At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

1. discuss the principles of effective public speaking;

2. develop competence in oral communication;
3. perform an assigned speaking task;
4. develop a well-defined speech;
5. explain the relationship of verbal communication and non-verbal communication;
6. apply non-verbal cues effectively;
7. use audience analysis strategically.

ERCEIVE
ESSENTIALS OF ORAL COMMUNICATION
There are a lot of people who are more comfortable communicating by sending messages
through electronic mail, social media, or cellular phones than in person. One reason probably is that
speaking on a one-to-one basis, or in either small or big group is intimidating and even terrifying.
However, you should know that having excellent communication skills can practically help you express
yourself clearly and confidently, gain the respect of other people, achieve your goals, and succeed in life.
Competence in oral communication is also important because it makes you become an effective
leader: one who is able to (1) listen attentively to identify the conveyed meaning, (2) collaborate with
others, (3) use critical thinking and problem solving skills, (4) give appropriate feedback, and (5) converse
with others of different backgrounds. These are qualities that are relevant in the present 21st century
world.
 As the name implies, public speaking is speaking in public. Your early exposures to it can either
be in school through hosting a program, reciting the loyalty pledge, reading the mechanics of contests
or games, campaigning during a campus election, or joining in declamation, oratorical, impromptu and
storytelling contests, or outside school such as giving a birthday wish to a celebrator, reading verses in
public during activities, or making public announcements. Now, use t experiences to jumpstart your
becoming an effective public speaker.
You may have heard from your teachers, coaches, or even from your family, friends and
classmates, or read from communication reference and self-help books about some the time-tested
principles of effective public speaking which be categorized into Four Ms (Material, Message, Methods
Delivery, and Manners in Speech).

MATERIAL
Material refers to your topic which can be about your experiences, observations, inspiration, or
anything you are interested to talk about. For example, if you are into social media like Facebook,
Twitter, or Instagram, you may be interested to talk about these topics:
How social media helped me find my one true love
My grandmother# experience in social media
Cyberbullying in social media
Using social media to change the world
Or, if you are into sports, your speech topics may be about the following:
Why I love playing basketball
My inspiration in becoming an athlete
How can the Philippine team get gold medals in the Olympics
If you can't think of any idea about your topic, one best strategy is to get a pen and paper and write
down everything that is in your mind. Then, circle or underline the one that you are interested in and
really knowledgeable about. Once you have identified your topic, it is important to know more about it.

MESSAGE
Message refers to the content or the main point of your speech, which can be supported by
personal stories or anecdotes—humorous or inspiring—and relevant statistics or ideas from newspapers
and academic journals, among others.
Take, for example your topic is cyberbullying in social media. You can begin your speech by
sharing that you read rough Twitter how your friend was bashed by his/her followers because of his/her
use Of English language. You can describe the situation, make your own interpretation and/or analysis
which can be supported by research, then build a message that can be valuable and relevant to your
audience.
Or, let us say your topic is the ways by which the Philippines can bag top prizes in the Olympics.
You can begin our speech by sharing your sentiments on the performance of the Philippine teams in the
recent Olympics. or by presenting graph showing the Philippine standing in the medal tally for the past
years in that international major sports event. Then, provide some ways on how to improve the
performance of the team.
When you are developing your message, it is very important to know the needs, beliefs, and
values of your audience so that you can engage them easily in your speech. Once you have connected
with your audience, it will be easy for you to convey your message according to your goal or purpose:
inform, to entertain, or to persuade.
1. Speech to inform seeks to provide the audience with a clear understanding of the concept or idea
presented by the speaker. The lectures of your teachers are best examples of this type.
2. Speech to entertain seeks to provide the audience with entertainment. The humorous speeches
of your favorite speakers are best examples of this type.
3. Speech to persuade seeks to provide the audience with favorable or acceptable ideas that can
influence their own ideas and decisions. The campaign speeches of the candidates for
government posts are best examples of this type.

