam or something personal going on in your
life, your mind will be divided, and that division will add to your stress.
Physical Preparation
The first step in physical preparation is adequate sleep and rest. You might be thinking
such a thing is impossible in college, where sleep deprivation and late nights come with
the territory. However, research shows the extreme effects a lifestyle of limited sleep can
have, far beyond yawning or dozing off in class (Mitru, Millrood, & Mateika, 2002; Walker,
2017). As far as public speaking is concerned, your energy level and ability to be alert
and aware during the speech will be affected by lack of sleep.
Secondly, you would be better off to eat something that is protein-based rather than
processed sugar-based before speaking.
A third suggestion is to wear clothes that you know you look good in and are
comfortable but also meet the context’s requirements. Especially, wear comfortable
shoes that give you a firm base for your posture. Flip- flops and really high heels may not
fit these categories.
Context Preparation
The more you can know about the venue where you will be speaking, the better. In
situations where you might experience “communication apprehension,” you should check
out the space beforehand or get as much information as possible. For example, if you
were required to give a short talk for a job interview, you would want to know what the
room will be like, if there is equipment for projection, how large the audience will be, and
the seating arrangements. If possible, you will want to practice your presentation in a
room that is similar to the actual space where you will deliver it.
The best advice for contextual preparation is to be on time, even early. If you have to rush
in at the last minute, as so many students do, you will not be mindful, focused, or calm
for the speech. Even more, if you are early, you can make sure equipment is working,
and can converse with the audience as they enter. Professional speakers often do this to
relax themselves, build credibility, and gain knowledge to adapt their presentations to the
audience. Even if you don’t want to “schmooze” beforehand, being on time will help you
create a good first impression and thus enhance your credibility before the actual speech.
Speech Preparation
Procrastination, like lack of sleep, seems to just be part of the college life. Sometimes we
feel that we just don’t get the best ideas until the last minute. Writing that essay for
literature class at 3:00 a.m. just may work for you. However, when it comes to public
speaking, there are some definite reasons you would not want to do that. First, of course,
if you are finishing up your outline at 3:00 a.m. and have a 9:00 speech, you are going to
be tired and unable to focus. Second, your instructor may require you to turn in your
outline several days ahead of the speech date. However, the main reason is that public
speaking requires active, oral, repeated practice before the actual delivery.
You do not want the first time that you say the words to be when you are in front of your
audience. Practicing is the only way that you will feel confident, fluent, and in control of
the words you speak. Practicing (and timing yourself) repeatedly is also the only way that
you will be assured that your speech meets the assignment’s time limits, and speaking
within the expected time limits is a fundamental rule of public speaking. You may think
your speech is five minutes long but it may end up being ten minutes the first time you
practice it—or only two minutes!
Your practicing should be out loud, standing up, with shoes on, with someone to listen, if
possible (other than your dog or cat), and with your visual aids. If you can record yourself
and watch it, that is even better. If you do record yourself, make sure you record yourself
from the feet up—or at least the hips up—so you can see your body language. The need
for oral practice will be emphasized over and over in this book and probably by your
instructor. As you progress as a speaker, you will always need to
However, you must remember that you are not there to wage war and should talk without
hurting others' feelings. Persuasive speeches are often given by sales and marketing
people to attract interest in their products. They are also used to influence political and
religious views.
[3] Speaking to Actuate
Speaking to actuate is a higher level of persuasive speaking. Here, the speaker goes a
step beyond persuasion and convincing. The aim is to motivate people enough to take a
specific step—to act. This is a powerful level of speaking. Very few people have achieved
this level of mastery of the art of persuasion where they could so deeply convince people
that they move into action.
A speech of this type typically does not rely on facts and figures, though they may be
offered. The speaker’s aim is to get his listeners so emotionally enthralled that they
wholesomely adopt his idea, his principles, his reasoning, as theirs and literally take up
the cross and share his burden. Sometimes, listeners may be so deeply moved that they
take up the cause more seriously than even the person who’s invited them into it!
[4] Speaking to Entertain
Ceremonial speeches are another form of public speaking usually given at weddings,
funerals, graduation parties, retirement parties etc. One very important factor to make
these speeches effective is to add a personal touch.
One gives these speeches for people one knows and it would be great if one can bring in
stories and incidents about the respective person. The speech can be humorous,
touching or emotional, as per the occasion and the mood. However, one should take
utmost care not to hurt feelings by making snide remarks about them.
Try this…
Record yourself reading speeches to inform, persuade, actuate, and entertain.
Sources:
"Types of Public Speaking," May 2, 2017, https://www.myspeechclass.com/speech-
speaking-types.html.
https://alg.manifoldapp.org/read/exploring-public-speaking-the-free-dalton-state-college-
public-speaking-textbook-4th-edition/section/165f9b31-7b34-4900-9657-736cc8f007fd