Public speaking is one of the most important communication skills any well minded person should be well acquainted with. In this article, I would like to give an in-depth analysis of the three parts of the Rhetorical Triangle-speaker, audience, and situation and explore how they impacted on the successful transmission of the message to the targeted audience. In my research, I viewed two video presentations delivered by different presenters on different topics. The first presentation was given by Dr. Jerome on the topic, ‘Why Doctors Make Mistakes.’ The second talk on the ‘Challenges Facing the Youth Today’ was delivered by Mr. Evance Wandago.
In the first place, Dr. Jerome gave out a moving speech based on an appealing topic that was so interesting to the listeners. The setting for the venue was well done. There were many people in attendance. All of them were given comfortable seats and writing materials that they could use in making short notes. The room was so spacious and well ventilated. Everyone was served with refreshment and given his own chair mounted with writing devices. Besides, he was using a PowerPoint which was strategically located in front of the room at some raised platform. This made it possible for the attendants to view the presentation without any obstruction (Shannon, C. E., & Weaver, W., 2009).
He eloquently delivered his speech by using a simple language that was not difficult to make out. At the same time, he blended his presentation by repeatedly and tactfully using the tonal variations, dramatic pause, gestures, face and hand expressions. Moreover, he used a microphone to project his voice so as to be audible to all the people in the hall. The audience on the other hand, was so attentive and seemed to be following the presentation. They were showing their attention by sitting at active positions, noting down important points, laughing, asking and answering questions. None of them seemed to be bored.
The second presentation was also well organized because there was a cordial relationship between the speaker and the audience. In deed, Mr. Wanago chose a right venue for his lecture. It was in a conference room equipped with the necessary tables and chairs which were well arranged to signify the hierarchical position of each of the delegates. He was so organized because he could delver his speech in a simple language that could easily be understood by all. However, he never used a PowerPoint projector and a microphone to improve the volume of his voice. Hence, many of the listeners were appearing as uncomfortable. They were really struggling to cope up with him. Hence, they could be spotted dozing or murmuring Schramm, W., 2004).
Despite the fact that Mr. Wandago chose a more relevant and appealing topic to his audience, I would still rank him ineffective. Unlike Dr. Jerome who captivated the attention of all his listeners, he failed to glue them to presentation. Therefore, a large number of them were bored and either decided to walk out or remain inside the hall, but make noise or doze off. He should have used a PowerPoint projector and an effective public address system to enable not strain as he talked, but to be heard from all corners of the room (Zakahi, W., 2008).
References
German, K.M. (2010). Principles of Public Speaking. Boston: Allyn & Bacon
Schramm, W. (2004). How communication works. In W. Schramm (Ed.), The process and effects of
communication. Urbana, Illinois: University of Illinois Press.
Shannon, C. E., & Weaver, W. (2009). The mathematical theory of communication. Urbana, Illinois
Zakahi, W. (2008). Communication Education. West Virginia: Speech Communication Press.
