🫢Advanced Public Speaking Unit 12 – Ethics in Public Speaking

Key Ethical Principles

• Honesty involves being truthful and avoiding deception in all aspects of the speech
• Integrity requires speakers to adhere to their moral principles and values consistently
  • Includes maintaining credibility by practicing what they preach
  • Ensures the speaker's message aligns with their actions and character
• Respect for the audience entails valuing their time, opinions, and diversity
• Responsibility means being accountable for the content and impact of the speech
  • Speakers should carefully consider the potential consequences of their words
• Fairness involves presenting balanced and unbiased information
  • Includes giving credit to sources and avoiding plagiarism
• Objectivity requires speakers to approach topics with an open mind and avoid letting personal biases influence their message
• Clarity in communication helps the audience understand the speaker's purpose and main points
• Empathy enables speakers to connect with their audience by understanding their perspectives and emotions

Ethical Considerations in Speech Preparation

• Selecting a topic that is appropriate for the audience and occasion
  • Considers the audience's interests, needs, and sensitivities
  • Ensures the topic aligns with the purpose of the event
• Conducting thorough and unbiased research to gather accurate information
  • Includes consulting reliable sources from various perspectives
  • Avoids cherry-picking data to support a predetermined conclusion
• Organizing the speech in a logical and coherent manner
  • Ensures the structure facilitates understanding and retention
  • Uses transitions to create a smooth flow between main points
• Choosing language that is clear, inclusive, and respectful
  • Avoids jargon, slang, or offensive terms that may alienate the audience
  • Uses gender-neutral language when appropriate
• Considering the potential impact of the speech on the audience and society
  • Reflects on how the message may influence attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors
  • Takes responsibility for any unintended consequences
• Rehearsing the speech to ensure effective delivery and adherence to ethical principles
  • Allows for refinement of content and style
  • Helps the speaker identify and address any ethical concerns

Handling Sensitive Topics

• Recognizing and acknowledging the sensitivity of the subject matter
  • Demonstrates awareness and empathy for the audience's feelings
  • Prepares the audience for potentially uncomfortable or emotional content
• Approaching the topic with respect, objectivity, and cultural sensitivity
  • Avoids stereotyping, generalizations, or offensive language
  • Considers diverse perspectives and experiences related to the issue
• Providing trigger warnings or content disclaimers when necessary
  • Allows audience members to make informed decisions about their engagement
  • Shows respect for their emotional well-being and personal boundaries
• Using inclusive language that avoids marginalizing or alienating specific groups
• Presenting factual information from reliable sources to support claims
  • Helps mitigate potential backlash or accusations of bias
  • Strengthens the credibility of the speaker and the message
• Offering resources or support for audience members who may be affected by the topic
  • Demonstrates compassion and responsibility for the audience's well-being
  • Provides avenues for further education or assistance if needed
• Encouraging open and respectful dialogue about the sensitive topic
  • Creates a safe space for audience members to express their thoughts and feelings
  • Promotes understanding and empathy among diverse perspectives

Credibility and Source Citation

• Establishing credibility through expertise, trustworthiness, and dynamism
  • Expertise involves demonstrating knowledge and experience in the subject matter
  • Trustworthiness is built through honesty, transparency, and consistency
  • Dynamism refers to the speaker's confidence, enthusiasm, and ability to engage the audience
• Using credible sources to support claims and arguments
  • Includes academic journals, reputable news outlets, and expert opinions
  • Avoids relying on biased, outdated, or unreliable sources
• Properly citing sources to give credit to the original authors and avoid plagiarism
  • Follows established citation styles (APA, MLA, Chicago) consistently throughout the speech
  • Includes in-text citations and a reference list or bibliography
• Providing context and background information for sources
  • Helps the audience understand the relevance and significance of the cited material
  • Allows for critical evaluation of the source's credibility and potential biases
• Balancing the use of sources with original analysis and insights
  • Avoids overreliance on quotes or paraphrased material
  • Demonstrates the speaker's ability to synthesize information and draw meaningful conclusions
• Acknowledging and addressing any limitations or counterarguments to cited sources
  • Shows intellectual honesty and critical thinking skills
  • Strengthens the overall credibility of the speaker and the argument

