Here are some key definitions taught in this public speaking course:
Flipchart
Large sheets of paper, either bound or loose, supported on an easel for visual presentation.
Flop Sweat
1. Fear of performing.
2. Perspiration caused by nervousness or while experiencing a presentation failure.
Fluff
Lighthearted or entertaining material used in a presentation to motivate or amuse, rather than deliver hard data.
Gag
Wordplay or playful interaction with the audience.
Gag Order
A humorous expression referring to being told to stop speaking by a meeting planner or organizer.
General Session
A presentation attended by all participants at an event.
Gesticulate
To gesture energetically or expressively while speaking.
Goldwynism
A comical misuse of language, named after film producer Sam Goldwyn.
Greenroom
A backstage room where speakers and performers relax before or after going on stage. Also used in television studios.
Handheld Microphone
A corded or wireless microphone held in the hand or mounted on a lectern or stand.
Handout
Promotional or educational materials distributed to audience members.
Handsfree Microphone
A corded or wireless microphone attached to the presenter’s clothing. Also called a Lavaliere.
Head Table
A table positioned at the front of a room reserved for leaders, special guests, and speakers.
Heart Story
A touching story intended to evoke strong emotion, often bringing tears to audience members.
Heckler
An audience member who deliberately disrupts or challenges the presenter, usually verbally.
“Hey Stupid Question”
A predictable or obvious question posed to the audience, such as “How many of you want to make more money?”
Honorarium
Payment given for speaking or professional services.
House Lights
Lights that illuminate the audience area.
Humorist
A speaker who uses humor to communicate ideas, deliver messages, and entertain.
Humorous Acknowledgment
A mild admission of error or fault delivered humorously, followed by a serious response.
Idiom
An expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the individual meanings of its words, such as “keep tabs on.”
Impostor Guest Speaker
A speaker with intentionally false credentials used as part of a planned gag for entertainment or morale purposes.
In Fun
A presentation atmosphere where both speaker and audience are receptive to laughter.
Introducer
The person who presents the speaker and briefly shares the speaker’s background with the audience.
Introduction
A prepared opening statement used by the introducer to formally present the speaker.
Jokes
Statements or actions intended to create laughter or amusement.
Juxtaposition Humor
Placing two contrasting ideas or items side by side for comic comparison or effect.
The Role of Narrative Framing in Political Communication
Political communication is rarely shaped by facts alone. Public life is too complex, too contested, and too emotionally charged for information to circulate in a purely neutral form. Political actors, journalists, institutions, activists, and commentators all make choices about how issues should be presented, what details should be emphasized, who should appear responsible, and what […]
How to Adapt Your Speech to Different Audience Types
One of the most overlooked communication skills is not speaking clearly, confidently, or persuasively. It is knowing how to adjust your speech for the people in front of you. A message that feels powerful in one room can fall flat in another, even when the facts are the same. That is because audiences do not […]
The Meaning of Kairos in Rhetoric and Timing in Speech
In rhetoric, the success of a speech depends not only on its content, logic, or language, but also on how well the speaker chooses the right moment to speak. This is where the concept of kairos becomes especially important. Kairos is an ancient Greek term that refers to the right, fitting, or decisive moment for […]