- Why is knowing your audience an important part of capturing and maintaining their attention?
- What cultural considerations do you need to take into account for your particular audience/topic?
- How are you going to keep the audience’s attention throughout the speech?
- Find at least one example on YouTube, TEDx, or other video repositories of good attention-getting examples. Post the URL and explain how the video is a good model for capturing the audience’s attention. The video can be on any topic but must be appropriate for sharing.
- Make sure to include a scholarly source to support your points.
In place of the textbook citation, you will need to integrate and cite the video you selected as well as a scholarly source.
Writing Requirements
- Minimum of 2 posts (1 initial & 1 follow-up)
- Minimum of 2 sources cited (video and an outside scholarly source)
- APA format for in-text citations and list of references
Capturing and maintaining the attention of the audience is one of the most significant aspects of delivering a successful speech. However, this cannot be achieved without knowing the audience well. Thus, knowing the audience is a crucial element in delivering an effective speech. A speaker should know the interests, attitudes, and values of the audience to tailor the speech accordingly. A speaker can capture the audience’s attention by beginning the speech with an anecdote or an engaging story related to the topic of discussion. Furthermore, a speaker can maintain the audience’s attention by adding humor or asking rhetorical questions throughout the speech. According to Cegala (2015), “The more a speaker knows about the audience, the better he or she can tailor the speech to meet the audience’s needs, interests, and expectations” (p. 28).
When delivering a speech, it is essential to consider the cultural background of the audience to ensure that the speech does not offend or disrespect anyone’s beliefs or values. This requires researching the audience’s cultural norms, values, and customs. Additionally, a speaker should avoid using jargon or language that is unfamiliar to the audience. The use of inclusive language is also crucial in ensuring that the audience feels respected and valued.
Keeping the audience’s attention throughout the speech requires creativity and strategic planning. A speaker can use visual aids such as slides or videos to help convey the message more effectively. Using body language, such as making eye contact or using gestures, can also help keep the audience engaged. Additionally, varying the tone and pace of the speech can help maintain the audience’s attention.
One example of a good attention-getting speech is “The Power of Vulnerability” by Brené Brown, which can be found on TEDx (Brown, 2010). Brown begins her speech by sharing a personal story that the audience can relate to, which captures their attention immediately. She then uses humor and rhetorical questions throughout the speech to keep the audience engaged. Moreover, she uses research to support her points, which gives her credibility as a speaker. Brown’s use of personal stories, humor, and research helps to keep the audience engaged throughout the speech.
In conclusion, capturing and maintaining the audience’s attention is vital to delivering an effective speech. This can be achieved by knowing the audience, considering cultural norms, and using creativity and strategic planning to keep the audience engaged. One effective way of capturing the audience’s attention is by beginning the speech with a personal anecdote, using humor, and asking rhetorical questions throughout the speech. Additionally, using visual aids, body language, and varying the tone and pace of the speech can help maintain the audience’s attention. A good example of an attention-getting speech is Brené Brown’s “The Power of Vulnerability,” which captures the audience’s attention by using personal stories, humor, and research.
References:
Brown, B. (2010, June). The power of vulnerability. TEDx. https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_the_power_of_vulnerability
Cegala, D. J. (2015). Dynamic public speaking. Routledge.