Public speaking is a process of speaking
to a group of people in a structured, deliberate manner intended to
inform, influence, or entertain the listeners. It is closely allied to
"presenting", although the latter has more of a commercial advertisement
connotation. Public speaking is commonly understood as a kind of
face-to-face speaking between individuals and audience for the purpose
of communication.
In public speaking, as in any form of communication, there are five basic elements, often expressed as "who is saying what to whom using what medium with what effects?"
The purpose of public speaking can range from simply transmitting
information, to motivating people to act, to simply telling a story.
Good orators should be able to change the emotions of their listeners,
not just inform them. Public speaking can also be considered a discourse community. Interpersonal communication
and public speaking have several components that embrace such things as
motivational speaking, leadership/personal development, business,
customer service, large group communication, and mass communication.
Public speaking can be a powerful tool to use for purposes such as
motivation, influence, persuasion, informing, translation, or simply ethos.[1]
In current times, public speaking for business and commercial events
is often done by professionals, with speakers contracted either
independently, through representation by a speakers bureau paid on commission of 25-30%,[2] or via other means.
