Why should public speaking be an audience-centered activity, rather than a speaker-centered activity? Provide two reasons

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answer: Responses will vary, but should include two of the following.
Considering the audience is a continuous process rather than a step in preparing a speech. The audience influences the topic you choose and every step of the speechmaking process. Being audience-centered involves making decisions about the content and style of your speech before you speak, based on knowledge of your audience’s interests, needs, and values. If you learn new information about your audience at any point during the process of preparing your speech, you may need to revise your thinking or your material. It also means being sensitive to your audience’s responses during the speech so that you can make appropriate adjustments. This means understanding, affirming, and adapting your message to diverse audiences. Depending on who your audience members are and what topics they are interested in, you will want to adjust your delivery style and possibly your topic, pattern of organization, and the examples you select. Being sensitive to your audience and adapting your message accordingly will serve you well not only when addressing listeners with cultural backgrounds different from your own, but also in all types of situations.