Public Speaking and the Youth of Today - Essay Example

Touching Lives Public Speaking and the Youth of Today We cannot NOT communicate. No human activity is so constant, pervasive and important as the act of communication. For every activity that we engage in is a communicative act in itself. Like other bodily functions such as breathing, eating or sleeping, communicating is and will always be a part of our day to day activity. Communication could take any of the following forms: personal level, or with another person or persons or to a public. In essence we communicate to understand and be understood. Since communicating is a natural thing that we engage in whether we like it, expect it or not, why then the need to study it Unlike other physiological processes mentioned earlier, communication involves participating elements, meaning it is an active continuous process that will certainly affect all other elements involved. Since we do and cannot exist on our own we will need to effectively communicate our desires or messages (as this will be referred to later in this paper) to obtain the response we expect and make the communicative act more rewarding. No one is alike in its desires, opinions on certain things, acceptance even in non-acceptance of an idea for everyone is brought up in different environment by different significant others and are exposed to different stimuli. Engaging in a communicative act is, in effect, creating a common ground that will serve as a spring board for consequential interactions. We may study communication or the communicative act in two ways: either as a process and or as an activity. On the one hand, if it will be studied as a process, communication will be explored based on the basic principles involved: thinking, the verbal as well as non-verbal form of communication, the elements involved in the process (i.e source, message, channel, and the receiver), and factors affecting each element in the communicative act. On the other hand, if communication will be studied as an activity, the different levels and forms of presentation in the different levels will be dealt with. Differentiations between a conversation, symposium, speech presentation and the other levels and forms of communication will be delineated. The content of the message in each form will also be a major concern then since the message is, as will be seen later on, the life of the communicative act. Finally, if the communicative act is seen as an activity, the result or the effect of the communicative act will likewise be examined after engaging in a specific form of communication. In a group discussion, for example, emphasis will be on the result-i.e whether a solution has been made. In a persuasive discourse, however, whether the audience is convinced of the ideas presented by the speaker. All of these will be explained in this paper, except, of course the actual presentation of each form. Much of the discussion, however, will focus on public speaking and its effect on one of the most difficult to persuade audience: the youth. The basic guiding principles that will motivate such genre of receiver will be given emphasis in the later part of this paper. The communicative act, as specified earlier, may take different forms. The most common form, so common that it tends to be given least consideration, is intrapersonal communication or "the processes which operate within the individual (Intrapersonal Communication)."In this level of communication an individual acts as both the originating and the responding communicator. It ranges from simply thinking, meditating, and reflecting to talking to one's self or writing oneself a memo. Then there is what is called the interpersonal level of communication. While in the intrapersonal level, both the source and the receiver of the message pertain to an individual, interpersonal communication involves another person. It may take the form of a conversation, a dialogue or an interview. As you might have guessed, two personae are now actively participating, affecting and being affected in the process. The success in this process lies in the quality of intrapersonal communication each has undergone before and during the communicative act. Group communication comes next in the least. In a sense, communication involving more than two individuals is considered group communication. The purpose of group communication is twofold: 1) to exchange ideas or information and, 2) reach an agreement or make a decision. Examples of group discussion includes: brainstorming sessions, nominal group process, panel discussion, symposium, parliamentary procedure. The effectiveness of the group may be measured by the quality of solution or decision reached since a feasible solution can only be reached when every member of the group gave justice to the problem or topic they have considered for discussion. This can only be done when each member of the group actively participates in the discussion and have learned to compromise each other's ideas for a better solution to the problem at hand. Now, we come to the main focus of this paper-- public communication or speaking in public. As you might have noted, the achievement in any of the level of communication lies in the individual or the quality of intrapersonal communication an individual has undergone. To understand public communication and communication per se, let