(完整版)《演讲的艺术》chapter1-5课后summary

Chapter1 speaking in public

People throughout history have used public speaking as a vital means of communication and empowerment. Because you will live the rest of your life in a globalized world, the need for English public speaking will almost surely touch you at some time.

To be successful giving speeches in English, you need to be culturally competent communicator. You must show respect for the cultural values and expectations of the people who come to hear you. This dose not mean that you have to devalue your own culture. There is no inherent conflict between being a competent English public speaker and being fully Chinese.

Because public speaking involves the use of English as a working language, it requires critical thinking skills. Critical thinking helps you organize your ideas, spot weaknesses in other people’s reasoning, and avoid them in your own.

There are many similarities between public speaking and conversation, but there are also important differences. First, public speaking requires more detailed preparation than ordinary conversation. Second, it requires more formal language. Third, it demands that speakers adjust their voices to the larger audience and work at avoiding distracting physical mannerisms and verbal habits.

The speech communication process includes seven elements: speaker, message, channel, listener, feedback, interference, and situation. The interaction of these elements determines the outcome of any public speech.

Chapter2 speaking confidently and ethically

stage fright is an issue for public speakers in all countries. Rather than trying to eliminate every trace of stage fright, you should try to transform it into positive energy. To some extent, this will happen naturally as you gain experience as a speaker, but you should also think positively, prepare thoroughly, visualize yourself giving a successful speech, remember that most nervousness is not visible to the audience, and think of your speech as communication rather than as a performance in which you must do everything perfectly Because public speaking is a form of power, it carries with it heavy ethical responsibili ties. There are four basic guidelines for ethical speechmaking. The first is to make sure your goals are ethically sound. The second is to be fully prepared for each speech. The third is to be honest in what you say. The fourth is to put ethical principles into practice at all times

Of all the ethical lapses a speaker can commit, few are more serious than plagiarism lobal plagiarism is lifting a speech entirely from a single source. Patchwork plagiarism involves cutting and pasting a speech from a limited number of sources. Incremental pla giarism occurs when a speaker fails to give credit for specific quotations and paraphrases that are borrowed from other people Because it is so easy to copy information from the Internet, it poses special challenges with regard to plagiarism. If you don't cite Internet sources, you are just as guilty of plagia- rism as if you take information from print sources without proper citation. As you research your speeches, be sure to take accurate notes of the Internet sources you use so you can identify them in your speech

Chapter3 giving your first speech

One of your first assignments will be to present an introductory speech, either a speech of self-introduction or a speech introducing a classmate. Focus the speech on a limited number of ideas and be creative in developing them. Use interesting supporting materials and present them in colorful, descriptive language.

When organizing the speech, make sure you have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Most introductory speeches fall naturally into chronological or topical order. Using clear transitions will help your audience follow you from point to point.

Although you will write a complete manuscript or outline of your speech when preparing it, you should deliver it extemporaneously. This means you have rehearsed fully and can present your talk from a brief set of speaking notes. Concentrate on establishing eye contact with the audience and on speaking in a dynamic, engaged tonof voice

Chapter4 selecting a topic and purpose

The first step in speechmaking is choosing a topic. If you have trouble picking a topic, you can use clustering, a personal inventory, or an Internet search to come up with something that is right for you.

The general purpose of your speech will usually be to inform or to persuade. When your general purpose is to inform, your goal is to communicate information clearly, accurately, and interestingly. When your general purpose is to persuade, your goal is to win listeners over to your point of view

Once you know your topic and general purpose, you must focus on a specific purpose statement that indicates precisely what your speech seeks to achieve. The specific purpose statement should (1) be a full infinitive phrase; (2) be worded as a statement, not a question:(3) avoid figurative language;(4) not be vague or general; (5) be appropriate for your audience; and(6) be achievable in the allotted time.

The central idea is a concise statement of what you will say in your speech, and it usually crystallizes in your thinking after you have done your research and have decided on the main points. In most cases, it encapsulates the main points in a single declarative sentence Chapter5 analyzing the audience

Good speakers are audience-centered. When working on your speeches, keep three questions in mind: To whom am I speaking? What do I want them to know, believe, or do as result of my speech? What is the most effective way of composing and presenting my speech to accomplish that aim?

People are egocentric. They typically approach speeches with one question uppermost in mind: "why is this important to me?" Therefore you need to study your audience and adapt your speech to their beliefs and interests.

The major factors to consider in audience analysis are size, physical setting, demographic traits disposition toward the topic, disposition toward the speaker, and disposition toward the occasion, For speeches outside the classroom, you can get information about the audience by asking the person who invites you to speak. For classroom speeches, you can circulate an audience-analysis questionnaire.

Once you complete the audience analysis, you must adapt your speech so it will be clear and convincing. Try to hear the speech as your listeners will. Anticipate questions and objections, and try to answer them in advance. When you deliver the speech, keep an eye out for audience feedback, and adjust your remarks in response. After the speech, think about your audience's response and about changes you would make if you were delivering the speech again