history of public speaking essay

“Of all the talents bestowed upon men, none is so precious as the gift of oratory. He who enjoys it wields a power more durable than that of a great king. “ Winston Churchill

One of his famous speeches is- “We shall Fight on the Beaches” which he gave during the second world war where he spoke about the military disaster and the invasive attempt by Nazis.

2) John F. Kennedy

John F. Kennedy is considered to be one of the greatest orators and therefore he was voted as the 2nd best orator of the 20th century.

One such thing that made him a compelling public speaker was his ability to give a speech in such a way that it felt like he was having an authentic conversation with the public, as opposed to lecturing them.

Researchers argue that he possessed everything that a speaker should have. For instance, his tone of voice had a variation in pace (sometimes fast, sometimes slow), a variation in volume (sometimes loud, sometimes soft), and a variation in pitch along with smooth transitions which made his speeches far more interesting.

In short, his speeches were nothing less than perfect. The arrangement and construction of the speech were so well that it made the content flow effortlessly from the powerful headline.

The most influential speech by John F. Kennedy is “Why go to the moon?” where he persuaded the Americans to support the Apollo program- a national effort to land a man on the Moon.

3) Martin Luther King Jr.

We all know Martin Luther King Jr. dedicated half of his career fighting for the civil rights of African-Americans. Almost all his speeches focused on important moral issues.

The tone of his voice in most of his speeches was usually very forceful and passionate. When you listen to his speech, you will observe that he starts with a low pace and then raises it high, so as to lay emphasis on the key points and draw the audiences’ attention.

While giving a speech, he used to allow himself to form a symbiotic connection with his audience.

Undoubtedly, this speech was a great historical moment that moved millions of people to make a change. We can draw valuable public speaking lessons from this speech which we’ve summarised for you in this analysis of the speech: Drawing Public Speaking Lessons from ‘I Have A Dream’ (Speech Analysis)

One of the most famous speeches “I have a dream” was by Martin Luther King Jr. where he called for civil and economic rights to end racism in America.

4) Socrates

Socrates greatly influenced the art of public speaking during the Classical period. He was a great teacher in the history of the western world. He emphasized the ability to question anything and everything or even if it is the Athenian authority.

However, the Athenian youth considered him to be a threat and was charged with allegations like corrupting the youth, not believing the gods, and creating new deities.

“The Apology” was Socrates’ defense to these charges. Instead of pleading the jury for mercy, he tried to persuade them.

5) Abraham Lincoln

“The Gettysburg Address” is one of the greatest pieces of rhetoric which was delivered by Abraham Lincoln.

This speech was delivered at the time of the civil war. The speech lasted only for 3 minutes where he aimed at testing whether the government could maintain the proposition of equality and discard the practice of slavery. In short, his speech aimed at reviving the constitution in such a way where everyone had freedom and equality.

The words chosen by him could be understood by anyone which made his message more clear, concise, and impactful.

You can also check- Ways to end your speech with impact.

6) Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan was also called The Great Communicator because of his ability and determination to educate the audience by bringing his ideas to life in such a way that the audience was able to visualize them.

As an orator, he believed that the use of language or words should be such that they are easy to comprehend. The other thing was that in order to make your message seep into the minds of the people, you need to repeat it time and again.

“I wasn’t a great communicator, but I communicated great things.” Ronald Reagan

Two of his greatest speeches are:

7) Barack Obama

What makes Barack Obama an excellent speaker is the way he taps into the emotions of the audience. All of his speeches have an emotional (Pathos) touch to it.

As an orator, he made his speech so relatable that the audience agreed to his approaches.

In short, he has a real knack of connecting personal stories, tapping into people’s emotions, showing an optimistic vision, and backing his speech up with evidence and facts.

“A More Perfect Union” is one of his effective speeches where he talks about the racial inequalities and white supremacy.

Final Thoughts

History is more than just knowing about the leaders and the wars. Instead it is a way through which you can know the stories of how someone stood for something or the power of a speech given by someone which had the ability to change the entire direction of the world.

At the end of the day, it is because of our past leaders why we are able to speak fluently with such a great impact in front of a large audience. It also serves as a reference for our current leaders to ready themselves for their rallies, talks, campaigns, etc.

Therefore, one should consider knowing the history of public speaking, as it provides you with guidelines and techniques on ways to craft and deliver an effective and impactful speech.

Now that you’ve got the basics down, if you’re looking for tips on how to go about writing a speech that will impact your audience, look no further because we got the ultimate guide on it: An ultimate guide to structuring an impactful speech.

Enroll in our transformative 1:1 Coaching Program

Schedule a call with our expert communication coach to know if this program would be the right fit for you

4 Types of Public Speaking (A Complete Guide)

Importance of Public Speaking in Everyday Life

How to Politely End a Zoom Call: 5 Easy Ways

Get our latest tips and tricks in your inbox always

Kindly drop your contact details so that we can arrange call back.

Select Country Afghanistan Albania Algeria AmericanSamoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Colombia Comoros Congo Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Honduras Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Rwanda Samoa San Marino Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Tajikistan Thailand Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Wallis and Futuna Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe land Islands Antarctica Bolivia, Plurinational State of Brunei Darussalam Cocos (Keeling) Islands Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Cote d'Ivoire Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Guernsey Holy See (Vatican City State) Hong Kong Iran, Islamic Republic of Isle of Man Jersey Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Lao People's Democratic Republic Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Macao Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Mozambique Palestinian Territory, Occupied Pitcairn RÃ©union Russia Saint BarthÃ©lemy Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan Da Cunha Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Sao Tome and Principe Somalia Svalbard and Jan Mayen Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tanzania, United Republic of Timor-Leste Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S.

The Speaker Skills Institute

Learn Public Speaking Excellence

in Uncategorized

A Brief History of Public Speaking

We believe that the original form of public speaking started between 243 and 231 million years ago. It was in the form of symbols and drawings on cave walls called hieroglyphics. This was followed by bodily actions such as gestures and facial expressions used for communication.

October 6, 2021 at 9:41 pm

The Athenian Greeks and Aristotle

Widely considered the founder of the study of rhetoric, Aristotle (384-322 B.C.), Image 1, was the first philosopher to consider the dynamics of public speaking and persuasion, and to compile those observations in The Rhetoric . In effect, this became the first textbook on public speaking. Aristotle defined rhetoric as “all available means of persuasion.” In other words, rhetoric and rhetorical theory refer to the study of techniques for persuasion as they apply to various audiences and occasions .

In his work, Aristotle presented three methods, or “modes,” of persuading an audience. We still consider these Aristotelian modes of proof as the core of how we teach and study persuasion.

