Glossary
- Page ID
- 90344
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Words (or words that have the same definition) | The definition is case sensitive | (Optional) Image to display with the definition [Not displayed in Glossary, only in pop-up on pages] | (Optional) Caption for Image | (Optional) External or Internal Link | (Optional) Source for Definition |
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(Eg. "Genetic, Hereditary, DNA ...") | (Eg. "Relating to genes or heredity") | The infamous double helix | https://bio.libretexts.org/ | CC-BY-SA; Delmar Larsen |
Word(s) |
Definition |
Image | Caption | Link | Source |
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Symbol | a word, icon, picture, object, or number that is used to stand for or represent a concept, thing, or experience | ||||
Public speaking | an organized, face-toface, prepared, intentional (purposeful) attempt to inform, entertain, or persuade a group of people (usually five or more) through words, physical delivery, and (at times) visual or audio aids.ample Definition 1 | ||||
Noise | anything that disrupts, interrupts, or interferes with the communication process | ||||
Glossophobia | a severe fear of public speaking | ||||
Feedback | direct or indirect messages sent from an audience (receivers) back to the original sender of the message | ||||
Encode | the process of the sender putting his/her thoughts and feelings into words or other symbols | ||||
Denotative | the objective or literal meaning shared by most people using the word | ||||
Decode | the process of the listener or receiver understanding the words and symbols of a message and making meaning of them | ||||
Culture | the system of learned and shared symbols, language, values, and norms that distinguish one group of people from another | ||||
Connotative | the subjective or personal meaning the word evokes in people together or individually | ||||
Communication | sharing meaning between two or more people | ||||
Channel | the means through which a message gets from sender to receiver | ||||
Audience analysis | examining and looking at your audience first by its demographic characteristics and then by their internal psychological traits | ||||
Demographic characteristic | the outward characteristics of the audience | ||||
Stereotyping | generalizing about a group of people and assuming that because a few persons in that group have a characteristic, all of them do | ||||
Totalizing | taking one characteristic of a group or person and making that the “totality” or sum total of what that person or group is | ||||
Heterogeneous | a mixture of different types of people and demographic characteristics within a group of people | ||||
Homogeneous | a group of people who are very similar in many characteristics. | ||||
Psychographic characteristic | the inner characteristics of the audience; beliefs, attitudes, needs, and values | ||||
Beliefs | statements we hold to be true | ||||
Attitude | a stable positive or negative response to a person, idea, object, or policy | ||||
Values | goals we strive for and what we consider important and desirable | ||||
Needs | important deficiencies that we are motivated to fulfill | ||||
Hearing | the physical process in which sound waves hit the ear drums and send a message to the brain | ||||
Listening | an active process where you are specifically making an effort to understand, process, and retain information | ||||
Comprehensive listening | listening focused on understanding and remembering important information from a public speaking message | ||||
Empathetic listening | listening for understanding the feelings and motivations of another person, usually with the goal of helping the person deal with a personal problem | ||||
Appreciative listening | type of informed listening needed to listen to and interpret music, theatre, or literature | ||||
Critical listening | listening to evaluate the validity of the arguments and information and deciding whether the speaker is persuasive and whether the message should be accepted | ||||
Planned redundancy | the use of a clear central idea statement, preview of the main points, connective statements, and overall summary in the conclusion to reinforce the main ideas or points of a speech; the deliberate repeating of structural aspects of speech | ||||
Confirmation bias | a tendency to search for or interpret information in a way that confirms one’s preconceptions | ||||
Ethics | the branch of philosophy that involves determinations of what is right and moral | ||||
Defamatory speech | a false statement of fact that damages a person’s character, fame, or reputation | ||||
Initial credibility | A speaker’s credibility at the beginning of or even before the speech | ||||
Derived credibility | a speaker’s credibility and trustworthiness (as judged by the audience members) throughout the process of the speech, which also can range from point to point in the speech | ||||
Terminal credibility | a speaker’s credibility at the end of the speech | ||||
Plagiarism | the act of using another person’s words or ideas without giving credit to that person | ||||
General purpose | the broad, overall goal of a speech; to inform, to persuade, to entertain, etc. | ||||
Specific purpose statement | an infinitive phrase that builds upon the speaker’s general purpose to clearly indicate precisely what the goal of a given speech is | ||||