us first consider the elements in the process: 1) the Source (Speaker), 2) the Message, 3) the Channel (five senses) and, 4) the Receiver (Audience). These are the elements found in Berlo's Model of Communication (Doyle, 2005). Certain factors affect both the source and the receiver resulting to the quality of the message received and retained. These are communication skills, knowledge, attitude, the social system and culture. Knowledge is the understanding of the information and experiences related to the topic being spoken of. Communication skills, however, is how the source transmits or conveys this knowledge to the receiver and how the latter understands the information shared. The attitude of both the source and the receiver is greatly shaped by the social system and the culture each has been immersed. Yen in an article titled, "Games, Dilemmas and Traps," (1999) explained how an individual seeing that "life is a game" uses strategies to maximize an individual's gains and minimize his losses. Aspects of Thomas Harris, person who coined the term "life positions," or the prevailing disposition of an individual towards another person was explained in this article. The four life positions are as follows: 1) I'm not OK, You're Ok; 2) I'm Ok, You're Not Ok; 3) I'm Not Ok, You're Not Ok, and 4) I'm Ok, You're Ok. In a nut shell this life positions are the life perspectives of an individual formed by previous recordings in the brain that cause him to respond as an individual with any of these ego states: Parent, Child, and Adult. (Yen, 1999) The Parent ego state is composed of the recordings of imposed, unquestioned external events perceived by a person between birth and age five. This is considered the taught concept. The Child ego state, are recordings of internal events (feelings) in response to external events between birth and age five. This is the felt concept. Finally, the Adult ego state is the recording of data acquired and computed through exploration and testing. This is the thought concept. (Fanita English, 2005) Of the four life positions, the most productive is the fourth (I'm Ok, You're Ok) when the person sees other individuals as his equal and responds to stimuli, either verbally spoken or non-verbally transmitted, with the adult ego state actively participating in the communicative act. Since public speaking serve four functions, namely: 1) for self-definition, 2) to spread information through a community, 3) to debate a question of fact, value or policy in a community, and 4) to bring about individual or group change, applying these concepts in a public communicative act, the speaker understands the audience' differences and needs, hence create appropriate techniques to get his message across as how he intends it to be accepted. In essence the speaker will yield expected result. Michael Landrum, in his article for the Toastmasters International titled, "The 10 Commandments of Communication," identified techniques, which he labeled as the 10 commandments on how to speak like a leader. These are as follows: 1. Listen generously. Since during the public speaking act, much of the talking (or the verbal component of the message) is done by the speaker, most of the non-verbal cues will either give life or an end to the speech, hence the as a speaker, you will need to listen carefully to the unspoken words of the audience. This active listening process, should actually have been done much earlier than the act itself. It simply means that you as the speaker should have evaluated the audience even before the encounter. If you are speaking before a group of young people, you need to understand their language and accept their unique individualities. Your expectations should likewise be based on the limits that the group might have. Always remember that each group has its own norm or culture. 2. Say what you mean and mean what you say. You cannot tell your audience to do only the good things that they hear from you and not what they see from you. Hence everything that you share with them must come from the heart. For when it comes from there it only means you also live by what you say. 3. Use the fewest words with the fewest syllables. I run afoul of this one all the time. It's the main reason I rewrite so often, looking for big, two-dollar words I can swap for a single 10-cent syllable. Delete therefore, insert so. That's real economy in writing. Remember that the basic unit of communication is not the word but the idea. Your aim is to get your message across, to set them into action and not to impress your audience with your vocabulary. 4. Align with your audience. We may consider it our task to speak to the audience, but it is sometimes more important to speak for them. Express those thoughts and feelings that you share with them. Even if you think they are wrong and you are the advocate of sweeping change, you must first understand and articulate their feelings. Great leaders know that leadership begins with the pronoun we. This establishes the feeling of "commonness" or oneness with the audience, hence they will perceive that you understand their need and your speech is intended to solve those needs. 