CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCING THE STUDY OF PUBLIC SPEAKING
OBJECTIVES
After reading this chapter students should be able to:
2. Describe the communication process;
4. Apply the communication process;
5. Describe three overall objectives for studying public speaking.
Skill Builder Exercises – Discussion of Selected Activities
Resource Manual by their exercise number (1 or 2) that appears in the text. Additional exercises
beyond those appearing in the text will be clearly identified as such and numbered 3., 4. etc.
Additional Skill Builder Exercises
3. Chapter introduction exercise. After your class has been assigned to read Chapter 1, divide
the class into several groups of 3-5 students. Assign each group one of the situations mentioned
in the introduction to Chapter 1. Ask each group to provide specific details of the example to
explain why it was a difficult communication situation for the person involved.
Example: Blake was bored by the commencement speaker. Why?
4. Role playing. Have the class do some role playing to get them to relax. Role-playing can be
fun if a class is somewhat uninhibited or willing to try new experiences. These activities can
also be threatening to students who are terrified of public presentations. Be careful not to force
these individuals to give solo performances. Have shy or nervous people do role playing in
procedures.
b. A principal describing the need for sex education to a group of elementary
school parents (some may be hostile, some neutral, some in favor).
d. A boss informing employees that they will have to take fewer coffee breaks, cut
their lunch hour in half, stop using the copy machine for personal documents,
and quit using e-mail for personal reasons or risk being spied upon and fired.
InfoTrac/Library Database Exercises
1. Using a InfoTrac or one of your library databases, search the journal Vital Speeches of the
Day and find a commencement address that you feel is interesting, well organized, and
appropriate to the occasion. Write or present a brief report, answering the following questions:
a. Where was the speech given?
b. What was the reputation of the speaker prior to the address?
c. What are the major themes and ideas that the speaker presents in the speech?
d. How effectively was the speech organized?
e. Did the speaker acknowledge the audience in any way? If so, how?
f. What are your feelings and reactions to this commencement address?
Speech Builder Express Exercises
Speech Builder Express helps students to construct the outlines of their speeches. Speech Builder
exercises are identified in chapters that include speaking assignments:
• Chapter 3 – Building Your First Speech
• Chapter 7 – Selecting the Topic and Purpose
• Chapter 10 – Organizing the Body
• Chapter 15 – Speaking to Inform