Interaction en Masse: Audiences and Speeches

This weeks exercise is to identify and reflect on key points in Chapter 18: Interaction en Masse: Audiences and Speeches in John Heritage and Steven Clayman’s Talk In Action.

The main focus of this chapter I found was the structure and contrast of speech. The key point identified where;

                 

- Hold the audience’s attention using eye contact. 

This is a vital part of effective public speaking. Holding eye contact with your audience allows you, the speaker to pick up on signs and feelings the audience is giving off. Such as smiling and other facial expressions and if the audience is listening to what you are saying oppose to just hearing it.

- Two way interaction

Public speaking does not just mean the speaker speaks and the audiences listen. It is important for two-way interaction between the speaker and the audience. The speaker needs to watch and listen to the audience’s response whether it is positive or negative. This could be shown through clapping and laughing or booing and people walking out. 

According to Heritage and Clayman, “applaudable statements were normally made prominent by being emphasized through language, rhythm, stress, intonation and gesture”.  This statements highlights the importance of audience interaction and the need to give the audience a signpost in which they can applaud at the same time.

           

A structure of a speech must have three main levels to be successful. These levels include, number one – the speech must incorporate arguments where the speaker’s position is evident. Number two – The speech’s points and arguments are made rhetorically and structured to build the audiences expectations. Number three – A microstructure level of tone, rhythm, timing and all gestures guides the audience to applaudability.