Sawyer Ohman

CMM110-A

9/14/23

PG 277 para 3

PG 280 para 7

Q: “As already mentioned, you must establish and maintain an appropriate relationship with an audience and base decisions about a speech partly on that relationship.” (PG 277 para 3)

C: 

A speaker can only be successful in conveying information if they first establish a connection between themselves and the audience. Another example referenced in the book is the famous “My fellow Americans…” quote from President Obama. Americans everywhere are able to establish a connection with the speaker simply because they are fellow Americans and may share similar concerns or beliefs. Audiences are far more receptive to someone they find relatable, someone that shares the same set of values, attitudes, and beliefs. Knowing an audience’s position on any given subject is also very important for speakers. How do you know whether you’re trying to persuade someone or trying to reinforce their values? Once you understand your audience’s position you can begin to build your speech and develop talking points. Not only is it important to understand your audience’s point of view but it is also important to know who you are speaking to.

Say you’re delivering a presentation on the production of natural gasses and the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. Are you speaking to young adults in a highschool auditorium, college graduates who are on the road to their masters degree, or business owners who potentially produce natural gas products. The delivery of your presentation or speech should vary depending on who you are speaking with.

Q: If the speaker is disliked by the audience or thought to have bad values how can the speaker make a connection with the audience and get his or her point across?