Being Audience-Centered
Being audience-centered means that we get the focus off our needs and wants and unselfishly serve others. We do this by directing our attention and thoughts towards how we can benefit them. This is important because if your audience perceives this kind of unselfishness in you, they will listen and most likely put into practice whatever it is that you are sharing. Additionally, it really shows that you also care about them. Concerning this, Theodore Roosevelt is quoted as saying that, “No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care” (n.d.). This adage has been especially true in my own personal experience, and doing this helps create exigence when giving a speech. Additionally, in the reading, R. Verdebeer, Sellnow and K. Verderber (2015) noted that, “…a message
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is only effective if it is understood and internalized by the people being addressed” (p. 10). Hence, the end goal is to have whatever message you are trying to convey be received consciously by your audience.
Recently, I viewed a speech on YouTube by a person that truly violated the conscience of many of his listeners in the audience.
In his speech at a high school journalism convention, Savage (2012) noted that, “…we can ignore all the BS in the Bible” (para. 5). He said this and many other things that ended up isolating himself from others in his audience. Because of his lack of respect for fellow listeners, droves of kids got up and walked out on him. Therefore, his actions do not demonstrate cultural sensitivity and certainly will not create an environment that welcomes earnest participation.
The second commandment by Jesus correlates really well with this question and idea; and that is to love others as much as you love yourself. We all have the innate desire to be listened to and understood. And when we extend those desires in equal capacity to others, we can expect them to feel loved and appreciated, which in turn results in a respectful reciprocation of love and honor. This is important when giving a speech because it allows the speaker to loosen up his audience enough to have a neutral (open minded) ground upon which to share ideas and drive home or convey the points being
addressed.
Additionally, in the God’s word it states, “Don’t be jealous or proud, but be humble and consider others more important than yourselves” (Phillipians 2:3, Contemporary English Version). Truly, when we consider that others have meaningfulness in the exchange, we show them that we value their opinions and ideas. And ultimately this cultivates an environment of civility and generosity.
is only effective if it is understood and internalized by the people being addressed” (p. 10). Hence, the end goal is to have whatever message you are trying to convey be received consciously by your audience.
Recently, I viewed a speech on YouTube by a person that truly violated the conscience of many of his listeners in the audience.
In his speech at a high school journalism convention, Savage (2012) noted that, “…we can ignore all the BS in the Bible” (para. 5). He said this and many other things that ended up isolating himself from others in his audience. Because of his lack of respect for fellow listeners, droves of kids got up and walked out on him. Therefore, his actions do not demonstrate cultural sensitivity and certainly will not create an environment that welcomes earnest participation.
The second commandment by Jesus correlates really well with this question and idea; and that is to love others as much as you love yourself. We all have the innate desire to be listened to and understood. And when we extend those desires in equal capacity to others, we can expect them to feel loved and appreciated, which in turn results in a respectful reciprocation of love and honor. This is important when giving a speech because it allows the speaker to loosen up his audience enough to have a neutral (open minded) ground upon which to share ideas and drive home or convey the points being
addressed.
Additionally, in the God’s word it states, “Don’t be jealous or proud, but be humble and consider others more important than yourselves” (Phillipians 2:3, Contemporary English Version). Truly, when we consider that others have meaningfulness in the exchange, we show them that we value their opinions and ideas. And ultimately this cultivates an environment of civility and generosity.