Republic of the Philippines

OUR LADY OF RANSOM CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Matatalaib, Tarlac City
A.Y. 2015-2016

ETHICS OF A PUBLIC SPEAKING

(A Written Report)
In partial fulfillment of the subject requirements in English 10

Nunag, Jefferson D.
10-Justice

Gaspar, Benjamin S.
English Teacher

Types of Communication
1. Intrapersonal Communication is the process of transmitting and receiving symbolic
cues, both verbal and non-verbal. This is obviously, a rather broad definition. It includes
all levels of communication interpersonal, intrapersonal and public. Intrapersonal
communication is communication within yourself. It involves thinking, remembering and
feeling all the things you do internally. When you walk across the campus and think
What a beautiful day, you are communicating intrapersonal. This type of
communication is the basis for the other two levels of communication, it is also the origin
of most communication problems. This is true because we perceive all communication
problems intrapersonally.
2. Public Communication- involves in

communication between you and

other several people. You are communicating at this level when you present a
public speech. Mass media, such as television, radio, and movies are also
forms of public communication. At this level of communication, you engage
primarily in a monologue rather than a dialogue.

3. Interpersonal Communication is communication among a relatively small number of

people and includes both dyadic (two persons) and small group communication. Much of
our communication takes place at this level. Here we are concerned with the dyadic form
of interpersonal communication.
How to improve interpersonal Skills
David Johnson, author of Reaching out: Interpersonal effectiveness and SelfActualization, expressed that a person well trained in intrapersonal communication
should be able to:
Know and trust one-another.
Develop open and honest communication
Accept and support one another: and
Resolve conflicts and relationship problems constructively.

PRINCIPLES OF INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

1. Be Other-Oriented
Be interested in other people especially on what they say. You can establish
effective interpersonal relationships if you try to put yourself in other persons
shoes. It is important to establish an open communication.
2. Know the purpose of the communication.
You need to be aware as to why the verbal exchanges are going on so that you
could adjust the method of communication that you will use pulling emphasis on
the tone, language and approach that will be appropriate to the situation.
3. Choose an appropriate place for communication.
A corridor is not the proper place if you will discuss important issues. Even if
your intentions are good. If communication is done all the wrong time and place it
might result to a miscommunication and waste of time.
4. Think before you speak
Consider your words before you speak. It is essentials to consider how you will
put your ideas together to get the best results.
5. Seek second opinions
When you ask a persons advice regarding a particular topic, s/he feels good. Be
appreciative of the persons contributions.

What is Public Speaking?

Public speaking in the twenty-first century is an art and a science that has developed over
millennia. In a world that is bombarded by information, the skill set of public speaking is more
important today than ever. According to an address given by Tony Karrer at the TechKnowledge
2009 Conference, the New York Times contains more information in one week than individuals
in the 1800s would encounter in a lifetime. Currently, the amount of information available to
people doubles every eighteen months and is expected to double weekly by 2015. In a world
filled with so much information, knowing how to effectively organize and present ones ideas
through oral communication is paramount.
From audience analysis to giving a presentation, Stand Up, Speak Out: The Practice and Ethics
of Public Speaking will guide students through the speech-making process. We believe that it is
important to focus on the practical process of speech making because we want this book to be a
user-friendly guide to creating, researching, and presenting public speeches. While both classic
and current academic research in public speaking will guide the book, we do not want to lose the
focus of helping students become more seasoned and polished public speakers. We believe that a
new textbook in public speaking should first, and foremost, be a practical book that helps
students prepare and deliver a variety of different types of speeches.
In addition to practicality, we believe that it is important to focus on the ethics of public speaking
from both a sources and a receivers point of view. In 2006 Pearson, Child, Mattern, and Kahl
examined the state of ethics in public speaking textbooks. Specifically, the researchers used the
National Communication Association (NCA) Credo for Ethical Communication to guide their
study of ethics in public speaking textbooks. Ultimately, the researchers focused on eight specific
categories of public speaking ethics content areas: freedom of speech, honesty, plagiarism,
ethical listening, ethical research, hate words, diversity, and codes of ethics. As a whole, the top
ten public speaking books varied in their degrees of exposure to the various ethical issues. We
believe that using the NCA Credo for Ethical Communication as the basis for discussing ethics
within this book in addition to the latest research in ethics and communication will help students
see how ethics can be applied to the public speaking context. The emphasis on ethics in
communication is very important across the field, so a public speaking textbook that completely
integrates ethical issues instead of sidelining them will be a welcome addition. All four of the
coauthors on this text have conducted research on the topic of communication ethics and written
about how ethics is important in every facet of our communicative lives.
Overall, we believe that the combination of practicality and ethics will present a new perspective
on public speaking that will be welcomed by the field. We believe this book will be both
intellectually stimulating and realistically applicable.

