Public Communication Assignment, Essay Example

The concept of public relations or mass communications is what is commonly referred to as public communication. However, it is a field mainly built on thoughts and images, strategy and persuasion, information and tactics. There is no product or strategy that may be successful without a good message directed to the appropriate audience in a modern and creative manner. The ability to effectively communicate a message to the audience is entailed in the Public Communication program. It graduates with a wider scope of individuals through radio, public speaking, news paper, TV or even some other forms of mass media. It can also be described as the idea of expressing a scheme to several people at the same time (Gibbs, p93).

Consequently, students of public communications examine the ways in which information is communicated to different segments of the society; these may include the government officials, community organizers, consumers, the media, employees and investors. They learn how to help their organizations in dealing with the organization’s social responsibilities and in the restructuring of the public opinion. They study about different strategies that can be used while conveying messages and communication tactics applying them in ways that commonly benefit the public together with their organizations.

For over a period of two thousand five hundred years ago, the first renowned work on the subject was done and the principles involved in it were derived from the experience and practices of orators who were from the ancient Greece. The basic principles have been changed by cultures and societies and have resulted to modification of the original idea.  Despite the changes, it has however remained surprisingly unvarying. For a long time the history of public speaking has been in existence and has had a huge effect on the society ever since civilization was established. The systems and technology of this aspect of communication have traditionally been in a structure that oratory and mainly rely on an audience that could either be small or large depending on the circumstances involved. Nevertheless, this technology is becoming more extensive across the world because it is obliging for huge conference meetings and direct communication context.

The act of public speaking can be a talent that is inborn or an interest that should either way be developed to be more effective. This can be done by joining a club like the Toastmasters International, Association of Speakers Clubs (ASC), Rostrum, Speaking Circles, or even International Training in Communication (ITC) whereby members are assigned exercises in order to develop their speaking skills. These clubs enable the members to learn by practice and observation. They also listen to positive suggestions and exercise on the latest public speaking strategies which enables them to work on their skills (Charity, p132).

A person who enrolls in a club like Toastmasters International gets the best ground for growth in terms of carrying out public speaking skills and after a considerable period of time, an impressive development is noticeable in the person’s speech. A good example is the forensic; there can be an improvement in public communication skills of forensics if they can be well trained by experts. It has been discovered that organizations that lead in their industry are mainly recognized because of the effective communication skills that they develop and use in networking (Christoffel, p67).

Going back to history, it is evident that there were leaders who were good in public speaking and they used their oratory skills to positively influence the society. Examples of these leaders were Martin Luther King, Adolf Hitler and Mao Ze. Prominent persons are rated by analyzing their speeches and it is the same device used by supporters and critics.

Associations have been established to help those who take public communication as a profession to succeed both academically and economically. A good example of these associations is the (NCA), National Communication Association whose impact has been felt because of the remarkable work it is doing. There have also been annual conventions that are held to promote effectual public speaking and this is done by having presentations that support the same.

In the United States, public speaking competitions have become very popular especially to high schools and they receive awesome support from national organizations like the National Forensic League (NFL) which point to the NFA and AFA. The organization is also known to sponsor Humorous Interpretation but excluding Informative Speaking, After Dinner Speaking, Rhetorical Criticism, Dramatic Duo Interpretation, Programmed Oral Interpretation or Persuasive Speaking.

A very huge percentage of those who emerge to be the best in public speaking will testify to have had a first time where they could not even stand the thought of speaking in public. This is commonly called the fear of public speaking which is known as Gloss phobia or “stage fright”. “The common person at a funeral would rather be in the casket than doing the eulogy” said Jerry Seinfeld. Many careers involve some talent in public speaking, for example, presenting information to colleagues or clients (Tobey, p56).

In an individual, the skills of oration and public speaking are seen to be highly valued and coveted by others. The skill of public communication has a strong influence in the personality of an individual and can be used for doing almost everything. People who have been known for their remarkable ability to speak are seen to best influence different audiences. It is also important for the speaker to understand the reason and use of communication so as to communicate their message in an effectual way.

Work Cited

Charity, A., Doing Public Journalism, New York: Guilford Publications, 2007, p132

Christoffel, T., Legal Issues in Injury Prevention, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005, p67

Gibbs, C., Reporting and Writing the News. New York: Guilford Press, 2004, p93

Tobey, J., A Manual of Law for Sanitarians, New York: Commonwealth Press, 2004, p56