Ethos: persuading another based on the character of the speaker . We all have friends or family members we trust, and if they tell us something, we assume they are telling the truth and should be believed. This persuasion by the nature of the speaker’s character is ethos. A very important aspect of ethos is that credibility is something audience gives the speaker. Since the audience can judge the character of the speaker only on their performance at that moment, the speaker’s credibility is a function of the perception the audience has of that speaker at that time. No matter how trustworthy and honest a speaker is, their credibility is only as strong as the audience believes it to be. Accordingly, speakers need to prove their trustworthiness through their delivery and content. Since this is a standard consideration in the development of a speech introduction, specific methods of enhancing credibility are addressed there. Pathos : engaging the emotions of the audience . Human beings are deeply emotional creatures, and we are most emotionally comfortable when our beliefs and actions align. If James believes giving to the community is an important activity, that may lead him to donate blood during the college blood drive. He may feel a sense of satisfaction and contentment that his actions and beliefs aligned. On the other hand, if he avoids giving blood, he may feel troubled that his actions are not aligning with his beliefs. This disconnect is at the core of using emotion to persuade. Humans like feeling positive emotions and don’t like negative emotions. A speaker can offer an audience a way to act that will make them feel good and avoid negative emotion. For example, a famous charity advertisement for Feed the Children claimed, “For the price of a cup of coffee, you can feed a starving child.” This simple statement aims to trigger a sense of guilt each time we buy a cup of coffee, and then offers a way to erase the negative emotion of guilt and replace it with the satisfaction of helping those less fortunate: donate your coffee money to Feed the Children. Logos : using argument and logical reasoning . While we are deeply emotional creatures, we also place a high value on rational thinking and thoughtful decision making. Through the application of logical reasoning accompanied by credible evidence, we aim to persuade the audience of the best course of action. The study of logic and reasoning are huge fields of study in their own right, and we encourage you to consider additional courses in Logic, Argumentation, or Debate.

After the time of the Athenian Greeks passed and the Roman Republic emerged, two Romans emerged to make significant impacts on the study of rhetoric: Cicero and Quintilian.

Cicero (106-43 B.C.), Image 2, argued for a balance of content and delivery, that “the perfect orator should be able to speakwisely and eloquently on any subject with a dignified, restrained delivery.” He also believed, however, that style without substance was to be avoided. DeCaro states, “Cicero despised the shallowness of orators who depended exclusively on perfect diction and elegant words that lacked substance. His ideal person was the philosopher-statesman-learned orator who used rhetoric to mold public opinion.” Cicero’s importance lies in his writings. DeCaro explains, “His work on rhetoric, the Institutio Oratoria , is an exhaustive volume of twelve books and was a major contribution to education theory and literary criticism.”

Quintilian (35-95 A.D.), Image 3, wrote extensively on speaking, style, and content. He organized what we now know and teach as the five canons of rhetoric:

Quintilian’s five canons reference both content and delivery, acknowledging that both are important to the success of the persuasion. As Quintilian stated, rhetoric was “the good man speaking well.” In other words, effective public speaking combined substantive, ethical content with good, effective delivery.

The Middle Ages

As the Roman Empire fell and Europe moved into the Middle Ages (400-1400 A.D.), Christianity grew in power and supplanted the human-centered philosophies of the Greeks and Romans. While rhetoric was still considered one of the three great liberal arts during this time, along with logic and grammar, due to Christianity’s distrust of the field, rhetorical theory did not advance significantly during this time. DeCaro states, “As Christianity grew in power, rhetoric was condemned as a pagan art….”

The Renaissance

During the 14th-16th centuries, a revival of interest in classical culture occurred. This renaissance of culture led to a revisiting of the works of the Greeks and Romans, including the works of Aristotle, Cicero, Quintilian, and others. Art, philosophy, literature, and all manner of human endeavor flourished. There was a strong interest in both art and science, with each claiming prominence in discerning truth, justice, and beauty. The humanists believed that language and art could reveal the inner world of the human experience, while the rationalists believed that through science, truth would be revealed. DeCaro states:

Interested in the human world as constructed through language, rather than the natural world, the Humanists focused on human epistemologically. They emphasized the world of human culture and language, believing in the power of the word not only because it gives those with a command of it special advantage in daily interactions, but because of its inherent capacity to disclose to the world of humans.

Poetry, prose, rhetoric, and philosophy were paramount to the humanists as they believed that through the creation and study of these works, truths of the human condition could be discovered. The rationalists, on the other hand, had little regard for such human expression:

Rationalism…sought objective, scientific truths that would exist for all time…. Not surprisingly, the rationalists had little patience for rhetoric: while poetry and oratory might be aesthetically pleasing, they were seen as having no connection to science and truth.

Evidence, logic, and reason were the focus of the rationalists. They felt that through scientific inquiry, the truths of the natural world could be discerned.

During this time, Western Culture began to transition into the political and social structures we have today. Democratic rule began to re-emerge, nobility rule began to wane, and a dispassionate, equitable structure of courts and laws took the place of the rule of the social elites. During this time, as these social and political structures were evolving, new views of public speaking were also emerging.

The Epistemological Tradition Epistemology is the study of how we know what we know. DaCaro describes it as “the study of the origin, nature, methods, and limits of human knowledge.” The epistemological tradition looked at language as intertwined with human knowledge, perception, and thought. It emphasized the study of how language works, how persuasive appeals work, and the underlying psychology of communication. The Belles Lettres Movement The Belle Lettres Movement (meaning “fine or beautiful letters), focused on “the aesthetic qualities of writing rather than any informative value it may have” (DeCaro, ) Great value was placed on beautiful writing and clear wording. In effect, how something was said was more important than the content of the message. This command of language was seen as a reflection of the author’s status and education as well as the reader’s: “Belle-lettres denotes a linguistic self-consciousness testifying to the superior education of both writer and reader, who come together more through literature than through life” (Jehlen and Warner, 1997). The Elocutionary Movement The Elocutionary Movement was primarily focused on delivery. The Elocutionists used large, planned gestures, loud and dramatic vocal factors, and exaggerated movements. They believed that carefully planned delivery would have certain effects on the audience, so the emphasis was on finding the “proper” gesture, vocal pattern, or movement appropriate for a specific moment. Later, the Elocutionist Movement became so formulaic that it began to be perceived as fake and insincere.

The Gilded Age

From the mid-1800s to the early 1900s, the ability to speak at length with an ornate style was held in high esteem. Politicians and traveling speakers would go from

town to town delivering long, impassioned speeches on topics of the day. Since there was no mass media, other than newsprint, these were public events that would draw everyone in the community. Without microphones or sound systems, the speakers would use a loud, boisterous style, very much elocutionist in style, to carry their message throughout the audience.

The ability to speak for hours in this style was considered a sign of intelligence and personal power, so speeches not measuring up were considered reflective of a lack of personal strength and character. A good speaker was expected to have a very strong command of language, much in the belles lettres style, and to be able to express himself with a sense of poetry and artistry. Debate was a very highly regarded skill, especially the ability to form well-phrased, targeted arguments. Besting another in an intellectual clash generated much respect.

Present Day Influences

Today, what we consider good public speaking has been altered by several factors from the 20th century. It has been heavily influenced by the introduction of radio, film, television, and the internet.

First, radio introduced audiences to the ability to hear a natural voice of political figures in their own home. Most renowned are the “Fireside Chats” of President Franklin Roosevelt. According to History.com, “From March 1933 to June 1944, Roosevelt addressed the American people in some 30 speeches broadcast via radio, speaking on a variety of topics from banking to unemployment to fighting fascism in Europe. Millions of people found comfort and renewed confidence in these speeches, which became known as the “’fireside chats.’” (History.com, 2010) Instead of the loud, projected vocal style needed to fill an auditorium, this new medium allowed a far more intimate, conversational style of presentation.

