This paper examines physical, emotional, and mental contact with the audience as a component of public speaking. A speech before a group is an exchange, although usually only the speaker is talking. Yet without effective interaction, communication does not take place. The speaker must be constantly aware of the different kinds of contact that are occurring with the audience, drawing cues from the audible, visual, and visceral reactions being stimulated among the listeners. Interaction is dependent on such basic elements as whether or not the speaker can be heard clearly or speaks with a discernable accent and on such complex issues as whether or not the message has been well designed to meet the needs, interests, and preconceptions of those in attendance. An effective relationship between speaker and audience can result in the powerful exchange of information, and it is the speaker's responsibility to make sure that all the elements are in place to facilitate such an exchange.
William R. Gondin and Edward M. Mammen (1981) observe, "Public speaking is an enlarged conversation" (p. 48). While the conventional view of a conversation is that of an exchange of words, a dialogue, public speaking is a more subtle version of the same kind of exchange. The audience usually does not speak (at least not during the speech itself) but nevertheless participates in the discussion by following the speaker's argument, agreeing or disagreeing, and thinking about the points being made.
The exchange begins when the audience decides to pay attention in the first place. Sonya Hamlin (1988) writes, "Three basic factors shape the answer to every potential listener's challenging unspoken question: 'Why should I listen?' [These are] self-interest, who's telling, [and] how they tell it" (p. 23). Self-interest determines whether the audience member will begin the exchange. An effective speech begins with an analysis of who is being addressed. ...