METHODS OF DELIVERY
Methods of delivery refer to the style of delivery. These methods are manuscript, memorized,
impromptu, and extemporaneous.
Manuscript their speech is delivered by speakers who intend to read aloud their speech word for
word to their audience. One example is writing and/or reading a proclamation paper, public
announcement, or court decision. Since this is literally reading to the audience, manuscript speakers will
have difficulty in grabbing the attention of and connecting with their audience.
Memorized speech is delivered by speakers who intend to memorize their speech word for word.
This occurs when one delivers a declamation or oratorical piece for a contest or during a gathering. Also,
this method is usually written by or for speakers who are inexperienced or uncomfortable in public
speaking; thus, memorizing the speech written by them or for them can be a good option. Some common
problems that you can encounter using this method are time and commitment to memorize, memory
lapses, awkward or unnatural delivery, eye contact, and audience rapport, among others.
Impromptu speech is delivered by speakers who are suddenly asked or requested by someone or
a group of people to say a few words about something. As an illustration, you are asked by your teacher
to share with the class about your holiday vacation, or you are unexpectedly requested by an emcee to
give your birthday wishes for your friend who is celebrating his/ her birthday. Since you have little time
to gather your thoughts in this method, you may have trouble in organizing and finding the appropriate
words for your thoughts.
Extemporaneous speech is delivered by speakers who intend to present a well-crafted speech.
That speech is fully prepared and perfectly rehearsed ahead of time. As an example, you accepted an
invitation of your former school to give an inspirational talk to the graduates. So, you give yourself
enough time to deliver a speech that can motivate and inspire your audience to do and think good deeds
at all times. During your delivery, you may need some notes, not for you to read but for you to be guided.
This method can usually be a bit nerve-wracking for the inexperienced or beginners. But, that can be a
good step towards mastering the art of speaking extemporaneously.

MANNERS IN SPEECH
Manners in speech refer to the ethical standards in delivering a speech in public. Lucas (2011)
specified some of them.
1. Observe ethically sound goals. Avoid criticizing your teachers, family, friends, and other people
or promoting mass destruction, for instance, hacking.
Prepare all the time. You have a full responsibility to yourself and to your audience when you are asked
to deliver a speech. So, in order to fulfill it, you have to be prepared.
 2. Tell the truth. Be accurate with your sources and data. Acknowledge the author of your borrowed
ideas including quotes, songs, phrases, and statistics, among others. Simply observe, "honesty is
the best policy. "
3. Be sensible and sensitive. Your audience come from different backgrounds, so as much as
possible, respect their identity, affiliation, religion, beliefs, values, preferences, and orientation
through your language and gestures.

COMPONENTS OF A SPEECH
I. Introduction
a. Attention getter
b. Initial summary
c. Speaker's credibility (telling the audience why you the right person to talk about the subject)
d. Relevance of the topic to the audience (stating what’s in it for the audience)
e. Self-introduction (optional)
f. Thesis statement
II. Body
a. Main idea 1
• Supporting detail 1
• Supporting detail 2
b. Main idea 2
• Supporting detail 1
• Supporting detail 2
c. Main idea 3
• Supporting detail 1
• Supporting detail 2
d. Conclusion
• Closure (letting your audience know about to end your speech)
• Summary
• Call to action
• Powerful closing statement

POWER TIPS FOR BEGINNING AND ENDING A SPEECH

Your speech opening and closing should be related. The basic rule is that if you begin your speech
with a question, you refer to that question when you close your speech. Here are some techniques:
Techniques Examples
 Opening: Think of your life as driving a car. You must
always keep your attention on the road ad focus on
where you are heading to. At times, you need to look
behind but you have to keep looking ahead because
Analogy life has to go on.