Second, putting an elocutionist-style speaker, such as William Jennings Bryan, in the close-up view of a movie enhanced the artificial nature of this style of delivery. Since such delivery was intended to reach an audience of several hundred without the aid of a sound system, to now show the speaker’s exaggerated vocal factors, gestures, facial expressions, and body movements up close via film or television made the speaker appear cartoonish by today's standards. Since we can now see speakers up close regardless of the size of the venue, a more natural delivery works more effectively at establishing trust and sincerity.

Third, now that we could not only hear but see the speakers, the nonverbal, visual elements of the speaker have become more pronounced. In the 1960 election, U.S. citizens saw the first televised presidential debate between John F. Kenney and Richard M. Nixon. A mark of the impact of this new medium of television is that those who listened via radio felt Nixon won the debate, while those who watched overwhelmingly felt Kennedy won: “Nixon was recovering from a hospital visit and had a 5-o'clock shadow, having refused makeup. In contrast, Kennedy's delivery was smooth and charismatic. Viewers focused on what they saw, not what they heard. Kennedy won the election.” (Newsweek, 2016) Accordingly, “The Kennedy-Nixon debates not only had a major impact on the election’s outcome, but ushered in a new era in which crafting a public image and taking advantage of media exposure became essential ingredients of a successful political campaign.” (History.com 2010) The delivery aspects of public speaking, especially appearance, emerged as a far more crucial element than before.

Fourth, with the emergence of the internet giving us 24/7 access to virtually all the knowledge in the world, speaker’s words can be carefully assessed for accuracy. Instead of taking a speaker at their word, we can check and cross-check the truthfulness of a speaker’s claims in a matter of moments. We have seen the emergence of fact-checking sites that specialize in holding speakers accountable for what they say. Politifact.com, FactCheck.org, and Snopes.com produce assessments daily of current claims by public figures. More than ever, speakers must carefully cite evidence and sources.

Along with accurate citations, speakers must carefully weigh the value of the source itself. Since the internet allows for anyone to publish anything (there are no editors on the internet), speakers must evaluate sources to determine the trustworthiness of the source. We have seen the emergence of political commentators, such as Rush Limbaugh, Alex Jones, Rachel Maddow, or Keith Olbermann, who are advocates for specific viewpoints. We must be cautious of distorted or biased news and opinion, and instead focus on objective, balanced information.

Fifth, in addition to the emergence of the internet is the development of echo chambers fed by partisan, or even hyper-partisan, news and information sites. This means that more than ever different political viewpoints are fed by specific news sources. Typically, sources such as Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, and Nationalreview.com are considered conservative, while MSNBC, Huffington Post, and Salon.com are considered liberal. For us as speakers, it is important we have a sense of what the audience deems most acceptable. To cite Fox News with a liberal audience or MSNBC with a conservative audience may harm the speaker’s credibility. In other words, there are sources some audience members immediately deem biased and lacking credibility, so if we use them, we may have created a barrier with the audience. Instead, to advance our position, we should look for sources that do not carry such pre-existing baggage and are more likely to be seen as credible.

Lastly, another effect of the internet has been little patience for engaging long discourse. Since the virtually infinite web always has something else to look at, we are becoming less and less satisfied with long, detailed presentations. This “Twitter Effect” pushes us to favor short, to-the-point presentations versus longer, exploratory speeches. CNN’s Doug Gross lays out 5 ways that Twitter is altering our relationship with information and how it is presented. He states, “Some thoughts just can't be summed up in 140 characters. For all its ability to provide quick blasts of information, critics have argued that Twitter dumbs down…conversations that deserve to be fuller and more fleshed out.” Accordingly, as speakers we need to be clear, distinct, and avoid rambling. Depending on the audience and occasion, a shorter, more direct presentation may work more effectively than a longer, more detailed speech.

The terms and concepts students should be familiar with from this section include:

The role of public speaking in democracy

The Athenian Greeks

The Epistemological Tradition

The Belles Lettres Movement

The Elocutionary Movement

A Brief History of Public Speaking

The first trace of public speaking can be found in Ancient Greece, around 2500 years ago. The Greeks were the first people to widely develop the art of rhetoric, which is the ability to speak effectively and persuasively. At that time, people needed to speak in public to present themself in court or to argue in front of an assembly.

If you are interested to know more about the history of public speaking, keep reading the article. Below, we will take a more detailed look at the origins of public speaking and how it has evolved over time.

History of Public Speaking

Public speaking has been around for millenia, and it has evolved a lot throughout this time. Let’s take a look at the history of public speaking.

Public Speaking in Classical Periods

The art of public speaking can be traced back to classical ancient times. In fact, the word ” rhetoric” comes from the Greek word “rhetorike,” which means “the art of persuasion.” Aristotle’s treatise on rhetoric, which was written in the fourth century BCE, is one of the first texts that discuss how to effectively communicate to an audience. This is proof that public speaking is an ancient art that has been around for a long time.

Being recorded as the first teacher of oratory, Aristotle presented specific rules and models on how to speak to an audience. He advised orators to use ethos (credibility), pathos (emotion), and logos (reason) in their speeches in order to persuade their listeners. In addition, Aristotle discussed the different types of speeches that can be given, such as deliberative, forensic, epideictic, and ceremonial. These different types of speeches are still used today.

In that age, public speaking was mainly used for political and legal purposes. Citizens need to speak on their own behalf in front of an audience to make their case and argue for what they believe in. This was the time when rhetoric flourished as an art form.

Notable Figures in Public Speaking from Classical Periods

There are many famous figures in rhetoric in classical periods. Some of them include:

Aspasia of Miletus

Aspasia was a philosopher and teacher of rhetoric who lived in the fourth century BCE. She is considered the mother of rhetoric and was involved in debates and speeches in her time. She also taught Socrates.

Socrates is considered one of the founders of Western philosophy and is best known for his Socratic dialogues. He was a student of Aspasia, and he taught his students how to think for themselves and question the opinions of others.

Plato wrote extensively on the subject of rhetoric and dialectic. As per Plato, rhetoric was more of an art to describe the truth to the audience. He believed that rhetoric can be used both for good and bad purposes.

The most notable figure in rhetoric, Aristotle, wrote “ On Rhetoric ,” which is a treatise on the subject. In this work, he discusses the different types of speeches and how to effectively communicate with an audience. He also introduced the concepts of ethos, pathos, and logos.

Cicero was a Roman statesman who is considered one of the greatest orators in history. He is well-known to date for his speeches and for developing the five canons of rhetoric. It is a five-step procedure to create an effective speech, which is still used today.

Quintilian was a Roman rhetorician who wrote “Institutes of Oratory,” a twelve-volume work on the art of rhetoric. In this work, Quintilian discusses the different types of speeches and how to deliver them effectively. He also stresses the importance of ethics in public speaking.

Public Speaking in the Middle Ages

The art of rhetoric declined during this time period. This was due to the fact that the Church held a lot of power, and they discouraged the use of rhetoric. They believed that rhetoric could be used to deceive people and lead them astray from the truth.