Central idea statement | a statement that contains or summarizes a speech’s main points | ||||
Primaryresearch | new research, carried out to acquire data first-hand rather from previously published sources to answer specific questions or issues and discover knowledge | ||||
Primary sources | information that is first-hand or straight from the source; information that is unfiltered by interpretation or editing | ||||
Secondary sources | information that is not directly from the firsthand source; information that has been compiled, filtered, edited, or interpreted in some way | ||||
Periodical | works that are published on a regular, ongoing basis, such as magazines, academic journals, and newspapers | ||||
Peer-review | a review process in which other scholars have read a work of scholarly writing (usually articles, but sometimes books) and evaluated whether it meets the quality standards of a particular publication and/or discipline | ||||
Chronological pattern | an organizational pattern for speeches in which the main points are arranged in time order | ||||
Spatial pattern | an organizational pattern for speeches in which the main points are arranged according to movement in space or direction | ||||
Parallelism | the repetition of grammatical structures that correspond in sound, meter, and meaning | ||||
Connectives | a phrase or sentence that connects various parts of a speech and shows the relationship between them | ||||
Internal summary | a type of connective that emphasizes what has come before and reminds the audience of what has been covered | ||||
Internal preview | a type of connective that emphasizes what is coming up next in the speech and what to expect with regard to the content | ||||
Transition | a type of connective that serves as a bridge between disconnected (but related) material in a speech | ||||
Signpost | a type of connective that emphasizes physical movement through the speech content and lets the audience know exactly where they are; commonly uses terms such as First, Second, Finally | ||||
Bridging statement | a type of connective that emphasizes moving the audience psychologically to the next part of a speech | ||||
Probative | having the quality or function of proving or demonstrating something; affording proof or evidence | ||||
Hypothetical narrative | a story of something that could happen but has not happened yet | ||||
Define | to set limits on what a word or term means, how the audience should think about it, and/or how you will use it | ||||
Stipulated definition | a definition with clearly defined parameters for how the word or term is being used in the context of a speech | ||||
Kinesthetic | issues related to the movement of the body or physical activity | ||||
Organic | feelings or issues related to the inner workings of the body | ||||
Statistics | the collection, analysis, comparison, and interpretation of numerical data, understanding its comparison with other numerical data | ||||
Mean | the mathematical average for a given set of numbers | ||||
Median | the middle number in a given set of numbers | ||||
Mode | the number that is the most frequently occurring within a given set of numbers | ||||
Testimony | the words of others used as proof or evidence | ||||
Expert | someone with recognized credentials, knowledge, education, and/or experience in a subject | ||||
Peer testimony | any quotation from a friend, family member, or classmate about an incident or topic | ||||
Perception | how people organize and interpret the patterns of stimuli around them | ||||
Attention | focus on one stimulus while ignoring or suppressing reactions to other stimuli | ||||
Attention getter | the statement or question that piques the audience’s interest in what you have to say at the very beginning of a speech | ||||
Anecdote | a brief account or story of an interesting or humorous event | ||||
Rhetorical question | A question to which no actual reply is expected | ||||
Rapport | a relationship or connection a speaker makes with the audience | ||||
Clincher | something memorable with which to conclude your speech | ||||
Inspire | to affect or arouse someone’s emotions in a specific, positive manner | ||||
Presentation aid | the resources beyond the speech itself that a speaker uses to enhance the message conveyed to the audience | ||||
Olfactory | of or relating to the sense of smell | ||||
Gustatory | of or relating to the sense of taste | ||||
Chart | graphical representation of data (often numerical) or a sketch representing an ordered process | ||||
Graph | a pictorial representation of the relationships of quantitative data using dots, lines, bars, pie slices, and the like | ||||
Line graph | a graph designed to show trends over time | ||||
Bar graph | a graph designed to show the differences between quantities | ||||
Pie graph | a graph designed to show proportional relationships within sets of data | ||||
Pictograph | a graph using iconic symbols to dramatize differences in amounts | ||||
Diagram | drawings or sketches that outline and explain the parts of an object, process, or phenomenon that cannot be readily seen | ||||
Tone | the attitude of a given artifact (humorous, serious, light-hearted, etc.) | ||||
Language | any formal system of gestures, signs, sounds, and symbols used or conceived as a means of communicating thought, either through written, enacted, or spoken means | ||||