Why Public Speaking Matters Today?

Public Speaking in the Twenty-First Century
Public speaking is the process of designing and delivering a message to an audience. Effective
public speaking involves understanding your audience and speaking goals, choosing elements for
the speech that will engage your audience with your topic, and delivering your message
skillfully. Good public speakers understand that they must plan, organize, and revise their
material in order to develop an effective speech.
This book will help you understand the basics of effective public speaking and guide you through
the process of creating your own presentations. Well begin by discussing the ways in which
public speaking is relevant to you and can benefit you in your career, education, and personal
life.

Developing Critical Thinking Skills

One of the very first benefits you will gain from your public speaking course is an increased
ability to think critically. Problem solving is one of many critical thinking skills you will engage
in during this course. For example, when preparing a persuasive speech, youll have to think
through real problems affecting your campus, community, or the world and provide possible
solutions to those problems. Youll also have to think about the positive and negative
consequences of your solutions and then communicate your ideas to others. At first, it may seem
easy to come up with solutions for a campus problem such as a shortage of parking spaces just
build more spaces. But after thinking and researching further you may find out that building
costs, environmental impact from loss of green space, maintenance needs, or limited locations
for additional spaces make this solution impractical. Being able to think through problems and
analyze the potential costs and benefits of solutions is an essential part of critical thinking and of
public speaking aimed at persuading others. These skills will help you not only in public
speaking contexts but throughout your life as well. As we stated earlier, college graduates in
Zekeris study rated oral communication skills as the most useful for success in the business
world. The second most valuable skill they reported was problem-solving ability, so your public
speaking course is doubly valuable! Another benefit to public speaking is that it will enhance
your ability to conduct and analyze research. Public speakers must provide credible evidence
within their speeches if they are going to persuade various audiences. So your public speaking
course will further refine your ability to find and utilize a range of sources.

Benefits of Public Speaking Courses

In addition to learning the process of creating and delivering an effective speech,
Students of public speaking leave the class with a number of other benefits as well.
Some of these benefits include
developing critical thinking skills,
fine-tuning verbal and nonverbal skills,
overcoming fear of public speaking.

Ethics in Public Speaking

Often managers have to deliver presentations with unpleasant content. The vice president has to
announce that there is a hiring freeze or a downsizing. The human resource director speaks to the
employees about a benefits package with fewer benefits. Because executives are often speaking
in difficult situations, the more credibility they can develop, the more the content will be
considered and accepted. Speakers will have little or no impact on audiences if audience
members don't respect them and what they have to say.
What makes us trust a speaker or believe that he or she is a reliable source? Whom can we trust
to have our best interests at heart? Let's look at some practical ways a speaker can maintain and
enhance credibility.
Act in ways consistent with the message of the presentation. This can be as simple as
showing concern in tone of voice and facial expression when talking about an issue that
is facing the company. Acting disinterested or unconcerned when presenting bad news
can offend your listeners. Showing enthusiasm in delivery by quicker movements, more
variety, and a faster rate of speech when reading an exciting climax of a positive
presentation can produce the same enthusiasm in your audience.
A student began a persuasive speech by spreading garbage out on a table. She said, "What do all
of these pieces of trash have in common? They can all be recycled." She gave a good speech on
the need for recycling and how to set up community recycling programs. She finished to a nice
round of applause; then she gathered up all of the recyclables from the table--and threw them

