The Art of Public Speaking
A clever opener used at the very beginning of a speech to instantly grab the audience's attention.
What is a Hook?
The main point, argument, or position that a speaker is trying to prove.
What is a Claim?
The level of administration that manages immediate town or city needs like local parks and schools.
What is Local Government? (Or Municipal Government)
An official rule created by the government that everyone in society is expected to follow.
What is a Law?
Actions taken by regular citizens to improve their neighborhood, solve public problems, and vote.
What is Civic Engagement?
The tempo or speed at which a speaker delivers their words to the crowd.
What is Pacing?
The core takeaway or main idea that a presenter wants the audience to remember.
What is a Message?
The political body that makes laws and policies for an individual territory, like Massachusetts.
What is State Government?
A draft of a proposed law that is still undergoing debate and has not been voted into effect yet.
What is a Bill?
The practice of treating every single person exactly the same, regardless of their situation.
What is Equality?
The specific group of listeners or observers gathered to watch a performance or presentation.
What is an Audience?
A direct appeal at the end of a speech urging the audience to take a specific step or action.
What is a Call to Action?
The national authority that handles massive issues affecting the entire country, like national defense.
What is Federal Government?
The written master document that establishes the fundamental rules, structures, and rights of a nation.
What is a Constitution?
A person who lives in a specific area and is represented by an elected official.
What is a Constituent?
The underlying mood, feeling, or attitude that a speaker conveys toward their topic.
What is Tone?
Concrete backing—such as facts, data, or anecdotes—used to prove a claim is true.
What is Evidence?
The elected chief executive who manages an entire state.
What is a Governor?
A specific type of law passed strictly at the local town or city level.
What is an Ordinance?
Fairness achieved by providing different levels of resources or support to people based on what they actually need.
What is Equity?
This rhetorical appeal focuses on building trust and credibility with the audience.
This term describes the physical and vocal execution of a speech, including posture, gestures, and eye contact.
What is Ethos?
What is Delivery?
A rhetorical appeal aimed straight at the heartstrings to make the audience feel emotion.
A formal, spoken declaration delivered in an official setting or hearing to support a case.
What is Pathos?
What is Testimony?
The elected chief executive of a city or town.
A specific type of state title that emphasizes the government exists to serve the common good of its people.
What is a Mayor?
What is a Commonwealth?
When an executive leader, like a president or governor, officially rejects a proposed bill passed by lawmakers.
Local regulations that control exactly how land can be used and what types of buildings can be constructed.
What is a Veto?
What is Zoning?
The act of organizing, speaking up, or taking action to publicly support a specific cause or group.
Something that benefits the well-being and health of the entire population, rather than just one person.
What is Advocacy?
What is Public Good?