There are four methods we can use to make our audience feel well-disposed towards us:
(1) establishing our credibility,
(2) disparaging the opposing point of view,
(3) appealing to the judgement of our audience,
(4) and by our presentation of the facts. Continue reading Establishing goodwill in our listeners
Tag Archives: public speaking
Creating receptive and attentive listeners
Dear Gaius
When we make a speech, we want our audience to feel receptive to our message, to gain a favourable impression of us as speakers and to pay good attention to what we are saying. I shall now show you how these three conditions can be brought about. Continue reading Creating receptive and attentive listeners
The direct and subtle approaches to opening a speech
Having previously considered the underlying purpose of your speech, it makes sense to consider the introduction as related to the type of speech you are giving.
Basically, there are two kinds of introduction: the direct and the subtle approach. Continue reading The direct and subtle approaches to opening a speech
Consider the underlying purpose of your speech
But first, in order to construct the most appropriate Introduction, you must consider the underlying purpose of your speech.
There are four possible purposes: honourable, discreditable, doubtful, and petty. An honourable purpose is when we either defend what seems to be a universal truth, or attack what seems to be universally accepted as reprehensible; for example, when we defend a heroic person, or denounce a heartless killer. Continue reading Consider the underlying purpose of your speech
Six sections of a speech
Let us start with the first skill you need – invention. And I will discuss how you might use invention in the six sections of a speech: the Introduction, the Statement of Facts, the Division, the Proof, the Refutation, and the Conclusion
- The Introduction. This comes at the beginning and its purpose is to prepare your audience and to make them sit up and pay attention.
The task of a public speaker…
Dear Gaius
I’ve been so busy lately that I have hardly had time to study, and what free time I do have I prefer to spend on philosophy. But I don’t want you to think that I don’t want to help you, or that I am too lazy to bother, and so you have spurred me to start writing this book about the Theory of Public Speaking. Continue reading Dear Gaius