Closing: Drive your car safely, so you will have a happy

life.
Opening: I was 20 years old when I experienced
depression. It was the time when a series of
unfortunate events occurred simultaneously. I barely
slept and lost my appetite.
Anecdote
Closing: I would not have overcome my depression if
not for the people who value me, Now, I live a normal
life, and it's my chance to pay forward what those
great people did to me.
Opening: My seven-year old nephew told me to avoid
giving advice in my speech. That is because I might be
like Socrates who according to him, after walking
around and giving advice to people, he died because
Humor the same people poisoned him.

Closing: I'm sure after my speech you won't poison me

because you know in your heart that you learn
something significant today.
Opening: Why are some people able to achieve things
that seem impossible?

Provocative rhetorical question

Closing: So, why do some people achieve things that
seem impossible? That's because of hard work and
right attitude.
Opening: I have decided to live by Abraham Lincoln's
words: "Most people are about as happy as they make
Quotation their minds up to be."

Closing: Lincoln's words are such an uplifting phrase.

Opening: One out of every three children in the
Philippines suffers from human trafficking.

Startling statistics
Closing: We can no longer afford to let more children
to suffer from human trafficking. It's about time to put
a stop to this horror.

You may have witnessed a speaker who is stiff during the entire speech, reading his/her notes,
and making no connections at all with the audience. What did you feel? You may have felt bored and
thought that the speaker was not comfortable speaking because what the speaker was saying did not
jibe with what his/her body was communicating.
MEANING AND IMPORTANCE OF NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Non-verbal communication is a behavior that conveys and represents meanings. All kinds of
human responses that are not expressed in words are classified as non-verbal communication.

Examples are your stares, smiles, tone, movements, manners of walking, standing and sitting,
appearance, style of attire, attitude towards punctuality and space, and personality.

There is a long list why the mastery of your non-verbal communication is also important. Some
are the following:
1. It enhances and emphasizes the message of your speech.

2. It can communicate all feelings, attitudes, and perceptions as well as express anything without
saying a word.

3. It can sustain the attention of listeners and keep them engaged in the speech.

4. It reflects what type of speaker you are.

5. It makes you more dynamic and animated in your delivery.

6. It serves as a channel to release tensions and nervousness.

7. It helps you make your speech more dramatic.

8. It can build connections with listeners.

9. It makes you credible as a speaker.

ASPECTS OF NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

Described below are some of the aspects of non-verbal communication.

1. Body language refers to your body movements which include eye contact, facial expressions,
posture, and gesture.

 Using Eye Contact

It is very important to use eye contact when you talk to people in small or big groups. Your
listeners can easily detect how confident you are or how interested you are to talk to them if you
use eye contact effectively. Never look up or look down; just look straight in the eyes of your
listeners. However, excessive eye contact may result in communication barriers.

Power Tips

a. Be sure that you master your speech because it will help you establish and maintain eye contact
with your listeners.

b. Get the attention of your listeners by looking at him/her straight in his/her eyes. Maintain eye
contact even if you are listening.
 c. Use your eyes in identifying your listener's behavior. There may be some who show acts of
boredom, inattentiveness, or confusion. If you identify them, adjust your speech delivery.

d. When you are speaking to a big group, glance smoothly at your left, center, and right. Some
speakers use the W-X-M shape glance.

e. Control movements of your eyes. Again, do not look up or look down; eyes should be in the
audience.

 Using Facial Expressions

Your facial expressions are your tools to express or communicate your emotions through your
eyes, eye brows, lips, ears, tongue, and nose. It is very important to know and use your facial expressions
effectively.

Power Tips

a. Know your facial expressions well by looking at the mirror and see how you show happiness,
sadness, fear, surprise, anger, and disgust.

b. Smile. It is the best facial expression because, generally, it conveys politeness, disguises real
feelings, and shows affection.

c. Seek comments from your family or friends regarding your facial expressions.

d. Be natural. Do not exaggerate. Exaggerating facial expressions may be interpreted as fake.

e. Practice. Do the "a-e-i-o-u" technique when you practice. It can be done by saying a-e-i-o-u with
exaggeration. This exercise can also help relax your facial muscles. Another technique is face
squeezing and expanding.