During the medieval period, public speaking was mainly used for religious purposes. For example, sermons were given in churches to teach the congregation about the Bible.

Notable Figures in Public Speaking from the Middle Ages

There are not as many notable figures in rhetoric from the medieval period. However, some of them include:

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

Saint Bernard was a Burgundian abbot and one of the most influential Church leaders during the medieval period. He is best known for his sermons and his work to revive the Church.

St. Augustine of Hippo

Saint Augustine was a theologian and philosopher who lived in the fourth century CE. He wrote extensively on rhetoric, and his work heavily influenced the development of public speaking during the medieval period.

Public Speaking in the Renaissance and Enlightenment Period

The renaissance and Enlightenment were the time of rebirth where art and literature flourished. This was also reflected in public speaking, which saw a resurgence in popularity. In fact, oratory became an essential skill for anyone who wanted to succeed in life.

Renaissance orators were known for their eloquence and style. They were able to communicate effectively with an audience and persuade them to their point of view.

The Enlightenment period worked as a stepping stone for the development of public speaking. This was because people started to question the authorities and their beliefs. They wanted to have a say in how they were governed and this led to an increase in political speeches.

Notable Figures in Public Speaking from Renaissance and Enlightenment Period

Some of the most notable figures from this time period include:

Francis Bacon

Francis Bacon was an English philosopher and statesman who is considered the founder of the scientific method. He was also a successful orator and wrote several essays on rhetoric. Especially, his “On Rhetoric, or the Art of Eloquence” is considered one of the most important works on rhetoric from the Renaissance period.

John Quincy Adams

John Quincy Adams was an American statesman who served as the sixth president of the United States. He also served as the professor of rhetoric at Harvard University and is considered one of the influential orators in American history.

Public Speaking in Modern Age

The modern age has seen the rise of mass media, which has had a profound effect on public speaking. In the past, public speaking was mainly used to communicate with small groups of people. However, with the advent of television and radio, it is now possible to reach a large audience with your message.

This has led to an increase in the number of public speakers. In fact, there are now more people who make a living from speaking than ever before. Individuals nowadays are also more interested in public speaking as it helps in career growth.

Public speaking today means more than just communicating with an audience. It has become an important tool for marketing and branding. For example, many companies use public speakers to promote their products and services.

Notable Figures in Public Speaking at Modern Age

Some of the most notable figures in rhetoric from the modern age include:

Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill was a British statesman who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during World War II. He is considered one of the most influential orators of the 20th century and gave many speeches that inspired the British people during the war.

Winston Churchill also won the Nobel prize in literature in 1953, which was in part due to his excellent speeches.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. was an American civil rights activist who is best known for his speeches and writings on nonviolent resistance. He gave several influential speeches, such as “I Have a Dream” and “The Other America.”

Barack Obama

Barack Obama was the 44th president of the United States. He is also a highly successful public speaker and has given many memorable speeches, such as “A More Perfect Union” and “The Audacity of Hope.”

Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States and is considered one of the most influential leaders in American history. He gave many famous speeches, such as the Gettysburg Address and the Emancipation Proclamation.

Public speaking has come a long way throughout history. From being used to communicate with small groups of people, it has now become an important tool for marketing and branding.

Notable figures in public speaking have emerged over the years, each with their own style and message. In the modern age, we are fortunate enough to have more platforms than ever before to share our message with the world.

What are your thoughts on public speaking? Let us know in the comments below!

Plagiarism checker

Writing help, paraphrasing tool, importance of public speaking in history.

Public Speaking , Rhetoric

How it works

Importance of Public Speaking in History essay

The current methods and knowledge on public speaking are drawn from the Western and Ancient Greece methods of public speaking. Public speaking and communication form the foundation of the society since it allows the people to interact with others thereby forming connections, influencing the decisions taken and motivating change in the society.

An interview with an American archaeologist reveals that in history, public speaking is critical since it helps to convince people of the specific ideas and evidence that has been collected that in some cases may be centuries old. It is these principles that make it critical to ensure that for history students, public speaking forms a critical part of their studies. As a history student is important to first assess public speaking and understand how it was developed into the methods that are used to date.

Public speaking can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome where the citizens were encouraged to participate in the society through rhetoric and try to argue their points. Socrates, Plato and Aristotle are famed for their public speaking skills and its development through the years (Stewart, 1997).

Aristotle developed the use of rhetoric that was mainly developed from understanding the methods of persuasion in which he highlighted logos, ethos and pathos as the main elements that help one in persuading others on a specific point. Cicero and Quintilian were also critical in developing the skills and outlined important facets of persuasive speech that are still in use to date (Stewart, 1997). These methods were further developed in the medieval period, the renaissance period as well as the American Revolution before the current models were adopted.

Public speaking has been a critical aspect in the development of society and outlined the individual needs that have been essential towards outlining and creating a strong approach of change that has been essential in the society to date. One of the importances of public speaking is to win over the crowd and convince others on a specific point that one raises. In history with most of the information and data being in the past, the events or account of these attributes can only be developed through convincing others on the accuracy of the theories and positions that one holds (Stewart, 1997).

An interview with the archaeologist revealed that one not only needs the evidence but the public speaking skills to convince the people of the validity of the evidence that has been collected. In history it is about how one presents the evidence or theories while presenting it to the public that makes the difference in the profession. It is therefore, imperative to learn the public speaking skills to convince others in the profession of the different conclusions and positions that one holds on a specific subject. It is also critical to know that in most cases one will face strong challenge from other professionals in the field, but it is the methods that one takes to argue their positions and convince others to take the same position that makes one a great professional (Stewart, 1997).

The interview indicated that there are many contentious issues and position that are held in history but it is how the professional who collected and presented the evidence that makes the information or data believable. These are the main indicators of change that are therefore, compounded and developed in different systems thereby outlining a critical attribute that is particularly matured and developed in history. Public speaking is also important in motivating others and making them believe in an ideal or position in the profession.

As a professional in history one needs to get funding or support to conduct research and assess different historical arguments. This entails giving the institutions or individuals evidence and information while motivating them to contribute to one’s research. It is therefore, imperative to ensure that as professional one develops the best methods of public speaking to convince and motivate others to contribute to the research. This requires impeccable skills in public speaking to elicit confidence in others who should believe that one’s position in a specific aspect should be researched and sponsored within the set system (Stewart, 1997).

It is therefore, imperative to develop the best controls and articulate specific structures that are critical in ensuring that other individuals in the society understand the set attributes and develop similar models as set in the systems accordingly. One therefore, needs to motivate others in to gaining confidence in a specific view and are willing to support the idea or model to the end. Martin Luther King Jr. motivated the people who gathered and amid the massive challenges that they faced they were willing to push on since they were committed towards developing the models set.

Public speaking is also an important tool in informing people about different aspects in the society. The best professors or lecturers in college and university are those with good public speaking skills. One gets the concepts and individual aspects that the professor aims to indicate and follows the details very well. Public speaking is important in giving details and taking others through the individual attributes that they want to develop or highlight in the system. It is therefore, impertinent to ensure that one develops these skills to give a detailed account of the underlying factors and models that are essential towards change in the systems accordingly (Stewart, 1997).

