62 pages • 2-hour read
The Art of Public Speaking
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Index of Terms
Audience Analysis
Audience analysis refers to the systematic process of understanding listeners’ beliefs, values, knowledge, attitudes, and expectations so that a speech can be adapted effectively. The book stresses that successful speaking depends less on what the speaker wants to say and more on how the message connects with the audience’s frame of reference.
Ethical Speaking
Ethical speaking involves presenting ideas honestly, responsibly, and with respect for the audience’s right to make informed decisions. Lucas highlights fairness, accuracy, and integrity as core ethical obligations, warning against employing deception or manipulation or misusing emotional appeals.
Persuasion
Persuasion is defined as the process of influencing attitudes, beliefs, or actions through reasoned argument, credible evidence, and appropriate emotional appeal. Lucas presents persuasion as an ethical, audience-centered practice that is grounded in credibility, sound reasoning, and respect for differing viewpoints.
Public Speaking
Public speaking is presented as a form of communication in which a speaker addresses an audience with a structured message that is designed to inform, persuade, or inspire. At the same time, the speaker remains accountable to listeners’ understanding and judgment. Lucas emphasizes that public speaking is both a practical skill and a civic activity that shapes ideas, decisions, and shared values.
Speech Anxiety
Speech anxiety is described as a normal and widespread response to public speaking that arises from fear of evaluation. The book treats anxiety as manageable and recommends that speakers practice repeatedly and embrace their nervous energy as something that can enhance their performance when properly harnessed.
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