 Using Gestures
Gestures include movements of your hands, legs, and other body parts that carry meanings. It is
very important to use gestures properly and effectively especially when you are in any communicative
situation.

Power Tips

a. Use gestures for a specific purpose. Here's a list of types, purposes, and examples.
Type Purpose Examples
Descriptive To describe or clarify Using hands to illustrate a shape; swaying
a point hands to demonstrate flow of actions or
events; spreading hands apart to describe
length
Emphatic To make a point or Pounding to stress a point; clenched
suggest emotions fist to express anger; hands clasped to plead;
Pointing fingers to accuse
 Suggestive To show approval or Thumbs-up; raised hands to signal stop or to
disapproval mean "excuse me, I want to say something";
nodding
Prompting To suggest a desirable Raising a glass for a toast; initiate an applause
response

b. Make natural gestures. Never exaggerate and avoid too many gestures especially in professional
speaking.

c. Identify your mannerisms and practice how to avoid or control them when you speak.
d. Master your speech; your gestures will emerge naturally and spontaneously at some point.

e. Avoid the following gestures when speaking: arms across the chest, arms stiff; hands inside the
pockets or nailed in the hips; one arm hanging, the other's scratching; spread legs and hands
clasped at the back; hands clasped.
Gesture Interpretation (Barrot, 2011)

Gesture of Openness Gesture of Gesture of Dominance

• Warm smile Aggressiveness • Feet on desk
• Unfolded arms • Clenched fist • Palms down
• Uncrossed legs • Furrowed brow • Physical elevation
• Leaning forward • Leg over arm of • Strident loud voice
• Open palm • chair • Crunching hand shake
• Squinting
• Finger pointing
• Akimbo
• Arms spread with
hands grip
• Stare
 Gesture of Gesture of Boredom Gesture of Frustration
Defensiveness • Blank stare • Staring into space
• Little eye contact • Drooping eyes • Running fingers
• Tightly crossed arms • No blinking through hair
and legs • Head in hands • Kicking at ground
• Scratching below • Little eye contact • Short in and out of
earlobes or sides of • Crossed legs breaths
neck • Doodling • Wringing hands
• Clenched hands • Repetitive • Tightly closed lips
• Palm to back of neck finger and foot • Rubbing back of neck
• Rigid body tapping • Tightly clenched
• Head down hands

Gesture of Readiness Gesture of Confidence

• Alert and lively facial • Stretched legs
expression • Physically elevating
• Coat open, hands on • Good stance
hips • Continuous eye
• Leaning forward contact
• Close proximity • Leaning back hands
• Sitting on edge of chair behind neck
• Nodding in agreement • Head up
• Good eye contact • Chin forward

 Using a Good Posture

Posture is the position of your body either when you stand or when you sit. It is very important
to have a good posture because it shows confidence and elicits positive impression from your
audience.

Power Tips

a. Develop habits of standing and sitting correctly at all times.

b. Monitor your posture in the mirror regularly. Make sure that you stand tall with chest out
and chin up.
c. Perform exercise routines regularly that focus on improving your posture. Seek advice from
specialist for proper exercises. 111