In history this is particularly important since it helps in developing the best basis and models towards understanding and developing the profession further through the evidence or data that has been collected. In conclusion, public speaking is an important facet in history as it creates a proper model towards understanding and articulating the individual changes in the society. As a professional in history one needs to develop the best basis and methods towards identifying and articulating the set structures that are mapped under set systems. Depending on the models adopted public speaking is important in motivating, informing and convincing others on a specific position or theory. Work CitedStewart, C. J. (1997).

The deadline is too short to read someone else's essay

Cite this page.

Importance of Public Speaking in History. (2019, Apr 02). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/importance-of-public-speaking-in-history/

"Importance of Public Speaking in History." PapersOwl.com , 2 Apr 2019, https://papersowl.com/examples/importance-of-public-speaking-in-history/

PapersOwl.com. (2019). Importance of Public Speaking in History . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/importance-of-public-speaking-in-history/ [Accessed: 6 Mar. 2023]

"Importance of Public Speaking in History." PapersOwl.com, Apr 02, 2019. Accessed March 6, 2023. https://papersowl.com/examples/importance-of-public-speaking-in-history/

"Importance of Public Speaking in History," PapersOwl.com , 02-Apr-2019. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/importance-of-public-speaking-in-history/. [Accessed: 6-Mar-2023]

PapersOwl.com. (2019). Importance of Public Speaking in History . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/importance-of-public-speaking-in-history/ [Accessed: 6-Mar-2023]

Don't let plagiarism ruin your grade

Make sure your essay is plagiarism-free or hire a writer to get a unique paper crafted to your needs.

Plagiarized Text

Leave your email and we will send a sample to you., not finding what you need, search for essay samples now.

Having doubts about how to write your paper correctly?

Our writers will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+!

Please check your inbox.

Don't use plagiarized sources

Where do you want us to send this sample, attention this is just a sample..

You can order an original essay written according to your instructions.

Trusted by over 1 million students worldwide

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

2. Pick your perfect writer

3. Get Your Paper and Pay

Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!

Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.

short deadlines

100% Plagiarism-Free

Certified writers

Encyclopedias almanacs transcripts and maps

Public Speaking

Public speaking.

The art of public speaking can trace its roots back to ancient Greece and the orators who proclaimed governmental achievements, entertained audiences, and debated political issues in public forums. In the Rhetoric , written in 330 b.c.e., Aristotle discussed the process by which a speaker prepares and delivers a speech. Much of this material is still applicable. For example, Aristotle wrote about three types of persuasive appeals: ethos (i.e., credibility of the source of the message), pathos (i.e., appealing to the emotions of the audience), and logos (i.e., the nature of the message). A contemporary advertisement in which a notable sports figure ( ethos ) telling a personal story about learning the negative consequences of driving while intoxicated ( logos ) to teenage athletes who have just learned to drive ( pathos ) illustrates the principles that Aristotle described.

Historically, public speaking was known as rhetoric and has a long history, both in terms of training people to become good rhetors (i.e., public speakers) and in analyzing what factors made a speech effective (i.e., rhetorical criticism or analysis). James McCroskey (2000) notes that the oldest essay ever discovered was written around 3000b.c.e., and it consists of advice on how to speak effectively. McCroskey argues that the first theory of public speaking was developed by the Greeks and consisted of a theory about courtroom speaking. In the fifth century b.c.e., the Greek Sophists developed small schools to teach the concepts that are now included in the modern idea of debate. Good speakers were taught how to argue both sides of a proposition and were encouraged to write short, general messages that could be used whenever they were asked to speak in public. Isocrates, the most influential of the Greek Sophists, was recognized as an excellent teacher who also wrote orations for other people to deliver, much like a modern speech writer does. Isocrates emphasized rhetorical style (i.e., how to present a speech effectively) and how to train people to become effective public speakers. In 389 b.c.e., Plato wrote the Phaedrus , in which he discussed his theory of rhetoric. According to McCroskey, some scholars consider Aristotle's Rhetoric to be in response to the criticisms that were raised by Plato. Whether this is true or not, both theorists helped lay the foundation for the contemporary study of public speaking.

As discussed by McCroskey, the next major period for the development of the art and study of public speaking is the Roman period, during which the Rhetorica ad Herennium appeared around 82 b.c.e. This work includes information about style, delivery, and the six parts to a rhetorical message: introduction, statement of facts (i.e., narration), division, proof, refutation, and conclusion. Cicero also wrote several works about rhetoric during this period, as did Quintilian. As McCroskey notes, the most often quoted phrase from Quintilian is his observation that a public speaker is a "good man speaking well." Of course, this quotation would now be extended to include all people, not just men.

In the contemporary world, one of the most important areas of study for scholars of public speaking is analyzing and critiquing the rhetoric of significant public speakers. Sonja Foss and Karen Foss (1994) extend the traditional examination of famous public speakers by their contention that presentational speaking is an "invitation to transformation." Public speaking allows speakers to grow and change as individuals, and it helps others to do the same thing as well. Both the speaker and the audience have the potential to leave the interaction with new ideas and insights. Foss and Foss, among others, provide a reminder that the public presentations of Adrienne Rich , Audre Lord, Alice Walker , and Ursula Le Guin, for example, are as significant as the speeches of Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson in terms of scholarly study.

Basic Principles

The four principles of effective public speaking are both simple and complex at the same time. Effective public speeches are audience centered, organized appropriately, written clearly, and presented compellingly. Within each of these aspects of an effective speech, however, there are various ways to accomplish the task well.

Audience-Centered Speeches

The first principle, being audience centered, means that effective public speaking relies on understanding who the audience is and, once this is known, developing a speech that is appropriate to that particular audience. The most basic information that needs to be known about any potential audience is the demographic information (i.e., factors such as age, ethnicity, gender, education level) that may influence the audience's perception of the speaker's message. A young speaker who is talking about a historical topic such as the assassination of President John F. Kennedy , for example, needs to know how many people in the audience were alive when the event occurred. If most of the people remember the event, the speaker needs only to briefly mention historical details and then get to the main point of the speech, such as describing how contemporary teenagers view the event. If most of the audience consists of teenagers who were not alive when the even occurred, more time should be spent during the speech in describing the event and its aftermath. In fact, a speech on the Kennedy assassination for a young audience might have a very different purpose (e.g., convincing them that historical events are relevant to their lives) than it would have for an older audience (e.g., convincing them that modern teenagers are influenced by historical events). Thus, knowing the audience helps the speaker both to choose a topic and to develop it in a manner that is appropriate to the audience.