5. Be specific. Use stories, anecdotes, parables and examples rather than generalities and abstractions. This is a tough one for some people. They love to wander through a topic in the abstract, scattering generalities as they go. The great teachers and speakers pepper their talks with vivid, detailed examples. "He seemed upset as he left" is general. "He blew his nose, kicked the dog and slammed the door" is specific. It will also help if the examples that you draw for them came from real situations, which you have had. 6. Suit the action to the word, the word to the action. Don't say "I'm glad to be here" while looking at your wristwatch. Be aware of your non-verbal communication. Your gestures, posture, facial expressions, energy, tone of voice, and a thousand other tiny, unuttered elements actually carry the true and specific meaning of your communication. We can understand the words "I love you" well enough. But their true importance, their actual meaning, is all wrapped up in how they are spoken, and by whom. Remember that action speaks louder than words. 7. Structure your speech. One valuable way to make your talk memorable is to speak to a structure and make your listeners aware of it. Share with them the form of your thoughts as well as the content and they will be able to follow more complex ideas. It will be easier for you to remember, too. People appreciate the scenery more with a glance at the road map every now and then. Make it clear at the beginning the purpose of your speech and the ideas that you intend to present in the duration of the speech. 8. Speak to be understood. Have the courtesy to develop your voice so that all may hear you. You groom your appearance, so why not cultivate your voice With a little effort it can be strong, crisp, clear and various in texture, color and range. It's sad when speakers expend their energy to create a vivid, well-constructed talk and then whisper, mutter or mumble. Even when you feel that there are butterflies in your stomach, consider them as energy that will boost you in delivering your speech. 9. Speak for the benefit of others. Serve your audience well by keeping their interests foremost in your mind. This is the golden rule of speaking. As an audience member you can easily tell when a speaker is self-serving. Nothing communicates more clearly than intention. Be reminded that your message has been maid for the benefit of the audience. It will not serve its purpose unless it is directed toward a certain audience in the first place. 10. Speak from your highest self. The highest self is where hope resides. To lead effectively requires a courageous, positive, optimistic view. As any astronaut will tell you, if you get high enough you will be in perpetual sunshine. There must be a caveat attached to this rule, however: Beware of elevating yourself with a high horse. Be humble. Having an opinion is a meager accomplishment. On most occasions a modest demeanor improves communication. A speaker who exudes confidence gets a better appraisal from his audience and is considered a credible source. You may deliver an impromptu, read, or an extemporaneous speech. An impromptu speech, as the name implies is a speech given at the spur-of-the-moment, hence it is short and often based on personal experiences and is not based on research. A read speech, on the other hand, is a prepared speech and is read on formal occasions. An extemporaneous speech presentation extends beyond the basic knowledge since you, as the speaker, is given ample time to analyze your audience, research on the topic at hand, outline, write and even practice your speech aloud so you will not go over the time limit if ever there is. So how should you deliver your speech to the youth of day In one of a contemporary novel writer's blog site, which is called "Charlie's diary" (Autopope Zone, 1993), a number of descriptive names attached to the youth and society of today, such as "the huge political scandals of the last conservative government are history, labor are the natural party of government and fiscal prudence, techies and gizmos are ever handy, homosexuality and abortion has always been legal." The list goes on. Applying them on a public speaking context, your audience would then be a mixture of personalities that is difficult to please. Their concerns vary and may not have a lot of time to listen to hours of speech. Hence the ideas presented earlier will serve as techniques that will alter their mind sets and favor your opinion. Once you understand your audience you will know how you address their needs, what techniques you will use, and when and how you will use them. After all of this has been said, it is hoped that your next encounter with your audience will be more profitable and more lives will be touched. Reference: Doyle, Terrence A., PhD. January 2005. Interpersonal Transmission: Berlo, Osgood and Schramm, Gerbner. "Berlo's S-M-C-R Model," accessed 28 March 2008 from Duen Shi Yen, "Games, Dilemmas and Traps,"August 1999. Accessed on 28 March 2008 from English, Fanita. "A Summary of Transactional Analysis Concepts I Use," from "How Did You Become a Transactional Analyst" Transactional Analysis Journal, Vol. 35 , #1 Jan 2005. International Transactional Analysis Association website. Accessed on 28 March 2008 from "Intrapersonal Communication." Accessed on 28 March 2008 from Michael Landrum, ATMB, Toastmasters International. Become the Speaker and Leader You Want To Be. "10 Commandments of Communication." Accessed on 27 March 2008 from The Autopope Zone. "Charlie's Diary,"1993. Accessed 28 March 2008 from Read More