Audience Analysis and Respect

• Conducting demographic research to understand the audience's background and characteristics
  • Includes age, gender, education level, occupation, and cultural background
  • Helps tailor the content and delivery style to the audience's needs and preferences
• Identifying the audience's knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about the topic
  • Allows for appropriate level of explanation and context
  • Enables the speaker to address potential objections or misconceptions
• Adapting the language and examples to be inclusive and relatable to the audience
  • Avoids jargon or references that may exclude or confuse certain audience members
  • Uses analogies or stories that resonate with the audience's experiences
• Respecting the audience's time by being concise and staying within the allotted speaking time
• Engaging the audience through eye contact, gestures, and vocal variety
  • Demonstrates confidence and connection with the audience
  • Helps maintain interest and attention throughout the speech
• Encouraging audience participation and feedback when appropriate
  • Allows for a two-way exchange of ideas and perspectives
  • Shows respect for the audience's contributions and insights
• Being open to diverse viewpoints and handling disagreements with grace and professionalism
  • Avoids defensive or dismissive responses to challenging questions or comments
  • Acknowledges the validity of different opinions while maintaining focus on the main message

Ethical Persuasion Techniques

• Using logical appeals (logos) to present clear and rational arguments
  • Includes citing credible sources, using statistics, and providing examples
  • Avoids fallacies such as hasty generalizations, false dichotomies, or slippery slopes
• Employing emotional appeals (pathos) to connect with the audience's values and experiences
  • Includes using vivid language, storytelling, and evoking empathy
  • Avoids manipulation or exploitation of the audience's emotions
• Establishing credibility (ethos) through expertise, trustworthiness, and moral character
  • Includes citing relevant qualifications, being transparent about potential biases, and demonstrating integrity
  • Avoids exaggerating credentials or making false claims
• Presenting balanced arguments that acknowledge counterpoints and limitations
  • Demonstrates intellectual honesty and critical thinking skills
  • Avoids cherry-picking evidence or creating straw man arguments
• Using inclusive and respectful language that avoids stereotyping or offensive terms
• Providing a clear and compelling call to action that aligns with the audience's values and beliefs
  • Offers specific and achievable steps for the audience to take
  • Avoids coercion or pressure tactics that may undermine free choice
• Allowing for questions and open dialogue to foster understanding and engagement
  • Shows respect for the audience's autonomy and critical thinking abilities
  • Avoids shutting down dissent or alternative perspectives

Dealing with Controversial Issues

• Researching the topic thoroughly to understand various perspectives and arguments
  • Includes consulting sources from different ideological or cultural backgrounds
  • Helps identify potential areas of agreement or common ground
• Presenting the controversy objectively and without personal bias
  • Avoids loaded language or emotional appeals that may inflame tensions
  • Uses neutral terms and presents arguments fairly, even if the speaker disagrees
• Acknowledging the complexity and sensitivity of the issue
  • Avoids oversimplifying or dismissing legitimate concerns
  • Demonstrates empathy and respect for the audience's diverse experiences and opinions
• Focusing on facts, evidence, and logical reasoning rather than personal attacks or generalizations
  • Helps maintain a civil and productive dialogue
  • Avoids ad hominem arguments or questioning the motives of those with differing views
• Encouraging open-mindedness and a willingness to consider alternative perspectives
  • Models intellectual humility and curiosity
  • Avoids presenting the speaker's view as the only valid or moral position
• Providing a balanced conclusion that recognizes the merits of different arguments
  • Avoids alienating audience members who may hold dissenting opinions
  • Emphasizes the importance of continued dialogue and mutual understanding
• Offering resources for further education and engagement on the controversial issue
  • Empowers the audience to make informed decisions and take constructive action
  • Avoids leaving the audience feeling helpless or polarized

Ethical Challenges in Different Speaking Contexts

• Navigating the expectations and norms of various speaking environments (academic, professional, political, social)
  • Includes understanding the purpose, audience, and tone of each context
  • Adapts the content and delivery style to fit the specific setting
• Balancing the need for authenticity with the demands of the speaking role
  • Avoids compromising personal values or integrity for the sake of conformity
  • Finds ways to express genuine beliefs while respecting the boundaries of the context
• Handling sensitive or confidential information appropriately
  • Includes obtaining permission to share personal stories or data
  • Avoids disclosing private details that may harm individuals or organizations
• Addressing power dynamics and potential conflicts of interest
  • Includes acknowledging the speaker's position of authority or influence
  • Avoids using the speaking platform for personal gain or to promote a hidden agenda
• Respecting intellectual property rights and avoiding plagiarism
  • Includes properly citing sources and obtaining permission to use copyrighted material
  • Avoids presenting others' ideas or work as the speaker's own
• Maintaining ethical standards in the face of pressure or adversity
  • Includes resisting temptations to deceive, manipulate, or exploit the audience
  • Avoids compromising principles for the sake of popularity, financial gain, or political expediency
• Seeking guidance and support from mentors or professional organizations when facing ethical dilemmas
  • Includes consulting codes of ethics or best practices in the field
  • Avoids making difficult decisions in isolation or without considering the potential consequences