2. Clothing and appearance are considered as vital in creating first impressions of you as a speaker.
In addition, the way you look and what you wear matter as these contribute significantly to the
success of your speech. Observe this mantra: "Dress to succeed!"
More Power Tips on Maintaining Good Posture from a Group of Medical Experts (American
Chiropractic Association; 2015)
How to sit properly?
• Keep your feet on the floor or on a footrest, if they don't reach the floor.
• Don't cross your legs. Your ankles should be in front of your knees.
• Keep a small gap between the back of your knees and the front of your seat.
• Your knees should be at or below the level of your hips.
• Adjust the backrest of your chair to support your low- and mid- back or use a back
support.
• Relax your shoulders and keep your forearms parallel to the ground.
• Avoid sitting in the same position for long periods of time.
How to stand properly?
• Bear your weight primarily on the balls of your feet.
• Keep your knees slightly bent.
• Keep your feet about shoulder-width apart.
• Let your arms hang naturally down the sides of the body.
• Stand straight and tall with your shoulders pulled backward.
• Tuck your stomach in.
• Keep your head level. Your earlobes should be in line with your shoulders. Do not push
your head forward, backward, or to the side.
• Shift your weight from your toes to your heels, or one foot to the other, if you have to
stand for a long time.
What is the proper lying position?
• Find the mattress that is right for you. While a firm mattress is generally recommended,
some people find that a softer mattress reduces their back pain. Your comfort is
important.
• Sleep with a pillow. Special pillows are available to help with postural problems resulting
from a poor sleeping position.
• Avoid sleeping on your stomach.
• Sleeping on your side or back is more often helpful for back pain.
• If you sleep on your side, place a pillow between your legs.
• If you sleep on your back, keep a pillow under your knees.
Power Tips for Men
 Wear an executive attire (suit and tie).
 Use a black suit and pants.
 Use a light-colored, long-sleeved shirt to match the black suit and pants.
 Use a plain and simple tie that matches the color of your long sleeved shirt.
 Use a black belt.
 Use black socks.
 Use a well-polished black loafer shoes.
 Sport a clean, polished hair style.
 Get a clean, well-shaved face.
 Ensure nails are cut and clean.
 Avoid wearing too much accessories; wrist watch and ring are enough.
  Avoid wearing heavily-scented perfume.
 Ensure breath is fresh.
Power Tips for Women

 Wear an executive attire.

 Use light, pastel colors.
 Use natural shade stockings.
 Use polished, high-heeled (2-3 inches high), closed shoes.
 Sport a neat and clean hair style.
 Wear light make-up.
 Avoid wearing too much accessories.
 Avoid wearing heavily-scented perfumes.

3. Vocal elements include volume, rate, tone, and pitch. Volume is the loudness and softness of your
voice; rate is the speed of delivery; tone is the voice quality; and pitch is highness or lowness of
your voice. Power Tips

• Relax so you can modulate your voice. A modulated voice is pleasant to the ears.
• Develop habits of practicing proper pronunciation and enunciation as these will help build
your confidence and credibility.
• Adjust your volume to the size of your audience. You can get feedback from your audience
to know whether your volume is well-adjusted.
• Remember: Speaking too slowly will bore your audience; speaking too fast will confuse
them. Your audience most likely prefers a smooth-paced rate.
• Avoid fillers (ah, um) and audible motions (coughing, clearing throat) by rehearsing your
speech aloud more often.
• Use pauses and stresses more effectively.
• Monitor your vocal elements by reading aloud any material; then that's the time you can
make improvements or adjustments.
• Learn to take good care of your voice.

4. Proxemics is the space and distance between the speaker and the audience. It is an invisible wall
that defines how comfortable you are at a distance from the people you are talking to. Space and
distance can be classified into four: intimate, personal, social, and public.

Gamble and Gamble (2012) distinguish each of the types according to approximate
measurement between speaker and listener/s and types of relationship.

a. Intimate: 0—18 inches; husband-wife, parents- children

b. Personal: 18 inches—4 feet; friend-friend or group of friends
c. Social: 4—12 feet; employer-employees especially during meetings
d. Public: 12 feet to the limit of sight; you-public
Power Tips
 a. Respect the space of every person. We are all entitled to that.
b. When you are called on stage to speak, the space of the stage becomes yours. So, as much
as possible, you maximize it. This can be done by graceful, precise, and natural
movements.

5. Colors reflect people's personality and reveal character. Hence, your choice of colors for your
clothes and visual aids matter to your audience.
Color Psychology and Meanings According to Experts (Color Psychology, 2018)
 Red is a single most dynamic and passionate color that symbolizes love, rage, and
courage. Demanding attention, red has a great emotional impact. Those who
desire this color are aggressive, energetic, impulsive, and strive for success. The
desire to experience the fullness of living leads to constant activity.