Appropriate Organization

Effective public speeches need to be organized appropriately both for the topic and for the potential audience. Traditional views of public speaking call for speeches to contain an introduction, body, and conclusion. In fact, some people have commented in jest that a good public speech consists of telling an audience what the speaker plans to tell them, telling it to them, and then telling them what it was that speaker just told them. While this is a bit of an exaggeration, an effective public speech may indeed contain more repetition than other forms of communication in order to assist the audience in remembering the main points that the speaker wishes to make. Stephen E. Lucas (1998) argues that the process of organizing a speech begins when the speaker determines a specific purpose (e.g., to inform an audience about a particular topic), identifies the central idea (i.e., what major issues are involved in the topic), and settles on the main points (e.g., three things the audience should know about the topic). Once this is accomplished, the speaker can then choose from a variety of traditional organizational patterns. These patterns include chronological (i.e., following a time pattern), spatial (i.e., following a directional pattern), causal (i.e., organizing points to show a cause-and-effect relationship), problem-solution (i.e., showing the existence of a problem and then providing a solution to it), and topical (i.e., dividing the speech into subtopics). Clella Jaffe (2001) points out three additional organizational patterns that she notes were explicated by Cheryl Jorgensen-Earp, who contends that they are less linear than the traditional organizational patterns. The patterns that Jaffe discusses include the wave pattern (i.e., a pattern where the crests of the waves are the major points that are developed through a series of examples; repetition and variation are key components), the spiral pattern (i.e., a repetitive pattern that has a series of points that increase in drama or intensity), and the star pattern (i.e., a theme that ties together a series of relatively equally weighted points).

One of the most famous organizational patterns for public speeches was developed by Alan H. Monroe and is called the "motivated sequence" (see German et al., 2001). It is particularly well suited to persuasive speeches. The motivated sequence consists of five steps: attention, need, satisfaction, visualization, and action. The attention step consists of the introduction to the speech, in which the speaker must gain the attention of the audience in an appropriate manner. A speaker may gain the attention of the audience by yelling loudly, for example, but this tactic may only alienate the listeners, not motivate them to pay attention to the speech. Introductions and attention steps must be tailored to a particular audience and fit within the purpose of the speech. For example, a startling statement, such as the number of teenagers who die each year as the result of drunken driving, would be appropriate for introducing a speech that is designed to persuade the listeners not to drink and drive. Many speakers feel that a joke is a good way to begin a public speech, but this tactic often fails because the joke is not well told, does not fit the purpose of the speech, or is inappropriate for a particular audience. The second step of the motivated sequence, the need step, consists of establishing the need for the audience to listen to the speaker's message by describing the problem to be discussed. Monroe proposed four parts to this step: statement (i.e., describe the nature of the problem or situation), illustration (i.e., give examples), ramifications (i.e., give support such as statistics that show the extent of the problem), and pointing (i.e., demonstrate a connection between the problem and the audience). In the satisfaction step, the speaker proposes a solution that will satisfy the need that has been established in the need step. This satisfaction step may include statement, explanation, theoretical demonstration, practicality (i.e., using facts and statistics), and meeting objections. The next step consists of visualization, in which the speaker describes the consequences of either adopting or rejecting the proposed course of action. In positive visualization, the speaker describes the favorable consequences that will results from following the proposed plan (e.g., how one's life may be saved by wearing a seatbelt in a car). In negative visualization, the speaker describes the potential negative consequences that will result from not following the proposed plan (e.g., asking the audience members to imagine what it would feel like, as a result of not wearing a seatbelt, to strike the windshield of a car during a collision). Contrast visualization can be used to compare the negative results of not adopting the proposed action with the positive results of adopting it. Finally, the action step consists of asking the listeners for specific action, which may include changing their beliefs about something, changing their behaviors, or changing their attitudes.

Knowing the audience will help the speaker to determine which organizational pattern is appropriate. Audiences who already basically agree with the speaker's message (e.g., voters who support a particular political candidate) will not be as critical of a speech as will audiences who are either unfamiliar with the speaker (e.g., undecided voters) or opposed to the speaker's message (e.g., voters who support an alternative candidate).

Clear Writing

Effective speeches must also be clearly written. A well-organized speech is useless unless the audience understands the message that is being communicated to them. One of the most important ways to ensure clear writing is to make sure that the vocabulary used in the speech is appropriate for the particular audience. For example, it is possible to use highly technical medical jargon when speaking to physicians, but that would not be effective for an audience of college students. In the same way, sports terminology is useful for communicating a message and establishing credibility with a group of sports fans, but it would be ineffective with people who are unfamiliar with the nuances of a particular sport.

Compelling Presentation

A speech does not have to be overly dramatic or theatrical to be effectively compelling. Instead, an effective delivery should be sincere, honest, straightforward, and dynamic. Varying vocal pitch, speech, and volume are effective devices for keeping the attention of an audience. However, an overemphasis on these aspects can be disastrous and can make the speaker seem phony or insincere. It is a good rule of thumb for a speaker to remember to talk to the audience as if he or she were talking to one person at a time. A speaker should try to convince the listeners that he or she is competent to speak on the topic and that he or she is sincere in wanting the listeners to understand the message.

Much research has been conducted on ways in which public speeches can be presented effectively. The first step in effective presentation is rehearsal. In formal situations (e.g., important political speeches or theatrical presentations), dress rehearsals are held. This situation simulates the actual presentational situation as closely as possible. A mock audience may even be included to ask the speaker typical questions and test the answers to them. For less formal situations, the speaker may still want to simulate the situation (at least in his or her imagination) and check for things such as timing, familiarity with the setting (e.g., where the controls to audiovisual equipment are located), and knowing how the audience will be seated. It is extremely important for speakers to prepare a presentation that does not extend past the allotted time, and they must not be confounded by any technical difficulties, such as not knowing how the overhead projector works. Good public speakers make sure that they know how any audiovisual aids work and have alternative strategies prepared in case the expected technological aids do not function properly.

Presentational strategies should also be developed that can be used to respond to feedback from the audience. If the audience seems restless or confused, the speaker should be able to change the message to include more examples or to shorten parts of the planned presentation that seem to be repetitive. More interesting graphics or the use of more vocal variety may help get the audience more involved with the message. Again, audience analysis before the public presentation can aid the speaker in developing strategies to cope with various reactions from the "real" audience.

Good public speakers also often attend to other presentational elements before they enter a situation where they will be presenting a public speech. For example, dress can be a unifying strategy that links the speaker with the audience. Politicians are seen wearing caps that build a bridge between them and their audiences. Jackets with sports insignias are used to help the audience see a speaker as "one of them." Not all speakers endeavor to identify closely with their audiences, however. For example, religious leaders often wear special clothing that signifies their official capacity to conduct a religious service and to reinforce their role as spiritual adviser.

Ethics of Public Speaking

Given their potential to influence so many people, public speakers should have a heightened sense of ethical responsibility as they prepare and present their messages. Jaffe has identified three ethical guidelines that are important for all public speakers: courtesy, tolerance, and civility.

Courteous public speakers demonstrate their respect for the audience by responding politely to them and being considerate of their beliefs and feelings. Demonstrating courtesy does not mean that a speaker must agree with the audience. In fact, the speaker's job may be to persuade the audience that they are mistaken about a particular issue. However, disagreement should be expressed in well-presented ideas and in statements that are backed with supporting evidence, not in name-calling and making insulting statements to the audience.

Effective public speakers exhibit tolerance by understanding that neither they nor their audience may possess the total truth and that each party should be tolerant of the other's views. This does not mean that a speaker should refrain from vigorously arguing his or her viewpoint, but the argument should be framed within a recognition of the potential for legitimate disagreement from the audience.

Speakers who demonstrate civility rely on persuasion, compromise, and coalition building instead of coercion, deceit, or manipulation. A willingness to listen is a necessary prerequisite for civility.