away in the wastebasket in the corner. She obviously didn't understand the need for speakers to
act in ways consistent with their messages in order to maintain credibility.
Good preparation is an ethical requirement as well as a practical one. Your audience
has given you time and an opportunity, and audience members deserve to hear your best
effort. That only comes through careful preparation. If the audience can tell you didn't
prepare for them specifically, they will feel betrayed and won't respond positively to your
message. Thus the executive should start preparing several days or weeks before an
important presentation is delivered. It is hard to cram for a speech, and the audience can
tell when preparation has not been adequate.
Show respect for your audience. Don't insult your audience in any way. Racial slurs and
profanity are obviously unethical, but in addition, don't show disrespect for people's
gender, backgrounds, positions, appearances, or nationalities. Don't put people down
because of their lack of knowledge of a topic; sometimes their lack of information is the
very reason you have been asked to speak. Don't embarrass any member of your
audience. Don't play a joke on anyone without seeking permission first. Even if you do
receive permission, playing a joke on an audience member can backfire because the rest
of your group might become fearful they will bear the brunt of your next joke, causing
them to lose trust in you. Poke fun at yourself instead.

Base your conclusions in your presentation on clear evidence. Support your assertions
with relevant facts, statistics, and testimony. Keep track of your sources and be ready to
produce them if an audience member has a question. Don't make assertions you can't
support or justify. Perelman and Olbrechts-Tyteca write in their book, The New Rhetoric:
A Treatise on Argumentation, that whatever support you use should be able to satisfy the
"universal audience" - that group of all reasonable, rational people. In your outline each
major point should show a variety of evidence. If that is not the case, then eliminate the
point or, if it fits, place the evidence with another point you are making.

Choose topics that are consistent with your personal beliefs. Pick topics important to
you that you live out on a daily basis. You might be able to craft effective speeches
advocating views you do not agree with, but you will be much more effective and ethical
if you advocate opinions you actually hold. If you advocate a position which is not
something you feel completely comfortable with, this will be communicated to your
audience by your delivery style. In choosing material for your presentation, one major
criterion is how strongly you feel about the point or support. This is an excellent way to
cut out materials when you have more content than time allotted.

Respect the time of your audience. Know what time you are expected to finish - and
finish at that time. It is an insult to your audience members and an abuse of your
opportunity to speak to keep them ten, fifteen, or thirty minutes more than what is
expected of you.

NOTE: All of these ethical principles can be condensed to one, a "golden rule" of speaking
ethics: Treat each audience member as you would like to be treated if you were in your audience.

Ethics in public speaking Does that sound familiar to you?

Have you ever wondered why some public speakers seem to get it right? While others just seem
to screw it?
Why some find it so easy to captivate their audience and finish with a resounding applause?
While others just make their audience feel that the time would have been better spent sleeping at
home or perhaps, watching a cartoon?
If you care to know
The difference often lies in observing simple ethics in public speaking!

You may have a speech prepared by angels. You may have all the confidence and poise to deliver
what is to be known as the greatest speech ever to be given in human history...
But throw the ethics in public speaking to the wind and you throw your success to the wind as
well!
The truth is: Ethics in public speaking can either make or break your aspiration of becoming an
effective public speaker depending on how well you observe them!
Then
What are the ethics in public speaking?
Generally speaking, ethics have to do with what is morally right. In other words, ethics in public
speaking are more or less guidelines or unwritten rules or code of conduct every ambitious
public speaker should master and observe.
I suggest you read that statement again, slowly this time and absorb it!
So lets consider these ethics in public speaking one after the other.

1. Show Respect for Your Audience

This is number one on my list because who determines the ultimate success of your speech is
your AUDIENCE. One of the most important things you need to learn as a public speaker is
showing respect for your audience. Miss this point and you kill your presentation even before
you begin! Everyone loves to be respected and your audience loves that too.
It definitely does not show respect to talk down on your audience or any particular person in the
audience irrespective of their gender, religion, ethnicity, and race, educational or social status. If
getting your points across effectively requires making practical examples, then avoid making
examples of your audience that will be little them or harm their reputation. Never and I
repeat Never poke expensive jokes at any in your audience! Rather poke such jokes at yourself
(if that is necessary anyway).

