1

Joshua Vega-Rodriguez
Professor Nicholas Pond
Communications 1010
04/20/2020

Final Summary

Public Speaking Process

Public speaking is an act that has stretched back over many, many years. It can be traced
back to ancient Greece, it is not a new method of communication by any means. Yet, it remains
one of the most important acts of communication to this very day. In a technological age where
we can access a wide variety of content, why is it that public speaking is still one of the most
common forms of communicating with a group of people? It is because public presentations have
the power to lead and influence people about ideas and issues. To successfully communicate
with a public audience, there is a certain structure that must be followed if you wish for your
presentation to stand the test of time. We will be going over 4 different aspects of public
speaking: selecting the topic and knowing the audience, researching, organizing, and delivering
your presentation.
Selecting your topic and knowing your audience
Topic
When searching for a topic, certain constraints may limit your scope of available topics.
Factors such as occasion, time, the audience, and your interests need to be considered when
selecting a topic. Ask yourself what the reason for the presentation is. What will be appropriate
and will not? If the setting is a formal one with business executives and the goal of the
presentation is to give an overview of your department achievements, then anything but
business-related topics are out of the question. This is where considering your audience also
comes into play. Next, we will need to follow our scheduled time. We do not want to have a
topic that will lead the audience with too much information in a short amount of time. Make sure
the topic is not too complex. Finally, you need to make sure that the topic is interesting to you. It
helps if you choose to talk about something that you directly have personal experience with.
Most of the time, the audience will be able to relate.
Audience
Speaking from personal experience, it is absolutely the worst when you attend a
presentation that you end up regretting going to by the end of it. Being aware of who your
audience will be will help eliminate any uncertainty, and it will also help construct your speech
in a way that will resonate with your audience. Knowing how to analyze your audience in
aspects such as demographics and attitudes/ beliefs, helps you develop a deeper understanding of
your audience. It must be said that given that you have methods of acquiring audience data, you
should not apply stereotypes based on information like gender, cultural background, and age.
Framing your presentation based on the data that you receive is the main objective behind
audience analysis, it is just so you have a general idea on how to proceed. Nothing more and
nothing less.
 2

Researching your presentation

Finding information
Once you have selected a topic, we need to move on to the next stage of the presentation
process and begin researching for information. It must be reliable and from a credible source, we
do not want to commit the mistake of using untrustworthy information that will end up
misleading the public. There are 2 different source avenues we can venture. The first one would
be a primary source, which is receiving information directly from someone that was a participant
or observer. A secondary source relies on research or information that is, at the very least,
removed one step from the primary source. It is up to you to choose which one you decide to
pursue. Understanding the difference between the two allows you to carefully choose the
medium that best suits your topic. You may find that interviewing someone who had firsthand
experience or an expert in a field is the best form of researching. Or it is even possible that you
may find plenty of information from news magazines, documentaries, online databases, and
websites. Regardless of the medium, knowing which source to include is vital to your
presentation.
Citing sources
Like written reports, citing every bit of information that was used to construct your
presentation is an absolute necessity. Regardless of a written report or oral presentation, citations
are needed to avoid any accusations of plagiarism. They also build your credibility and help you
establish trust with your audience. When citing sources in an oral presentation, it is best to cite
the source at the time of making a statement. Normally, the syntax for citing orally would be by
providing the author's name, publication year, and name of the source (website, newspaper,
magazine). A written citation within the field of communication follows the APA format. There
is a vast amount of resources online that will help you cite your sources in this style.
Organizing your presentation
Introduction
When organizing your presentation, keep in mind that there is a starting point, a middle,
and an end. A good introduction to your topic is vital to establishing a good impression with the
audience. This is where you need to grab their attention in the first few seconds of the
presentation. Common methods of accomplishing this are by asking either a rhetorical or direct
question, telling an anecdote, providing humor, and sharing a personal experience. Each can
equally have a strong impact on the audience. By grabbing their attention, you can lead them into
your topic and establish credibility while clearly stating the reason for your presentation. These
components make for a great introduction.
Body
The body of your presentation takes up a significant amount of time due to the amount of
information that must be transmitted to the audience. Your topic must include main points that
are the focal point of your presentation. This is where you lay out all the information gathered
from your sources. There must be multiple main points, and the time spent on each point must be
proportional.
Conclusion
 3