Positive: passion, love, warmth, energy, excitement, strength, stimulation, excitement,

physical courage, basic survival
Negative: anger, defiance, aggression, visual impact, strain, danger
Effects: increased respiration, blood pressure, appetite, and metabolism
 Yellow is a truly joyous and radiant color. It exudes warmth, inspiration, and
vitality. It is the happiest of the colors It also signifies communication,
enlightenment, sunlight, and spirituality. If your treasured color is yellow, you
look forward to the future. Intellectual, highly imaginative, and idealistic, you
have a cheerful spirit and an expectation of greater happiness.

Positive: cheerfulness, energy, honor, joy, intelligence, optimism, confidence, emotional

strength, extraversion, friendliness creativity
Negative: irrationality, jealousy, anxiety, depression, fear, emotional fragility, deception,
cowardice, caution
Effects: increased mental activity, awareness, energy
 Orange is an optimistic color. It helps you look at the bright side of life despite
difficulties.

Positive: sociable, optimistic, enthusiastic, cheerful, self-confident, independent,

adventurous
Negative: insincere, pensive, overly-proud
Effects: enthusiasm, rejuvenation, courage, vitality
 Green is a color for spring which represents growth and renewal. It is a color that
resonates energy and positivity.

Positive: intuitive, conceptual, analytical, inventive, visionary, problem- solver

Negative: wastes time in idle chit-chat, indecisive, easily frustrated
Effects: feel recharged and calm, more hypothetical
  Blue is a color for depth, stability and independence. This is best for studying and
working because it helps in relaxing and stimulating the mind.

Positive: serenity, intelligence, confidence, trust

Negative: aloofness, lack of emotion
Effects: relaxed and peaceful mind
 Purple combines the stability of blue and the energy of red. It is associated with
royalty. It symbolizes power, nobility, luxury, and ambition. It conveys wealth and
extravagance.

Positive: wisdom, dignity, independence, creativity, mystery, magic, passion, vitality

Negative: arrogance, impatience, greed
Effects: increased spirituality, calming down of anxiety
 White suggests goodness, purity, and innocence. The individual who chooses white
as a color seeks excellence and enlightenment in all philosophies. Just as black is
total absorption, white is a total reflection. Visually, white gives a heightened
perception of space.

Positive: neutral, hygienic, clean, refreshing, clear, sophisticated, pure, simple, innocent,
efficient, hopeful, individualistic, idealistic, optimistic
Negative: coldness, barriers, unfriendliness, chillness, emptiness, indecision
Effects: increased sense of sophistication, cleanness
 Black is a mysterious color because it can have different interpretations. It can
mean power, elegance, formality, death, evil, or grief.

Positive: elegance, power

Negative: aloofness, intimidation, evil
Effects: increased feeling of loneliness, boosts confidence

6. Touch is a physical contact. It can be interpreted differently in various cultures. But, generally,
touch is used to communicate love, care, or comfort.

Power Tips

a. Always practice caution in touching other persons because touching may mean differently
to them.
b. Understand and observe cultural and gender practices of a person before touching
him/her.