Public speaking and the study of public speakers and their messages continue to evolve as technology changes the means of communicating to larger audiences. A modern speaker can deliver a speech on television and reach a vastly larger audience than could a speaker at any time in previous history. In this way, it is particularly crucial for public speakers to deliver ethical and responsible messages that further the dialogue between themselves and their potential audiences. Technology has given public speakers the ability to influence hundreds of thousands of people at one time, and these speakers must recognize their responsibility to use this power wisely.

In addition, the Internet has given speakers even greater access to a multitude of individuals who are able to gain access to documents, such as speeches, that are posted on the World Wide Web in text, audio, or video formats. The possibilities and potential dangers of this new access to information have not yet been fully explored, but they provide a rich source of data for new scholarly study in the future.

Bibliography

Beebe, Steven A.; Beebe, Susan J.; Dreyer, Jennifer; and Patton, Gregory H. (1999). Public Speaking: An Audience-Centered Approach , 3rd edition. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

DeVito, Joseph A. (1999). The Elements of Public Speaking , 7th edition. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.

Foss, Sonja K., and Foss, Karen A. (1994). Inviting Transformation: Presentational Speaking for a Changing World. . Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland Press.

German, Kathleen M.; Gronbeck, Bruce E.; Ehninger, Douglas; and Monroe, Alan H. (2001). Principles of Public Speaking , 14th edition. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Hanson, Trudy L. (1999). "Gender Sensitivity and Diversity Issues in Selected Basic Public Speaking Texts." Women & Language 22(2):13-19.

Jaffe, Clella. (2001). Public Speaking: Concepts and Skills for a Diverse Society , 3rd edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Lucas, Stephen E. (1998). The Art of Public Speaking ,6th edition. New York : McGraw-Hill.

McCroskey, James C. (2000). An Introduction to Rhetorical Communication , 8th edition. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Osborn, Michael, and Osborn, Suzanne. (2000). Public Speaking , 5th edition. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Zarefsky, David. (1999). Public Speaking: Strategies for Success , 2nd edition. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Lea P. Stewart

Cite this article Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

" Public Speaking . " Encyclopedia of Communication and Information . . Encyclopedia.com. 22 Feb. 2023 < https://www.encyclopedia.com > .

"Public Speaking ." Encyclopedia of Communication and Information . . Encyclopedia.com. (February 22, 2023). https://www.encyclopedia.com/media/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/public-speaking

"Public Speaking ." Encyclopedia of Communication and Information . . Retrieved February 22, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/media/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/public-speaking

Citation styles

Encyclopedia.com gives you the ability to cite reference entries and articles according to common styles from the Modern Language Association (MLA), The Chicago Manual of Style, and the American Psychological Association (APA).

Within the “Cite this article” tool, pick a style to see how all available information looks when formatted according to that style. Then, copy and paste the text into your bibliography or works cited list.

Because each style has its own formatting nuances that evolve over time and not all information is available for every reference entry or article, Encyclopedia.com cannot guarantee each citation it generates. Therefore, it’s best to use Encyclopedia.com citations as a starting point before checking the style against your school or publication’s requirements and the most-recent information available at these sites:

Modern Language Association

http://www.mla.org/style

The Chicago Manual of Style

http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html

American Psychological Association

http://apastyle.apa.org/

More From encyclopedia.com

About this article, you might also like.

NEARBY TERMS

selected template will load here

This action is not available.

10.1: A Brief History of Public Speaking

Learning Objectives

After completing this section, students should be able to:

Since humans have been using language and living in social groups, the act of one person speaking to many has been occurring in some form or other. Whether it was to instruct, to persuade, to motivate, to celebrate, or to mourn, language is the tool humans use to form and maintain social connections.

Even though we know public speaking is as old as language itself, in our Western culture, we typically consider the foundations of our current understanding of public speaking to have been laid in Ancient Greece, more than 2,500 years ago.

In the online, open-source public speaking text found at www.publicspeakingproject.org , Dr. Peter A. DeCaro of the University of Fairbanks, Alaska, lays out the development of public speaking from the Greeks and Romans, through the Renaissance, and into our Modern Period. What follows is a condensed, summarized version of Dr. DeCaro’s work, along with some additional information. For more details, visit the free online text and review Chapter 2: Origins of Public Speaking .

Public Speaking and Democracy

In a free society, it is persuasion that decides rules, determines behavior, and acts as the governing agent in human physical and mental activities. In every free society individuals are continuously attempting to change the thoughts and/or actions of others. It is a fundamental concept of a free society.

Democracy demands public speaking as a tool for self-governance. Since being proficient in public speaking was so valuable, the study of how it works likewise became important, emerging as the study of rhetoric.

The Athenian Greeks and Aristotle

Widely considered the founder of the study of rhetoric, Aristotle (384-322 B.C.), Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\), was the first philosopher to consider the dynamics of public speaking and persuasion and to compile those observations in The Rhetoric . In effect, this became the first textbook on public speaking. Aristotle defined rhetoric as “all available means of persuasion.” In other words, rhetoric and rhetorical theory refer to the study of techniques for persuasion as they apply to various audiences and occasions .

In his work, Aristotle presented three methods, or “modes,” of persuading an audience. We still consider these Aristotelian modes of proof the core of how we teach and study persuasion.

Ethos: persuading another based on the character of the speaker . We all have friends or family members we trust, and if they tell us something, we assume they are telling the truth and should be believed. This persuasion by the nature of the speaker’s character is ethos. An especially important aspect of ethos is that credibility is something the audience gives the speaker. Since the audience can judge the character of the speaker only on their performance at that moment, the speaker’s credibility is a function of the perception the audience has of that speaker at that time. No matter how trustworthy and honest a speaker is, their credibility is only as strong as the audience believes it to be. Accordingly, speakers need to prove their trustworthiness through their delivery and content. Since this is a standard consideration in the development of a speech introduction, specific methods of enhancing credibility are addressed there.

Pathos : engaging the emotions of the audience . Human beings are deeply emotional creatures, and we are most emotionally comfortable when our beliefs and actions align. If James believes giving to the community is an important activity, that may lead him to donate blood during the college blood drive. He may feel a sense of satisfaction and contentment that his actions and beliefs align. On the other hand, if he avoids giving blood, he may feel troubled that his actions are not aligning with his beliefs. This disconnect is at the core of using emotion to persuade.

Humans like feeling positive emotions and don’t like negative emotions. A speaker can offer an audience a way to act that will make them feel good and avoid negative emotions. For example, a famous charity advertisement for Feed the Children claimed, “For the price of a cup of coffee, you can feed a starving child.” This simple statement aims to trigger a sense of guilt each time we buy a cup of coffee, and then offers a way to erase the negative emotion of guilt and replace it with the satisfaction of helping those less fortunate: donate your coffee money to Feed the Children.

Logos : using argument and logical reasoning . While we are deeply emotional creatures, we also place a high value on rational thinking and thoughtful decision-making. Through the application of logical reasoning accompanied by credible evidence, we aim to persuade the audience of the best course of action. The study of logic and reasoning are huge fields of study, and we encourage you to consider additional courses in Logic, Argumentation, or Debate.