The conclusion to your presentation wraps up your main points and cements the purpose
of the speech to the audience. In terms of time, it should reflect the same amount used you are
your introduction. There is no need to say, “Thank You,” as your ending statement should do this
for you. You may use an element previously used for your introduction.
Delivering your presentations
Methods of delivery
When finally delivering your presentation, there are a variety of methods that you can use
(depending on your situation). We will be going over 6 different types that are available to you.
Manuscript presentations revolve around reading a pre-written script, word for word. This is not
the best way to deliver a speech as it can dampen your relationship with the audience. Next, we
have memorized presentations, which rely on the memory of the presenter to deliver the entire
speech. Impromptu presentations are commonly unplanned, leaving the speaker to think on their
feet with their current knowledge on the subject.
The opposite of impromptu presentations is extemporaneous. They are commonly used in
the majority of speaking situations, allowing the presenter to sound more natural and
knowledgeable on the subject. Mediated presentations involve a technological component,
usually online platforms, such as YouTube and Facebook. Finally, we have group presentations.
Group presentations come with their own set of challenges. It is important to make sure that
every member is on the same page, for the group to do well.
Effective delivery skills
To effectively communicate your message to the audience, you must have a set of
linguistic and behavioral skills. Skills such as these allow for easier implementation of ethos,
pathos, and logos. For example, paralinguistic skills are comprised of volume, pitch, rate, and
fluency. Every single component work in harmony to convey our emotions to the audience. It is
incredible how much impact an emotion can have on the audience when they hear it in our voice.
Gestures, eye contact, movement, and attire contribute to the nonverbal aspect of our delivery
skills. Eye contact is, possibly, the most important component because it allows you to give
members of the audience the feeling that you are directly talking to them. Learning how to
properly engage with people in the audience is a great tool to expand our reach within the
audience. By practicing and correctly implementing these skills, you will successfully create and
maintain a positive connection with the audience.
Conclusion
Planning, organizing, and delivering a public presentation can, at times, be seen as a
daunting task. The thought of speaking in front of an audience might even frighten you! Yet, it is
not as terrible as it seems. There are resources available at your fingertips to go out and give a
successful presentation. First, you must start with a foundation and select a good topic and
understand the potential audience you might face. Then, research your topic (thoroughly), and
think about the best way to structure your speech with the information you just learned. Finally,
practice your presentation by developing a method of delivery and, most importantly, give credit
where credit is due. Do not commit the mistake of taking credit for the work of others.
 4

Multimedia and Presentational Aids

Have you ever attended a speech or a meeting where the presenter is attempting to
describe something, either an object or situation, but you are having a hard time imagining what
they are saying? There are times where a picture does say a thousand words, better than anyone
could describe. It is those very moments where presentational aids, such as pictures, really drive
the point across to the audience without saying anything. Multimedia and other presentational
objects are tools waiting to be used at your disposal. They are to be used as aids to the audience,
helping them understand a concept, situation, object. It is important to understand that they
should not be heavily relied on and be used to only support a certain part of your presentation.
We will be going over different types of presentational aids.
Types of Presentational Aids
Text
Text is usually used to highlight a key point of your message. They are commonly used
in many speech presentations. They are only to emphasize a certain portion of your message
which will help reinforce your main point. Sentences or short phrases should be omitted as to not
overload the audience with information.
Graphs
Graphs are used to help up comprehend data and they are an excellent choice when you
plan on using statistics, or any element that uses numeric. There are 3 different commonly used
types: ne graph, bar graphs, and pie graphs.
Models
Depending on the size, 3D models used to represent a real-world object. Usually, at a
fraction of the actual size. They give the presenter the ability to demonstrate something that
could be hands-on, thus strengthening the relationship with the audience as it allows for more
interaction.
Photographs
Possibly the best option to use in a presentation, pictures clarify complex information on
an entirely different level or even provide a different perspective that could invoke emotion in
your audience. Regardless of the objective, pictures are a great aid to your presentation.
Audio / Video clips
Short audio/video clips can be used as an addition to your presentation. They should be
limited on time as to not take away from your overall presentation. If possible, edit the material
beforehand so the clip will start and at your desire. Things that would fall under audio and video
would include music, movies, webpages, interviews, shows, lectures, and podcasts.
Conclusion
Understanding what a visual aid is and how it can complement your presentation is
necessary. Not only does it establish credibility with the audience, but it also helps explain
concepts, situations, a variety of objects, or numerical data without having to stray away from
 5

your main points too much. They can be quite useful when the correct medium is selected, but it
must be said (again) that they are only to be used as an aid. You should never heavily rely on
visual aids to carry your entire (or even a portion) of your presentation.
Communication Networks and Channels
While communication is mainly focused on completing a task or goal, communication
channels are the process of transmitting information from one person to another. When applying
this to the workplace, we soon see that there are differences in the way information is handled
between the senders and receivers, this is known as communication networks. We will be going
over these concepts and how they apply in the workplace.