Euphemism | language devices often used to make something unpleasant sound more tolerable | ||||
Abstract language | language that evokes many different visual images in the minds of your audience | ||||
Literal language | language that does not use comparisons like similes and metaphors | ||||
Figurative language | language that uses metaphors and similes to compare things that may not be literally alike | ||||
Simile | a figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind (specifically using the terms “like” or “as”), used to make a description more emphatic or vivid | ||||
Metaphor | a figure of speech that identifies something as being the same as some unrelated thing for rhetorical effect, thus highlighting the similarities between the two | ||||
Cliché | predictable and generally overused expressions; usually similes | ||||
Imagery | language that makes the recipient smell, taste, see, hear, and feel a sensation; also known as sensory language | ||||
Jargon | language used in a specific field that may or may not be understood by others | ||||
Slang | a type of language that consists of words and phrases that are specific to a subculture or group that others may not understand | ||||
Assonance | the repetition of vowel sounds in a sentence or passage | ||||
Alliteration | the repetition of initial consonant sounds in a sentence or passage | ||||
Antithesis | the juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in balanced or parallel words, phrases, or grammatical structures | ||||
Anaphora | the succession of sentences beginning with the same word or group of words | ||||
Hyperbole | intentional exaggeration for effect | ||||
Irony | the expression of one’s meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect | ||||
Appropriateness | how persons and groups should be referred to and addressed based on inclusiveness and context | ||||
Ethnic identity | a group an individual identifies with based on a common culture | ||||
Impromptu speaking | the presentation of a short message without advance preparation | ||||
Manuscript speaking | the word-for-word iteration of a written message | ||||
Extemporaneous speaking | the presentation of a carefully planned and rehearsed speech, spoken in a conversational manner using brief notes | ||||
Memorized speaking | the rote recitation of a written message that the speaker has committed to memory | ||||
Vocal cues | the subtle but meaningful variations in speech delivery, which can include the use of pitch, tone, volume, and pace | ||||
Lectern | a small raised surface, usually with a slanted top, where a speaker can place notes during a speech | ||||
Volume | the relative softness or loudness of your voice | ||||
Pitch | the relative highness or lowness of your voice | ||||
Monotone | a continuing sound, especially of someone’s voice, that is unchanging in pitch and without intonation | ||||
Rate | the speed at which you speak; how quickly or slowly a speaker talks | ||||
Vocalized pauses | pauses that incorporate some sort of sound or word that is unrelated to what is being said; “uh,” “um,” and “like” are wellknown examples | ||||
Informative speech | a speech based entirely and exclusively on facts and whose main purpose is to inform rather than persuade, amuse, or inspire | ||||
Irrefutable | a statement or claim that cannot be argued | ||||
Opinion | a personal view, attitude, or belief about something | ||||
Proposition | The central idea statement in a persuasive speech; a statement made advancing a judgment or opinion | ||||
Abstract | the summary of a document commonly found at the beginning of academic journal articles. | ||||
Ad hominem | a fallacy that attacks the person rather than dealing with the real issue in dispute. | ||||
Ad misericordium | Inappropriate appeal to pity or emotions to hide lack of facts or argument | ||||
After-dinner speeches | humorous speeches that make a serious point. | ||||
Analogical reasoning | drawing conclusions about an object or phenomenon based on its similarities to something else. | ||||
Appeal to tradition | -arguing that traditional practice and long-term history is the only reason for continuing a policy. | ||||
Argument from silence | making an converse argument from lack of evidence or information about a conclusion | ||||
Boolean search | –a method of using search engines in databases and the Internet that allows the user to combine key terms or words with the “operators” AND, NOT, or OR to find more relevant results. | ||||
Causal reasoning | a form of inductive reasoning that seeks to make cause-effect connections. | ||||
Console | to offer comfort in a time of grief. | ||||
Construct | a tool used in psychology to facilitate understanding of human behavior; a label for a cluster of related but co-varying behaviors. | ||||
Deductive reasoning | a type of reasoning in which a conclusion is based on the combination of multiple premises that are generally assumed to be true. | ||||
Domain name | a section of the Internet that is made up of computers or sites that are related in some way (such as by use or source); examples include .com, .edu. .net, and .gov. | ||||
Eulogy | a speech given in honor of someone who has died. | ||||
False analogy | a fallacy where two things are compared that do not share enough (or key) similarities to be compared fairly | ||||