Content versus Delivery

During Aristotle’s time, a perpetual tension in the study of public speaking was debated: content versus delivery. For some, the content of the speech is far more important than how that content is presented. Others, however, assert that how the content is presented is as important, if not more important, than the substance of the content. Dr. DeCaro shows that Aristotle was well aware of this distinction: “For Aristotle, rhetoric is the process of developing a persuasive argument, and oratory is the process of delivering that argument.” Aristotle emphasized the rhetorical perspective, while the sophists emphasized the oratorical perspective.

The sophists were traveling instructors who would teach their students persuasive methods, good delivery, and other techniques they could use to advance their position. While the rhetorical emphasis focused on the speaker’s message, the oratorical perspective as taught by the sophists emphasized the speaker’s delivery style. The rhetorical tradition emphasized using rhetoric to find and advance truth, while the oratorical tradition emphasized these skills as a toolkit to be used however the speaker needed to use them.

This tension exists to this day. A criticism occasionally leveled toward a speaker is that of “mere sophistry,” which means the speaker has good style, but the arguments lack conviction and substance, or they are downright deceitful; that the speaker is relying on good delivery without providing substantive content along with it. As you will see, this tension continues even to today in public speaking.

After the time of the Athenian Greeks passed and the Roman Republic emerged, two Romans emerged to make significant impacts on the study of rhetoric: Cicero and Quintilian.

Cicero (106-43 B.C.), Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\), argued for a balance of content and delivery, that “the perfect orator should be able to speak wisely and eloquently on any subject with a dignified, restrained delivery.” He also believed, however, that style without substance was to be avoided. DeCaro states, “Cicero despised the shallowness of orators who depended exclusively on perfect diction and elegant words that lacked substance. His ideal person was the philosopher-statesman-learned orator who used rhetoric to mold public opinion.” Cicero’s importance lies in his writings. DeCaro explains, “His work on rhetoric, the Institutio Oratoria , is an exhaustive volume of twelve books and was a major contribution to education theory and literary criticism.”

Quintilian (35-95 A.D.), Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\), wrote extensively on speaking, style, and content. He organized what we now know and teach as the five canons of rhetoric:

Present Day Influences

Today, what we consider good public speaking has been altered by several factors from the twentieth century. It has been heavily influenced by the introduction of radio, film, television, and the internet.

First, radio introduced audiences to the ability to hear the natural voice of political figures in their own home. Most renowned of these is the “Fireside Chats” of President Franklin Roosevelt. According to History.com, “From March 1933 to June 1944, Roosevelt addressed the American people in some thirty speeches broadcast via radio, speaking on a variety of topics from banking to unemployment to fighting fascism in Europe. Millions of people found comfort and renewed confidence in these speeches, which became known as the “'fireside chats.’” (History.com, 2010) Instead of the loud, projected vocal style needed to fill an auditorium, this new medium allowed a far more intimate, conversational style of presentation.

Third, now that we could not only hear but see the speakers, the nonverbal and visual elements of the speaker have become more pronounced. In the 1960 election, U.S. citizens saw the first televised presidential debate between John F. Kenney and Richard M. Nixon. A mark of the impact of this new medium of television is that those who listened via radio felt Nixon won the debate, while those who watched overwhelmingly felt Kennedy won: “Nixon was recovering from a hospital visit and had a 5-o'clock shadow, having refused makeup. In contrast, Kennedy's delivery was smooth and charismatic. Viewers focused on what they saw, not what they heard. Kennedy won the election.” (Newsweek, 2016) Accordingly, “The Kennedy-Nixon debates not only had a major impact on the election’s outcome but ushered in a new era in which crafting a public image and taking advantage of media exposure became essential ingredients of a successful political campaign.” (History.com 2010) The delivery aspects of public speaking, especially appearance, emerged as a far more crucial element than before.

Fourth, with the emergence of the internet giving us 24/7 access to all the knowledge in the world, a speaker’s words can be carefully assessed for accuracy. Instead of taking a speaker at their word, we can check and cross-check the truthfulness of a speaker’s claims in a matter of moments. We have seen the emergence of fact-checking sites that specialize in holding speakers accountable for what they say. Politifact.com, FactCheck.org, and Snopes.com produce daily assessments of current claims by public figures. More than ever, speakers must carefully cite evidence and sources.

Key Concepts

The terms and concepts students should be familiar with from this section include:

The role of public speaking in democracy

The Athenian Greeks

Definition text

Decaro, P.(2011) The origins of public speaking in Public Speaking: The Virtual Text , Retrieved from http://www.publicspeakingproject.org/origins.html

Gross, D. (2011, March 21). 5 Ways Twitter Changed How We Communicate . CNN. Retrieved from www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/social....ion/index.html

The Fireside Chats. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.history.com/topics/fireside-chats

The Kennedy-Nixon Debates. (2010), Retrieved from http://www.history.com/topics/us-pre...-nixon-debates

Jehlen, M, & Warner, M. (1997), The English Literature of America, 1500-1800 . New York, NY: Routledge.

Reuters. (2016, September 22). Presidential debates' iconic moments, from Kennedy-Nixon to Obama-Romney. In Newsweek . Retrieved from http://www.newsweek.com/presidential...moments-501670

IMAGES

History of Public Speaking
Public speaking essay
PPT
The Art of Public Speaking: Lessons from the Greatest Speeches in History 9781598037029
Famous Public Speakers Who Will Never Be Forgotten
WHY PUBLIC SPEAKING MATTERS TODAY: PUBLIC SPEAKING IN THE TWENTY-FIRS…

VIDEO

L16 Public Speaking
Ethics and Plagiarism
Introduction to Public Speaking
Intro to public speaking
The Art of Public Speaking -- Chapter 1, Part 1
Public Speaking Part 1

COMMENTS

Brief History of Public Speaking and Famous Speakers through the
The study of public speaking began about 2,500 years ago in ancient Athens. Men were required to give speeches as part of their civic duties
The History and Evolution of Public Speaking
The history of public speaking dates back to the time when ancient Greeks considered it imperative to facilitate political debate and participation in
A Brief History of Public Speaking
We believe that the original form of public speaking started between 243 and 231 million years ago. It was in the form of symbols and
MVIIIS1: History of Public Speaking
The development of public speaking as a specific skill is strongly linked to the development of democracy in Ancient Greece.
A Brief History of Public Speaking
The first trace of public speaking can be found in Ancient Greece, around 2500 years ago. The Greeks were the first people to widely develop
Importance of Public Speaking in History
Public speaking can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome where the citizens were encouraged to participate in the society through rhetoric
Public Speaking
The art of public speaking can trace its roots back to ancient Greece and the orators who proclaimed governmental achievements, entertained audiences, and
Public speaking
Public speaking was developed as a primary sphere of knowledge in Greece and Rome, where prominent thinkers codified it as a central part of rhetoric. Today
introduction to public speaking
Chapter 2 “The Origins of Public. Speaking” by DeCaro). ... learning more about public speaking. ... much like they would be in any essay.
10.1: A Brief History of Public Speaking
The development of public speaking as a specific skill is strongly linked to the development of democracy in Ancient Greece. Starting in 621