Public Speaking Glossary

The deliberate repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses for rhetorical effect.

The clarity and precision with which a speaker pronounces words and sounds.

Researching listeners' demographics, knowledge, and expectations to tailor a speech's content and delivery.

Nonverbal communication through gestures, posture, facial expressions, and physical movement.

A specific request at the end of a speech directing the audience to take a concrete next step.

A compelling personal quality that inspires devotion and engagement in an audience, often combining warmth and authority.

The manner in which a speech is presented, including voice, gestures, eye contact, and movement.

The choice and use of words in speech, reflecting formality level and clarity of expression.

A rhetorical appeal based on the speaker's credibility, character, and trustworthiness.

Delivering a speech from notes or an outline, combining preparation with natural conversational delivery.

Unnecessary words or sounds (um, uh, like, you know) that disrupt fluency and can undermine speaker credibility.

The specific phobia of public speaking, characterized by intense anxiety before or during presentations.

Speaking with little or no preparation, relying on quick-thinking frameworks to organize remarks.

A change in pitch or tone of the voice used to convey meaning, emotion, or emphasis.

A rhetorical appeal to logic, using evidence, data, and structured reasoning to persuade.

A five-step persuasive speech pattern: Attention, Need, Satisfaction, Visualization, Action.

A rhetorical appeal to the audience's emotions to create connection and motivate action.

The process of influencing beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors through communication and argumentation.

The overall impression a speaker creates through confidence, composure, and command of the stage.

Using breath support and resonance to make the voice carry to all parts of a room without shouting.

The art of effective or persuasive speaking and writing, studied as a discipline since ancient Greece.

Verbal cues that indicate transitions and guide the audience through the structure of a speech.

Anxiety or nervousness felt before or during a performance or speech in front of an audience.

An international nonprofit organization that provides a structured environment for practicing public speaking and leadership.

The modulation of pitch, pace, volume, and tone to maintain audience interest and emphasize key points.