False cause | a fallacy that assumes that because something happened first, that subsequent events are a result. | ||||
False dilemma | a fallacy that forces listeners to choose between two alternatives when more than two alternatives exist. | ||||
Figurative analogy | an analogy where the two things under comparison are not essentially the same; “My love is like a red, red rose.” | ||||
Generalization | – a form of inductive reasoning that draws conclusions based on recurring patterns or repeated observations. | ||||
Guilt by association | a form of false analogy based on the idea that if two things bear any relationship at all, they are comparable | ||||
Hasty generalization | a fallacy that involves making a generalization with too few examples. | ||||
Hero speech | a motivational speech given by someone who is considered a hero in society. | ||||
Hypothetical narrative | a story of something that could happen but has not happened yet. | ||||
Inductive reasoning | a type of reasoning in which examples or specific instances are used to supply strong evidence for (though not absolute proof of) the truth of the conclusion; the scientific method. | ||||
Information literacy | the ability to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and effectively use the needed information. | ||||
Lament | to express grief or sorrow. | ||||
Logical fallacy | mistakes in reasoning; erroneous conclusions or statements made from poor inductive or deductive analyses. | ||||
Logos | logical and organized arguments and the credible evidence to support the arguments within a speech; arguments based on logic. | ||||
Mental dialogue | an imagined conversation the speaker has with a given audience in which the speaker tries to anticipate what questions, concerns, or issues the audience may have to the subject under discussion. | ||||
Motivational speech | a speech designed not only to make an audience experience emotional arousal but also to motivate the audience to do something with that emotional arousal. | ||||
Non sequitur | a fallacy where the conclusion does not follow from its premise. | ||||
Pathos | the use of emotions such as anger, joy, hate, desire for community, and love to persuade the audience of the rightness of a proposition; arguments based on emotion. | ||||
Persuasion | a symbolic process in which communicators try to convince other people to change their attitudes or behavior regarding an issue through the transmission of a message, in an atmosphere of free choice. | ||||
Plain Folks | A tactic for portraying elite, famous, powerful, or wealthy persons as “the common man or woman | ||||
Red herring | a fallacy that introduces an irrelevant issue to divert attention from the subject under discussion. | ||||
Religious speech | a speech designed to incorporate religious ideals into a motivational package to inspire an audience into thinking about or changing aspects of their religious lives. | ||||
Roast | a humorous speech designed to both praise and good-naturedly insult a person being honored. | ||||
Selective exposure | the decision to expose ourselves to messages that we already agree with, rather than those that confront or challenge us. | ||||
Sign reasoning | a form of inductive reasoning in which conclusions are drawn about phenomena based on events that precede (not cause) a subsequent event. | ||||
Slippery slope | a fallacy that assumes that taking a first step will lead to subsequent events that cannot be prevented. | ||||
Special occasion speech | a speech designed to address and engage the context and audience’s emotions on a specific occasion. | ||||
Speech of acceptance | a speech given by the recipient of a prize or honor. | ||||
Speech of commencement | a speech designed to recognize and celebrate the achievements of a graduating class or other group of people. | ||||
Speech of dedication | a speech delivered to mark the unveiling, opening, or acknowledging of some landmark or structure. | ||||
Speech of farewell | a speech allowing someone to say good-bye to one part of his or her life as he or she is moving on to the next part of life. | ||||
Speech of introduction | a mini-speech given by the host of a ceremony that introduces another speaker and his or her speech. | ||||
Speech of presentation | a brief speech given to accompany a prize or honor. | ||||
Straw man | a fallacy that shows a weaker side of an opponent’s argument in order to more easily tear it down. | ||||
Success speech | a speech given by someone who has succeeded in some aspect of life and is giving back by telling others how they too can be successful. | ||||
Survivor speech | a speech given by someone who has survived a personal tragedy or who has faced and overcome serious adversity. | ||||
Syllogism | a three-sentence argument composed of a major premise (a generalization or principle that is accepted as true), a minor premise (and example of the major premise), and a conclusion. | ||||
Target audience | the members of an audience the speaker most wants to persuade and who are likely to be receptive to persuasive messages. | ||||
Toast | a speech designed to congratulate, appreciate, or remember. | ||||
Two-tailed argument | a persuasive technique in which a speaker brings up a counter-argument to their own topic and then directly refutes the claim. | ||||