Communication Networks
Formal communication is formed by the setting of the workplace and occurs as upward,
downward, and horizontal communication among superiors, subordinates, and fellow peers.
Upward and downward communication focuses on the setting between superiors and
subordinates. When engaging in a conversation, superiors give directions to their subordinates
and provide them with tasks that must be taken care of, while on the other hand, subordinates
talk with their superiors about workplace situations, inquiries, or status updates. Horizontal
communication occurs among fellow peers that are seen on the same hierarchal structure by the
workplace. This usually leads to building friendships and may extend outside of the workplace.
Informal communication takes place in a non-organizational setting between coworkers.
It can take place doing activities that are not work-related. Specifically, while sharing a meal,
taking a break, talking at the water fountain, or simply walking from the parking lot. If
coworkers consider themselves friends, then gossip is bound to occur. Both negative and
positive. It cannot be helped as it creates an avenue for employees to release tension and stress.
Communication Channels
Communication in today's age comes in a variety of different mediums. This is thanks to
the prevalent technology that we have at our disposal. Communication channels refer to the
means that an organization goes through to effectively communicate with one another.
Traditionally, face-to-face interactions were the dominant medium. Now we can transmit
information using the power of the internet. Mediums such as email, instant messaging, video
conferencing, and web postings allow for an organization to have access to different means that
suit their needs.
Conclusion
We have gone over the different dynamics that occur between employees at an
organization, such as the way a manager would communicate with her employee and vice versa.
There is a power structure that is set in place by the organization and communication networks
/channels are bound to it. There are also informal means of communication that mainly happens
between employees at the same level in the organization, which can lead to relationships outside
of the workplace.
 6

Sexual Harassment
Unfortunately, sexual harassment in the workplace is still prevalent in our time. Recently,
there was a movement known as “Me Too,” that highlighted just how often women in the
workplace are subjected to the horrible act. Although more women than men face this issue,
sexual harassment against men is equally atrocious and should be taken just as seriously. It is
important to distinguish different forms of sexual harassment and report them through the proper
channels (superiors) of the workplace.
Types of Sexual Harassment
Generally, 3 different forms of sexual harassment can take place. The first being, physical
harassment which is the most common and most obvious. This occurs when one employee
makes physical advances on another employee that are otherwise unwelcomed. It can be simply
putting your hand on someone's shoulder or wrapping your arm around them that makes them
feel uncomfortable and therefore, construed as sexual harassment. The second form is verbal
harassment that is disrespectful and focused on that person's physical features. This could include
but are not limited to nicknames, labels, or titles. The objective of verbal harassment is to
escalate the current relationship between two individuals from platonic or neutral, to a more
romantic or sexual status. The third form of sexual harassment is visual harassment. Any form of
sexual gestures acts (such as someone explicitly exposing themselves), or caricatures sexually
depicting an employee could be considered visual sexual harassment.
How to deal with Sexual Harassment
There are certain steps that organizations can take to limit the amount of harassment that
takes place. One step would be to provide an environment of respect for everyone in the
workplace, thus limiting profanity, terms of endearment, and posting offensive material
(specifically posts that are demeaning by depicting gender, racial, and ethnic stereotypes, along
with sexually explicit material). Another would be to conduct full investigations into every
harassment claim made by someone. It is the responsibility of the employer to provide a safe and
stable work environment for their employees. Whether the claims are legitimate or not, an
investigation must be conducted to uphold a strict harassment-free policy. It is at this point where
management must be vigilant in overseeing the type of environment they have and to correct any
behaviors that do not meet the standards set in place.
Conclusion
Harassment of any form should not be tolerated anywhere. Regardless of the position of
the person in the organization conducting the activity. Every report should be taken seriously and
dealt with swiftly and concisely. Everyone deserves to be respected and have their wellbeing
considered in the workplace. If organizations do not go to every length needed to put an end to
the harassment, then they become complicit in the act.
 7