2. Respect Your Audiences Time

In a fast-paced world such as we live in today, time is of essence. It is a valuable asset. Your
audience value their time too So dont waste it!
Therefore, show respect for your audience's time by keeping to the allotted time for your speech.
A good way to do this effectively is good preparation. If you prepare well in advance, it will keep
you from running overtime.

Spending a few minutes more than necessary may make your audience uneasy and lose interest
in your speech. That may defeat the very purpose of the speech. It may make all the hard work
you've put into the delivery from the beginning a waste. So be careful!

3. Prepare Very Well

I had a very big problem choosing which one would appear as number one on my list
between this point and 'showing respect for the audience'. This is because good preparation is an
ethic in public speaking you dare not overlook.
There is nothing else that can compare with good preparation in public speaking. This is an
ethical issue not just because the level of your preparation determines the level of your success
but also because it shows the value you place on your audience.
Remember that in listening to you, your audience have invested the time, effort (and in some
cases) money they would have used for something else. In return, they expect value for their
time, effort and money! It wont be fair and ethical for you to repay such investments with a
wishy-washy presentation!
Prepare well in advance. Do research on the subject and gather all necessary facts and references.
Thereafter, rehearse your speech. Remember that saying: Practice makes perfect? So practice,
practice and practice until you gain mastery of your speech. Such advance preparation will make
your delivery flow. It will make your speech achieve its intended purpose. And more importantly,
it will leave your audience satisfied. Take it or leave it. Your audience will be able to tell if you
do not prepare well. And this can be really harmful. Apart from failing to achieve your objective,
the audience may get angry for taking them for granted.
So start early! Dont wait for the dying minutes! Dont procrastinate! This can save you from a
very big, big mess! I'm dead serious!

4. Be Honest and Dont Mislead Your Audience

How would you feel if you listened to a speech and you enjoyed it so much but you later
discovered that the facts presented in the speech were distorted to suit the speakers selfish
motives?
Bad and greatly disappointed! Isn't it?
Ethics in public speaking demand that you are honest and accurate in the information you are
presenting to your audience. Do not mislead your audience intentionally. Do not distort the facts
to suit your aim. If you are not sure about a piece of information or fact or statistics, dont use it!
Nothing can hurt a speakers credibility more than inaccurate, distorted information. Once again,
be careful!

5. Avoid Plagiarism
What is plagiarism? Hmmm Plagiarism as defined by the Cambridge International Dictionary
of English (1996 Edition) is to take another persons idea or part of their work and pretend that it
is your own.
Avoid using another persons work without permission. Give credits to whomever you are using
his or her work as your reference. That builds up your credibility too.

6. Ensure Your Objective Is Ethical

If the objective of your speech is to motivate people to get involved in harmful, illegal or
unethical activities then you are not observing the ethics in public speaking. It is as simple as
that!
For example, how do you perceive a very good public speaker who promotes terrorism or the use
of hard drugs? Ethical? I doubt it! As a further example, Adolf Hitler is considered a great public
speaker. But his speech started one of the greatest atrocities known in human history!

7. Be Yourself
Everybody on the surface of the earth is unique. Even identical twins are different in some ways.
While it is a good idea to learn from others, especially those we consider as role models, dont
try to be someone you are not! You can never be someone else You can only be you!
Hence, be natural in your delivery. When you try to be someone you are not, your audience will
notice and you will only look and sound fake to them. This will harm your credibility and water
down the effectiveness of your delivery.
Simply be yourself!
Phew! That ends our discussion of ethics in public speaking.
But before I get off the podium, please answer me this
Suppose you attended a seminar and the speaker poked expensive jokes at you, showed no
respect for your time, muddled up his points due to lack of preparation, distorted the facts and
tried to be a person he wasn't born to be
Would you attend another seminar (even if it is free) next time if you knew the presenter would
be the same speaker?
I bet it. You would rather prefer to sleep at home!
Thats my point.

Speak and Writing ENGLISH Priscilla C. Viuya Ph.D.

Nelia V. Marcos, Ed.D.
SPEECH and ORAL COMMUNICATION in
ACADEMIC and POST-ACADEMIC WORLDS.
By FE ONGCHANGCO AQUINO
Public Speaking: Practice and Ethics (v. 1.0).

This is the book Public Speaking: Practice and Ethics (v. 1.0).
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