The Importance of Studying EthicsIt is important to practice ethical behavior in your speeches, as it helps to establish trust with your audience. Show
Learning Objectives List the qualities of an ethical speaker Key TakeawaysKey Points
Key Terms
Why Study Ethics ?Ethics: American philosopher Thomas Nagel teaching an undergraduate course in ethics at New York University. What is Ethics?When you think of ethics, what comes to mind? Perhaps you think of words and phrases such as ethical behavior, professional ethics, ethics boards, or code of ethics. At its heart, ethics refers to the concept of having morally acceptable values and behaviors. When you align your behaviors and actions with these values, you engage in ethical behavior. Ethical Behavior in Public Speaking Why would you need to even consider ethics in public speaking? First and foremost, your audience not only needs to believe in your words and message, but they need to trust you as the message giver. To engage in unethical
behavior when speaking only erodes that trust.
To speak ethically is to use your own original speech content. If you use any
substantiating facts or passages from another, you must give appropriate attribution or credit as necessary. Ethical speakers are ones who do not plagiarize their material or try to pass off words and ideas from others as their own. Rules to Follow When SpeakingEffective speakers engage in ethical goals, fully prepare their speeches, practice honesty and avoid abusive language. Learning Objectives State the basic rules of crafting and delivering a speech Key TakeawaysKey Points
Key Terms
Rules to Follow When SpeakingRules for Public Speakers: Effective speakers engage in ethical goals, fully prepare their speeches and materials, practice honesty, and don't use abusive language when speaking. As a public speaker, it's important to follow some basic rules as you approach the crafting and delivery of your speech. These rules include ethical goals, full preparation, honesty, and non-abusive language. Ethical GoalsConsider why you're speaking. Are you trying to persuade your audience to adopt a certain viewpoint or consider a new idea? If so, you'll want to make sure that you lead your audience to that belief point in an ethical manner. You don't want to use tactics like intimidation. Additionally, have the responsibility and professionalism to know whether or not you have a conflict of interest on a given topic or with a certain audience or venue. Recuse yourself--provide your audience with a full disclosure of said conflict of interest, and adjust your speech accordingly. Full PreparationEffective speakers are those who take the time to fully prepare their speeches, from the speech writing process to the delivery of the speech to the very clothes they wear for the speech. If you don't prepare, it will show and ultimately affect your credibility as a speaker to your audience and colleagues. Respect your audience by taking thorough time to write, edit, review and rehearse your speech before presenting. HonestyHonesty is an extension of the ethical goals of your speech. Don't resort to falsehoods or opinions presented as facts to make your case. Come from a place of authenticity instead of deception. Your credibility can become damaged when it is revealed you have either lied or even just slightly bent the truth in your speeches. Non-Abusive Language Just as one shouldn't intimidate his or her audience, one should refrain from abusive language when speaking in public. This means attacking your
audience verbally, or, in a debate-style setting, even verbally attacking your opponent. Don't resort to name-calling or bullying; rather, make your case through the use of compelling facts and anecdotes that can be substantiated. Rules to Follow When ListeningDevelop a practice of active listening to be an effective listener. Learning Objectives Discuss the qualities of an active listener Key TakeawaysKey Points
Key Terms
Rules to Follow When ListeningYou may not always be the speech presenter or speaker. Many times, you'll be in the audience yourself. Active listening is a skill that can make you a more effective speaker in the long run. Active Listening: The art of active listening is more than just hearing what the speaker has to say: it's about being an engaged, attentive listener able to paraphrase what has already been said. CourtesyBeing an active listener not only makes you a more engaged audience member but, quite simply, it's polite. If you expect people to pay attention to your words when it's your turn to speak, they expect the same from you. There are a number of other courteous behaviors that an active listener should practice:
AttentionActive listening refers to the practice of not just hearing someone, but really listening and paying attention to what they have to say. Intrinsic to active listening is the ability to feed back what has been said to the speaker, often in the form of paraphrasing. As an audience member, you might not have the opportunity to actually verbalize these feedback in the moment; however, a true active listener is able to summarize at the completion of the speech. Open-Mindedness You may not necessarily agree with everything that is being said. It's important to come to the presentation with an open mind—that is, to at least listen with respect and courtesy to ideas that may be in conflict with your own personal beliefs and values. Again, if you expect others to be open and receptive to your ideas, you must extend
that same courtesy to others. Licenses and AttributionsCC licensed content, Shared previously
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Which of the following is ethical guidelines for persuasive speeches?Ethical persuasive speeches advocate the genuine beliefs of the speaker. Ethical persuasive speeches provide choice. Ethical persuasive speeches use representative supporting information. Make sure evidence cited is representative of all the evidence that could be used.
What are the five ethics in persuasive speaking?Being an ethical speaker is easy when you follow the five principles: trustworthiness, integrity, respect for others, dignity in conduct, and truthfulness in the message.
What are my most important ethical responsibilities when persuading others as a speaker?The two most important aspects in ethical communication include your ability to remain honest while avoiding plagiarism and to set and meet responsible speech goals. Be Honest and Avoid Plagiarism: Credible public speakers are open and honest with their audiences.
Why is ethics important in persuasive speaking?Speechmakers may manipulate facts, present one-sided arguments, and even lie to persuade their audience. And the audience may be fooled if they are not listening critically. None of these actions involve ethical communication. When speakers do not speak ethically, they taken advantage of their audience.
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