Page 32 - Between One and Many The Art and Science of Public Speaking

Comprehensive Guidance on Research, Support, and
Organization Places Value on Sound Speech Preparation

176 Part 3 Putting Theory Into Practice
Evaluating Sources
Chapter 7, “Researching Your Message,” has been completely revised
to help students understand how to properly use search engines such
as Google, avoid traps such as bogus Web sites, and distinguish
between reliable and unreliable evidence. This chapter also discusses
Wikipedia, blogs, YouTube, and podcasts.
Google Advanced Search allows users to narrow down their search.

Chapter 9 Organizing Messages 229 230 Part 3 Putting Theory Into Practice
Organic Patterns of Organization Exhibit 9.3
Spiral Pattern Theme
These 10 patterns of organization are primarily linear in nature and are well Each point in a spiral reaches
climax
suited to audiences rooted in a Western European tradition. For example, scholar pattern repeats the theme
Cheryl Jorgensen-Earp has suggested that women and some ethnic speakers use
with greater intensity.
less linear, more organic patterns, such as the wave, the spiral, and the star. 3
Wave
By limiting a search, 30 million hits were reduced to 68,000.
Many women and African Americans use the wave pattern. Much like a wave wave pattern
cresting, receding, and then cresting again, a speech following this pattern con- A pattern of organization
tinually returns to the basic theme, repeating a phrase again and again through- in which the basic theme,
out the speech. Perhaps the most familiar example is the “I Have a Dream” often represented by a
speech, by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which gets its title from the constant phrase, is repeated again
repetition of that phrase. In addition, King uses the theme “Let freedom ring” and again, much like a
repeatedly as he brings the speech to its dramatic conclusion. Exhibit 9.2 illus- wave cresting, receding,
trates the wave pattern of speaking. and then cresting again.
Theme
Spiral begins
Another pattern suggested by Jorgensen-Earp is a spiral pattern. It too repeats spiral pattern
points, but each point grows in intensity as the speech builds to its pinnacle at A pattern of organization
the conclusion. For example, we recall a motivational speech by one of our for- that employs repetition
mer students, Rick Rigsby. He was speaking of how he learned about life from of points, with the points
the death of his wife, Trina, from breast cancer when she was in her 30s. At one growing in intensity as Exhibit 9.4 Quotation Organizing Speeches
point she told him that it wasn’t how long you lived but how you lived that mat- the speech builds to its Star Pattern
tered. As the speech progressed, Rick returned to this theme again and again, conclusion. In a star pattern all points
each time with more emotional intensity. At the end of his speech he asked the grow from a central idea.
audience this question: “How are you living?” Thus he spiraled to a climax that Patterns of organization, including
had been foreshadowed throughout the speech. Exhibit 9.3 illustrates the spiral
pattern of organization. Anecdote Story
star pattern
A pattern of organization Central alphabetical, wave, spiral, and star
Star in which all of the points idea
are of equal importance
A third organic pattern identifi ed by Jorgensen-Earp is the star pattern, in and can be presented in
which various points all grow from a central idea. Because all of the points of any order to support the
the star are of equal importance, a speaker can present the points in any order common theme. patterns, are included in Chapter 9,
in support of the common theme that encircles the star and holds the speech
Example Story “Organizing Messages.”
Exhibit 9.2
”I have a dream” ”I have a dream” ”I have a dream” ”Let freedom ring” ”Let freedom ring” Wave Pattern
Martin Luther King Jr.
used a wave pattern in
his speech.
together. When actor Edward James Olmos spoke at our university several years
ago the speech seemed like a random list of stories and anecdotes to some in the
audience. But a more careful analysis shows that each of his stories was really a
point on a star, with the central message being “we are all one gang.” Exhibit 9.4
illustrates the star pattern.
As a speaker, carefully consider both the audience’s cultural background as
it affects their organizational preferences and your own cultural affi nity for cer-
tain patterns of organization. Although cultural diversity provides the opportu-
Chapter 11 Delivery: Engaging Your Audience 299
Speaking of . . .
Seating Arrangements
Can the physical seating arrangement have an impact on audience members to make eye contact with each other.
both your speech and the manner in which it is perceived? And speaking at the head of a conference table not only
A very dramatic one. As a result, you should think about narrows the zone of interaction but also puts a physical
your goals as a speaker and the physical layout of the room barrier between you and your audience. Which of these ar-
in which you speak. Traditional rows will focus attention ex- rangements do you think would most likely encourage audi-
clusively on you. A horseshoe arrangement, however, allows ence feedback and participation? Why?
Speaking Of . . .
These boxes contain current, topical information related to the text
discussion and provide tips for speech preparation, including opportu-
nities for research and critical thinking. Traditional rows Horseshoe Conference table
Appearance
Appearance often has a disproportionately significant effect on audience percep-

tions of a speaker’s message and delivery. 10 Speakers never get a second chance
to make a fi rst impression with an audience. First impressions are based largely
on appearance, including body type and height, skin and hair color, and cloth-
ing and accessories.
The signifi cance of appearance to public speaking can be measured in at least
two ways. The fi rst involves audience members’ fi rst impressions. The second
involves how people perceive themselves as a result of their appearance and the
impact this perception has on their self-confi dence and delivery.
According to communication expert Dale Leathers, “Our visible self func-
tions to communicate a constellation of meanings which defi ne who we are and
what we are apt to become in the eyes of others.” 11 These “others” are the people
with whom we come into contact, including the members of our audiences.
Audience members use appearance initially to make judgments about a
speaker’s level of attractiveness and degree of similarity. The consequences of
299
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