Conflict Management
All relationships are bound to have conflict at some point. Whether it be friendships or a
romantic relationship, conflict is bound to arise. Interpersonal conflict is a part of human nature
and almost inevitable. As difficult as it may be sometimes, there exists the possibility of finding
common ground with the other person. The only way to find a solution is to communicate with
one another, only then will you reach an understanding. Thankfully, there are already some
common practices that you can attempt to achieve this. We will be going over a few strategies to
help resolve conflict.
Exercise Empathy
While it may not be appealing to put your pride aside and listen to the other person, it
might be the best form of resolving a conflict. It has been said time and time again to, “put
yourself in their shoes.” At first, it might seem like a ridiculous request, that is because you are
not actively listening and instead, focusing on your desires and opinions. By actively dropping
your ego and listening to the other person, you will find that the other person might have some
validity to their side of the argument. You do not necessarily have to listen to their entire life
story, but if you see the situation from their perspective, it will shed an entirely different light in
the conflict that could potentially lead to a solution.
Practice constructive Criticism
Conflicts usually arise when someone says something that we do not appreciate and
could potentially look as demeaning or disrespectful to us. Most of the time, that is not the case.
There is a need to establish proper channels of communication that offer productive and helpful
feedback, intended to assist a person and their capabilities. That is called constructive criticism.
Rather than berate or shame a person for their lack of understanding or abilities, providing good
and concise criticism will do better than harm. That is if the person acknowledges the differences
between honest, healthy feedback and malicious intent to humiliate or belittle.
Listen
Possibly the most important part of resolving any problem is listening. It is such a simple
task, yet so easily overlooked. It is understandable to get caught up in the moment and only think
about what you are going to say next, but it is the worst way to communicate with one another if
neither is actively listening to what the other has to say. Listening is a skill that needs to be
practiced and implemented to effectively communicate. When neither side is willing to listen,
they are choosing to compete for a winner within the argument and fail to collaborate and
compromise with each other's needs.
Conclusion
While conflicts often tend to arise between 2 different parties, some strategies can be
implemented to alleviate the tension. I believe that every problem has a solution, and at times, it
is the simplest answers that tend to lead to a compromise. Listening is crucial to not only solving
conflict but progressing past that difficult stage with someone and ending up with a better
relationship at the end of it. Once we learn how to listen, we can apply other solutions such as
empathy, which will help obtain a different perspective that might not have been possible
without setting your pride aside and listening to what the other person has to say. Knowing how
 8

to send and receive constructive criticism is a learning process, but it may end up helping reduce
any chances of conflict in the future.
 9

Works Cited

3 Types of Sexual Harassment at The Workplace. (2017, December 12). Retrieved April
24, 2020, from https://scmclaw.com/3-types-of-sexual-harassment-at-the-workplace/
Berger, L. (2017, October 12). Council Post: Five Conflict Management Strategies.
Retrieved April 2524, 2020, from
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2017/06/07/five-conflict-management-
strategies/#6a9b981f521d
Edwards, A., Edwards, C., Wahl, S. T., Myers, S. A. (2016a)., The Communication Age
(272-354). London, UK: SAGE Publications, Inc.
Edwards, A., Edwards, C., Wahl, S. T., Myers, S. A. (2016b)., The Communication Age (354-
363). London, UK: SAGE Publications, Inc.
Edwards, A., Edwards, C., Wahl, S. T., Myers, S. A. (2016c)., The Communication Age (214-
219). London, UK: SAGE Publications, Inc.
Edwards, A., Edwards, C., Wahl, S. T., Myers, S. A. (2016d)., The Communication Age (161).
London, UK: SAGE Publications, Inc.
Habas, C. (2019, December 5). 5 Conflict Management Strategies. Retrieved April 25,
2020, from https://smallbusiness.chron.com/5-conflict-management-strategies-16131.html
Hamlin, K. (2019, August 8). Seven Ways to Deal With Sexual Harassment in the
Workplace. Retrieved April 24, 2020, from https://legalbeagle.com/13309284-seven-ways-to-
deal-with-sexual-harassment-in-the-workplace.html
Introduction to Business. (n.d.). Retrieved April 21, 2020, from
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wmopen-introbusiness/chapter/communication-channels-
flows-networks/