NON-VERBAL PATTERNS AND THEIR INTERPRETATION

Channels Non-verbal Patterns
Power, dominance, superiority Long pause before answering a door knock;
hands on hips; fingers hooked in belt;
steepling; hands behind neck; piercing eye
contact; standing while others are seated;
palm-down handshake; physically elevating
self; chin and eye brow raised; legs over
armchair
Submission, apprehension, nervousness Palm-up handshake; hand-wringing; fidgeting;
fingers clasped; head down; hands to face,
groin, and hair; minimum eye contact;
throatclearing; constant blinking; whistling;
rubbing back of neck; shifting from side to side;
slumping and crouching
Boredom or disinterest Lousy handshake; shuffling papers; cleaning
fingernails; minimal eye contact; looking at
door, watch, window; playing with objects on
desk', picking at clothes; doodling; drumming
table; tapping feet; head in palm of hand; blank
stare; pen clicking; foot- jiggling; body angled
away from speaker; stretching
Secretiveness and dishonesty Touching nose while speaking; tugging ear
while speaking; rubbing behind ear while
speaking; covering mouth while speaking;
scratching head; shifting eyes; tongue to side of
mouth; head down; look of concern; pulling
neck; fidgeting; moving body away
Evaluation Hand gripping chin with index finger up; slightly
tilted head; nodding; slight blinking of eyes;
stroking chin; raised eyebrow and head tilted
back; index fingers to lips; squinting but with
good eye contact; pulling upper lip; ear turned
toward the speaker; glasses in mouth; body
parallel to the speaker or turned toward the
speaker; casual tapping of the foot
Honesty, confidence, and cooperation Open hands, and palm toward another person;
lean forward in chair; good eye contact; legs
uncrossed; hands to chest; coat open;
synchronized movement with the speaker;
spontaneous movement of hands, arms, and
wrists; sitting tall but not higher than others;
shrugging shoulders
 Anger, frustration, and defensiveness Jerky movements; closed fists and flexing
hands; hands inside the pockets; scratching
back of neck; squinting eyes; red skin; piercing
eye contact; kicking at ground; tense and rigid
posture; superficial smile with shaking heads
sideways

BUILDING CONNECTIONS WITH THE AUDIENCE

Suppose you are a newly elected mayor and your administration is undergoing a major
reorganization. You assemble your staff and employees to present this reform. Now, in your speech, how
will you inspire your audience to embrace this change and help your administration achieve its goal?

As a speaker, before you can inspire your audience, you have to strive to establish a connection
with them. In the example above, you as a mayor should address the concerns or needs of your staff and
employees first so that they will be receptive to your conveyed message. These concerns include stability
of their jobs, pay, workplace, and growth, among others. You will not get the support that you aim for if
any of your staff or employee is worried about his/her job during the process of change.

The initial step in building connection with the audiences is to know them, which can be achieved
through audience analysis.

AUDIENCE ANALYSIS
Audience analysis can be defined as a process of looking into the behavior, values, beliefs, or
even the culture of the audience. This can be done before your presentation. By doing so, you will know
what and what not to say, how to say it, and when to say it.

Some pertinent observations are as follows: If you speak to a younger audience like your
classmates, generally, they are interested in dynamic and innovative presentations with appropriate and
effective use of visual aids. Adult listeners are responsive to current issues relevant to them.

Audience analysis is usually done by identifying the demographic profile of your audience.
However, situational and psychological factors can also be considered.

Below is a sample worksheet which you can use to know your audience better.
Audience Analysis
Name

Description

Age range

Male-female ratio

Educational
Background
Educational institution
 Place of residence (city, province, town)

Marital status

Economic status
(Household income above P30,000 or
below
P30,000)
Language spoken

Religious affiliations/ beliefs

SOME TIME-TESTED PRINCIPLES

1. Consider the needs of your audience. Psychologist Abraham Maslow identified the hierarchy of
human needs as shown below. You can use this framework to deepen your understanding of your
audience.

In your speech, asking the following questions can be essential to tapping and building
onto the needs of your audience. Will the message of my speech contribute to the professional
growth and fulfillment of my audience? Will my audience feel more important or act more
responsibly after my speech? Will my audience deepen their sense of inclusiveness when I engage
them in active participation? Will the freedom of my audience be suppressed? What are they
thinking? What do they want to hear?

2. Identify your audience size and set-ups. Coordinate with area personnel, conference committee
or the ones knowledgeable about details, so that you can make necessary adjustments to your
speech. The set-up should complement the size or number of audience. It can be a large group
or a small group. In dealing with a large group, you need more effort in terms of gestures, eye
contact, and body movements. Your interaction with the audience also is affected by the size: the
smaller the size, the higher the chance you will be interactive with your audience.